Recruiting: Austin White on the Illini

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Austin White is the top rated running back from the state of Michigan in the Class of 2010. The 6-foot, 190-pound Livonia (Mich.) Stevenson senior already sports offers from The Wolverine State's top football programs, Michigan and Michigan State. You can bet there's a little pressure to attend an in-state university.

"There's always an attraction (to stay in-state)," White said. "My brothers go to State. It's all close to home, that's nice. But something my brothers always tell me and my family always tells me is, 'Don't make a decision because of us. Make a decision for yourself.' Ultimately, it's where I live for four years and where I feel comfortable. Maybe it's close to home, but it's not the right fit. That's why I want to go out and feel these places out myself and make the decision then."

White will be making visits to many college campuses this summer to find that right fit. He attended the Nike Combine in Champaign on June 6 and earned the camp's running back MVP award.

The June 6 trip was the second time White had visited the Illinois campus. He holds an offer from Illinois and met with the Illini coaches during the weekend. Illinois running backs coach and recruiting coordinator Reggie Mitchell and first-year defensive line coach Keith Gilmore have led the recruitment of White.

"I love it down here," White said. "I think it's an amazing campus. All their facilities are top of the line. Their weight room is beautiful. They have so much to offer. The coaches, those guys are great as well. I love being down here a lot, and it's going to be a tough decision when it comes down to it."

White currently holds offers from Illinois, Michigan, Michigan State, Iowa, LSU, Purdue and Wisconsin. White said he wants to take his time with the recruiting process.

"I've seen a few different schools, but I don't really have a top yet," White said. "I don't feel comfortable with the amount of schools I've seen, and I don't feel comfortable making a decision without seeing a school for myself that I feel is interested in me and that I'm interested in as well. I want to go out and see them with my own two eyes as well instead of taking someone's word on it, so I know if that's a place for me or if it's not a place for me."

 

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