Football in Palm Beach County is only a couple months away, so it’s time to get to know some of the top seniors who will take the field this fall.
Jason Mercier (Post file photo)
Each week leading up to football season, we will post a Q&A with a top 2018 recruit. This week, we spoke to Atlantic defensive end Jason Mercier.
The No. 9-ranked player on the Post’s Big Board, Mercier has drawn numerous offers from Power 5 schools, among them Iowa, North Carolina, Louisville and Pittsburgh.
An imposing presence at 6-foot-5 and 240 pounds, he is rated three stars by recruiting website 247Sports, and is expected to play a big role for the Eagles on defense this season.
Here is what he had to say:
As of right now, what are your favorite schools?
I really don’t have a favorite school right now. I really like all of them.
Which schools have you had the chance to visit, and which did you like the best when you saw them?
I visited FAU and USF. I’m looking to visit some more this month.
What schools do you plan on visiting?
Later on I want to visit Louisville, Maryland, N.C. State, TCU, Pitt and Rutgers.
What college coaches do you talk to the most and get along with the best?
I get along with a lot of the coaches who offered me. They’re pretty cool. But the ones who talk to me the most would be Coach (Charlie) Partridge from Pitt and Coach (Henry) Baker from Rutgers.
Do you have a dream school or a team that you grew up rooting for?
I grew up rooting for LSU. But when I was younger, I wanted to go to Miami just for the academics.
Are you being recruited specifically at defensive end?
Yes. Defensive end is the only position I’m getting recruited for. That’s what I love playing.
What’s been the most surprising or interesting part of being recruited?
What surprised me during this recruiting is that I have been offered by many schools that I didn’t even think of. But now I am.
Which schools are those?
Maryland, Oregon State, TCU, N.C. State and Iowa.
