ESPN Midwest recruiting Blog

Posted by Bill Kurelic

Offensive lineman Kyle Koehne (Indianapolis/Cathedral) is one of the top uncommitted prospects in the Midwest. It remains to be seen how much longer Koehne goes without selecting a college, but it is almost certain that when he does, it won't be to a school in the region in which he resides.

The 6-foot-6, 285-pound Koehne, a three-year starter at offensive tackle, has scholarship offers from: Florida, Boston College, Indiana, Michigan State, Iowa, Louisville, N.C. State and a few others.

Koehne made an official visit to Boston College the weekend of Sept. 6 when the Eagles played Georgia Tech. He will make an official visit to Florida either this weekend when the Gators play Ole Miss or the weekend of Oct. 11 when LSU travels to Gainesville.

"Those are my top two right now, but that could change," Koehne said. "Most likely I'll decide after I visit Florida."

The only other two schools in the picture at this point are N.C. State and Louisville. Koehne says both are talking to him quite a bit, but all indications point to him selecting either the Gators or Eagles.

"I've been to Florida a couple times," Koehne said. "I like their football tradition. I like the coaches a lot. I just like their whole program.

"But I like the tradition at Boston College. And I like their academics a lot."

During Koehne's first two years as a varsity starter, Cathedral went 25-4 and won a state championship. Cathedral is off to a 3-2 start this season, but the big left tackle is confident his team will finish strong.

ESPNU 150 wide receiver trims list to five
Memphis (Tenn.) Harding wide receiver Marlon Brown, the No. 17 prospect in the ESPNU 150 and the No. 2 wide receiver, is set for his first official visit this weekend.

Brown will visit Georgia and see the Bulldogs play Alabama. Brown also has an official visit scheduled to Ohio State the weekend of Oct. 11 when the Buckeyes play Purdue. The other three schools on Brown's list are Tennessee, Florida and LSU. He has eliminated USC from contention.

"It's too far away," Brown said.

Brown will play in the Under Armour All-American game in Orlando, Fla., on Jan. 4. He plans to announce his college choice sometime after that game.

"I'm sure I'll take all five official visits," Brown said. "I'll probably schedule two more during the season, then one will be after the season. I think I'll announce my decision right after my last visit, sometime in January."

Midwest Notes
Last weekend when Notre Dame was in East Lansing, Michigan State hosted a good group of recruits on unofficial visits. This weekend it is Michigan's turn. Coming off a bye week the Wolverines welcome Wisconsin to Ann Arbor, and the Michigan coaching staff will welcome in some talented senior and junior prospects.

Two of the top Class of 2010 prospects in the state of Michigan, Detroit-Southeastern teammates defensive end William Gholston and defensive tackle Jonathan Hankins, are planning to attend the game.

ESPNU 150 Watch List quarterback Devin Gardner (Inkster, Mich.) continues to see his scholarship offer list grow. The 6-4, 205-pound Gardner now has scholarship offers from: Michigan State, Michigan, Nebraska, Iowa, Cincinnati and several MAC schools.

Kofi Hughes (Indianapolis/Cathedral) and Willie Ballard (Trotwood, Ohio/Madison) are two more athletic junior quarterbacks Big Ten football fans should keep in mind. The 6-0, 185-pound Hughes is a terrific athlete who has both football and basketball recruiters interested. The 6-foot-2 and 200-pound Ballard has already received mail from: Michigan, Notre Dame, Indiana, Michigan State, Iowa, Pitt, Tennessee, Wisconsin, Louisville and Oregon, among others.