A recruiting explosion that Errol Kerns III has experienced over the past month defies explanation on the surface.
Since the Lawrence Central senior-to-be safety committed to Miami (Ohio) on April 24, he has been offered a scholarship by nine Power 4 programs. Big names include defending national champion Indiana and perennial powers like Ohio State, Michigan and Texas A&M. The list also includes Illinois, Kentucky, Northwestern, Purdue and Wisconsin.
What gives? Why now?
“I honestly think it was my track times,” said Kerns, who was timed at a 4.44 40-yard dash. “My (football) film has always been good. But the fact that I didn’t run track my sophomore year, I think they (football coaches) thought I was slow. After I posted those (track numbers), they saw I wasn’t.”
Kerns ran an 11.01-second 100 meters at the regional to finish seventh. Though he did not qualify for the state meet in that event, he did take third in the long jump to quality with a jump of 22 feet, 5 ¼ inches.
Kerns also jumped in the recruiting rankings published by 247sports and On3 and is now ranked as a three-star prospect by both services and the No. 10 prospect in the state by 247sports. The 6-foot, 195-pound Kerns finished his junior season with 90 tackles (52 solo) with three interceptions, three forced fumbles, four tackles for loss and also shined on special teams, averaging 28.5 yards on kickoff returns (one touchdown) and 18.0 yards on punt returns.
“It’s been amazing,” Kerns said of his recruiting explosion. “All glory to God.”
Though Kerns has not officially pulled his commitment from Miami, he said the coaches there are understanding that there are better opportunities out there for him.
“Right now, that’s home,” he said of Miami. “I’m just still chasing dreams. Miami is a big family, a big brotherhood from the head coach to the players in the locker room. I’m looking for that again. That’s pretty much it.”
Kerns took his first official visit to Texas A&M over the weekend, leaving right after his regional track meet. He took an unofficial visit to Michigan and is planning to get back to Ann Arbor for an official visit. Kerns will also get to Ohio State and IU for unofficial visits and has locked an official visit to IU for June 19-21.
“I’m going to take all of the visits and then commit after,” he said.
Where will he land? Having options like IU, Michigan, Ohio State and Texas A&M is a dream come true for Kerns, who always had the belief it would happen at some point.
“I always had the confidence,” he said. “I always know I’m the best person on the field at any time.”
Can Purdue sway Izayveon Moore?
Lawrence North running back Izayveon Moore, who is close friends with Kerns, committed to Miami of Ohio in early May. Three days later, he picked up an offer from Purdue.
Moore, who is a three-time 1,000-yard rusher in three seasons for the Wildcats, took an official visit to Purdue over the weekend.
“I thought it could happen,” Moore said of the offer. “They came up to the school to watch me and then came back to chop it up with me and offered. It felt good. They took a little minute, but it felt great.”
The Purdue offer and visit gives Moore something to think about. Like Kerns, Moore said the Miami coaches understand that he has another option.
“It’s kind of crazy that (Purdue) waited until I was committed, but it makes it interesting,” he said. “I want to be part of a rebuild and a winning team and be able to make a huge impact.”
Big recruiting weekend
>>>Lawrence North five-star wide receiver Monshun Sales took his official visit over the weekend to his home state school, Alabama. In fact, his nickname is “Bama.” Sales posted a photo on his social media surrounded by his extended family in Alabama gear. It will be interesting to see if the Crimson Tide made up some ground with Sales, who has already taken his official visit to IU and has Texas up next this weekend, followed by Ohio State (June 12-14).
>>>Noblesville offensive lineman Caleb Johnson, generally considered the No. 2 in-state recruit in the state behind Sales, has an official visit to Iowa this weekend. The Hawkeyes’ history of success with offensive linemen, including former Roncalli standout Trevor Lauck currently on the roster, bears watching. Johnson, a four-star prospect, took official visits to Indiana and Michigan State in May. He has Missouri scheduled for June 12-14.
>>>Warren Central four-star linebacker Sean Fox took his official visit to Clemson over the weekend, two weeks after his official visit to Georgia. Fox has an official visit for Kentucky this weekend, then has Notre Dame scheduled for June 12-14. Those four schools appear to be standing out for Fox, who is rated as the No. 18 linebacker in the country by 247sports.
Commitment watch
>>>Brownsburg safety Chancelor Adams, a 6-3, 180-pound senior-to-be, committed to Bowling Green following his official visit over the weekend. Adams, second on the Brownsburg team last year with 81 tackles (54 solo), along with three interceptions and two caused fumbles, also had offers from Air Force, Army, Ball State, Eastern Michigan, Kent State, Lindenwood, Toledo, Western Michigan and Wofford. Bowling Green is coached by former Ohio State Heisman Trophy winning running back Eddie George.
>>>Brebeuf Jesuit offensive lineman Krystian Oakley has set his commitment date for June 30. Oakley, who took an official visit to UConn over the weekend, canceled his official visit to Ohio that was scheduled for this weekend.
>>>Warren Central wide receiver Zechariah Wallace committed to Western Michigan, picking the Broncos after his official visit. He also had Chattanooga, Illinois State, North Dakota State and Stony Brook on his list of finalists.
New offers
Zionsville tight end Theo Schott, a junior-to-be, picked up an offer from UCLA … Carson Sloan, a sophomore-to-be defensive end for Center Grove, was offered by Indiana. The 6-4, 230-pound Sloan also has Power Four offers from Purdue and Virginia Tech. … North Central wide receiver Javen Brooks, a junior-to-be, picked up new offers this week from Cincinnati and Florida Atlantic. Brooks had previous offers from Bowling Green, Miami (Ohio) and Kent State.
Call Star reporter Kyle Neddenriep at (317) 444-6649. Get IndyStar’s high school coverage sent directly to your inbox with the High School Sports newsletter. And be sure to subscribe to our new IndyStarTV: Preps YouTube channel.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Lawrence Central’s Errol Kerns III sees recruitment soar in a matter of weeks
Reporting by Kyle Neddenriep, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
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By Kyle Neddenriep, Indianapolis Star | USA TODAY Network
