Some changes to Spearmans list

Even a case of the flu has not kept St. John's (Ind.) Lake Central linebacker Ike Spearman's recruitment from getting interesting heading into the final week of the process. Since his decommitment from Ole Miss earlier this month, Spearman has entertained inquiries from a wide range of schools.

"As soon as I decommitted I had a couple Big Ten schools and a whole lot of MAC schools coming to the school," Spearman said. "I think everybody is pretty much in the same position. They have given out most of their offers and are waiting to see what guys are going to do."

Spearman was supposed to take an official visit to Illinois this past weekend, but he fell under the weather and was unable to make the trip to Champaign. He has been in contact with Illinois assistant Mike Ward and the Illini remain in his top group.

"It's probably going to be between Eastern Michigan, Illinois and IU," Spearman said. "It all depends on how I feel. I've been to Illinois, I've been to IU and I've been to Eastern. At this time it's more about getting a feel for coaching staffs, playing ability and where they see me fitting in that school.

"The only thing I really know for sure is that I will definitely be doing my signing at my church on Signing Day. "

The only MAC program on his list, Eastern Michigan has impressed Spearman with the strength of interest they have shown during his recruitment.

"I went to Eastern Michigan the first weekend in January and Coach [Ron] English has been to our house and over to the school," Spearman said. "He's definitely been the most aggressive and I like the guy. He has been an interesting recruiter."

Spearman has also been in contact with Central Michigan, Kent State, New Mexico, Duke and Indiana this month. Minnesota also came through with renewed interest recently.

"I talked to Minnesota today and I guess they had a linebacker decommit," Spearman said. "I told them I pretty much know everything about Minnesota's campus, so I don't need to go up there."

Whether or not Minnesota can move into consideration for Spearman's final decision is something the three-star linebacker is still considering. Spearman has already finished up the majority of his requirements for graduation and is taking just one Economics course on-line this semester, so he has plenty of time to mull his options in the coming days.