Augusta in a holding pattern

With the multitude of early commitments in the Midwest, one of the most highly-sought uncommitted prospects left in the region is Peoria, Ill., defensive lineman Josh Augusta. But recruiting is far from the mind of the 6-foot-4, 289-pound Augusta.

Augusta has not made any visits to college campuses this summer or been talking with any coaches on the phone. His focus has been on his upcoming senior season and he has spent the majority of the time since school let out practicing with his team.

The nation's No. 20 ranked strongside defensive end, Augusta picked up more than a dozen offers in the winter and spring, with his latest coming from Oklahoma. He plans to pick up the pace with his recruitment once school starts up again.

"I am going to take official visits in the fall, but I haven't decided where yet," Augusta said. "My decision will probably be during the season."

Augusta has not decided which schools will receive his official visits, but he did give a clue to where his recruitment may be headed.

"I will probably stay close to home," he said.

That would appear to favor programs within a comfortable driving distance from his mid-state Illinois home, but Augusta said he has not begun to narrow his list of offers down to a top group.

The appeal with Augusta is that he is a versatile and athletic big man. Besides his abilities on the football field, Augusta is also a standout on the basketball court for Peoria High and he finished first in the state track meet with a shot put of 61-5 after finishing second in that event as a sophomore. The coaches at Peoria will utilize Augusta's athleticism all over the field next fall.

"I'm going to do tight end, wide receiver and defensive tackle," Augusta said. "Most colleges say they see me at d-tackle."

As a junior, Augusta accounted for 153 tackles and 10 sacks on defense, and caught 25 passes for 282 yards and four touchdowns on offense.