Chris Ellis meets The Fridge

Hampton (Va.) Bethel defensive end Chris Ellis had his final in-home visit with a head coach on Wednesday night. So how did it go with Maryland head man Ralph Friedgen?

"It was good," said the 6-foot-5, 230-pounder. "He laid out the plans they have for me and how they're trying to build a team that will not only compete in the ACC but on a national scale as well. He explained a little bit more about how I'd fit into their 3-4 scheme."

Ellis is now going underground so to speak as he isn't taking visits or calls from coaches from here until he announces.

"I'll probably know for sure on Sunday when I run it by 'The Man' at church," he said. "I want to pray on it a little bit before I really decide. Then I'll announce on Signing Day at my school."

So who leads?

"I really don't have a leader right now," he said. "I'm detached enough from all of my visits where I can sit down with a level head and decide. All four of my favorites (Virginia Tech, Virginia, Tennessee and Maryland) all have a chance. It's going to be a tough decision which is why I want to be alone for a bit and weigh things out."

Ellis is not taking his scheduled visit to NC State this weekend.

"That would just confuse things too much," he said. "I need to focus on the four I like the best."

One thing the talented defensive end is tired of hearing is advice on how to pick a school.

"Every school but Virginia Tech said the same thing over and over again," he said. "They'd tell me not to pick a school just because my best friend (Jimmy Williams is there. That got pretty tiring after a while. I would never pick a school just because I have a buddy there, never. But the fact that some folks thought I would was a bit disappointing."

Williams is a former Bethel star and played as a true freshman at safety this past season for Virginia Tech. Ellis said that Williams will have nothing to do with his decision.

"There's a lot more to a school than just having a friend there," he said. "That, to be honest, is not an advantage at all for Tech. I'll pick the place that's best for me overall."