Two visits in the books for Brothers

Chris Karpman
ASUDevils.com Publisher

Guthrie (Okla.) linebacker Kentrell Brothers has several official visits in the books and is now able to compare two Pac-10 programs, with additional trips likely.

“I just got off the plane from Washington,” Brother said. “I had a really good time there. I expected the weather would be cooler or a little rainy but it was like 85 degrees the whole time I was there.

“Coach (Steve) Sarkisian is a real laid back dude. Before my visit the coaches said when I was there they weren’t going to pressure me about recruiting, it was just going to be about getting to know each other more and that’s how it was.”

Brothers, the nation’s No. 38 outside linebacker, was accompanied by his mother and grandfather on an official trip to Arizona State two weeks ago, as well as Washington.

“They liked the academics at both schools,” Brother said. “The most important thing is graduating and getting a degree and being something else besides a football player. Everyone has the goal of playing in the NFL but most don’t make it and you have to think about other things. That’s the most important part of college.”

Brother said he couldn’t say that one of the official visits was better than the other, or that one team is ahead of the other in the battle for his future services.

“I like how (ASU linebackers) coach (Trent) Bray has a playing background but he’s young so he’s almost like a friend to the linebackers,” Brother said. “He’s a good coach and guy and I feel comfortable with him.

“ASU had a nice stadium, same as Washington. They had good facilities and I liked the coaches a lot there too.”

With a reported 15 offers, the 6-foot. 207-pounder is still looking at many options for additional trips before making a commitment.

“I have a lot better idea what I’m looking for after these visits,” Brother said. “Just how the coaches interact with players and what the campuses are like and the academic programs, I have an ability to compare everything and see how they measure up.

“I don’t think I’m close to a decision though. I’m not going to take a visit this weekend but I’m going to talk to my mom and see about next weekend. The schools that are close, I’m just going to drive to them and not take an official visit. If they are far away, those are the ones I want to take official visits for.”