Nine offers for junior RB

After a loss in the state championship game, running back Ryan Switzer, from Charleston (W.V.) George Washington School, still feels good about this past season. Off the field, the talented junior already has nine offers and is getting interest from across the country.

"My freshman and sophomore years we didn't make it past the second round of the playoffs, so I'm very happy we could break down those walls," said Switzer. "I'm pretty happy with how I've done this year. I want to work on understanding the mental parts of the game better in the off-season."

The 5-foot-10, 170-pound running back has offers from nine schools, including Georgia Tech, Northwestern, Purdue, Wake Forest and Florida State.

"I've been hearing from Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Oregon, Stanford, Southern Cal, Alabama, Arkansas, Ole Miss and Mississippi State also," said Switzer. "Right now, my top five are Notre Dame, Florida State, Oklahoma, Wake Forest and Oregon. I've also been getting a lot of mail from Southern Cal lately."

Switzer explained why those schools make up his top five.

"I love the high tempo offense at Oregon and the way they utilize their players in space," said Switzer. "Same thing for Oklahoma, they spread the defense out and put their athletes in opportunities to be athletes and make plays. I really like the tradition of all the schools. Big time programs and they do it the right way. My high school coach knows a lot of the coaches down at FSU and thinks I would fit in very well."

Switzer has visited a few school and liked what he saw.

"The Purdue game was fun and I really felt comfortable at Wake Forest and Notre Dame," he said. "So far I've only visited a few schools. I'm planning on taking more visits before I make my decision."

Both his parents and high school coach have their own opinions on Spitzer's recruiting process.

"My parents are really excited for me, but don't want me to go too far from home," said Switzer. "My high school coach knows some of the coaches down at FSU. But we'll have to see what happens."

Switzer is in the process of planning more visits and which combines he will attend. Last season he recorded 42 touchdowns, 3,100 all-purpose yards, 2,700 rushing yards and five interceptions on defense.