ESPN Midwest recruiting Blog

Posted by Bill Kurelic

As running back Andre Givens (Hubbard, Ohio) sees his list of scholarship offers grow, he may be getting closer to going further from home to attend college. Givens estimates his offer list to currently stand at 17.

"The Big East has been sounding good to me," Givens said. "I like Pitt, Syracuse, Louisville and Cincinnati. And there are maybe two or three schools I'm looking at in the Big Ten, Michigan State and Indiana. And I'm looking at the MAC a little."

The 5-foot-10, 185-pounder rushed for 1,153 yards, averaged 6.6 yards per carry and scored 17 times during his junior season. He is one of the fastest prospects in the state of Ohio. Givens has run the 40-yard dash in 4.4 seconds.

"I can't say I have a favorite school, but I have a favorite conference," Givens said. "When I think about the Big East I think about how quick the conference is. I like to play quick and fast. In the Big Ten everyone seems huge. The linemen are big and they have big backs."

While Givens is zeroing in on a conference, he is not zeroing in on a college choice. He said he does not plan to make a decision anytime soon.

Carozzoni nearing decision

While Givens is not close to selecting a college, another Ohioan is. Tight end Brendan Carozzoni (Cleveland, Ohio/St. Ignatius), who helped lead the Wildcats to an Ohio big-school state championship during his junior season, said he may decide soon.

In the last couple months, Carozzoni has added scholarship offers from West Virginia, Marshall and Akron bringing his list to 10. The list includes Pitt, Indiana, Bowling Green, Ohio University, Toledo, Ball State and Buffalo.

"I have a top three now of Pitt, West Virginia and Indiana," Carozzoni said. "I might decide in the next week or two."

The 6-4, 220-pounder caught close to 20 passes during his junior season and scored twice as St. Ignatius finished with a 14-1 record. Carozzoni is an outstanding blocker who does a fine job of running his routes and has good hands.

Robinson adds offers, but doesn't change mind

Wide receiver Jerald Robinson (Canton, Ohio/South) committed to Michigan in February. At that time his only scholarship offer was from the Maize and Blue.

Since selecting the Wolverines, Robinson said he has added offers from Michigan State, Purdue, Illinois, Indiana, Syracuse, Pitt, Cincinnati and a few others. The additional offers have not changed Robinson's thinking.

"I'm all Blue," he said. "The Michigan coaches made me feel welcome. And they have really good academics."

The 6-2, 180-pound Robinson played both wide receiver and free safety during his junior season. He caught 35 passes, averaged 22.7 yards per reception and scored seven times. Robinson also made 56 tackles and intercepted seven passes.

"At first the Michigan coaches were talking about defense," Robinson said. "But after they saw me at their camp (in June) they said they want me to play wide receiver."