Miami offers Cushing

Oradell (N.J.) Bergen Catholic linebacker Brian Cushing has wanted an offer from Miami since the beginning of the recruiting process. Now he has one. So where do the Hurricanes fit in his favorites list?

"Coach Coker and coach Hargreaves came to my school on Friday and told my coach they were offering," said the 6-foot-3, 221-pounder. "They brought the offer in writing which was great. Miami is about as good as it gets for offers. If you get an offer from there as a linebacker, you know you're hard work is paying off."

With his new Miami offer, Cushing has a solid top eight.

"Miami, Florida State, Boston College, Stanford, Southern Cal, Notre Dame, Virginia Tech and Nebraska," he said. "They've all offered except for Southern Cal, but I think they'll be offering soon. They were at the Elite College Combine and even though they can't talk to me, they told my coach they were close to an offer."

Two other schools were in attendance last Wednesday night who could make Cushing's favorites list with an offer.

"Oklahoma and Texas were there," he said. "I think it's great they came all the way out here because neither school recruits Jersey much. But they've each offered a few kids who were there and hopefully they'll offer me as well."

Cushing's 3.82-second pro agility shuttle at the combine was by far the best time and is one of the top times for a player weighing more than 200 pounds in the history of combines.

"I had never run under a 3.90 so I was pumped," he said. "My second time was a 3.90 even so my two times will hopefully get me some more looks."

As a junior, Cushing made 120 tackles with 10 sacks and seven interceptions. He played safety as a junior, but will be playing closer to the line of scrimmage this season. He'll also play running back and wideout.

Does he have a favorite school?

"That's too tough to say right now," he said. "I really don't think I'll figure that out until closer to the football season."

Cushing will camp at Boston College this summer and isn't sure where else he'll visit.

"I'd like to see some schools this summer, but we'll see."