Productive Michigan LB sending out film
The state of Michigan is loaded with linebacker prospects in the 2012 class, and one of the best is Holland's Nathan Ricketts. The 6-3, 215-pound Ricketts has averaged better than 13 tackles a game over the last two seasons, and is now getting that film in the hands of college coaches.
"My highlight tape is on YouTube right now and I've sent it out to Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan, Michigan State, Nebraska and Syracuse," Ricketts said.
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College coaches started showing interest in Ricketts after he posted 129 tackles from the middle linebacker position in his sophomore season. He attended several college games last fall, and saw coaches through his school in the month of January.
"Syracuse has been at the school and Michigan, Eastern Michigan and Central Michigan. It seems [the interest] has all been about the same right now," Ricketts said. "I've talked to Michigan a little bit, Michigan State a little bit and Syracuse and Central. I've also talked to Northwestern."
Much of the early interest shown to Ricketts comes from Midwest schools, and the West Michigan prospect comes into the process with strong interest in several Big Ten programs.
"We used to live in Illinois, so we used to be big Illinois fans," Ricketts said. "Then, I always liked watching good defenses and linebacker play, so I liked Ohio State when A.J. Hawk was there."
Ricketts attended a camp at Michigan and also one of the Wolverines' home games last fall. His interest in their program continues with Brady Hoke now head coach.
"I met Coach Hoke before when he was at Ball State," Ricketts said. "I went to their camp after my eighth grade year, so I met him and Coach [Mark] Smith. I liked them both and they were both great guys."
As a junior, Ricketts tallied 118 tackles, two sacks, two interceptions, five pass break ups, two forced fumbles and a blocked field goal in nine games.