Rivals250 linebacker Dax Hollifield's recruitment window has narrowed from five schools down to three schools. The Shelby, N.C., star is prepping for the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas this week and broke down where his recruitment is headed.

IN HIS OWN WORDS…

"I was at Stanford for the Cal game," Hollifield said. "I had never seen a game out there before and I've always heard that they don't love football on the west coast and nobody ever goes to the games. That's not true because it was a great game to go to. It was a hard fought defensive battle by both teams and it was a packed house. Those fans made a lot of noise. It was great.

"I fit in great there," he said. "I watched the replay of the game the day after and their schemes fit what I do very well. I want to be versatile and they run a 3-4 defense and at Shelby we run a 4-3. I know I'll fit what they do well.

"The Stanford coaches are really laid back," said Hollifield. "They have different type of kids there. They don't have to yell much to get more out of those kids.

"With Virginia Tech, I just love the relative closeness to home," he said. "It's just right up route 77. Coach Foster and the 'Lunch Pail Defense' is what I really like about Virginia Tech. The obvious difference between Stanford and Virginia Tech is the distance from home. The education is different too. The education at Stanford is the best in the world.

"Trust me, North Carolina has made a big push," Hollifield said. "I'm by far their top recruit right now. They have visited me more than any school over the past two months. It's been insane. They have done everything they can. They have a great education. If you get a degree from UNC you can do anything. I want to be a dentist and I know their dental school isn't for undergraduates but there's a good shot you would get into it if you're a UNC grad. North Carolina is the flagship school in my home state.

"Coach Brewer texts me a lot and sometimes it gets on my nerves but he is my guy and he knows it," he said. "I feel like I'd play my freshman year because they have Andre Smith coming back but I'd have a good shot at starting my sophomore year.

"I'm committing probably a week or two after my official visit to Stanford on January 12th," said Hollifield. "With basketball coming up I think it’ll be too hard for me to visit any other school from now until I commit except for Stanford for my official visit.

"Stanford, Virginia Tech, and North Carolina have already taken their in-home visits with me but the head coaches have not come," he said. "They've all mentioned coming by next month before I commit because they all know about my Stanford official visit.

"South Carolina doesn't have any spots left right now," Hollifield said. "With everything that went on at Florida State, it doesn't seem like that will work out either."

RIVALS' REACTION...

Prospects often throw out the cliché about picking a school for the education but few actually take it to heart. It feels like Hollifield is really taking this saying seriously. Virginia Tech seemed like the leader just a few months ago but his unofficial visit to Stanford for the Cal game seems to have really made a difference. That extra time with the coaches and being on campus helped the Cardinal make a big move. The Tar Heels have also pushed up Hollifield's list so the fight to the finish will be close between North Carolina, Stanford, and Virginia Tech.