Bernard down to nine schools

Giovanni Bernard has finally had a chance to narrow some things down. Bernard, a four-star running back prospect from Ft. Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas in south Florida, is down to nine schools, after fielding over two dozen scholarship offers.

"I am down to nine schools right now," Bernard said. "I like Miami, Florida, FSU, Alabama, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Notre Dame, Oregon State and Nebraska. To be honest, I feel there are so many schools I can see myself at and it will be tough from here. These final nine are nine schools that I feel real comfortable with. I like these coaches and I am very happy with this decision and I'm looking forward to taking it from here. It just came down to feeling comfortable with these coaches."

While Bernard feels good to have his school list under ten he now has to go through the process of what schools to visit. But if things go according to plan he may end up seeing most of his final nine before he makes his decision.

"I will probably take most of my official visits out of state. Now that doesn't mean I am not interested in the Florida schools (Miami, FSU, and Florida). It just means I do not want to waste an official visit on them. I have been to Florida three or four times now and I have been to Florida State. But on that trip to FSU I didn't get to see much. I may be going to the Seminole Showtime camp if I am not going out of town with my family. I need to check with my dad on that. Of course I have been to Miami and they are just around the corner."

So if Bernard doesn't make an official visit to see the 'Canes, 'Noles or Gators that means there is one unlucky school among the other six that likely won't get a visit. Does he know who he will officially visit at this time?

"I will definitely visit Oregon State, Oklahoma and Notre Dame. I am pretty sure I will visit Tennessee and Alabama."

It sounds like Bernard has a working plan that suits him. And he will have to work this recruiting plan as he plays for arguably the top high school football team in the country in St. Thomas Aquinas. Is there added pressure with the recruiting coupled with everyone gunning to knock off St. Thomas?

"I really don't feel any pressure at all. When people feel pressure they crack and I am not like that. I am just trying to enjoy everything. This only happens once. And the big picture is this is my senior year and I want to stay healthy and win another state championship. Recruiting will take care of itself."