Ricks looking for offers this season

Safety Nathaniel Ricks out of Clinton (Md.) Gwynn Park doesn't hold an offer, but the prospect is hoping one comes through after the first few games of the season. Who has the 6-foot-1, 170-pounder with 4.49-second speed been hearing from?

"A lot of schools have mentioned a possible offer including Maryland, Penn State, Duke, North Carolina, Virginia Tech, Kansas State, Virginia, North Carolina State, Illinois, Wake Forest and Georgia," he said. "I'm leaving it up to the season and we'll see what happens."

This summer Ricks made trips to Maryland, Duke and Pennsylvania.

"I loved the weight rooms at all the schools, the fields were really nice and the players and coaches were good too," he said. "All the visits were even though, no one stood out."

Has the No. 18 prospect in Maryland started to consider official visits?

"I plan to take all five visits probably during the season," he said. "I'm not really sure who will get the visits, but I'm looking at schools like Virginia Tech, Kansas State, Illinois, Marshall, Georgia, Georgia Tech and Wake Forest."

Virginia Tech, Kansas State and Illinois seem to be a constant with the safety prospect. What does he like about those schools specifically?

"I have a cousin, Roland Minor at Virginia Tech and I like their business school," he said. "I'm looking at Kansas State because I want to visit new places and it would give me a chance to get out of Maryland. I'd like to explore my surroundings. I've heard that Illinois has a really nice program and my teammate Adrian Moten got accepted there and he's telling me how great it is. The coaches are sending a lot letters too."

Ricks is preparing to make a decision probably either after or towards the end of the season.

The prospect's season kicks off on September 9th at Annapolis High School.

"I'm looking forward to a nice season with my teammates. We look good on paper and on the field," he said. "I want us to be successful and get the state ring. I also want to get as many scholarships as possible."

Ricks accounted for 40 tackles, five interceptions and one fumble recovery as he was named all-county and second team all-metro as a junior.

The safety prospect is also a good student with a 3.0 GPA and 1050 SAT.