It's been almost two months since five-star defensive tackle Marvin Austin out of Washington (D.C.) Ballou has taken a visit. With just a month to go before Signing Day, the 6-foot-2, 291-pounder has two visits left including one to his favorite Florida State. Before he heads to Tallahassee though, Austin made a trip to Chapel Hill this weekend to check out Butch Davis and the Tar Heels.

"I had a very good time down there," he said. "I got to meet Butch Davis and the rest of the staff. Last time I was there I was around coach Bunting, so it was nice to get to know the new staff.

"I got to meet the defensive coordinator, Chuck Pagano who is from the Raiders. I felt very comfortable with him and spent a lot of time talking with him and John Blake. He is a real good guy that is calm cool and collected. Both of them are guys I enjoy spending time with and could see myself playing for."

Besides the assistants, the No. 2 prospect in the country talked with Davis for a while.

"I spoke to coach Davis for quite a bit about the direction of the program," he said. "After talking with him, I feel very confident that he will move the team to the next level and they will be competitive in the ACC."

On the trip, Austin was hosted by defensive tackle Kyndraus Guy.

"I learned a lot from him about how they utilize the defensive tackles and what the defensive scheme will look like."

Heading into the trip, the No. 1 defensive tackle in the country was favoring Florida State. Is that still the case?

"My trip was very active and there were a lot of fun things to do," he said. "I'd say this trip was right up there with Southern Cal. I like the area and I was down there with Lamar Milstead. It would be a nice bonus to go to college with Lamar, but it's not a factor in my decision.

"Right now I'd say that Florida State and North Carolina are on top. There is no leader between the two, but I do have a trip to Florida State next weekend. That will be my last official and then I am considering an unofficial to Maryland on the 26th.

"I do think my position coach will be a very important factor in where I go. I know that my top two schools with coach Blake and Odell Haggins at North Carolina and Florida State are both great."

Though he's received an in-home visit from Butch Davis already, Austin is expecting stops from Florida State and Southern Cal in the coming weeks.

"I've not had Bobby Bowden or Pete Carroll stop by," he said. "I know both coaches are coming for a visit, but I don't know when."