RB Tate up to five offers

Running back Benjamin Tate recently took in two junior day visits and the Newark (Md.) Snow Hill prospect has also acquired four more offers.

The 5-foot-10, 188-pounder with incredible 4.41 speed visited both Maryland and North Carolina for their junior days.

"I've been to Maryland's complex before," he said. "So nothing was a real surprise or anything there, but I was surprised by the academic center and it was very good."

As for his visit to North Carolina, he was quite impressed.

"North Carolina is probably one of the best," he said. "Their football facilities are the best I've seen so far and that surprised me. I also got to see a great basketball game as I watched North Carolina play Duke and then they offered me as well."

Now Tate holds offers from five schools -- Maryland, North Carolina, Auburn, Penn State and Michigan State.

Schools that are showing interest in the running back prospect include Virginia, LSU, Texas, Georgia, Wisconsin and Penn State.

"LSU's running back coach has been contacting me," he said. "LSU and Texas really liked my tape."

Are any schools standing out to Tate in the early going of recruiting?

"Probably the schools that stand out are Auburn, Maryland, Virginia and North Carolina," he said. "Those are the top ones right now because they offered or I've visited them. I'm looking at schools for academics and want to major in criminal justice and I'm sure Maryland would be the best choice for that, but I'm looking for academics and the field."

This past season Tate ran for 2,886 yards and 41 touchdowns as he was named first team all-conference as a running back and second team all-conference as a safety. He was also the conference MVP and named first team all-state.

Tate has also been keeping busy with basketball in the offseason. The season just ended and he missed most of the year due to a broken wrist, but he helped lead the team to the regional semifinals after his return.

"I had a broken wrist and wasn't able to play until the end of the season," Tate said. "But the broken wrist is a lot better now and the doctor cleared me to play about a month ago. Now I'm lifting and getting better."

This spring Tate is also getting ready for combines.

"I'm working hard and getting ready for them and breaking down the schools so I can take visits this spring and summer."

Right now the only combines he has scheduled include the Nike Camp at Penn State in April and the Elite College Combine in May.

This summer Tate plans to attend the Auburn camp along with two others yet to be determined.