Indiana star racking up Big 10 offers
One of the top players in the state of Indiana is Ft. Wayne (Ind.) Northrup strongside defensive end/tight end Josh Gaines, but until recently he wasn’t getting as many scholarship offers as he believed he deserved. That’s all changed in the last few weeks.
“I went up to Michigan State for a day or two,” the 6-foot-2, 243-pound Gaines said. “Michigan State offered me while I was up there. I really had a good time talking to the coaches and about how I would fit in there. They said I could play defensive end or even linebacker for them.”
Advertisement
But the Spartans aren’t the only suitors.
Entering June, Gaines had already earned offers from Purdue and Indiana but he added offers from MSU, Wisconsin and Penn State here over the last few weeks.
“I was surprised when I got the letter from Penn State, and then the others, too,” he said. “It’s shocking. It’s kind of all hit me at once. I’m still in shock.”
Gaines, a jumbo athlete that could play a number of different spots on the next level, said he’s been busy this summer with classes in math and is just now going to get to visit some schools.
“I just finished summer school today,” he said. “I’m finished and I might go check some schools out over the next few weeks. I was also playing AAU basketball. I was a junker – a guy that just would bang down low, but I gave that up. That should give me time to see and think more about recruiting now.”
Gaines said he’s open to anybody but is thinking hard about MSU and Purdue.
“Purdue told me they’d want me at tight end,” he said.
“Wisconsin said I would be a deep, pass-catching tight end. Penn State wants me at tight end, too. I really don’t care where I play. I’d play offensive tackle if I have to.