DT Tommy Akingbesote (6-4 250) of Upper Marlboro, MD doesn’t have a 247Sports star ranking at this point, but his star is rising in the eyes of recruiters. USC offered him Wednesday afternoon and that night he picked up an offer from NC State. Also this week, Temple, East Carolina, Rutgers and Virginia Tech offered.
“I’ve just been getting offers lately because I guess I had a great film and the coaches are loving it,” Akingbesote said. “They’ve just been basically saying they like how I play, my fast get-off and the way I use my hands. How I like to rush the ball. And they would like to see me at the next level.”
Akingbesote also has offers from Boston College, Maryland, Western Michigan, Syracuse, Pitt, Kent State, Buffalo and Massachusetts.
“Feeling good about all of them, staying in contact with all the coaches, staying humble and just waiting until after next season to make my decision,” he said. “See what else I get. I’m just basically taking my time. See where my parents are comfortable because I want them to come and see my games when I’m in college. I want them at all my games.”
Akingbesote has not visited USC and he is learning about the program thru new defensive line coach Tracy Rocker who likes him as both a defensive end and a three-technique defensive tackle. He made the offers and the two have been communicating.
“He was just saying I was one of the players he would love to coach at South Carolina at the next level,” he said. “It (the offer) was just a a dream come true because I’ve always wanted an SEC offer, so they gave me my first, so they’ll be under consideration.”
There are no favorites for Akingbesote at this point and he wants to take visits and allow the process to play out more. He missed half of last season with an ankle injury and played in the last six regular season games and the postseason.
