LaGrone picks up first offer

Allen (Texas) outside linebacker Thaddeus LaGrone was one of the top prospects at the Next Level Texas Top 100 camp earlier this spring and then one-upped himself against some of the best talent in the region by impressing all observers at this past weekend's NIKE Camp in Fort Worth.

Against some of the best that the state of Texas and surrounding areas has to offer, the 6-foot-1, 185-pound junior more than held his own, showing a tremendous ability to cover running backs and tight ends in pass coverage. He has since been rewarded for his efforts with an offer from a Big 12 school.

"I got an offer from Baylor today," LaGrone said on Thursday evening. "I talked to them around 6 tonight. I talked to coach (Jim) Gush and he told me that they wanted me to play linebacker for them. He said I could play in space and that's something they're looking for. They want me to play in space in the open field and cover up ground and they think I can do that.

"It was kind of a surprise. I had known that Baylor likes me a lot but I wasn't expecting them to be my first offer. Baylor, they had talked to my coach and really thought that I could be a player for them. III was really happy about it."

A Big Ten program has also been showing LaGrone quite a bit of interest as well.

"I thought Michigan State would be my first [offer]," he said. "I've been talking to coach Terry Samuel and I thought they'd be my first one. They've already said they're offering me but they want to come out and see me in person this spring before doing it officially."

LaGrone feels his performance at this past weekend's event really worked to speed his recruitment up quite a bit.

"I think the NIKE Camp has helped get my name out there a lot," he said. "Rivals wrote about me and said I was one of the two top most impressive linebackers along with (Texas commit) Peter Jinkens. I think colleges have taken notice a little bit more since last weekend and they know that I can play at that level."

As far as favorites, LaGrone says it is really too early to name any. However, he does admit that the two aforementioned schools could have a leg up on the others.

"I'm just excited for spring ball and ready to get some more offers," he said. "Right now every college, I kind of see them as even right now. Baylor just may be sticking out a little but because they've given me an offer and I know Michigan State is going to offer me so they are as well."

LaGrone tallied 87 tackles, nine tackles for loss, five sacks and three interceptions this past season in helping lead Allen to a 10-2 record.