Standout DE Darius Fullwood breaks down top five, talks decision timetable

One of the nation’s most under-the-radar players, who could definitely see his stock rise over the course of camp season is Olney (MD) Good Counsel defensive end Darius Fullwood.

He checks in as the country’s No. 19 weak-side defensive end, the state of Maryland’s tenth-best player, and the 424th best player in the nation according to the 247Sports Composite rankings.

Fullwood recently released a top five of Ohio State, Miami, Kentucky, Virginia Tech, and Georgia Tech. He took the time to talk with SB Nation about his top five schools and more.

Ohio State: “It’s a great fit for me. The campus is beautiful and Coach (Larry) Johnson is one of the coaches who I think can take me to the next level. He’s one of the best coaches in the nation. I like his coaching style and how he rotates people in. The best players get on the field and he makes sure he gets a good solid rotation of 8-9 guys in throughout the game. It’s a great fit. Then because it’s Ohio State. You’re going to play some of the best competition you’ll ever see if you play there.”

Miami: “It’s a great campus, good weather. Coach Franklin is a premier defensive line coach and I think he could help me to the next level. They’re one of the better teams in the ACC and will be able to battle with the elite teams in their conference every year. You also have a chance to win a championship at these powerhouse schools.”

Kentucky: “I like how they have potential to be good. They had a great 2014 recruiting class and it was their staff’s first recruiting year. It seems like a good situation with coach Stoops, who is changing their program around. They have the pieces and are looking for a few more pieces to complete the puzzle and I feel I could come in and contribute early in my career. One of my teammates is committed there and has been recruiting me there a lot.”

Virginia Tech: “I think being close to home could help so my family can come and see me play. I like the program a lot as well. I have a good relationship with the defensive staff. It also seems like a great fit, like with the other schools in my top five. They’ve been winning nine plus games for the last five or so years. They didn’t get a lot of defensive ends in 2014, so it’s a priority for them in 2015.”

Georgia Tech: “I definitely get that home feel whenever I’m in Atlanta. A few players from my high school are there. It’s close to my grandparents, which is good. It’s a good overall fit, I could definitely see myself playing early and help in turning their program into a great one.”

In addition to his top five schools he is also talking to a pair of other schools that he would like to visit sometime before he announces a college decision.

“I’ve been in contact with Boston College and Michigan State for the past couple of weeks,” he said. “I’ll probably be visiting those two schools soon.”

As far as summer visit plans he knows he’ll be at one of Ohio State’s one-day position camps next month, but isn’t sure on the dates of other visits.

“I will be up at Ohio State again this summer. I’m going to one of their one day camps,” he continued. “I think I’m visiting Kentucky, Virginia Tech, Michigan State, and Boston College. The only one that is set for sure is Ohio State, but I definitely want to get out to a few schools again before I make my decision.”

After taking a couple more visits, he would like to announce his college decision before the month of June wraps up.

“I’m looking to make it before June is over,” Fullwood stated. “I don’t have an exact date, but in the next few weeks I’m going to work on finding a place (to announce) and setting a date.”

Fullwood has developed relationships with many of the nation’s top coaches, but the one he has with Ohio State defensive line coach Larry Johnson is a special one. Johnson previously recruited Fullwood when he was coaching at Penn State.

“I try keeping in contact with him a lot. He came by the school a few days ago,” Fullwood said. “He’s like a father figure, a real down to earth guy, who isn’t going to do a lot of yelling when he’s coaching. He still knows how to get on you though and is a really good technication. He’s also a very good person.”

Fullwood is also particularly close with Penn State defensive tackle commit Adam McLean, who he would like to play with at the college level. However, that may not be possible as Penn State is full at the defensive end position right now.

“We’ve definitely talked about playing together in college,” he said. “They recently got their third defensive end and I’m pretty sure their spots for defensive end are full. I’m just waiting until the summer because anything could change with them and it’s a school I would definitely look at, but as of right now I’m not really looking at them.”

After visiting Ohio State at the end of March he named the Buckeyes the leader in his recruitment, but he now claims no leaders.

“I would say everybody in my top five is equal right now,” he stated. “I want to get everything equal right now, but as time goes on I’ll probably start to lean towards one school over another one.”

Good Counsel is one of the nation’s top high school programs. Playing for the Eagles has helped him grow as a football player and in getting him ready for the next level.

“It has helped me tremendously. I don’t think I’d be where I’m at if it wasn’t for the Good Counsel football program,” Fullwood continued. “Coming in and playing with other great talent like Kendall Fuller, Kirk Gardner, Dorian O’Daniel, and others. Playing with guys older than me who were highly recruited helped me meet some coaches early in my high school career. I was able to get advice from them about everything.”

“Then playing in the WCAC, which is one of the best conferences in the nation,” he said. “I get to play against other top players older and younger than me. It’s not like playing in a little public school league. We’re playing top talent every week that I might eventually play when I get to college. It has helped me out a lot.”

We will keep you updated on Fullwood’s recruitment as it progresses. Right now the Ohio State Buckeyes are the 247Sports Crystal Ball favorite to land his commitment.