Ohio DE has two offers

Akron (Ohio) Garfield defensive end Whitney Mercilous is one of the top players in Ohio that nobody is talking about. The 6-foot-3, 225-pounder stars on both sides of the football as a defensive and a tight end. But college coaches love his raw athletic ability and think he's going to be a terror for quarterbacks on the next level.

He received an early offer from the hometown Akron Zips, but they're not the only team that has shown interest in him.

"I picked up an offer from Kansas recently," Mercilous said. "I also like West Virginia, Purdue, Kansas, Boston College, Maryland and Georgia Tech. I went to Akron's junior day. But if I go to anymore they will have to be close ones. Because Kansas is too far to go to for a junior day."

Mercilous said if he had to pick today he does have a few teams that stand out.

"West Virginia, Washington, Kansas and Akron are my top teams," he said. "I like Akron. They have been watching me closely."

Mercilous has a few things that will be important for him when it comes time to make a decision.

"Good academics will be the biggest key," he said. "They must at least have a decent football team that can help me make the next level. I want and a school that can help make sure I graduate and get my degree. Location is really not a problem for me. I'm happy with going anywhere."

He's already excited about his senior season.

"For my team I want to at least go to the state championship," he said. "I want to make a better player of myself. I want to get down the wide receiver spot a little better on the offense."