SEC teams after Cope-Fitzpatrick
Pac-10 schools have been most involved with Jalen Cope-Fitzpatrick so far in his recruitment but now two SEC programs are showing interest and could make his decision a lot more difficult if offers come.
Florida and Tennessee are expected to visit Cope-Fitzpatrick's high school in the next couple weeks and the 6-foot-5, 250-pounder said Sunday at the Stanford NIKE Camp that he's highly interested in both programs.
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The Gators are Volunteers are also involved with Rocklin (Calif.) Whitney quarterback Jake Rodrigues, one of the top prospects at Friday's Elite 11 regional workout.
"I'm definitely looking at Florida seriously," Cope-Fitzpatrick said. "With Tennessee, I'm still trying to get to know them. Those were the first schools to contact me outside of the Pac-10 so I'm definitely interested in those schools.
"Florida said they're interested. I know they signed a tight end but I still feel they should get to know me and know what I can bring to the table."
Cal, Washington and Colorado are sticking out most to Cope-Fitzpatrick, who has offers from those three programs along with Iowa State, Nebraska, Oregon State, UCLA, Utah and Washington State. USC would also be considered a favorite but the Trojans have not offered yet.
Cope-Fitzpatrick, who has looked good at numerous camps and 7-on-7 events this spring, said he's not going to rush a decision because he wants to see what USC will do and he wants to take some official visits.
"I'm still very interested in USC," Cope-Fitzpatrick said. "I'm still waiting for their appeal in June and the whole deal with the offer. They haven't offered so I can't really put them in consideration yet.
"I'm trying to wait. I'm going to cut my schools down to five around July after all the camps and after I get some more offers, I'll get it down to five and then I'll schedule some officials."