Indiana Defensive End - J.B. Paxson

J.B. Paxson, the #7 prospect, in the Midwest, according to Scout.com, is visiting Tennessee this weekend. It wasn’t that long ago that Paxson had Florida near the top of his list. With Ron Zook now at Illinois, does Paxson have any interest in the Fighting Illini? Who are his leaders? We have the answers.

“My final three schools are Arizona (12-3), Purdue (11-12) and Tennessee (12-10).” J.B. Paxson said.

“I don’t have a leader right now. I’m going to Knoxville with an open mind. I visited both Purdue and Arizona already and had good visits at both places.

“I spoke to both coach (Tim) Kish and coach (Mark) Hagen at Purdue last night and I told them that I’m still going to Tennessee and everyone is even right now.”

In the spring and summer, Paxson had a serious interest in Florida. Has he been contacted by new Illinois coach Ron Zook yet?

“I had a call from Dan Disch (Florida assistant) not to long ago and he told me that after the Peach Bowl that he’d be coming up to Illinois.

“Nothing against Illinois or coach Zook because I think they are going to be successful but I want to compete for a national championship now and not during my junior or senior year.

“It’s probably too late for Illinois to get in the game . I have it narrowed to Arizona, Purdue and Tennessee and it will probably stay that way.”

Paxson, a 6-foot-4, 255-pound, defensive end from Greenwood (Ind.) Center Grove had 80 tackles, 11 sacks and an interception in 2004. He was named all-state and will play in January’s Scout.com, U.S. Army All-American game.