Bush talks favorites

More than two weeks ago Hackensack, New Jersey tight end Malcolm Bush announced that two schools were at the top of his list -- North Carolina and Pitt.

The Tar Heels and Panthers remain the two to beat for the 6-foot-3, 211-pound prospect. Could other schools enter the mix?

"It's safe to say it's pretty much those two," Bush explained. "As of right now, yeah. That's what I'd say. Somebody else might jump in and I might take a visit, but I don't know yet. I'm just waiting to take a visit to UNC right now."

It appears as though the two schools each have a legitimate shot at Bush, though he did give one an edge, albeit slight.

"Basically the main thing pulling me to Pittsburgh is coach (Dave) Wannstedt and his whole staff. They're real cool. Also, the fact that they're up and coming and have a good chance to win the Big East next year. They're just making a lot of changes.

"Coach (Butch) Davis at UNC -- he's won everywhere. He did well at Miami and he sent tight ends to the NFL from there. Then just North Carolina itself is great. Going to the University of North Carolina would be a big thing. I went down for an unofficial to see the game against Notre Dame and I liked how the crowd was very into it. Everybody's about Carolina and that light blue is everywhere. The campus is nice.

"If I had to give an edge to one of them it would probably be Pitt, but not by much. That's mostly because I have a very, very close relationship with the coaches."

Bush is taking his official visit to North Carolina on January 16. Once again he reiterated that he was open to visiting other schools but that they would have to approach him.

He is ranked the No. 30 tight end in the nation by Rivals.com and has also picked up offers from Cincinnati, Iowa, Rutgers and Syracuse.