LB starting visit tour

One of the best linebackers from the state of Pennsylvani is high on the ACC, although he'll visit the Big Ten this weekend. Raymond Brooks is one of the top linebacker recruits for quite a few schools.

"Maryland, NC State, Boston College, Pittsburgh, Iowa and Virginia are my favorite schools. Right now my two favorites are Maryland and NC State. I get along with the coaches real well. Maryland Coach James Franklin and NC State Coach Cignetti are my main recruiters.

"Maryland is the only school that I've been to. I went down there last year for Junior Day and I went this year when they played NC State. Next weekend I'm going to Boston College. I'm going to North Carolina State on Dec. 6, and I'm going to Maryland the next week (Dec. 13). I'm also set to visit Virginia on Jan. 17."

Brooks is currently visiting the Iowa Hawkeyes, a team he likes but hasn't cracked his top two or three. Brooks' relationship with coaches at various schools will have a large impact on his final decision.

"I've talked to coach Amato, he sounds real nice, and he told me I have a real good chance at starting my freshman year; the same thing with coach Friedgen. I don't talk to him as much as I do coach Amato, but he's pretty much the same way. Right now at the recruiting stage they're like more of a friend than a coach. That's why I pretty much like those two schools."

Brooks, a 6-foot-4, 245-pound defensive end from Williamsport, Pa. also likes the possibility of playing early at Virginia. But it would probably be at a different position.

"They've been explaining it to me since day one -- showing me their linebacker situation and the ones that are graduating and how I can come in there and play right away. They've got one good freshman playing right now, they say they need another one just like him on the other outside spot."

He has a great outlook on life, not just football.

"I'm not just thinking about football. Hopefully I will get to major in athletic training. All of the schools that I like say they have a real good program in that area. I'm going to wait until my last visit because I don't want to pick too fast. I'm going to pick a school based on where I feel most comfortable."