Will Compton, the 6-foot-1, 217-pound three-star linebacker from North County High School in Bonne Terre, Mo., says he has 10 scholarship offers, but denies a favorite.
"I don't have a top five yet," Compton said. "I'm just taking unofficial visits and checking schools out. I'm going to Nebraska and Iowa next week and plan to visit Notre Dame and Michigan too."
Compton, ranked No. 22 in the Midlands by Scout.com, attended the Notre Dame camp earlier this summer and says he grew up following the Irish. "I went to a Catholic school and my teacher would always go to their games and come back with souvenirs likes hats and t-shirts and that's how I started liking them.
"I like their history and tradition," he said. "I went to the North Carolina game last year and it was just an unbelievable experience.
"Michigan has great tradition too and I like that they are an elite program every year."
Despite denying a leader, Compton admits to favoring Notre Dame, Nebraska, Iowa, Michigan, Northwestern, Missouri and Illinois. All of his favorites have offered except for the Irish and Wolverines. He also has offers from Kansas, Kansas State, Wake Forest, Michigan State and Vanderbilt.
"I just want to be comfortable with all the coaches and players," Compton said. "I want to feel right as soon as I walk in. I'll also check out the depth charts and see when I'd be able to play. I'll start to narrow it down in July and should have a top five then."
In-state Missouri is only three hours from Compton's home and he admits distance will play a small factor. "I don't plan on going too far away," he said. "I'll probably stay within eight hours driving, but most of the schools that have offered me fit that."
Compton says that Nebraska is recruiting him the hardest. "They are on me all the time," Compton said. "I remember watching them a lot on TV when I was younger and I like that they are the main thing in Nebraska. They don't have any pro teams there and everyone there believes in Nebraska and follows Nebraska football."
Another school that is high on Compton is Iowa. "They are always telling me that I'm the number one linebacker on their board," he said. "They say that I'm the guy they want and I already feel really comfortable with their coaches."
Compton finished his junior season with 70 tackles, 13 tackles for loss and one interception. He also rushed for 455 yards and had 855 yards receiving.
"I can change direction quickly and move well sideline-to-sideline," Compton said. "I have great hitting ability and am fast (4.5 forty). I play very aggressive and like being a leader on the field.
"I want to work on my pass coverage and cover the running back one-on-one. I also want to work on dropping back in zones better."
Compton benches 325 pounds, squats 390 and has a 30-inch vertical leap.
He reports a 3.7 core GPA and a 21 ACT.