Four-star West Monroe (La.) linebacker Luke Sanders has been picking up some new interest lately from a pair of USCs.

“USC started calling me a couple of weeks ago,” he said, “and I just got finished talking to South Carolina earlier tonight. They wanted to know if there was still a chance to recruit me. I told them I was keeping everything open.”

Sanders (6-4, 228, 4.6) is the nation’s seventh-rated inside linebacker in the Class of 2004 and a member of the Rivals100 Team. He has listed LSU and Texas A&M as his co-leaders for several weeks now, and says little has changed at the top.

“They’re still my top two,” he said. “Both are pretty solid at the top. I’ve had a chance to visit them a few times, and I really like everything about them.

“But I’m hearing regularly from about 10 schools now, and I’m not ready to close the door on anyone at this point.”

Asked if USC and South Carolina had a shot to get into the mix, Sanders said: “Sure. Definitely South Carolina with Lou Holtz. He’s just a great, great coach – one of the best ever. It would be fun to play for him. And with USC, they’re always a top school. They’ve had some good linebackers there. California would be a neat place to go to school.”

Sanders said he’s set up official visits for LSU and Texas A&M, but none of the other three. Auburn, Colorado, USC, South Carolina, Tennessee and Ole Miss are in the hunt for those.

“I’ll be going to LSU one of the first two weekends in January,” he said. “I’m not sure of the exact date. But the following weekend, I’ll be going to Texas A&M.”

Through six games this season, Sanders has helped lead West Monroe to a 5-1 record. He’s recorded 52 tackles, two sacks and four interceptions (two returned for TDs).

Academically, he maintains a 4.0 GPA and has scored a 27 on the ACT.