College Football Recruiting: Where Will Top 2011 OT Cyrus Kouandjio Go?

Hyattsville, Maryland offensive tackle Cyrus Kouandjio is a consensus five-star recruit who attends DeMatha Catholic High School and has received over 30 offers from schools around the country.

While he may remind some people of 2010's Seantrel Henderson, the 6'7", 320 lb prospect seems serious about keeping the more middle-tier programs in the conversation for his final choice.

Kouandjio will try to get history to repeat itself as he vies for the honor of top overall prospect in the 2011 class.

Click through to get an idea of what schools have been involved with his recruitment, why he should select them, and what their chances are of gaining his signature on National Signing Day.

Cal

Why he's interested: Cal has offered, and grabbed DeMatha teammate Michael Coley, a safety, in last year's class.

Why he should go there: Solid 2010 and great 2011 recruiting class; outstanding place to get an education; relaxed, um, fun rules.

What chances they have: I decided to include Cal on the basis of the prior DeMatha connection and their offer, but I haven't heard any buzz in support of the Bears here. Most recruitniks believe he'll stay East of the Mississippi, and I'm inclined to agree.

Clemson

Why he's interested: Clemson offensive coordinator Billy Napier dropped in to DeMatha to check out Kouandjio and teammate Darian Cooper, a DT.

Why he should go there: A strong 2011 recruiting class, an offense on the verge of breaking out, and a chance Clemson finally takes control in the ACC. Pretty good draft presence typically, albeit on defense.

What their chances are: Honestly, Napier's visit to DeMatha was the first I've heard of Clemson's interest in him. Rivals doesn't even report an offer. There are dark horses, and then there are people who show up late to the party and realize they don't know anyone. So, chances not good.

New Mexico

Why he's interested: New Mexico coach Mike Locksley has strong connections to the DC area. He's the guy who landed Arrelious Benn for Illinois while offensive coordinator for the Illini.

Locksley got Kouandjio to visit for New Mexico's spring game, and also attended a game last year. His older brother Arie took an official to New Mexico during his recruitment, so some familial connections apply.

Why he should go there: Another underdog program, big fish in a small pond, good recruiting connections...

What chances they have: Not good. Cyrus admitted as much when he said the visit was "out of respect for Coach Locksley." Underdog program aside, Kouandjio still wants to play in a BCS school. Impressive effort by Locksley, though.

Maryland

Why he's interested: Maryland has taken DeMatha prospects in 2008 and 2010, and has another already locked down in 2011's Delonte Morton, an athlete. They're the top in-state program with connections to DeMatha that go way back. He attended a Junior Day at Maryland and dropped in on a few Maryland practices.

Why he should go there: Represent! The Terrapins are the very definition of what Kouandjio seems to be favoring: a school with a strong connection to his current and former teammates, downtrodden, but on an upward trend recruiting-wise. Also, they just put OT Bruce Campbell in the NFL Draft (albeit in the fourth round).

What their chances are: so-so. With the amount of miles he's put on his recruitment, I wonder if Kouandjio doesn't think Maryland is a little too much like home. Their record isn't helping and their coach is on the verge of retirement—but that's also contributed to a new, go-for-broke attitude on the recruiting trail.

Campbell's fall in the NFL bodes poorly for their coaching, but he might have been an isolated case.

I think they'll make his next cut, but they don't have much to offer him beyond what he already knows. Unless their performance this fall is abnormally good, or his motives are enormously selfless, it's an uphill climb.

Pitt

Why he's interested: Pitt took two DeMatha teammates in last year's class and have grabbed TE Sam Collura in this one.

They've offered, and Kouandjio responded by dropping by for a Junior Day visit.

Why he should go there: Great school for linemen (albeit on defense); good distance from home, top-tier school in a so-so conference, so he'll still stand out.

What chance do they have: Not bad. Kouandjio is just the type of recruit Pitt lands one at a time and builds a run at a BCS bowl from. The DeMatha connection is very strong and the visit bodes well, plus his interest in Penn State suggests he doesn't mind playing in the North. I like their chances at making a first cut, and maybe more.

Iowa

Why he's interested: Kouandjio has been linked to the Hawkeyes since they took his DeMatha teammate, RB Marcus Coker, in the last recruiting cycle. The Hawkeyes offered early, and Kouandjio responded with a visit, though I'm unsure of the exact date (info behind paywall).

Why he should go there: Kirk Ferentz has made a living out of turning middling three- and four-star offensive linemen into the burly guys saying "University of Iowa" on Sunday Night Football intros.

His NFL pedigree put numerous Hawkeyes in the first four rounds of the NFL Draft, and guys like Kouandjio and Henderson are paying attention. (To say nothing of Iowa's recent success on the field.)

What chance they have: The Hawkeyes were one of the names floating around as a dark horse candidate for No. 1 OT Seantrel Henderson last year, so there's clearly an aura about Iowa offensive linemen amidst the recruiting underground.

Getting a visit in person puts Iowa somewhere between darkhorse and legitimate contender. Plus, Ferentz's habit of playing it cool with recruits could be a positive with the laid-back Kouandjio. If I were an Iowa fan, I would be curious, maybe mildly excited, at the chances.

Penn State

Why he's interested: Penn State was Kouandjio's first Big Ten offer, and it caught his attention enough to merit a Junior Day visit.

Why he should go there: It's been a little while since the least great Penn State tackle. Last year's outstanding class had only one true OT of any caliber. PSU's struggles/shuffles along the O-line last and this year are evidence of a lack of anchor.

What their chances are: They seem, though I don't know how to take Rivals leaving the Lions off his offer list.

A must-read recruiting update from a PSU source mentioned how much he likes the strictness at Penn State, how much it reminds him of DeMatha, and how he thinks it will "help make him a man."

The Lions showed they could still recruit at a high level with last year's class. They're off to a very slow start for 2011, but Kouandjio's verbal would make us all forget that. I think they make his next cut for sure.

Rutgers

Why he's interested: Rutgers grabbed his teammate, DeMatha safety Lorenzo Waters, in the 2010 cycle, and are chasing his current teammate, LB Darien Harris. They were one of the first to offer, and their campus isn't far from Hyattsville, MD. Greg Schiano shot the lights out in Rutgers' last class and got Kouandjio on campus for a Rutgers Junior Day, then again for a combine event.

Why he should go there: Kouandjio would be the ultimate big fish in a small pond. He could be the missing piece for a run at a Big East title the Scarlet Knights have been flirting with for the past four years. Plus, Rutgers put OT Anthony Davis in the first round of the NFL draft, at 11th overall, so it's not like they're poison. They're close to home, too.

What their chances are: Not terrible. Kouandjio's interest in conferences that don't start with S and end with C puts Big East schools in contention, and him paying a visit isn't child's play. The buzz since his visit hasn't been mind-blowing, but neither has it been negative. The more Dematha kids they land, the better their chances, in my opinion.

Virginia

Why he's interested: Mike London's talents on the recruiting trail aren't just the stuff of lore. The guy takes recruiting seriously, and no talent is too big.

I strongly suspect the Cavaliers taking not one, but two DeMatha players in the 2011 class is at least partly to get an in with Kouandjio.

In any event, the ploy worked: Kouandjio showed up for a surprise visit to a UVa practice and came away impressed.

Why he should go there: A gorgeous campus, a program by all accounts on the road to recovery, and one that's been no stranger to the NFL despite their struggles on the field.

What their chances are: Not bad. London is one of the best recruiters in the business, and he's been given an esteemed brand to sell. Kouandjio seems to favor the downtrodden/up-and-coming programs. He also has, at the risk of sounding out of line, an elite vibe about him, one that coheres with the Cavaliers. I don't think calling them dark horses gives them enough credit. They're legit contenders.

Alabama

Why he's interested: Really? Why is he interested in the defending national champions?

Sorry. The Tide took his older brother, Arie, in their last recruiting cycle, and brought along Cyrus—by all accounts the better player—on campus for a dual-prospect visit.

The Tide have a legitimate need on the offensive line and have no other OT commits in their 12-man class, a sign that they're probably holding onto a spot in honor of him.

Why he should go there: The fraternal connection, the whole national-championship thing, great NFL presence, outstanding 2011 recruiting class and a ton of momentum.

What their chances are: Alabama is the only school Kouandjio has said will definitely be in his final pool, and that comes from sources that aren't just pandering to the crowd. For a recruitment as nebulous as this one, that's not only an honor, it's a very good sign.

That said, I don't think it equates to a lead for Alabama, or a very large one, as many Tide recruitniks suggest. They're among the top schools, but they're not the top school.

Still, you have to like Alabama's chances for at least an official, and very few prospects leave Tuscaloosa without Crimson in their eyes. Nick Saban's size five is firmly in the door. The floodgates can now open.

Others?

Miami Hurricanes: The Canes were recruiting his brother Arie, and got in on him early, but the buzz has been nonexistent since.

Boston College: Another up-and-coming ACC program with good NFL connections. He mentioned BC's offer early but hasn't mentioned them since.

Notre Dame: The strong Catholic connection has to help (DeMatha is a Catholic school), but Kouandjio has yet to visit South Bend, and the Irish have loaded up on tackles since then.

Any others?