Mayo names three favorites

Hampton (Va.) Kecoughtan outside linebacker Jerod Mayo visited Purdue last weekend and is one step closer to making a decision. His last two visits are next month and he will make an announcement soon afterwards.

“It was pretty good, but it was pretty cold,” Mayo described his most recent visit. “I liked how the team was a close-knit family. They are all friends.

“There were no students, but I went to a basketball game, and it was really nice. The coaches invited all the players over for dinner, and we ate with the players and played pool. We had fun.” He was hosted by freshman linebacker Josh Ferguson and rated the trip a seven.

Although he had a great time, the Boilermakers still managed to drop down his list slightly.

“I would say my three leaders right now are Tech, NC State and Virginia,” he said. He has visited NC State, Virginia, and Purdue, and will travel to Virginia Tech (Jan. 16) and Tennessee (Jan. 9) next month. All of his top five schools have had in-home visits and all will send their head coaches in January.

“I am looking at the scheme, and how the players get along coaching staff,” he commented. “I am watching the players, the facilities, just the whole thing.”

Rated the No. 10 outside linebacker in America by Rivals.com, Mayo stands 6-foot-2, weighs 214 pounds, and runs the 40-yard dash in 4.62 seconds. He recorded 113 tackles (91 solos and 19 for loss), five forced fumbles, two interceptions, and eight sacks as a senior defender and also rushed for 1245 yards (nine yards per carry) and 13 touchdowns.