USM, Cards on the mind of Weaver

Marietta (Ga.) defensive end Joshua Weaver is still sitting on two offers, from Memphis and Middle Tennessee State, but the 6-foot-4, 225-pounder has two schools, one from the Big East and the other from Conference USA, on his mind.

Weaver says he speaks with Southern Mississippi recruiter Jay Johnson on a weekly basis and that he is hoping that the Golden Eagles offer soon.

"I haven't met the man face-to-face, but he's pretty cool," Weaver said. "He was like 'do you need me to get you a date for your homecoming dance?' because I wasn't going, you know. He's a real nice guy."

Johnson is the offensive coordinator at Southern Miss.

Weaver also likes Louisville a lot and would love to get an offer from the Cardinals. I his last interview, he cited U of L as one of his favorite schools. This time, it appears that the Cards have done nothing to cause their stock to drop in his eyes. His interest in the Big East school means he will wait to make a decision on his college choice.

"I'm still waiting and seeing if teams like Louisville jump in with an offer," Weaver said.

Weaver took and unofficial visit to Murfreesboro, Tenn., to check out the Middle Tennessee campus and the Blue Raiders program earlier this year and came away impressed with what he saw.

"I liked it up there," he said. "I liked it a lot."

MTSU defensive coordinator Mark Criner is Weaver's Blue Raiders recruiter.

Weaver and Marietta High finished with a 9-1 record this season and in a three-way tie for first place in Region 5-AAAAA. Because the Blue Devils lost the coin toss, however, they will travel to Woodstock for the first round of the playoffs this Friday night.

Weaver describes himself as a player who strives to play his best when he steps onto the field.

"When I go out onto the field, all I think about is playing hard," Weaver said. "I do a good job keeping my focus."