New leader for Rivals250 LB

Wake Forest used to be the top school for Greensboro (N.C.) Northern Guilford linebacker Chris McCain but he said another ACC program has become his favorite after visiting for the spring game.

Maryland is the new No. 1 for McCain, a 6-foot-7, 203-pound prospect who's rated the No. 11 outside linebacker by Rivals.com. The Demon Deacons are No. 2 and Syracuse remains in the third slot. The Terrapins have made a huge jump and could be tough to beat.

"I went down there for the spring game and it was amazing," McCain said. "They did it in the main stadium, they let the fans come and they let them all on the main field. I was talking to some of the fans. I know one player that committed down there so that's a big plus.

"I already know a couple people down there so that's cool. I have family that lives down there and coach (Lee) Hull, that's who I was with and he showed me around. It was fun. I met the head coach and they were telling me everything about how my freshman year would go and I liked what I heard."

Wake Forest was McCain's favorite school late last month and it is still very much in consideration especially because he likes the coaching staff. Being close to home is also a major factor for McCain, a Rivals 250 recruit who had 97 tackles and two sacks in his junior season.

"Wake is still up there," McCain said. "They're hanging in there. I'm not giving up on Wake. People discourage Wake because they're the smallest team in the ACC but if Wake is the smallest team in the ACC and they're still winning big games and beating good teams something is going on with the coaches. They're pushing them and they care about them. Plus, it's close to home."

California was one of McCain's top schools but distance seems to be an issue so it has fallen from the top handful. New offers from Michigan, Florida State and West Virginia are intriguing.

The Wolverines stand out in that bunch and McCain said he wants to take a visit to Ann Arbor before making a decision. He was not sure if he'll visit Florida State or West Virginia at this point. Michigan is fourth on his list but could be poised to move up.

"I can't really speak on Michigan and West Virginia and Florida State because I haven't made visits down there," McCain said. "All I did was talk to the coaches. They sound interesting. We'll see when I go there. I like the Michigan coaches because they told me it wouldn't be a problem if I played football and basketball."

Kentucky, North Carolina, NC State, South Carolina, Virginia Tech and East Carolina have also offered McCain, who is receiving interest from Clemson, Tennessee and others.