Illinois back in the picture for QB Roper

Huge 6-foot-6, 200-pound quarterback Justin Roper has had a busy summer traveling to camps at Tennessee, Clemson, Maryland, Virginia, Duke along with the Elite 11 at Georgia Tech and a Nike Combine at Georgia. Did any of the schools stand out on his journeys?

"I learned different stuff from every camp and coach, but no school really stood out."

Roper may not be done with visits as he is possibly looking to head back to Tennessee, Maryland and Georgia.

The Buford, Ga. prospect holds offers from Maryland, Oregon, Duke, Georgia Tech and Tulane, but still has yet to name a favorite.

"Personally I'm looking for a school that throws the ball a lot," he said. "I also want a good atmosphere between the players, coaches and community with the fans. Finally, I'm looking for good coaching, that way I can progress throughout my career."

One school that has jumped back in the race for the 63rd best player in Georgia is Illinois.

"Illinois started as one of my top schools and then dropped off," he said. "They are starting to pick back up and they said they are going to offer me. I like them, they told me I throw the ball well out of the shotgun and the coaches are really nice."

Roper is paying close attention to what other quarterbacks are doing this recruiting season and that may effect when he'll commit.

"I saw that Jeremy Ricker just committed to Maryland, so once a quarterback commits somewhere that starts a chain effect," he said. "I don't want to wait too long where some of my higher options are taken away, but also not too early where if something opens later I can go. I want to find that happy medium. I'm probably looking to decide around the middle of the season and hopefully I'll pick up more offers and interest. I'd like to take a couple visits."

In his final season at Buford, Roper is looking at increasing his knowledge of the game and bulking up before he heads off to college.

"I'm looking to increase my knowledge of the game and I want to gain some weight," he said. "I'm at 200-pounds now and I want to be 220-pounds by the time I go there. I think the weight will help me a lot with my durability along with my throwing, confidence and strength. I'm also looking to read defenses better."

Roper threw for 1,500 yards, 10 touchdowns and three interceptions last season.