Darity open, prepares for final visit

It’s four down and one to go for one of the nation’s top-ranked offensive linemen.

Four-star Tallahassee (Fla.) Lincoln guard Calvin Darity has hometown Florida State awaiting his official visit this weekend as he winds down the recruiting process.

“It’s here at home and I’ve had the opportunity to go there several times, but there’s still some things I want to check out,” he said. “Mainly, it’s going to be things related to the campus and activities and academics.”

Darity (6-4, 275, 4.9) has kept his recruitment closer to the vest than almost any other player in the Class of 2004, declining to name a favorite or even co-leaders since the beginning.

He says nothing has changed in that regard, listing FSU, Tennessee, Nebraska, LSU and North Carolina on equal footing.

“I’m going to take this last visit, then sit down with my family and try to make a decision,” he said. “That’s how I’ve always planned to do it. I’ve kept an open mind.”

But isn’t there a prevailing thought that he’s a lock for the Seminoles?

“Many people think that’s the case, but I’m just looking for some place where I’d be happy,” he said. “It doesn’t really matter to me that it’s close to home. It’s kind of convenient for my parents, but they know I’m the one that has to be happy.”

Asked if he could see himself happy at any of the four schools he previously visited, Darity said: “Oh yeah. Definitely. They’ve all been nice.”

His last visit was this past weekend at Tennessee.

“It went pretty good,” he said of the time spent with the Volunteers. “It’s real similar to the other schools in that they have great facilities and football tradition. They’re all expanding their facilities and building new stuff. They have good academic programs. Really, the only big difference I see in any of them is the people. They’re just different – but in a good way.”

A member of the Rivals100 Team, Darity is rated the No. 1 guard in this class.