Kimbrow taking things slow

When someone suggested last month that he run a street race against Denver Broncos defensive back Cassius Vaughn, Memphis (Tenn.) East junior Brian Kimbrow was all for it.

"I ain't going to back down from a challenge," Kimbrow said.

So they raced.

When the sprint, which has been posted on YouTube.com and viewed more than 7,000 times, was over, Kimbrow had nearly beaten Vaughn, once among the fastest players in the Southeastern Conference at Ole Miss and a Memphis East alum.

"It was a tie," Kimbrow said. "It was fun. I've never had anybody keep up with me in a football game. Usually I beat everyone by 10 or 20 yards."

The 5-foot-9, 165-pound all-purpose running back also is enjoying his recruitment. And why not? To date, he has more than two dozen offers, which have come from top programs in all parts of the country, from Alabama and Auburn in the south to USC in the west to Notre Dame, which pulled the trigger last week.

"I was happy [about the Notre Dame offer]," Kimbrow said. "I mean, happy, but surprised at the same time. I didn't expect to get an offer from Notre Dame. That's a historic program. I must be a great player, and they must like me a lot if they offered me."

Thus far, Kimbrow has visited Memphis, Mississippi State and Southern Miss.

"I think I'll be going to Auburn or Vanderbilt like Monday or Tuesday," Kimbrow said. "I also plan on going to Ole Miss, Tennessee, Alabama, Cincinnati, LSU and USC -- basically everybody [that has offered]. I'm doing some in the summer and some this spring."

According to Kimbrow, who has accepted an invitation to play in ext year's U.S. Army All-American Bowl, he has no favorites at the moment. He also claimed he has no timeline for trimming down his list of potential schools.

"It's going to be hard, but I'm going to choose whoever I feel like is the best for me," Kimbrow said. "I'm looking for good leadership, a winning tradition and good coaches."