Caldwell high on two

As a junior, Tampa (Fla.) Tampa Bay Tech running back Lamarq Caldwell played a shortened season due to a broken collarbone. The 6-foot, 195-pound back believes that without that injury more colleges would have extended him an offer to this point. As of now, only a few schools have went ahead and told him he has a spot reserved for him at their school.

"I only have four verbal offers right now," Caldwell said. "I have Grambling State, Navy, FIU, and Buffalo."

Outside of his four offers, Caldwell is receiving significant interest from a number of colleges. In fact, he says his top two schools are programs that have yet to extend an offer.

"Actually, my top choice out of every school showing me interest is Tennessee. They have been showing me strong interest since day one. They just haven't pulled the trigger as far as offering me yet. I definitely want to take a trip up there and see what is going on," Caldwell said. "Also, Western Kentucky, I have a really good relationship with their whole coaching staff. They like to run the ball a lot and that is very appealing to me. Those are probably my top two choices as of right now."

Caldwell said that both the Volunteers and the Hilltoppers have tried to get him to camp this summer but he has been unable to make the visits due to other engagements.

Other programs that Caldwell mentioned as showing interest include Central Michigan, Iowa State, Miami, Northwestern, Stanford, Syracuse, USF, and others.

With regards to all of the schools in the picture, Caldwell is utilizing the internet and provided information from the universities to learn more about his options.

"I do research on every school that I not only have offers from but also those that are showing me interest," Caldwell said. "I look at them for both sports and education."

He shared some of his thoughts on the schools that have extended an offer.

"FIU has a great business school and that is what I am trying to major in," Caldwell said. "As far as sports are concerned, they are an upcoming program. I am also looking at how many running backs each of these schools have and all of that stuff."

"Buffalo has a great communications program and that is the program that I will probably be minoring in," Caldwell said.

"Navy, I just know that after you graduate you have to do a five-year commitment to the military service," Caldwell said.

Caldwell has previously attended a camp with Florida International, but he did not participate. While at the event, he had an opportunity to meet and speak with the Golden Panthers coaching staff.

"I met the whole FIU coaching staff," Caldwell said. "I am supposed to be taking an unofficial visit down there shortly. I am not certain of an exact date, but it will probably be a weekend because I work. Possibly this upcoming weekend."

In addition to his upcoming unofficial to Florida International, Caldwell intends to take an official visit to Buffalo and Navy during the season. He also wants to make it on campus at Tennessee and Western Kentucky.

As for a decision, Caldwell said it is unlikely to come before his senior season as he is hoping for more offers to be extended his way.

Later this month, Caldwell and his Tampa Bay Tech teammates will participate in the second session of USF's Sling-N-Shoot 7-on-7 event.