Ohio State, Alabama, Vols fighting for McGraw
Not many players can boast three state championships in their first three years of high school but that's exactly what 2015 Nashville (Tenn.) Ensworth safety Rico McGraw can claim after his team won it's four straight state title on Thursday night.
For McGraw, it was the culmination of another season of hard work.
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"It's a successful year and it's great to know that hard work pays off," he said. "To be out there making plays for my team is a great feeling."
With his junior season now in the books, McGraw can shift is focus back to recruiting. With offers from many of the top teams in the country, he's looking to be active as he tries to narrow down his choices.
"During the season I really stepped aside from recruiting," he said. "Now I'm going to go at it pretty hard. I'm trying to narrow down my list and come out with a top 10 here pretty soon."
Even before his team locked up the title, coaches were swinging through Nashville to check on McGraw last week.
"Ohio State came by to see me and Tennessee came to practice," McGraw said. "There were a lot of coaches as the state championship, too, from Georgia, Clemson and Mississippi State."
For now three schools are standing out to McGraw, Tennessee, Ohio State and longtime frontrunner Alabama. McGraw gave his thoughts on all three schools.
Tennessee: "They're just starting to pick it up. I think they are finishing out the class of 2014 and they got the class they really wanted so they're coming after my class. Coach Martinez has told me that I'm No. 1 on their board for my class so we'll see where it goes."
Ohio State: "Huge interest from them right now. I talk to Coach Hinton a lot and I've talked to Coach Meyer. They're very excited about what they're doing up there and I'm excited for them and I'm trying get up there very soon for a visit."
Alabama: "They're still around. That's the first school that offered me. They had the faith to believe in me first so they're always going to be around. I'm still talking to them regularly, mostly with Coach Thompson but also with Coach Nussmeier."
While he's not ready to cut his list yet, McGraw said his taste of championships at the high school level has him wanting more of the same when he gets to college.
"Everything I've done in high school I want to take to the next level," he said. "I want to win and compete at the best level with the top programs."