Cali DL is down to three

Poway (Calif.) defensive lineman Nick Wood took his 5th and final official visit this past weekend to Wake Forest. The talented tackle has eliminated two of the schools from consideration and said he would like to make his choice by the end of the week.

Wood, 6-2, 275 pounds has previously visited Boston College, Arizona State, Colorado and Washington. ASU and BC have since undergone coaching changes and are no longer in the running. It is now a three team race.

"I've liked Wake Forest for awhile now and had a great visit," Wood said. "I was excited ahead of time about the visit and was very comfortable with the players on the team. I think that was probably the highlight of the trip for me, just hanging out with the all players.

"I think as far as team chemistry goes, the players at Wake get along and are more of a family than anywhere I've been to so far. You can really feel it there and they welcomed me with open arms. The guys were all excited to be practicing for the Orange Bowl but at the same time, you can tell that they're committed to be a winning program and don't want to be just a one year wonder.

The players had some time off so they're pumped to be back on the practice field. The coaches were excited and they're building a winning program and want me to be a part of that. My dad and I had a chance to sit in on the DL meetings and that was fun for me as well. Overall, the whole trip was great. I had seen a lot of the campus before on an unofficial visit last summer but it was good to just get out there again and meet the guys."

Wood said he's currently down to the Colorado, Washington and Wake Forest and is hoping he'll be able to decide soon.

"I want to make my decision ASAP," Wood said. "Hopefully by the end of the week but I'm really torn right now. I honestly don't know where I'm going and I think all three schools are great fits for me. I think all three have great coaches and team chemistry, all three are building winning programs and I love the location at all three.

"I think what it will come down to for me is just a gut feel. I'm done with home visits and we have a dead period coming up now so I'm just going to take the next week to talk things over with my family and coaches and try and pick out the best school for me."