Muhammad getting attention

Memphis (Tenn.) Hillcrest defensive back Rakeem Muhammad is getting lots of early attention.

According to his father Clarence Muhammad, Rakeem has been receiving mail from several programs throughout the country.

"He's going up to Illinois in March," the elder Muhammad said. "He's been invited to Ole Miss, Michigan, Arkansas, LSU and North Carolina."

Rakeem Muhammad is waiting on his first official scholarship offer, but according to his father, some schools are interested.

"They are waiting to see how he does at the NIKE Camp and things like that," Clarence Muhammad said. "The coaches at Illinois say that it is very possible that he gets an offer.

"He's already qualified academically."

Rakeem Muhammad had 42 tackles and 10 pass break-ups on defense in 2005, but his father feels like he could possibly play wide receiver at the next level.

"Right now, he's both," the elder Muhammad said. "He can play on offense at wide receiver. He could play both sides of the ball.

"The University of Memphis wants him as a wide receiver. When they had him in camp, that's where he played. They will look at him as a wide receiver."

If Rakeem ends up on offense, he will be following in his father's footsteps. Clarence Muhammad was a wide receiver at Alabama from 1988-89.

The Crimson Tide has been sending Rakeem letters.

Rakeem Muhammad is also a standout in track. He participates in the sport on a national level through the AAU.

His father added that Rakeem has added 10 pounds of muscle during the offseason and stays busy working out trying to achieve his goal of playing college football.

"It's something he wants to do," Clarence Muhammad said.

Clarence added that Rakeem is planning on participating in the NIKE Camp, but isn't sure which one yet. One possibility is Clemson on May 21. A trip to Upstate South Carolina will give Rakeem a chance to check out the campus one of his favorites. His father played for Tigers head coach Tommy Bowden at Alabama as was serving as Tide's wide receivers coach under Bill Curry.

The Stanford NIKE Camp on May 13 and the Gainesville NIKE Camp on May 20 also are possibilities.