Florida OL breaks down top five

Tallahassee (Fla.) North Florida Christian lineman Paul Walsh says he’s in the process of scheduling his official visits for later this season.

“North Carolina, Syracuse, N.C. State, UCF and Florida… I think those are going to be my five visits,” said the 6-foot-6, 288-pound offensive tackle. “I just got off the phone with UNC tonight, and it sounds like they’re going to be offering me. I’m probably going up there for my official visit the week of the Wake Forest game (Nov. 7).

“I plan on going to UCF the second weekend in January. Those are the only two I have dates for right now.”

Walsh (6-6, 288, 5.2) has offers from N.C. State, UCF, Iowa State and East Carolina. He thinks the Tar Heels will be added to that list soon, and has received indications that Florida remains interested.

Asked how he rated his favorites, he said:

“I’m very interested in North Carolina. They need some help at offensive tackle right away. That’s a big interest for me, being able to play early. I’d like to be able to play as soon as possible, and I think they’re going to have a good team in a year or so. They’ve got a lot of good, young talent.

“Syracuse has been on me since the beginning. I really like the coaching staff. Also, my dad’s from New York, so he really likes the school. I think he’d like to see me go there.

“N.C. State has an awesome coaching staff. I love those guys. And it’s a good program on the rise. I’d also have a chance to play early there.

“UCF was the first school to offer me, and the coaching staff is a great bunch of guys. I’ve really enjoyed the way they’ve recruited me.

“Florida is a school that, if they offer, would be up high on my list. I’ve always been a Gator fan. It was my childhood dream to play for them, so if they offered, I’d have to look at them close. It wouldn’t be an automatic thing, but that would make it a hard decision for me.”

Walsh has helped lead NFC to a 4-1 record this season. He’s graded out at 80 percent or higher in each game and demonstrated his power with an average of 10 pancake blocks per game.

Academically, he maintains a 3.0 GPA and has scored a 21 on the ACT.