Good Counsel (MD) four-star linebacker Aaron Chiles took the next step in his recruitment this week after releasing his top three with Florida, Maryland and Michigan still in the mix.
It took a lot of time for the 6-foot-3, 220-pound linebacker to trim his list of over 30 verbal offers to three finalists, but with official visit season around the corner, Chiles is comfortable with his remaining choices.
“Just the experience in general, I’m very blessed and grateful for the opportunities that I was given. I took a lot of thought into these three schools and I just felt like they’re the best for me,” Chiles told IBG. “It was tough getting to three. It was really based off what the schools were giving me. At first I had Clemson and Notre Dame in there but a couple of schools fell off, some showed more interest.”
The first school to host Chiles for an official visit will be Maryland as Chiles told IBG he’ll be on campus the first weekend of June. Maryland has made Good Counsel a big priority this cycle and were at the Olney powerhouse last week checking on Chiles, Dilin Jones, three-star receiver Elijah Moore and four-star defensive end Darien Mayo among others. “I’ve been up there a couple of times. They’re down the street. Coach [James Thomas] has done a really good job of stepping up and just taking charge of showing how much he wants me. Him and coach Lance [Thompson].”
Chiles admitted his interest in Maryland extends beyond just it being the hometown school. “Throughout the year, I see them develop and every single year coach [Mike] Locksley has been there, they’ve gotten better. It’s more than just the home team. They’re actually a good team.”
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Florida will be the second school to host Chiles beginning June 16 as the four-star was impressed with his trip to Gainesville back in January, but even more impressed with the continued pursuit since then. “Coach [Jay] Bateman actually came last week, I think last Monday. They’ve never backed off after I’ve been up there. Just seeing how much effort they’re really putting in to getting me, seeing how much they’re interested in me. That’s what made them stick around.”
The last school to host Chiles will be Michigan beginning June 23rd and with assistants Chris Patridge and Mike Elston in pursuit, the Wolverines have drawn buzz as the consensus team to beat. Chiles, however, sees a closer race with his recruitment winding down.
“I think all schools are fairly even right now. It took a lot to narrow it down to three so now, they’re all even. Now it’s about seeing what school fits best for me, what school is showing me they want me the most. That’s what my decision will be made off of.”
Chiles plans to announce his commitment in early July.
Aaron Chiles is rated a four-star prospect and a 91 overall by On3, sitting as the fourth-best prospect in Maryland.
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