The secret is getting out

One of the best kept secrets from the Sunshine State is Dontae Aycock. Aycock, 5-10 and 210 pounds, plays quarterback for Tampa (Fla.) Chamberlain. Aycock is mainly being recruited to play running back and has some offers. But he is still not mentioned in the same breath as some of the other outstanding running back prospects from Florida like Jaamal Berry, Trent Richardson or Chris Thompson. That will likely change.

"I have eight offers right now," Aycock said. "Duke, Georgia Tech, USF, Vanderbilt, Kansas, Cincinnati, Illinois, and Northwestern have all offered. N.C. State, Michigan and Ohio State are recruiting me hard and I think N.C. State is close to offering me. I still think my name is getting out there."

Aycock is the signal caller for his high school team. They run the option offense and this is where he shines. Last season as a junior Aycock rushed for over 1,100 yards and 22 scores and passed for 950 yards and five touchdowns.

"I have put on some weight. Last year I was 190. I have worked hard in the weight room. I need to get as big as I can so I can prevent injuries.

"It will also help me with my (running) style. I run over people. If anyone's in my way I say to myself 'no one can stop me'. I was very successful that way last season. I love to run with power.

"Most schools are recruiting me as a running back. Only Georgia Tech is recruiting me to play quarterback."

Speaking of the Yellow Jackets they are one of the teams that have offered Aycock a scholarship. Despite the offers he's keeping things close to the vest and wants to see more schools before narrowing things down.

"Right now I just don't know and I am still weighing my options. Everyone is up on top. I still have to visit schools this summer and during the season. I will narrow things down at end of summer or the early part of the fall.

"I like how Duke has great academics. That's one of the things I am looking for and they are a program on the rise. I am looking forward to talking and meeting coach (David) Cutcliffe.

"I took visit earlier this spring to Georgia Tech. I met the coaches and players and watched practice. Georgia Tech has a great engineering school and a great program. They are the only school that wants me as quarterback and it's a similar offense to what we run.

"I visited USF and met the staff. I went to their junior day and they seem to be very nice and they treated us well. USF also has a good medical school and I may want to go that route.

"I really don't know too much about Vandy other than it's has great academics and they have a good football program. I think they are up and coming in the SEC.

"I don't know too much about Kansas either. They were good year last year and are on the rise as well.

"I know Northwestern has a great business school and a good program. The have some players in the NFL.

"I don't know much about Cincinnati and Illinois."

"I am looking at academics and they have to have a good coaching staff. I don't need to start right away but I don't want to wait too long, so I will look at depth chart. I will work hard and beat them out. Overall, I am looking for a great program."

So a few weeks ago Aycock had no offers and now he's sitting on eight. What will things be like in the coming weeks and months?

"In the beginning of spring I had no offers and now I have offers from some top schools. I never thought it would be like this. It's been a long road and I hope this is just the beginning."