More offers for Ekanem

Linebacker Ken Ekanem of Clifton (Va.) Centreville was already experiencing plenty of recruiting success with over ten offers, but earlier this week everything hit another level with an offer from one of the top programs in the country. The Oregon Ducks threw their hat into the ring on Monday, along with a Big Ten program yesterday, to put his offer total at 13.

"Oregon offered and Illinois offered today [Tuesday]," said Ekanem, who is 6-foot-3 and 240-pounds.

Ekanem gave some insight on how the Oregon offer came about.

"Well I talked to Coach Pellum like two weeks before they came down," said Ekanem. "They said that they were interested. Then he said that he was going to catch a red-eye and fly all the way over here, so I figured that they were going to offer me. I was excited and it would be a really good fit for me academically and defensive scheme wise."

The effort put in by the Oregon coaching staff has impressed Ekanem.

"I was surprised that Oregon did a lot of research on me," he said. "They called a lot of my school's staff and asked about me."

The Illinois offer came as more of a surprise.

"I didn't get to talk to the coach," said Ekanem. "He saw me work out for a little bit, then he went into the office and told my coach that he was going to offer me. I still need to call him. I know they have a very good strength program and I know about the people they produce to the NFL, but I still need to look into them."

Aside from the 13 offers that Ekanem currently has, he also believes that Florida and North Carolina may be close to offering. While each of these schools are new to the chase, two schools have been after Ekanem for over a year.

"Virginia's Coach Poindexter and Boston College's Coach Siravo have been talking to me since my sophomore year," he said.

Ekanem has not taken any visits recently, but he hopes to hit the road this summer.

"I'm just planning on making my rounds in the summer," he said. "Nowhere in particular right now, just driving distance schools."