ESPN Midwest recruiting Blog

Posted by Bill Kurelic

Quarterback Luke Massa (Cincinnati, Ohio/ St. Xavier) moved into the starting lineup during the eighth game of his sophomore season when the Bombers' starting quarterback went down with a torn ACL. At that point St. Xavier was 7-0.

Massa proceeded to lead the Bombers to a victory in their eighth -- as well as their next seven -- for a final record of 15-0 and an Ohio big-school state championship.

Massa was off to an outstanding start to his junior season when he went down with his own injury. He broke his left collar bone in the fourth game and missed the remainder of the season.

Undoubtedly the injury has slowed the recruiting process for Massa, but it has far from stunted it completely. Massa landed his first scholarship offer earlier this week.

"Wisconsin offered me when I was on the beach," Massa said. "I was on the beach in Florida for spring break when I found out."

Bombers senior defensive end Pat Muldoon signed with Wisconsin in February and Massa feels that relationship has helped with his recruitment by the Badgers.

"They talked to Pat and [the Wisconsin coaches] came out to our school a couple times," Massa said. "I've talked to Pat about Wisconsin."

Massa said he feels he is also close to receiving a scholarship offer from Michigan State and possibly North Carolina State. He and offensive line teammate Matt James -- one of the top five prospects in the state of Ohio -- plan to attend Notre Dame's spring game on Saturday.

Massa said Notre Dame, Wisconsin, Cincinnati, Boston College, Michigan State, Vanderbilt, Virginia and North Carolina State are the schools he is considering at this time.

"I like Notre Dame a lot," Massa said. "If I had to name a favorite it would be Notre Dame."

Baldwin's tour continues

Defensive end Darryl Baldwin (Solon, Ohio/Solon) has had Ohio State at the top of his list almost from the beginning of the recruiting process. But he wants to check out his top options before he makes a commitment.

The 6-foot-6, 245-pound Baldwin has scholarship offers from over a dozen schools. He visited Michigan State and Michigan at the beginning of the week, and Notre Dame in the middle. Those three schools have all offered and present the biggest challenge to Ohio State, who Baldwin plans to visit on Friday.

Jones continues to waver

Quarterback Paul Jones (McKees Rocks, Pa./ Sto-Rox) committed to Penn State in mid-January. However, at the beginning of April Jones said even though he remained committed to the Nittany Lions, he was taking a look at some other schools.

When asked on Thursday night if he is still committed to Penn State, Jones said, "Kind of."

The 6-3, 225-pounder attended Pitt's spring game last Saturday and will visit Penn State this weekend and attend the Nittany Lions' spring game April 25.

Penn State and Pitt are two of approximately a dozen schools that have offered Jones a scholarship. Others include Iowa, Stanford, West Virginia, North Carolina State, Northwestern and Duke.

"Some other schools are showing interest like Vanderbilt, Tennessee and Boston College," Jones said. "I'll probably visit some other schools this spring."