Rainey chooses MAC

The No. 27 player in Virginia, Quinton Rainey out of Virginia Beach (Va.) Landstown abruptly ended his recruiting early on Friday by committing to Kent State. What made the 5-foot-11, 220-pounder end his recruiting so quickly and what stood out about the Golden Flashes?

"I committed early because Kent had a limited number of scholarship offers and I had to hurry up if I wanted it," he said. "Overall I really like the whole school and what they have to offer. I went on an official visit the last weekend in November (26th) and I really liked all the people in the community. I also really like the defensive coordinator Pete Rekstis. I think he made me come there because he talked to me on my level not just as a player, but also as a friend. As for the school, I really like that they are ranked in pre-law."

On Friday, Rainey talked with head coach Doug Martin and assistant A.J. Pratt.

"They were very excited when I told them I was committing," he said. "They were cheering and celebrating. The one thing they did tell me was that I'll be starting against Minnesota the first game of the season as a true freshman. They told me I'll be able to play mike linebacker and goalline running back for them."

The two-star prospect had offers from Maryland, North Carolina, Marshall and Syracuse. Many are going to wonder why Rainey chose Kent.

"Basically I chose them because I wanted to be around a smaller community and none of the other schools had a pre-law program as highly acclaimed as Kent," he said. "Those things were the big draws for me."

Just because he committed doesn't mean Rainey is done with recruiting yet.

"I didn't take my official to Maryland, but I think I'm still going to take the January 21st visit to Delaware State and then another visit to Penn State probably the last weekend of January," he said. "Basically the only thing that'll be able to change my mind is the overall schooling, community and coaching staff."