4-Star TE Hopper has four official visits in mind
THE LATEST: At one time it looked like Tyneil Hopper would be committed before his senior year began. The four-star tight end out of Roswell (Ga.) had a plan to commit over the summer, but when he felt he wasn't ready, he held off from making a decision.
He has an impressive offer list and now that his about a month into his senior year, he is looking to take his five official visits before he makes his commitment.
IN HIS OWN WORDS: "I thought I was going to be committed by now, but I just did not know where I wanted to go," said Hopper. "I want to be sure before I commit, so after talking things over with my parents, I have decided to wait it out and see what happens after I take my official visits."
FOUR VISITS IN MIND: "Right now I am thinking North Carolina, Auburn, Louisville and Alabama are four of the schools I will visit officially. I do not have anything scheduled yet, but those four are ones I feel pretty sure about. We will see what other schools show interest, if Georgia or South Carolina offers and things like that before I decide on the fifth school."
VISITS ARE IMPORTANT: "I want to see who really wants me, so being on campus with coaches and all that will show me a lot. It is something that will be big for me. I am going to open my eyes, see all I can see, take it all in and see what school is best for me. The official visits will play a big role in my final decision. I want to see where I would be happy at even if football was not there, so when I am on the campuses, I will be searching for that fit."
ALABAMA: "Alabama is just great. They have it all there and they win a lot. They use the tight end, the coaches are cool and I just feel I would be used properly there."
AUBURN: "I really like the campus at Auburn, how close everything is and the set up of everything. I have been to a game there, I have been to camp there and the atmosphere is great. My quarterback [Malik Willis] is there now, so it would be cool to play with him too. It is just a cool place."
LOUISVILLE: "Coach Galloway is a coach I really like a lot. We have a good connection and I really liked working with the Louisville coaches at the camp over the summer. I have liked them since my sophomore year, their offense is strong and they just have a good overall feel there to me."
NORTH CAROLINA: "I am from North Carolina, my brother [Tyrone Hopper] plays at UNC and I still have family there, so those things are nice. I also like coach Scott and we have a great relationship. I like the atmosphere, I am comfortable there and i know it is an offense that throws the ball."
DECISION TIMELINE: "I would love to know where I am going by the end of the season. I plan to take my official visits during the season, so I can make my decision. I want to see games, talk to coaches and just spend time on the different campuses. I do not have any favorites yet, each school recruits me about equally as hard and I am searching for the best school for me."
RIVALS REACTION: North Carolina may have an inside track, if anyone does, due to the connection there and how they have been recruiting him for a long time. At this point, it looks like an ACC vs. SEC battle for Hopper and visits will be key moving forward. He wants to be used properly, and in his mind, that is as a receiver down field, and not as an inline blocker the majority of the time. Seeing his brother go through the process a couple of years ago has helped educate and prepare him for this moment. He knows what he is looking for.
