Ian Hopkins, one of the area’s top defensive lineman, has picked up scholarship offer No. 1.

And it came from a few time zones away.

New Mexico, which has a handful of locals on its roster, was the first school to pull the trigger for the 6-foot-2, 284-pound senior.

According to Sickles coach Pat O'Brien, Hopkins also is being “heavily recruited” by USF and Mississippi State.

These locals are currently playing for the Lobos, who compete in the Mountain West Conference:

A.J. Butler, RB, St. Petersburg Catholic
Mike Cannon, OL, Durant
Josh Fussell, FB, Durant
Daryl Jones, WR, Hillsborough

Jones and Butler are each having outstanding seasons.

--KEITH NIEBUHR (kniebuhr@sptimes.com)