COVINGTON, Ga. — In about a year’s time, Diondre Glover has gone from an intriguing talent to a legitimate Division I college football prospect. 

The 6-foot, 170-pound athlete from Newton High has had quite the journey since stepping foot onto campus three years ago as a freshman. 

From potential dual-threat quarterback to wide receiver to now a two-way specialist who has the ability to dominate on both sides of the ball, Glover has seen his blip on the recruiting radar rise gradually.

Glover’s 2018 stats weren’t eye-popping, but his talent, athleticism and bravado — not to mention a big, gregarious personality — have shown up in ways that have coaxed college recruiters to come to Covington looking to see more from the senior. 

Glover’s accumulated eight Division I offers, and on Monday night the budding Newton standout took to Twitter to whittle his list down to a top five. Of course, the recruiting game is fluid, and although much of his attention has come from a strong spring and summer, anyone who follows football recruiting knows that a stellar senior season in the fall could shift things around. 

But here, Glover took some time with sports editor Gabriel Stovall to share some more in-depth thoughts on his recruitment and the five schools, in no particular ranking order, that are currently in the running for his services. 

UNLV Runnin’ Rebels 

From a mileage standpoint — 2,001 miles from Covington to be exact —  is the school that’s farthest away from home for Glover. The Rebels finished 4-8 last year with a 2-6 mark in the Mountain West Conference under fifth-year coach Tony Sanchez. 

When They Offered: Tuesday June 3. 

Glover’s Thoughts: “What I like about UNLV is that it’s in Las Vegas and on the strip, and I think that would definitely be a great and an exciting experience at a place I’ve never been before.”

Coastal Carolina Chanticleers  

Coastal Carolina joined the FBS ranks in 2017 as a member of the Sun Belt Conference after a successful initial run in the FCS ranks Jamey Chadwell will be entering his third season at the Conway, South Carolina school that finished 5-7 and 2-6 in 2018. 

When They Offered: Sunday June 1

Glover’s Thoughts: “The campus is just in a beautiful place, and it’s by the beach. It doesn’t get any better than that. It’s just a really great environment.”

UNC-Charlotte 49ers

The youngest program to offer Glover, the 49ers began in 2013 and have had just two head coaches, the current program leader being Will Healy who came over from Austin Peay to be announced as Brad Lambert’s successor on December 5, 2018. Healy was the 2017 Eddie Robinson FCS Coach of the Year after helping Austin Peay to an 8-1 FCS record and 7-1 Ohio Valley Conference record in his second season guiding the otherwise moribund program. Charlotte competes in Conference USA and has compiled a 22-48 all-time record as it moves into its seventh season of FBS competition. 

When They Offered: Thursday June 13

Glover’s Thoughts: “Now, Charlotte is where some of my family is, and it has a growing football program. I think it would be very cool to be a part of what they’re doing.” 

Mercer Bears 

For now, the Macon school is the only in-state program to offer the Newton Rams’ senior. Don’t be surprised if that changes, though. The Bears are a FCS squad that plays in the Southern Conference, and with seventh-year coach Bobby Lamb at the helm, has build a respectable program. Mercer began playing NCAA football again in 2013 after a 72-year hiatus.

When They Offered: Friday June 6

Glover’s Thoughts: “Mercer is a great place that I’ve visited multiple times already, and I like what they are building in their programs down there.”

Southeast Missouri State 

SEMO was the first program to offer Glover. SEMO is also the school in his list that has arguably the deepest football tradition, albeit as a FCS program. The Redhawks are led by head coach Tom Matukewicz who will enter his sixth season in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.

When They Offered: Wednesday April 24

Glover’s Thoughts: “SEMO recruits old school. They really build a bond with you. And really, that’s what I like about it the most.” 

As for the timetable on his college decision, Glover isn’t interested in waiting around or dragging things out. 

“I am committing very soon after I visit all the schools,” Glover said. “I’m visiting three this month and one in July, and I’ll be committing before the season starts.” 

The Newton Rams open the 2019 season on August 23 against in-county rival Alcovy.