Kates takes final official visit

With less than a week to go before Signing Day, Rivals250 defensive tackle Jason Kates took his final official visit this past weekend to Raleigh. The 6-foot-2, 324-pounder out of Harrisburg (Pa.) Bishop McDevitt had a good visit to North Carolina State. What stood out from his trip?

"My visit went really well," he said. "I basically toured the school and met with the coaches and players. I really liked all the coaches there, especially coach Amato, Williams, Cignetti and all the trainers too. Everybody on their team is really close and that was nice to see.

"All throughout the trip, I got to talk to coach Amato. He mostly discussed how I fit into their program and stuff like that. He really showed an interest in me."

Kates was hosted on the trip by former Bishop McDevitt quarterback Marcus Stone.

"I had a good time with Marcus and he basically talked to me about the school and how it would be a good place for me."

The four-star prospect had a hard time rating his visit.

"I don't really know how to rate it, but it was up there with the rest of the schools," he said. "The whole trip went really well."

Kates has scheduled a press conference at Bishop McDevitt on Wednesday, Signing Day at 2 PM.

"I'm down to Michigan, Syracuse, Minnesota and North Carolina State," he said. "I like Michigan because of their program. Syracuse interests me because they've got a good team and staff that is rebuilding and should be a winner in a couple years. Meanwhile, Minnesota and North Carolina State have a great coaching staff."

Rivals rates Kates the No. 20 defensive tackle in the country and No. 15 player in the Keystone State.