Mouton raves about first official visit

Los Angeles (Calif.) Venice defensive back Jonas Mouton took his first official visit this past weekend to Nebraska and said the trip couldn't have gone any better. The safety said the Cornhuskers made up a lot of ground and have as good a chance as anyone to land his signature come Signing Day.

Mouton, 6-2, 210 pounds is the No. 2 safety prospect in the West region and No. 1 in California. He's a big hitter with nice range and the kind of frame that should allow him to compete for playing time right away.

"The trip was incredible," Mouton said. "I left Saturday and stayed through Monday. All the recruits met at our hotel, we got something to eat and then headed to the game. The game atmosphere there was like nothing I've seen before. The fans are the best in the country, they're all just so diehard and hardcore about Nebraska football.

"While I was watching the game, fans were calling me out, chanting my name and asking for autographs, things like that. It was really cool. The defense played well and both of their starting safeties are seniors so I'm pretty confident that if I went there, I would have a chance to come in and compete for playing time right away. That's all I want, a chance to compete, I don't want anything given to me or anything promised.

"Sunday was an academic day where I met with the counselors and went over the different programs they have there. I learned a lot about Nebraska's academic reputation and all of the academic All-Americans they have had there. Overall, it was a great trip, there wasn't one thing I would want done differently and I'm very interested in Nebraska right now. I definitely fit in there and not just on the football side.

"It was important for me to see how comfortable I would be away from football just as a regular student and I thought I fit in great. I loved the city and the campus and everything was very comfortable for me. I'm not ready to commit anywhere yet but I could definitely see myself at Nebraska."

The last time we caught up with Mouton, he told us he had a top three of USC, LSU and Michigan but he said that's no longer the case.

"I have five schools that I'm looking at and those are basically my final five," Mouton said. "Nebraska, LSU, USC, Michigan and Arizona. I want to visit all five but there is also a chance that if I feel like I know the right school for me, I'll go ahead and commit without taking the rest of my visits.

"I have Michigan set for this next weekend (Sept. 9) and that's the only other visit I have set up. We also start our season this Friday and I can't wait to get things going. Then I'll be off to Michigan and I'm really looking forward to watching them play Notre Dame, that should be a great game."

As many know, Mouton has a lot family in Louisiana but said everyone is doing well and he's still as interested in LSU as before.

"My family lives north of New Orleans so they're OK," Mouton said. "I'm still very interested in LSU, I would never let weather or something like that influence my decision. Remember, I'm from there so I know how it is and I'm used to the wind and rain and it doesn't bother me at all."