Jermauria Rasco

Jermauria Rasco may be one of the best high school football players in the state of Louisiana, even though he’s just entering his Junior year. The phenom is still focused on getting better, but also has been starting to get a taste of the recruiting process. Has Rasco started to develop some early favorites? Find out that, and more, inside.

Rasco led nation in total sacks last season with a whopping 26, so it’s safe to say he’s one of the central contributors on his Evangel Christian (LA) High School team.

“We made it to the state championship game, but we lost.” Rasco said. “We’re changing a couple game plans and just trying to get bigger, faster, and stronger. We should be better, we don’t want to go back we just want to go forward and be the best team we can be.”

Being the best is what Rasco focuses on, and though he compares himself to the best, he acknowledges he has is far from a finished product.

“I compare myself to Julius Peppers. We’re both pretty tall, and I just think we play similarly.” Rasco offered. “I need to improve on everything, I need to get bigger, faster, stronger in the weight room everything."

As for recruiting, Rasco is just getting started with the recruiting process, but already has an impressive verbal offer list, since colleges are not yet allowed to issue written offers.

“The recruiting process is pretty cool because you have a lot of schools trying to get you,” the 6'3", 230 pound defensive end said. “but at the same time time it’s kind of hard to decide because a lot of the schools that want me are good schools."

“I think I have 5 offers from LSU, Alabama, Texas A&M, UCLA, and Tennessee. I’m not sure on my favorite’s right now. Oklahoma and Texas are also showing a lot of interest, but haven’t offered.”

Even though Rasco has taken a couple unofficial visits, he still appears far from a commitment.

“I took unofficial visits to Texas and LSU, I really liked both of those.” Rasco said. "I got a chance to talk to both Coach Les Miles (LSU Head Coach) and Coach Mack Brown (Texas Head Coach) and they are the only coaches I’ve really talked to.”

Rasco also has a good idea of his ideal college, and makes it clear that academics come before football

“The main thing is to get my degree, so academics are my main focus and they come first, than football.” Rasco said. “Distance won’t be a factor.”

Rasco comes in at #1 in ThaRinger.com’s Louisiana “Top 10 2011 Prospects To Watch” list.