Huge Miami lineman holds offers
Miami (Fla.) Booker T. Washington offensive guard Ladeven Kirkland hasn't been on many recruiting radars to date. The huge 6-foot-5, 330-pounder apparently does have a few offers and may be receiving more.
"He's got offers from Boston College, South Florida, Rutgers and Ole Miss," Washington head coach Tim Harris said. "Miami is also showing a lot of interest right now."
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Is the lineman prospect favoring anyone?
"I don't think he really is," he said. "He mostly is just putting himself in position to impress any major university across the country by having a good season and doing what he needs to academically. Right now his core is at a 2.6 and we're trying to move that up."
Harris went on to discuss what makes Kirkland standout.
"He is a tremendous run blocker that is mostly getting looks as an offensive guard," he said. "Ladeven is a guy we're counting on to be a leader on the offensive line this season. He still has to work on his strength and feet to be a better pass blocker, but he is developing that."
One other player that holds a Division I offer from Booker T. Washington is defensive end Mark Wright.
"Baylor has already offered him in writing and Rutgers is coming on hard," he said. "Plenty of other mail is coming in from Ole Miss, Florida and others. I think once September 1st comes around it'll pick up even more for him."
Meanwhile, Harris feels that the 6-foot-3, 210-pounder is a solid player in his own right.
"He's a terrific speed rusher, but he still has to improve on his run defense," he said. "He is a very hardworking young man that is very disciplined."