Purdue leads for OL

2007 offensive guard Ben Burkett has already received three verbal offers. Who has given scholarships to the 6-foot-4, 260-pounder out of Toledo (Ohio) Saint John's and does he have any favorites?

"I got verbal offers recently from Toledo, Akron and Miami (Ohio). I'm also getting a lot of letters in the mail from other schools like Iowa, Purdue, Boston College and Indiana," he said. "I pretty much prefer the Big Ten mostly, especially Purdue.

"I've been a Big Ten fan my entire life and I grew up in Indiana as a big fan of the Boilermakers. I moved to Ohio when I was 13, but I'm still a fan of Purdue particularly when they went to the Rose Bowl. It could go there if they offered me because I know that they are a good school athletically and academically."

Burkett was named first team all-city, first team all-district and first team all-state as a junior.

"Probably my best attribute on the field is that I have good feet," he said. "I'm also a pretty fast lineman for my size and I have good blocking skills whether it's in the run or pass."

Besides playing football, Burkett is also a baseball player for Saint John's.

"I've only gotten one letter so far, but it is definitely something I would like to pursue if I could. I don't have a favorite sport between baseball and football and I'll just have to see what comes to me."

This summer Burkett is considering taking in camps at Michigan, Toledo and Bowling Green.