Interest picks up for Battle

Interest has picked up in recent weeks for Delray Beach (Fla.) American Heritage defensive back Dominique Battle. A Southeastern Conference power and programs in the Atlantic Coast Conference and the Big Ten have inquired about his services.

"Recently, LSU has been showing interest in me," Battle said. "(New LSU assistant coach) D.J. McCarthy has been asking about me and been sending me text messages. I was actually surprised because I haven't received anything from LSU. That was this Sunday. It's a top program and a good academic school. Coach McCarthy also seems pretty cool."

Georgia Tech, which has been at or near the top of Battle's list for the majority of the early recruiting process, also has begun to show more interest.

"Coach Jeep Hunter at Georgia Tech has been in touch with me," Battle said. "He invited me up there for Junior Day March 31. I am going up there. It means a lot. It means they are showing interest in me and they want me to come up there and see them."

A pair of other programs have invited the 6-foot, 165-pounder to their campus this spring.

"Virginia and Wisconsin both invited me to their spring practice," he said. "I am definitely going to Virginia's but I am making arrangements to go up to Wisconsin."

Purdue also has started to send letters.

Battle is in the midst of offseason training, getting ready for spring practice.

"I've been training hard," he said. "I'm getting bigger stronger and faster."