Dillard looking for the three As

The flood of offers for Canton, Mich., offensive lineman Cameron Dillard has finally begun to taper off, leaving the three-star prospect at a current total of 21. Dillard has also been able to slow a grueling schedule of campus visits and taken the last few weeks to sit back and consider his opportunities.

"I've just been hanging out the last few weeks, but obviously making the once a week phone calls to all the coaches I normally talk to," Dillard said. "I think after the spring I will sit down with my family, have a white board list of pros and cons of all the schools that have offered me and try to narrow it down from there."

His string of campus visits has crystallized the important factors elements Dillard is looking for in evaluating the schools on his list.

"Like I've always said, it's the three A's: the academics, the athletics and the atmosphere," Dillard said. "Obviously the depth chart makes a big difference as well."

Two factors that are not important, according to Dillard, are distance from home and what position a school is recruiting him for. The 6-3, 285-pound prospect could play either the offensive guard or offensive center spots in college.

"For most teams in the south it is center, other teams it is guard," Dillard said. "I like to say that I can play all spots on the o-line. You can win the Outland Trophy at guard and you can win the Rimington at center."

Dillard has visited most of the 21 schools that have already offered him, but those trips have subsided in recent weeks. He does not plan another whirlwind tour in the near future, but may check out two schools during spring break.

"I definitely would like to go to Florida for their spring break, and since Florida State is two hours away, go visit them as well," Dillard said.

Despite his large offer list, Dillard still has a few schools that have not yet offered but still maintain contact, including Alabama, Michigan State and South Carolina. Dillard visited the Spartan's East Lansing campus last month and has regular talks with their coaching staff.

"They said they are still evaluating," Dillard said. "I talked to Coach [Terry] Samuel Monday night and he said they would let me know when they have more information."

A final decision in Dillard's recruitment is not expected until the summer at earliest. He is ranked as the No. 13 offensive guard prospect in the country.