5-Star Football Recruit Jermauria Rasco: LSU, Texas and Alabama Lead

5-star defensive end Jermauria Rasco has been a tough prospect to gage as to this point he hasn't officially narrowed his list of over 20 suitors down to any finalists. 

But based on the way his recruitment has gone, it's safe to say that LSU, Texas and Alabama have a clear advantage in the hunt.  

“I talk with coaches from LSU, Alabama, and Texas the most every week,” Rasco said in an interview over the summer. “I went to the Junior Days for each of those schools this year."

FSU, Georgia and UCLA are also in the mix, but most experts will point toward LSU, Texas and Alabama as the real possibilities. 

As we've done for many of the nation's top prospects, we'll break down the Rasco situation and predict how this will all turn out. 

Rasco's Scouting Report and Highlights

Rasco has improved tremendously every year and that's something to take note of when looking at a prospect. He's an elite defensive end with a very high ceiling and only getting better as he ages.

He has great instincts and discipline, but his technique and movements are still on the raw side. If he can learn to add some weapons to his arsenal and get off the ball quicker, he could end up being the best defensive end in the class.

For someone with so much to work on, seeing how fast he's able to disengage from his blockers and engage ball-carriers is eyebrow raising.

Looking For Playing Time: Rasco's Key

Rasco has the look of an early impact recruit based on his progression over the last couple of years and while he hasn't broken down exactly what he's looking for in a school, he was very clear about his desire to hit the field early. 

"At this point, I need to get around and meet more players and coaches, but I do know that wherever I go I want to have a good chance to start and get in some early playing time," Rasco said in an interview with Scout.com over the summer. 

Most experts will point toward Texas and LSU as the real leaders of the pack in this hunt, but both teams have a ton of talent along their defensive lines—especially the Longhorns. 

The same case can be made for Alabama though it appears Rasco would have to wait his turn at all of his top choices. 

The In-State Love: Does LSU Have an Advantage?

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BATON ROUGE, LA - SEPTEMBER 25: Mascot Mike the Tiger of the Louisiana State Univeristy Tigers marches on the field before the game against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Tiger Stadium on September 25, 2010 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris

A native of Shreveport, Louisiana, Rasco has also been especially close to the LSU staff. While he's maintained a very positive relationship with coaches from Texas and Alabama as well, there's no denying the connection in this case. 

Not only did his position coach, Byron Dawson, play for LSU, but Rasco is also quite close with a few members of the current Tigers coaching staff. 

“Coach Haley is the main reason I'm interested in LSU," Rasco said. “After I started getting to know him, a close relationship was formed. Other than LSU being an in-state school for me, coach Haley is really the main reason I have interest in LSU."

Predicting Rasco's Decision

While Texas and Alabama both have a good shot at this one as well, Rasco has always favored LSU and with him being an in-state prospect, the Tigers have been able to maintain a very strong relationship with him for the last couple of years. 

LSU might be right up at it's limit when it comes to available scholarships, but it'll be able to make it work in this case.

With the anticipation that a couple of recruits will either decommit or disqualify academically, the staff is confident that more top-end talent can be added. 

The Tigers are going hard after Rasco and he's one of the few prospects still on the market they're pushing for. 

So far LSU has done a great job of keeping it's 2011 in-state talent at home and there's no reason to believe it can't pull it off once again.