Missouri LB/FB has two leaders

Lockwood, Missouri's Kyle Mayden is open to what position he will play on the next level. "It doesn't matter to me," the 6-foot-2, 235-pound Mayden said. "I'll play either linebacker or fullback. I'll play wherever they want me to play."

After his junior season the honors poured in for Mayden. He was named first team all-conference, all-district and all-area as both a linebacker and a fullback as well as first team all-state as a linebacker.

Mayden's talent and potential haven't gone unnoticed by college coaches. He has no offers yet, but is consistently hearing from Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri, Arkansas, Oregon, Oregon State, Vanderbilt, Kansas State and others.

He plans to attend week long summer camps at Nebraska and Kansas full as well as one day invite camps at Missouri, Kansas State and Arkansas. "I'm hoping to do well at the camps and get some offers."

Kansas and Nebraska have recently risen above the others on Mayden's list of favorites. He was asked to give his comments about his two leaders and the others he is seriously considering.

Kansas - "I went up there with my family for the spring game. It's just incredible up there. The campus is really pretty. They are very much geared to academics there. All of the coaches are great people, they were super nice and treated us very well when we were there. They have visited my school and Coach Blaney called me recently."

Nebraska - "They just win. They have a great football team, they're very well disciplined. The coaches are great. They are hardcore, they expect total discipline and don't take any crap. I like the campus. I went to football camps up there before and they have great facilities. I have family connections in Nebraska and relatives who live there. We usually come up for Christmas and to pheasant hunt."

Missouri - "They're my home state team, so that pulls some weight with me. I went to the Nebraska and Missouri game with my uncle and the atmosphere was really amazing. Their football camps are the best that I've been to. They are full contact and they play games. It's put together very well. I like the campus, but it's not as nice as KU's. They have a really good football team and I like the coaches."

Oregon - "I haven't been up there, but the stuff they sent me is really nice. It looked great. They have a good football program. It was great when I first heard from them, but my dad doesn't think they're real interested in me and I'm thinking that I want to stay in the Midwest area."

Arkansas - "I like their campus. My sister played in a basketball tournament in Little Rock, so I got to see the campus and everything and I liked it."

Kansas State - "They are successful and they are close."

When asked about his chances of committing early Mayden said, "I want to keep my options open for a while, but if Kansas and Nebraska offered me I'd have to think it over for a long time."

He plans to continue lifting weights and doing speed training with his team this summer.