Thigpen ready for more offers

Moreno Valley (Calif.) Rancho Verde safety/outside linebacker Brandon Thigpen was one of the better looking players two weeks ago at the Rivals.com Anaheim Junior Day at Servite High School.

The 6-foot-4, 200-pounder already has one offer on the table and he's gearing up for what looks to be a busy spring evaluation period.

"I've been hearing from New Mexico State. Arizona and Arizona State have been sending me a lot of stuff and my coach is talking to USC," Thigpen said. "Another coach was talking to Pete Carroll about me, and he has started to show a lot of interest in me. UCLA has sent me some stuff, too.

"I went down to San Diego State last weekend. It was a nice place, but I was just kind of checking it out. It's not really a place I'm considering right now."

Nebraska is Thigpen's lone early offer, but it's sure to not be his last.

"I still have the offer from Nebraska," Thigpen, who played at Vista Del Lago during the football season, said. "My coach says Arizona or Arizona State will offer me when we go out there for their passing camp, and I think Arizona State wants me to come down for their Junior Day."

But the Cornhuskers with their early offer definitely have left a lasting impression.

"Nebraska is the leader right now by far, but I'd consider other teams," he said. "I love the fact that it's a football town and that football is No. 1 up there. Plus, a high percentage of their athletes end up graduating.

"What position I play will be important. Also, how many guys are up ahead of me on the depth chart and what year they are. I don't want to go somewhere that has a bunch of freshmen at my position when I'm coming in."

At this point he'd love to take all five of his official visits.

"I'll take all my visits and make my decision after I finish them," he said. "I really want to visit Florida, Florida State and Miami. I'm originally from Florida and I moved to California when I was 12. I grew up loving the Florida schools. If any of those schools started to show me interest they would probably be right up there with Nebraska, but Nebraska would probably still be my No. 1."

As a junior at Vista Del Lago, Thigpen he had five interceptions to lead his conference and 30-plus tackles, two fumble recoveries and three sacks.