Six schools in running for Spikes visits

Four-star linebacker Brandon Spikes out of Shelby (N.C.) Crest Senior recently announced that Oklahoma, LSU, Miami and Florida are his leaders. The 6-foot-4, 235-pounder plans to take officials to all of the schools, but hasn't scheduled them yet.

"I'm probably going to do my visits during the season after Friday nights," he said. "On the visits, I'll be looking for a great coaching staff that I fit in with. Somewhere I feel at home and get along with the players. I'm also going to be looking at the area. I want it to stay beautiful all the time and I want a chance to play early at linebacker, I want to play as a freshman."

What stands out about those four schools that make him favor them in the first place?

"I love all of them and watch them play," he said. "They're all winning programs and have winning traditions. Their fans love their teams too."

Who is the Rivals 100 prospect looking at for with his fifth official visit?

"I'm trying to stay open to everybody," he said. "I'll probably take it to either Virginia Tech or Virginia. Both of those schools are in the running for it, but it could be somebody else too, we'll see."

Spikes plans to have his official visits scheduled by the end of August.

Currently, the No. 88 player in the country is preparing for next season.

"Our first official game is on August 26th and I'm looking to break some records for most interceptions and most tackles in school history this year," he said. "I'm also looking for them to retire my jersey and just have a great season. Hopefully we'll win our third state championship.

"I need about 100 tackles to get the school tackle record, staying healthy is a big part it this year."

With the interest in playing early, Spikes is preparing himself to graduate in December. This means Spikes will attend wherever he commits to in January to give himself a shot at a starting job his freshman year.

"It's pretty likely I'll graduate early," he said. "I should have all my credits done this fall. I think I want to go ahead and get onto the team early to give myself that opportunity."

The No. 2 player in North Carolina suggested at the latest his commitment may be pushed to December.

This summer Spikes is keeping busy playing AAU basketball. The prospect was even being recruited for a little while by ACC power Wake Forest.

"This summer I'm averaging 15 points-per-game," he said. "Last season I helped our team to the state championship, but we lost by one point. We would have been the first team in North Carolina history to win the football and basketball state title in the same year."

Is basketball something Spikes would like to continue in college?

"I've been doing it my whole life and if it happens, it happens," he said. "I've love to play at the next level and I know LSU has mentioned if before, but that won't make me favor them over any of the other schools."

The No. 5 inside linebacker in the country was named all-district, all-state and defensive player of the year in the district after recording 93 tackles, two sacks and four interceptions.

Spikes has a solid 2.95 GPA.