Trent Gordon talks high academic interests, upcoming spring visits

Four-star Manvel, Texas, defensive back Trent Gordon is ready for an upcoming spring road trip schedule where he’ll make stops at LSU, Michigan, Ohio State, Penn State, and Tennessee.

Even with those schools in the picture with his recruitment, and many other Power Five offers in-hand, the attention that he’s received from top educational institutions and service academies has been equally notable.

“Just the fact I know that when they offer me, they have to take careful consideration into offering guys because of grades and everything,” he said. “I know that not too many of those guys come by, so it’s they know that I can play ball and make a difference.”

Dartmouth, Rice, Army and Navy have all extended offers to Gordon, but he said that his recent offer from Yale was one that he impressed himself with when he received it.

“That was definitely the one that raised my eyebrows,” he said. “You know, not too many people get into that school, so for them to offer means I must be something special to them.”

In the meantime, his upcoming spring visits will give him a chance to do start separating some of his options between some of the more conventional programs recruiting him.

On LSU, where he’ll visit on March 18

“I really want to see with the staff how I can fit into their whole football program,” he said. “They say a lot of things, but I want to see first-hand for myself if the coaches are really cool people. I want to bond with them and want to see how much school pride they have - I know they have a big football program down there, but the academics are second sometimes, so we’ll see how it goes when I get down there.”

“I think they’re still a really, really good school,” he said. “I wonder about the interest they still have in me, but I know they’re still reaching out to me sometimes and want me to come out to see the campus and they still want me as well.”

On Michigan

“I’ve talked with (Jim Harbaugh) a few times, but I mostly talk to Coach (Brian) Smith,” he said. “That’s a really cool guy and he’s really wanting me to come up and visit and get a feel for the school more than just talking to him about it. They really want me up there and I just want to see the school for myself as well.”

On Ohio State

“I’m really excited about Ohio State,” he said. “I like Coach (Kerry) Coombs - that’s a really cool guy, he hits me up almost every day with another video how they train and he’s been sending me pictures of how well their players have been doing at the combine. So just on that I know it’s a really good school and they can get you ready for the NFL.”

“I have talked to Jeff Okudah because I worked out with him,” he said. “He said that it’s a great place for me and from now on I should just take my time and think about the schools. I’ve also talked to Leon O’Neal one day he just hit me up and he was like I really like the school and that’s a nice fit for you because they play all their DB’s. I know that’s a school he’s considering, but he just called to give me a little bit of insight.”

On Penn State

“They are consistent In texting me and making sure we are still on the same page with my recruitment,” he said. “Coach Terry (Smith), that’s a good guy - He was actually around a few days ago and asked me about what was going on at the Houston carnival, but that school and that program unbelievable how many fans show them love, and how great the coaching staff is.”

“A lot of the 2018 class that I’ve talked to, they’re saying that they think Penn State is just a really really good school,” he said. “I think when you look at the guys that like the school and committing to the school, their program is going to skyrocket in the next couple of years.

On Tennessee

“I like that school; they show me a lot of interest,” he said. “Every week I have a different coach, texting me, the head coach sends me a video every single day, making sure that he’s still with me and the school seems very interested. I like their football program and I actually have some family in Tennessee and I know the academics are good.”

With all the teams continuing to try and wiggle into his recruitment, there is still plenty for Gordon to get figured out. It’s going to be critical for the schools he’s visiting to make an impact with more visits to other school presumably on the horizon over the next few months. He doesn’t currently hold a Buckeyes offer, but with so many other top programs in the race for him, the staff should make it known where he falls on their recruiting board.