Laster still generating interest

While a large majority of prospects in the class of 2013 have already made their commitments, several top prospects from the Cleveland area start their senior seasons uncommitted. One of those is Cleveland Heights wide receiver De'Niro Laster.

Rated three stars and ranked as the state of Ohio's No. 33 overall prospect, Laster plans to take his recruitment out through his senior season because several schools are still evaluating him for a potential offer.

"The most interested are still Louisville, West Virginia, Cincinnati, Kansas, Ohio State, Tennessee, Wisconsin and Nebraska," Laster said. "Oregon is real interested in me as well. My buddy [Donovan Munger], he just got an offer from Oregon, so we plan to go out there and visit sometime, maybe during the season or after the season."

Of the schools he mentioned, only Cincinnati and Kansas have already offered. Laster plans to take an unofficial visit to Cincinnati for their home game against Pitt on Sept. 6, and is also looking to get down to see Kansas this fall.

"I have interest in Kansas," Laster said. "I was real close with Coach [Rob Ianello], who coaches receivers. When he was at Akron he offered me, so that is how I got interest from Kansas."

Of the schools that have not offered yet, Laster said Nebraska is showing the strongest interest and he has been in touch with the Cornhuskers' coaching staff this summer.

"I think Nebraska wants to get me on an official visit," Laster said. "They are real close to offering me. They want to see me at linebacker.

"I am real interested in Nebraska and they are real interested in me. We're trying to work something out now about getting me on a visit. I talked to Coach [John Papuchis] about two weeks ago. He wanted me to call them back on our first game week, so I am going to call them Monday."

Laster attended just one camp this summer and that was late last month for Ohio State's Friday Night Lights event.

"They want to see the first three games," Laster said of the Buckeyes. "They said they still really like me, they just want to see the first three games of my senior year. They said I impressed them a lot at the camp."

The 6-foot-3, 220-pound Laster could play wide receiver or tight end in college, though some teams are also interested in him as a linebacker. Position is not a major factor in his decision, which he expects to come after his senior season is complete.

"It could be after the season or National Signing Day," Laster said. "I want to try to get it over with, but if it takes until National Signing Day, we'll go until National Signing Day."