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Move from S.C. to La. has helped Israel Mukuamu's recruitment blossom

The Latest: When Israel Mukuamu moved from South Carolina to Louisiana he wasn’t sure how it would impact his recruitment. After all, Mukuamu was just starting to garner the attention of programs in the Southeast and now he was moving almost halfway across the country. But as it turns out, the move might actually be for the better. Mukuamu has caught the attention of several new programs and seen his offer list grow by leaps and bounds. Rivals.com caught up with Mukuamu to talk about his recruitment and his plans for the summer.

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In His Words: “It’s been kind of crazy because when I was in South Carolina I was getting recruited by all of the east coast schools. Then when I came here I think it was a better move for me because I think there are more Division I schools out here as far as schools in the Big 10 and SEC so it’s been a great experience. I got to visit a couple of schools over the winter and spring that I wouldn’t have gotten to see otherwise.”

On schools showing interest: “I have a couple of schools showing me a lot of love, Oklahoma State, Indiana, Purdue, Ole Miss and Louisville just offered me and they’re already showing a lot of love.”

On Oklahoma State: “When I first got to Louisiana I followed the safeties coach, Coach Hammerschmidt on Twitter and I inboxed him and sent him my film and he liked it right away. I went up there for a junior day and he said he was going to be at my spring practice and before spring they offered me and I was surprised because it was out of nowhere. Since then they have really been on me. Coach Hammerschmidt really likes me a lot and I really like them as well.”

Thoughts on Oklahoma State’s campus: “It was great. I love the campus. It’s a college town type school and I like that so if I choose to go there I won’t really be distracted by all that stuff. I like it a lot. It was cool hanging out with Coach Gundy, he’s a really nice guy. I like him a lot.”

Thoughts on Coach Gundy: “When I talked to him I went to his office and he said they really liked the way I played and that their safeties coach would have a position for me no matter what and they’re just waiting for me to commit. He said he believes that I’m the guy for them and he feels that I’m going to graduate and in three or four years I can be the next face of the program.”

On Ole Miss: “That was a surprise too because Coach Wilbanks told me to call him and he offered on the phone. He deals with recruiting. I didn’t know until he told me on the phone at the defensive coordinator looked at my film and he loved me a lot. I talked to Coach Jones and that’s the defensive backs coach now and we’re getting a good relationship and I think it’s going to get stronger as this process goes forward. I didn’t know they were going to offer me but he said that Coach Freeze and Coach McGriff love me so I’ll be visiting there this summer. I haven’t had a chance to get there yet.”

On South Carolina: “I haven’t been talking to them much but I will go visit this summer.”

On other visits/camps: “Alabama contacted me, Coach Dunbar texted me and said they’re interested and they want me to camp so I’ll be camping for them. I’ll be camping for Florida State, too.”

On which offer might be next: “I really don’t know. I’ve been hearing from Texas and LSU. Arkansas and Houston came to see me the other day and I think they were impressed but other than that I don’t know.”

Rivals Reaction: Mukuamu is the type of defensive back that college coaches love when they see him in person and that might help him add quite a few offers on the camp circuit this summer. However, it's clear Oklahoma State has his attention early and now the key will be to hang onto it when going against some of the new suitors in the mix.

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