Two schools get officials from Troutman

In the last few weeks, defensive end Johnnie Troutman out of Browns Mill (N.J.) Pemberton Township took in a senior camp at Penn State.

"It was a nice campus and big, but it all wrapped around in one area and everything was close together. You didn't have to travel far to get somewhere," he said. "I met with coach Johnson who was really nice and I talked to him for a while. I also met with coach Vanderlinden and coach Paterno. It's a family up there which is really cool."

Troutman noted that he has received the most mail from Virginia, Maryland and Penn State, but confirmed that he doesn't have any favorites at this time.

"I think I'll have a set list as we get closer to the football season. I want to try to have it nailed down to a top five."

Besides the schools that have offered, the three-star said that he is looking at three schools that haven't offered in Wisconsin, Iowa and Michigan.

Troutman has begun to consider official visits.

"I'll probably take one to Penn State and another to UVA," he said. "Penn State seems really nice and I'd like to go up there for a game and meet all the players. Virginia has been showing me a lot of interest and I get mail from them every day too."

One other school that continues to pursue the No. 10 player in New Jersey is Boston College.

"They've got a nice program and just moved into the ACC," he said. "I think that's a better conference than the one they were in with better competition. I'd like to play with top players anyway, but I think it could also be harder for them to make bowl games. Coach Willis is also recruiting me and he's told me that they need big-time players to play in a big-time conference. From what I can tell, he sounds like a nice, family guy you can go to and talk with about anything. I like that."

Troutman appears to be set on making a decision near Signing Day.

Currently, the No. 21 defensive end in the country is preparing for the first game of the season.

"We've got a lot of skill players this year, we just need an offensive line," he said. "I'm looking forward to having fun this year and just playing football. Hopefully we'll win another state championship. I'm also looking forward to just getting a chance to hit someone in another jersey, I'm tired of hitting the same people in practice."

Troutman recorded 69 tackles, seven for loss, four sacks and one fumble recovery as he was named all-county, all-division, all-Group 3, second team all-South Jersey and second team all-state.