Tate preps for SEC visit

Pine Bluff (Ark.) 2016 Rivals250 defensive end John Tate holds offers from Ole Miss, Louisville, and Arkansas State, and he is now preparing for his first Junior Day visits.

His first trip will take place at the end of January when he makes his way to Ole Miss on the 31st. He also considered attending Oklahoma State's Junior Day on the 25th, but he will not be able to attend.

At this time he does not have any others planed but he does have plenty of coaches keeping in touch.

"Some people have been DM'ing me on Twitter like the Notre Dame coach and coach Lunney from Arkansas and coach Hugh Freeze," Tate said.

He has not had a chance to get to know many of the coaches real well at this point but he has already begun to form a few solid bonds.

"The only coaches I've really talked to was when I went to a camp at Arkansas State and I talked to an Arkansas State coach but that was in the summer time," Tate said. "When I go to Ole Miss I plan to get to know the coaches better."

The Arkansas Razorbacks have also done a good job of keeping in contact.

"Coach Lunney he came to the school Thursday and checked on us," Tate said. "He's been DM'ing me on Twitter and I went up there to a game. That's what I've been hearing from Arkansas. I went to when they played Northern Illinois. I like where they're heading. They have a good class coming in next year and they finished out the season real well this year. So I'd like to see where they're going the next couple of years."

Tate is also receiving interest from Tennessee and Arizona State, and he is keeping an open mind to the recruiting process. He is thankful for his offers and he is looking into his options.

As a junior Tate registered 39 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, and seven sacks on defense and is also drawing attentiong for his play at tight end. He is currently ranked No. 218 in the 2016 Rivals250, No. 13 among the nation's 2016 strongside defensive ends, and No. 2 in the Rivals.com Arkansas Postseason Top 10 for 2016.