Could East Coast DL be headed West

A defensive lineman we've had a chance to see at a pair of NIKE Combines this fall is Philadelphia (Pa.) St. John Neumann tackle Christopher Palmer. Palmer has a host of schools checking him out and currently favors one school on the other side of the map.

Palmer, 6-3, 300 pounds attended the recent NIKE Combine in Baltimore after attending a previous combine in Atlanta. The big lineman earned all-league honors on both sides of the ball last year and could project as a defensive tackle or offensive guard in college.

"I can move so I feel I can play anywhere on the line," Palmer said. "I played end and tackle on defense and guard on offense but I like defensive tackle, I think that's where I'll play in college."

For a big man, Palmer has tested well at both combines running a 5.46-40, 4.78 in the shuttle, jumping 30 inches in the vertical with 27 reps on the bench. He's currently sitting on one scholarship offer but said several other schools are on the verge.

"Basically, the whole Big East has verbally offered me," Palmer said. "West Virginia is the only written one but everyone else has said one is coming. North Carolina State and UCLA are the other schools that have offered but I'm just waiting to see it in writing right now.

Some other schools I'm hearing from right now are USC, Notre Dame, Georgia, Michigan and Maryland. UCLA is my top school right now, I really like them a lot and they're showing me a lot of love. The coaches have told me I could play early there and I definitely want to get out there for a visit.

"I also like NC State a lot. They have a good program and I like the coaches a lot. Michigan, West Virginia and Maryland would be the other schools in my top five right now. I'm looking for a school where I can play early, that's important to me as well as the tradition and how close I am with the coaching staff."