Los Angeles (Calif.) Harbor JC offensive lineman Nick Ekbatani was hoping to make his college choice and sign his letter of intent today, the first day of the JC signing period. It's a UCLA- Miami battle but according to Ekbatani, he may not be ready to decide anything until later in the week.

Many remember the recruitment of Rolling Hills (Calif.) Peninsula tight end Erik Lorig a year ago. For those who need a refresher, Lorig was one of the top players in the West Coast a year ago and was trying to decide between four schools- Cal, Stanford, UCLA and USC. Signing day came and went and still, no decision from Lorig.

February, turned into March, March to April and so on until finally in the first weekend of June, Lorig signed with Stanford. Ironically, Ekbatani and Lorig are very good friends and like Lorig, the talented lineman is having problems making his decision as well.

"I definitely won't take as long as Erik," Ekbatani joked. "Last year, I used to always tease him about how long it was taking him but now, I totally understand. I have just two schools and it's been so tough to make a decision so I understand how it was hard for Erik with four schools to pick one from.

"I really didn't think this would be such a tough decision but both of these schools are just great schools in every way and I've been going back and forth like crazy. I woke up Monday morning thinking, 'I'm going to Miami.' Then on Tuesday I woke up and all I could think about was UCLA. It's funny, I got a text message from Coach Cable Tuesday morning saying to follow whatever school is in my heart. The day before, that was Miami but Tuesday it was UCLA so it was like Coach Cable was reading my mind or something.

"I just talked to Erik this week and he told me what he finally did was to ask himself, if football was out of the equation, what would he want to do. He asked me that same question, if I got hurt and couldn't play football, where I want to be and that was definitely UCLA. It's close to home, I love the academics and it's just a great school.

"The problem is, I can't stop thinking about what an incredible school Miami is as well. From a football standpoint, I mean you can't do better than Miami and I love Coach Kehoe (UM OL coach). He's a great coach but more than that, he's a fun guy and I really like him a lot. I don't know coach Cable as well. I know he's a great line coach. I mean, these are probably two of the top five line coaches around and I know both guys would push me and get the most out of me.

"Playing time is equal at both as well. I've been told by both staffs that they want me to come in and be ready to compete for a starting job. I love UCLA but I love Miami too. It's kind of like my head is leaning towards UCLA, that's the school I think might be the best overall fit for me for both football, academics, and all the other factors like being close to home and having my family around.

"At the same time, my heart is leaning more to Miami because of football. That's a program that you know is going to be great every year and competing for national championships every year. It's like a dream come true to have a program like Miami coming after me, I mean, how many players, especially from California can say that. I just don't want to have any regrets either way. I know as soon as I pick my school and sign my letter, I'm going to immediately have second thoughts and I'll probably second guess myself a lot just because both schools are so equal.

"I wish it was an easy decision but it's not. Just last night, I was looking at both letter of intents and going back and forth, over and over again. I have some people telling me to go somewhere and just really think hard about my decision and others saying to just forget about recruiting for a little bit and then come back to it. I might just sleep on it again tonight and then hopefully by tomorrow or at the latest Friday, I'll be able to make my decision. I've already talked to both coaches and told them I still don't know and they've been great and very patient with me. I know can't make a bad choice because both are incredible places."

Ekbatani, 6-5, 285 pounds will have four years to play three at the school of his choice. He'll sign in the early JC period and will be able to enroll in time for Spring ball.