Corley making trips, likes five
Mobile (Ala.) McGill-Toolen defensive end Sidell Corley is a busy man these days. The pre-evaluation Rivals100 prospect has been on the road making unofficial visits while his school is on spring break, including several programs that are on his new list of five top favorites.
"My top five is Alabama, Georgia, Auburn, Florida and Ole Miss," he said.
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Corley visited Georgia, Auburn and Alabama already and plans to head to Gainesville, Fla., for Florida's spring game this Saturday.
During the trip up to Tuscaloosa, the Crimson Tide rolled out the red carpet for the 6-foot-4, 255-pound Corley.
Corley spent nearly eight hours on campus.
"When I went up there, I met up with coach David Turner and coach Buddy Wyatt and then they introduced me to coach Mike Shula," Corley said. "They showed me around the campus and I learned all about the academics."
Corley then sat down with link to Alabama's past.
"We ate lunch and I met with the athletics director, Mal Moore," he said. "He won seven or eight national championships when he was working with Bear Bryant. It was very inspiring. Actually, I couldn't believe it."
Sidell's father, also named Sidell, added that the trip was an eye-opener.
"He had a great visit to Alabama," he said. "There was a lot about Alabama we didn't know about that we know now. It was just a great visit."
Corley went to Athens, Ga., for the first time and came away impressed with the Bulldogs.
"I didn't know anything about Georgia at all," he said. "But they have by far the best facilities, the best dorm rooms and the best academics."
He was shown around the Classic City by Rivals.com's 2006 SEC Recruiter of the Year, Rodney Garner.
"I got there and I met coach Garner and he showed me around," he said. "(Georgia head coach) Mark Richt wasn't there, so I didn't get a chance to meet him."
Sidell's father added that there were many positive things about the Bulldogs program.
"We knew they were a good program," the elder Corley said. "But we didn't know they were that good. There's a lot about Georgia that we like. There are a lot of Christian elements there and with us being Christians, that's a good thing."
A trip to Auburn opened the eyes of the younger Corley with regards to early playing time.
"I found out that the depth chart at Auburn isn't as deep as I thought it was," he said. "(Defensive line coach) Terry Price broke it down for me."
His father added that the Tigers will always be a factor with his son.
"That's who he grew up pulling for," he said.
Corley will head to Gainesville this Saturday. The Gators once were the leaders for the Alabama standout, but they have since come back to the pack.
Corley will visit Florida with childhood friend Michael McNeil, who is a Division I-A safety prospect from Mobile's Davidson High.
"We are going down to Florida to check it out," Corley said. "He's my childhood friend and hopefully, we can play at the same school together."
The 6-foot-2, 195-pound McNeil has scholarship offers from Alabama, Auburn and Ole Miss.
Corley is expected to make a final decision before the start of his senior season.