Randle enjoys new No. 1 status
Advertisement
Rueben Randle interviewClick MORE: Here to view this Link. | Army AA Bowl coverageClick MORE: Here to view this Link. | More all-star coverageClick MORE: Here to view this Link.
Rueben Randle was in his team's weight room on December 10th when he received a text message informing him that he was the new No. 1 ranked prospect on Rivals.com.
"I thought somebody was playing with me until I went home and looked it up on the computer," Randle recalled. "I was surprised. Being from a small town, I really wasn't expecting it."
Now everyone wants to know where the Bastrop, La., product will play his college football.
Randle took an official visit to Oklahoma the weekend of Nov. 21, and he has been to LSU and Alabama unofficially. Randle has lined up two official visits for January.
"My trip to Oklahoma was fun," he said. "The atmosphere of their game (against Texas Tech) was crazy so I enjoyed it a lot. I was there with my dad and a teammate of mine (Javon Harris). All the coaches were nice, they treated us well. They offer a great opportunity where I could come in and play.
"I am going to take an official visit to Oklahoma State on the 9th of January and probably Alabama on the 16th. I am probably going to go somewhere on the 23rd also. I'll either go to LSU or Miami that weekend."
Randle had in-home visits with coaches from Alabama, Oklahoma, LSU and Oklahoma State before the recruiting dead period began.
"They were all trying to see where my head was at with them." Randle said. "They didn't really stress anything to me. It was just trying to get to know each other really."
While Randle's family is leaving the decision up to him, classmates and members of his community have their preference.
"Everyday somebody comes up to me and tells me to go to LSU," Randle said. "That is really where everyone here wants me to go. There is a dude that goes to school with me, he told me he would pay me if I go to LSU. It's crazy."
Playing quarterback, Randle led Bastrop to the state semifinals this season. He caught 55 passes for 1,058 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2007 as a wide receiver, the position he will play at the next level.
"Randle is an athlete that is a cross between A.J. Green and Julio Jones," said Barry Every, a national recruiting analyst for Rivals.com. "He should have a similar impact at the next level."
Randle arrived in San Antonio this morning to begin a week of preparation for the US Army All-American Bowl, which will kick off on Saturday at 1 pm (EST). He will be playing for the West squad.
Randle will be rooming this week with West Monroe, La., linebacker Barkevious Mingo.
[rl]