Outside linebacker Javontae Jean-Baptiste has been picking up major offers over the past week. Ohio State and Texas A&M are the most recent schools to extend an offer to the unsigned star out of Oradell (N.J.) Bergen Catholic but Nebraska, Virginia Tech, and Boston College are also some of his top contenders.
IN HIS OWN WORDS…
“At Ohio State, I think I’d be used as a pass rusher and help get pressure on the quarterback,” Jean-Baptiste said. “From watching them play, I can see that their defensive ends are very versatile. I should be going up to Ohio State next weekend. I’m not sure what to expect from the visit but I’m sure it’ll be great. I know coach Johnson is excited.
“I’ll be at Nebraska this weekend,” he said. “I’ve been talking with coach Frost for a long time, really since last February. He’s got a great staff and he’s a great coach. He just turned UCF around in a big way, which was hard to do. They have a plan to turn Nebraska back into what it was. I’ve also been talking to Coach Chinander, coach Dewitt, and coach Dawson for a long time. I haven’t really talked to any players there. I heard from Tyjon Lindsey and I asked him how it was there and he said that if I love football then it is the place to be.
“Things with Virginia Tech and me are going well,” said Jean-Baptiste. “We talk on a constant basis. I thought about signing with them in the early signing period but I didn’t sign because when I make my decision I want to make sure I’m at a place I love even if football doesn’t work out. The coaches are talking to me about how I’d fit in their scheme and how they have a big need at my position.
“Everything is going well with Boston College too,” he said. “I’ve been to BC quite a few times and I’m used to going around the place and I’ve gotten to know the players.
“I know Texas A&M got coach Fisher there now and their defensive staff is from Notre Dame,” Jean-Baptiste said. “Coach Elko and I are just starting to build a relationship. I think he’s going to be pretty good there. I’ve talked to the coaches about how they’ve had an eye on me and that I went down to Florida State for a camp when coach Fisher was there and they liked me there. I think I’ll take a visit there but nothing is planned.”
RIVALS’ REACTION…
Jean-Baptiste’s stock has sky-rocketed since the end of his senior season and many big-time programs are jumping at the chance to land his commitment. Virginia Tech almost got Jean-Baptiste to sign in the early signing period but he decided to wait and it has given him a number of additional options. Nebraska and Texas A&M will have to act quickly because it seems like Ohio State could pull Jean-Baptiste’s commitment at any point. The Hokies will need to do everything they can to fight off these new contenders. Their biggest adversary will be Ohio State but Jean-Baptiste’s reaction to this weekend’s Nebraska official visit will be interesting. Texas A&M and Boston College will need to take some big steps to move up Jean-Baptiste’s list.
