Cottrell a secret no more

Last year Plano (Texas) native Bryce Cottrell was somewhat of a hidden secret on the recruiting scene. But judging from his recent rise of scholarship offers, there is little doubt that secret has long been out for some time now.

The 6-foot-3 and 220-pound entered the spring with offers from Mississippi State, Baylor and SMU. But more have been added of late and possibly even more to be added in the future.

"It's been going good," said Cottrell. "Arkansas, Arizona and Wake Forest offered me and some other schools have, too. I think I am up to 12 or 13 offers now. Southern Cal and Oregon said they were probably going to offer but just had to check with the head coach first. Then LSU, Boise State and Boston College have also been talking to me a lot lately."

Once his track duties ended this spring, Cottrell quickly moved his focus to the gridiron and said all of the schools that offered him stopped by to pay him a visit. After earning all-region honors last year with 81 tackles and eight sacks, Cottrell focused on one part of his game this spring.

"We finished up spring practice over a week ago and we had a lot of fun," noted Cottrell. "I felt I really improved a lot in my pass rush and taking on blockers better. I also picked up my speed which obviously helped with my pass rush."

With his junior school year nearly finished, Cottrell will soon begin his summer slate that will feature a few SEC stops.

"I will probably go to LSU's camp and then also visit Arkansas since they just offered me," said Cottrell. "I know I am going to Southern Cal's Rising Star camp. I will probably go back to Mississippi State's camp, too, and I've been talking to them a lot since they offered me and that relationship is still good."

Cottrell added that he holds no current leaders in his recruitment and said he doesn't have a preference of his position at the next level.

"I am still just waiting things out," said Cottrell. "I am just trying to see where I fit in the best and where I am able to contribute. I am being recruited both as a linebacker and as a defensive end. It doesn't matter to me where I play and I know a lot of it depends on what kind of defense that schools plays."