LSU emerges for linebacker

LSU has emerged as a frontrunner for Cody Kurz and the inside linebacker from Ventura (Calif.) St. Bonaventure said he'd like to schedule an official visit soon. If he likes what the Tigers have to offer, he could commit.

"LSU still wants me out there and I'm trying to go out there really badly and see that place," Kurz said. "I'm probably going to go out there and if I like what I see I might commit.

"I've been contacting their (defensive) coordinator. We've been talking and I'm going to take the ACT and then after that I'm going to get out there as soon as I can."

Colorado and Washington have also offered Kurz, a 6-foot-3, 238-pound three-star prospect, but both schools have faded on his favorites list. He cited the coaching change at Colorado as a reason why the Buffaloes have moved down. Kurz likes Ohio State and Hawaii and has been talking sporadically with both programs.

Utah, Oregon State, Nevada and Wyoming are some other new teams showing interest in Kurz, rated No. 27 at inside linebacker and No. 38 in the California state rankings by Rivals.com. He's planning an official visit to Utah for the weekend of Jan. 14.

But LSU seems to be the leader and Kurz is looking to set up an official visit date. Not only does the St. Bonaventure standout like how the Tigers play and the coaching staff but he likes the idea of playing in the SEC, something that would be new for players coming from his high school.

"The way game day is over there and it looks like they all play together and not like a bunch of individuals," Kurz said. "They play like a team. I watch them whenever I can find them on TV but I've only been able to find them two or three times so far. When I watch them, they're good.

"No one from my high school has gone to the SEC. That's a big part, too. I just want to do something new for the school and something new for me. I just want to go big."