Cushing updates favorites list

Oradell (N.J.) Bergen Catholic linebacker Brian Cushing won't take his next official visit until after the US All-American Bowl on Jan. 15. However, that doesn't mean nothing is happening in the interim.

"The Louisville rumors about coach Petrino going to LSU are out there, but I guess that's the business," said the 6-foot-4, 216-pounder. "If he goes to LSU then Louisville is out, he's the main reason I am interested in their program."

Would Cushing be interested in LSU?

"No, I don't think so," he said. "That's a little too country for me I think. It took all I had and all Urban Meyer had to convince my dad to let me visit Florida, which isn't exactly in a big city either."

The next visit for Cushing is on Jan. 16, the day after the All-American Bowl. He'll fly from San Antonio, Tex. out to Southern Cal. After that he has a weekend visit at Miami (Jan. 21), a mid-week visit to Florida (Jan. 23) and then a decision to make.

"I'm still deciding between Boston College and Virginia for the last trip," he said. "I have BC scheduled for an unofficial visit for the end of that week (week of Jan. 23) and I still have Virginia set for Jan. 28, but I might drop Virginia and take an official to BC. Or I might just take four officials and still take BC as an unofficial."

Virginia was a school that Cushing considered his leader at one point. Why the change of heart?

"They haven't been recruiting me as hard since the season started," he said. "I used to get 10-12 letters from Virginia all the time and that seemed to stop. Plus they didn't have a great season. I was a little disappointed that they lost the ACC and then lost to Fresno State in their bowl game."

Is Southern Cal still his leader?

"Yes, no doubt," he said. "They're a great program and I hear it's really nice out there. I can't wait for that visit."

Some rumors have surfaced that Penn State was now getting in the mix with the commitment from Derrick Williams. Are they true?

"Nah," he said. "Penn State is still recruiting hard and it's great they got Derrick and are putting together a good class, but I'm not really interested."