One Week Away from Decision, Kenney Lyke Breaks Down Top Schools

Around this time next week, at about 2 p.m. CT, Palatine, Illinois, defensive back Kenney Lyke will announce his college plans. He also will give his parents one of the best belated birthday presents money can't buy.

On May 22, the Fremd High School 3-star prospect will verbally commit to one of four schools—either Notre Dame, Michigan State, Baylor or Oregon. He also will put a huge smile on the face of his mother and father, Latoya Williams and Kenneth Lyke, who will celebrate birthdays before the announcement.

Lyke's mother is celebrating her birthday today. His father will celebrate his birthday on Monday.

"I'm excited about [May 22]; I think they are, too," Lyke said.

"We're definitely very, very proud of him and all of his accolades," Williams said of her son, the No. 13 player from the state of Illinois and a top-40 safety nationally. "He has worked really hard to get to this point. To see that he was so talented to peak so many schools around the nation, it's amazing."

Lyke announced his top four on Tuesday and officially announced his decision day on Thursday via social media.

Lyke said the past couple of days have been exciting for him and his family, and he's using the next few days to not only weigh his options but reflect on the process. He said he has enjoyed his process, but he's ready for everything to slow down.

"I think it's been a pretty positive experience so far. It's always good to go out and meet other people and coaches on visits and see how the coaches come at you," he said. "It's always good to see where you fit in at a new place."

Lyke said he has "a pretty clear understanding of where I'd like to play college football." Of the three schools, Oregon has yet to offer. Lyke, however, put Oregon in his top four because of the strong relationship he's built with the staff. He believes an offer will come soon.

For the time being, Notre Dame and Michigan State appear to be the front-runners. Notre Dame has a slight proximity advantage, but both schools are less than a three-hour drive away from Palatine.

"Michigan State was the first [Power Five] school to recruit me and offer me," Lyke said. "Everybody in East Lansing are real cool. The recruits they have right now are doing a good job of recruiting prospects. Plus, the coaches keep it real. I like [recruiting coordinator] Coach [Brad] Salem and [head] Coach D [Mark Dantonio].

"With Notre Dame, when I took my first my visit there, I wasn't offered. I was a little discouraged, but they told me they'd offer down the line, and they kept their word. Coach [Brian] VanGorder is a good defensive coordinator to play underneath. They run a lot of NFL defenses and work a lot with the secondary."

Baylor is the wild card of the three schools that have offered. While it is far away from home, Baylor's coaching staff has won Lyke and his family over with its sincerity. Williams likes that it's a private school built on religious morals.

"I love the way [defensive coordinator] Coach [Phil] Bennett and [safeties] Coach [Cris] Dishman are coaching the defensive backs," Lyke said. "They run the same defense as I run in high school, so that'll be a plus going in knowing the defense. My defensive coordinator is really good friends with Coach Bennett, and I've had extensive conversations with both Coach Bennett and Coach Dishman."

If Oregon offers between now and next Friday, credit secondary coach John Neal for keeping Lyke interested. Lyke has been paying attention to Oregon's defensive backs, and he likes what the coaching staff is doing to produce quality, Pac-12 athletes.

Lyke is being recruiting to all four schools as a safety, but he added that he may get opportunities to play on special teams and possibly kick returner. As a defensive back, Lyke had 81 tackles and two interceptions last season for Fremd.

Lyke said the "feeling of being at home" is the main factor in his decision. He also wants the chance to compete early. Williams said she's looking for a quality education for her son.

"At the end of the day, he can't go wrong with anywhere he chooses," Williams said. "We've been excited throughout the whole process. I think I was probably more stressed than he was, but I know that wherever he goes, he'll be at a great school. It'll make for a great belated birthday present."

Damon Sayles is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. All quotes were obtained firsthand. All player ratings are courtesy of 247Sports' composite ratings. Follow Damon via Twitter: @DamonSayles