Dale anxious to hit road

This summer could be crucial for junior athlete Alex Dale of Memphis (Tenn.) University School because college coaches were unable to evaluate him on the practice field in May.

"We don't have spring practice," Dale said. "We have too many kids in baseball and lacrosse. I just finished up track on Friday. We had off-season workouts and conditioning drills but nothing else."

Nonetheless, colleges did stop by to see the 5-foot-10, 175-pounder, who claims offers from Ole Miss and Western Kentucky.

"Cincinnati came by, and Arkansas, North Carolina, Clemson, Southern Miss, Mississippi State, Alabama and Middle Tennessee," Dale said. "But all of them really wanted to see me practice. It was a little frustrating sometimes. I see that's how a lot of other people got their offers. But I'm camping at schools that are probably close to offering. If I do well at those I should get offers or an offer will come later."

On Sunday, Dale camped at Middle Tennessee.

"I felt like I was at least one of the top DBs there," he said. "There were some other good ones out there, but I felt I did real good. The coaches are real interested. They're going to keep recruiting me to see how my season goes."

More camps are on Dale's schedule.

"I have the Ole Miss elite camp next week and Mississippi State the next day," Dale said. "Then I have Louisville, Cincinnati and Arkansas. Everyone except Arkansas is in June."

Of the schools that have not offered, one is showing stronger interest than the rest.

"Cincinnati," Dale said. "I talk to [assistant]Coach Mark Elder two-to-three times a week. He basically says the same thing: 'Come up, do well at camp and we'll see what happens.' "