Kinder rates B.C. trip a nine

Rated the No. prospect in New York by Rivals.com, athlete Derek Kinder returned home late Sunday night from his first official trip of the recruiting season, and said he had a blast. The Albion (N.Y.) star learned a few things about the campus and surroundings of Boston College and gave the trip near perfect marks.

“I had heard it was a great campus with great academics, but the city in general impressed me,” he commented on his trip. “I didn’t know there were as many things to do in Boston. I got to see outside Fenway, and that was cool. I also got to meet Coach O’Brien, and I liked him a lot.” He rated the visit a nine and was hosted by sophomore cornerback Jazzmen Williams.

Although the Eagles made a good impression on him, Kinder said one school stills retains his top spot: Pittsburgh. He will visit the Panthers officially on Dec. 5, followed by Maryland on Dec. 12, Syracuse on Dec. 19, and possibly Georgia Tech. Here is what he sees in these schools.

“I went on a unofficial visit to Pitt, and their facilities are tremendous,” he described his top school. “With them being there with the Steelers’, they are three times as big as anybody else’s.

“Syracuse is a good location. It is only two hours away from home, so I could come home if I needed to, but I would also be able to stay and enjoy the college life.

“Maryland, I am just curious about them. I want to see what they are like.”

Derek wants to take all of his visits before making a final decision, but plans to give one school a big gift at the end the year. He plans to name his final destination by Christmas.

Kinder stands 6-foot-1, weighs 197 pounds, and has been timed in the 40-yard dash at 4.55 seconds. As a junior, he rushed 87 times for 882 yards (10.1 yards per carry) as a tailback, and added 40 catches for 408 receiving yards.