Countess takes unofficial

Rivals250 cornerback Blake Countess took an unofficial visit last week. The 5-foot-10, 171-pounder reflected on that trip and what is next.

"The trip to NC State last Wednesday was nice," he said. "I got to watch practice, tour the facilities and meet the coaches.

"I just stopped by and didn't even see a full practice. I got an idea of the type of stuff they run, I got to see the tempo and the competition I would have. It was kind of what I expected, laid back and cool."

While on campus, Countess met with State's coaches.

"I got to sit down with Coach Reed," he said. "I also talked to Coach O'Brien. He's a really laid back guy, but really focused and driven. I need that in a head coach."

The trip went well and Countess maintains that NC State continues to be in the mix.

So, what's next?

"I'm taking my official visit to Michigan this weekend," he said. "I haven't visited Michigan, this is the first time. I'm just going to take everything in. I'm planning on hanging out with the players. It'll be a change for me. I just want to learn a bit more on their talent."

Following the visit to Ann Arbor, Countess confirmed a trip to Georgia Tech the week after.

However, an official to Maryland is being reworked.

"The week after the Georgia Tech visit I'm not taking any visits because of the Crab Bowl," he said. "I'm kind of at a point on January 15th I may take a visit to Arkansas. I'll possibly take an official to Maryland in January. Right now, I don't think I'll take a fifth official, but it's possible I'll take one back to NC State."

In addition, Countess confirmed two other schools are not ruled out from his list in Louisville and Purdue.