Wilkinson lands first two offers

Thursday was the biggest day thus far in the recruitment of Trotwood-Madison (Ohio) class of 2014 defender Verondtae Wilkinson. Several coaches have been through his school the last two weeks, and Thursday brought about his first scholarship offers.

"Illinois, Ball State and Toledo, I met them [Thursday]," Wilkinson said. "After that I went back to class and Coach Douglass told me later that day that Illinois had offered me."

Wilkinson then found out later in the day that Toledo had also offered, giving him two scholarship offers to start off his process.

"I am very excited," Wilkinson said. "It gave me high hopes and showed that [schools] are actually out there looking for me. I'm going to have a better year and work extra hard."

Wilkinson has not visited the campuses of either Illinois or Toledo. He hopes to make it out to Illinois this summer for a camp.

"I haven't looked into [Illinois] yet, really," Wilkinson said. "I had gotten a few questionnaires here and there, but other than that I hadn't heard too much from them."

Other schools Wilkinson mentioned have been through the school and asked about him include Kentucky and Cincinnati.

Ohio State is another school the 2014 defender plans to camp with this summer. His uncle is former Buckeye Dan "Big Daddy" Wilkinson, and the Ohio State ties run deep within the young defender.

"It is very strong, both from the family standpoint and just my love for it," Wilkinson said. "I've gotten a few questionnaires here and there. I went up there with Cameron Burrows to one of their spring practices. They showed me around a little bit and we had some fun there."

The 6-foot-2, 236-pound Wilkinson is projected on the defensive side of the football in college, though he did mention this fall may see him on the offensive side of the football some. Wilkinson will likely play linebacker for Trotwood-Madison's defense this fall, but could also project along the defensive line.

"I have actually heard both," Wilkinson said. "It depends on my size as I grow."