Arizona and UCLA were the first two schools to offer, at the close of his sophomore season. Oregon State and Wisconsin offered in March, then Cal and Tennessee entered the picture prior to spring ball. That's when things really got crazy.
"I knew recruiting would come and that coaches would come down," Kirk said. "People were saying that by the time spring ball ended, I could have over 20 offers, and at first I didn't believe that."
Kirk believes it now, however, as a dozen offers flew in during spring ball, and he now sits at 18. But it isn't just any 18 offers he's collected. This is an assortment of some of the top programs in the country, including Florida State, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Tennessee, Texas A&M and Wisconsin. He said Oregon, Michigan, Stanford and USC are all showing interest as well.
The biggest surprise for Kirk was the early interest from the SEC and ACC, as well as how the offers came in bunches, rather than one at a time. It caught him and his parents off-guard, but he continues to push hard to pay back everyone who has put time and effort into his career.
Now, Kirk is focusing some attention on the next level. He took an unofficial visit to Texas A&M this spring with his parents, and though he doesn't have any other trips planned at this time, that one gave the family a taste of how big they are to the process.
He listed Cal, Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Ohio State and UCLA as possible unofficial visit destinations.
Somewhat surprisingly, Kirk said he will likely wait until late into his senior year to announce his commitment, adding that he would like to do it either at an All-American game or on signing day on ESPNU.
