Big Ten Recruiting: Northwestern lands linebacker
(Video courtesy CaliPreps)
Raymond Davison doesn't mind trading the sunshine and beaches of California for the cold weather of Evanston, Illinois. In the end, his decision to commit to the Wildcats last week didn't have anything to do with the team's success on the field this season.
"Academics," he told PurpleWildcats. "However, as soon as they offered, I knew I was going to commit. I just wanted to do it on my visit but I couldn't wait until then."
Davison, a 6-foot-2, 218-pound linebacker from Crespi Carmelite High (Encino, Calif.), said Northwestern's program felt like one big family and that helped make his decision to go to college across the country easier. He also had offers from Boise State, Iowa State and San Diego State.
"It's a program that's built around character; those special kind of guys that are great in the classroom and great on the field," he told the website. "I wanted to be one of those guys."
The three-star prospect, according to Scout.com, should bolster the Wildcats defense almost immediately. Northwestern is ranked No. 62 in the country in total defense (396.3 yards per game) and No. 41 in scoring defense (23.9 points per game).
Davison is the 18th player to commit to the Wildcats' 2013 class.
"I just wanted them to know that I want to be a Wildcat," Davison added. "I couldn't wait till my visit. I just pulled it."
Buckeyes extend offer: Ohio State has its sights set on Georgia junior Demarre Kitt.
The star receiver from Sandy Creek High in Tyrone was offered by the Buckeyes this week, according to ESPN.com. Kitt, who decommitted from Georgia last month, also has offers from Alabama, Auburn, Cincinnati, Clemson, Georgia, Ole Miss, Tennessee, UCLA, Southern Cal and Vanderbilt.
The 6-foot-1, 185-pounder has the Buckeyes in his top three along with Clemson and Southern Cal.
“I like them a lot,” Kitt told the website. “They're a top program and have been for awhile.”
Kitt has caught 44 passes for 745 yards and scored seven touchdowns this season.
“I'm a good leader,” Kitt added. “I'm a person that likes to win and likes to get after it all the time.”
Nebraska adds DE: The Cornhuskers quietly landed a big commitment earlier this month.
Nebraska received a commitment from junior college DE Randy Gregory on Nov. 1. The player from Arizona Western Junior College posted an impressive 82 tackles as a freshman in 2011, including nine sacks and 20 1/2 tackles for loss. This year, the 6-foot-6, 235-pounder broke his leg after the opening game, but was allowed to redshirt and will have three years of eligibility remaining.
"Everything that happened this weekend was just perfect," Gregory told the Lincoln Journal Star. "The visit was perfect, the gameday atmosphere was perfect. I had a real good relationship with the coaching staff. It's the best school, in my opinion, where I can be successful at."
Signal caller set to visit State College: Penn State coaches are excited about having a special recruit on the sideline for Saturday's game against Indiana.
The Nittany Lions are expecting to host talented junior college QB Jake Waters. The signal caller from Iowa Western Community College is regarded as the top junior college quarterback in the nation as he has thrown for 3,001 yards with 37 touchdowns against only three interceptions through 10 games.
Waters also has an official visit scheduled for Kansas State.
“Academics would be No. 1, but the next most important thing is that I want to go to a place where I can compete for a starting job and feel comfortable at the place I'm at,” Waters told ESPN.com. “I want to picture myself living there the rest of my college days.”
For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis from Big Ten bloggers Dave Carey and Mike Singer, follow @CBSSportsBigTen.
