Blake Bone had a great season. While his team fell short of their ultimate goal, the junior feels good about what his team did accomplish.
“It was a successful season because we actually got a lot better and made a lot of improvements,” Bone said. “Our playoff run wasn't as long as it should have been, though.”
Bone already has three scholarship offers and his recruitment is really beginning to pick up.
“I have (scholarship) offers from Clemson, Ole Miss, and South Carolina,” said the 6-foot-5, 185-pound.
“It’s just very humbling to know all these schools have faith in you. It just makes you want to work harder. I don’t just want to be a better receiver -- I want to be the best receiver in South Carolina."
The list of schools recruiting the talented wide receiver is long.
“Oklahoma State, Alabama, Auburn, LSU, Duke, North Carolina, North Carolina State, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Tennessee, Oregon, Washington, Georgia, Vanderbilt -- it’s a good bit of schools," he said. "No schools are standing out.”
“Right now, I’m getting 95-100 letters every three to four days. Alabama, LSU, and North Carolina are recruiting me the hardest.”
He has been able to talk to several coaches recently.
“Recently, I've talked to coaches from Alabama, LSU, Clemson, South Carolina, and Ole Miss," Bone said. "I probably talk to the coaches at Ole Miss the most – probably once or twice every few weeks.”
Which school be the next to offer?
“If I had to guess, I would say North Carolina may be the next school to offer,” he said. “They talk to my head coach all the time. I have to call coach Gunter Brewer back soon because he’s been trying to get in touch with me and wants me to get up to Chapel Hill. I’ll probably try to take a trip there soon.”
Bone has not taken any college visits this fall, but look for that to change in the near future.
“Since our season ended early, I might try to make it to a game somewhere,” he said. “I may try to make it to a game this weekend. I was thinking about going to that rivalry game -- the Clemson-South Carolina game.”
After college football season ends, Bone plans to spend even more time on the road.
“I’m definitely going to try to get up to some campuses and check out atmosphere and see how the facilities are,” Bone said. “I’m just going to look into recruiting a little harder and try to figure out where I want to spend my future.”
Bone will not be satisfied just to make it to the next level.
“I looking at their offenses and rosters,” he said. “I’m not just going to college to get a scholarship. I’m actually going to try to work and get playing time as a freshman or sophomore.”
He knows what he is looking for in a school.
“I want to play for a school that runs a spread offense and a school that throws the ball around.”
“I’m just looking for the place that’s the best fit and a place that feels like home.”
The junior is in no hurry to make a decision.
“I haven’t thought about when I will narrow my list of schools down,” he said. “I’m just taking it one step at a time and taking it all in because this only happens once in your life and I’m blessed. I’m just very thankful.”
He finished the season with 65 catches for 1,150 yards and 14 touchdowns.
