Five-star Floyd changing things

Philadelphia (Pa.) George Washington defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd is changing things up a bit when it comes to the schools he's considering for an official visit. What schools are in the mix for the nation's No. 9 prospect?

"I'm still planning on taking official visits to Florida and South Carolina right now but I don't have any dates set yet," said the 6-foot-3, 310-pounder. "I keep hearing that people say that one school leads over another but that's not the case. I am wide open. I have a small list of schools I'm considering right now, but no one stands out above the rest. My official visits and weighing my options will determine that."

So what other schools are in the mix for an official?

"Right now Penn State, Southern Cal, Rutgers, Miami, Michigan, Illinois and UCLA are the ones in the mix," he said. "I don't think I'll be taking officials to Boston College or North Carolina. They are both in there, but I've been to both and I don't think I need to go back."

One omission from the list is Ohio State, a school that Floyd was recently showing interest in.

"I actually don't even know if I have an offer from them and I hear that I don't so cross them off," he said. "I am interested in schools that are interested in me and if I don't have an offer by now, I don't think there's that much interest."

And what of the talk that Penn State has slid down his list?

"They are in the middle now I would say, but I expect them to be in there," he said. "I need to talk to [Penn State defensive line coach] Larry Johnson first. A lot of things have been happening off the field there in recent years and as they keep happening I lose a bit of interest, but they're certainly not off my list, just down a bit."

Floyd didn't grow up following college football so he has no childhood favorite. As far as location is concerned, distance isn't a factor."

"It seems that most of the schools recruiting me are on the east coast or the west coast and a few up in the northern central part of the country," he said. "I'll go anyplace, it doesn't matter as long as it's a fit for me. But I want to make it clear I don't have a leader, I am keeping things open and I'm not close to making a decision."