SOMERSET, N.J. - Defensive tackle Isaiah Raikes is playing his recruitment close to the vest. He, at first, maintains that he has no idea which schools will get official visits despite planning to start taking such trips later this month. After some prying, the three-star prospect concedes that Texas A&M will likely receive an official, but that’s where the hard information ends. There are a number of other schools in the running for Raikes, but the Aggies seem like the de facto leader at this juncture.

Raikes plans to announce his commitment in late June, so his official visits will likely be scheduled with haste. Below, Raikes discusses possible destinations and details the shine he’s taken to the Aggies.


IN HIS WORDS:

On schools talking to him most often:

“I’m talking to West Virginia a lot. Then, Penn State and Oregon, too. Texas A&M and Temple. Oh, and Duke. That’s it for the most part.”


On his recent unofficial visit to Texas A&M:

“That was the last visit I took, actually. I enjoyed it. I had a good time for sure. I’m going back for an official. That’s the one I know.


On how he fits in with the A&M defense:

"They see me as a versatile player, but they want to use me in the three-technique. They say they can use me in a lot of different ways, actually.”


On Jimbo Fisher:

“Me and him had a good talk. He’s an intelligent guy for sure -- a football guy. We talked about stuff outside of football, too. He’s great.”


On Texas A&M’s campus:

“The stadium is crazy and the fans in it are crazy. They had to move the spring game because of weather, but that didn’t matter. I loved it.”