Big 2012 DT says decision coming soon

The Florida panhandle does not always get the same recognition in recruiting circles as other parts of the state. However, De Funiak Springs Walton is doing its best to change that trend. The Braves have one of the top class of 2011 defensive ends in Deon Lee, who is up to 19 offers, but it is another prospect along the defensive line that has even more college coaches paying attention.

Junior defensive tackle Dalvon Stuckey followed a big sophomore campaign with an impressive spring and has firmly entrenched himself as one of the top class of 2012 prospects in the state. The 6-foot-3, 295-pound defender has already picked up half a dozen offers.

"I have offers from FSU, Louisville, South Carolina, Iowa State, Texas A&M and Auburn," Stuckey said. "FSU offered me around the time of their camp this summer. Auburn offered me like a week-and-a-half ago. Iowa State was the first one to offer me. Texas A&M, they offered me about two months ago. South Carolina and Louisville both offered me about two weeks ago."

Though Iowa State was the first to offer and Texas A&M does not normally recruit his area of Florida, Stuckey says it was a trio of others that truly caught him off guard when they extended offers.

"The Auburn one came as a big surprise," he said. "South Carolina and Louisville also came as a surprise too. I really hadn't been hearing from any of them a lot before they offered."

In addition to Florida State, Stuckey attended another in-state camp this summer and could gain an offer from them soon as well.

"I also went to Friday Night Lights at Florida," he said. "I think I did great there. I talked to them afterwards. They didn't really say anything about an offer right now or anything but they just said they were going to stay in touch, like real closely."

However, the Seminoles could prove tough to beat in this race.

"I've always been a big fan of FSU," Stuckey said. "My family likes them so I just came up watching them. I was ecstatic (when they offered). I was really happy about it. There was a big smile on my face.

"Right now FSU is the No. 1 school. I was very tempted (to commit) when they offered but I just decided to wait a little bit."

However, Stuckey admits that a decision is likely to come in the very near future.

"I'm thinking about committing real soon," he said. "I'm looking at doing it maybe a couple of weeks from now. I'm not saying I'm going to commit to FSU. I'm just thinking about committing wherever I want to go and getting it over with then."

With Stuckey wanting to get his college decision out of the way, he says there are a few coaches he stays in touch with on a regular basis.

"I talk to coach (Tracy) Rocker out of Auburn," he said. "I talk to coach (Rick) Trickett out of FSU. I talk to Chad Scott out of Texas Tech and a few other coaches."