Four-star closing in on D-Day

In a year, where the wide receiver position is deep and talented in the Golden State, four-star wide receiver Kenny Stills (6-1.5, 175, 4.36) from Carlsbad (Calif.) La Costa Canyon is always in the conversation on who is best. Stills currently has 23 offers on the table and it appears there may be a couple more before too long.

"In the last few days, I have been talking to LSU and Coach McCarthy (receivers coach D.J. McCarthy)," Stills said. "They're supposed to get an offer out to me.

"I've also talked a lot lately with Michigan," Stills said. "They are really on the trail and I think they are going to have an offer out to me soon, too.

Some of the schools that have offered Stills are, Arizona, Arizona State, California, Stanford, UCLA, USC, Washington, Colorado, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Florida, Tennessee, San Diego State, Boise State, Fresno State and New Mexico State.

With that many quality schools to choose from, will location come into play when he decides to make his college choice?

"I'm looking to kind of experience something new, but also if I feel like the best school for me and the best place I'm going to is in California then that's where I'm going to be."

Are there any schools that are recruiting the talented Stills harder than others?

"I would say there are eight to 10 schools that are recruiting me a lot," Stills said. "That would be Cal, UCLA, USC, Colorado, Washington, Nebraska, and Tennessee.

"I talk a lot to (Oklahoma wide receivers) Coach Jay Norvell, pretty much every day," Stills said. "I pretty much get an email from North Carolina every day.

"I'm trying to remember them all because I don't want to leave anyone out, but there is a solid list of schools that are pretty much on me every day with an email or a handwritten letter."

Is Stills beginning to narrow things down?

"I'm trying to," Still said. "It is hard with two new offers coming in and it is difficult when there are a few schools that are waiting for other things to go down before they put an offer out there.

"It is hard, but I know that I definitely have to start narrowing things down," Stills said. "My plan is to get something done here and have a top 10 by the end of summer when the football season is going to start because I'm going to graduate early and I have to figure out what I am going to do so I can get through the application process.

"My goal is to get to college early and make a name for myself."

What is Stills looking for in a college?

"Like everyone, I want to go to a school that is known for their education," Stills said. "After that it's playing time and a place where I feel I am going to fit in best in their offense and get along with the coaching staff.

"Those are the things that matter most to me and you have to be able to get along with the coaching staff if you are planning on being there for four to five years."

Has Stills begun to narrow things down to schools that he will be visiting?

"One school that I have always said I was going to visit is Penn State," Stills said. "They're (Penn State) is one school that has an official.

"I have talked to Oklahoma and Florida about taking visits there, but nothing is set in stone," Stills said. "It is just a matter of getting my schedules together and figuring out what dates are best for me and what schools I feel deserve to get those officials visits in and have my full interest."

Stills was invited to Florida's prestigious Under the Lights Camp, but may not be able to attend. He will be in Florida in the near future and is planning on taking an unofficial visit there.

Stills is another one of those highly talented players that takes nothing for granted and has worked hard by attending every camp that he could this past spring and summer. He will be attending a much esteemed camp this Sunday at Los Angeles Valley College and will be under the tutelage of former NFL players Erik Kramer, Curtis Conway and James Washington.

The ever busy young wide receiver and his La Costa Canyon teammates will be in a basketball tournament the day before in Palm Springs on Saturday.

"I will be playing with my school team and since I'm not going to be there this winter," Stills said. "I wanted to get with the boys and play as much ball as I could, because I'm going to be missing them during the second semester of the school year."

Since Stills will be a December graduation his time for a decision is fast approaching. Does he have a day in mind when he will make his announcement public?

"I am hoping for my mom's birthday on Halloween, October 31st, I'm planning on that being my deadline," Stills said. "That would be a great day to commit. That would be special for her and special for the family. I know that would mean a lot to her, so I think that's going to be my deadline. I've talked it over with her and I'm hoping to make a decision by then.

"You know you just kind of have to let it come to you," Stills said. "If it's not the right time, then it's not the right time, but that is the day I have hoped to get the commitment done."

"Once I make this decision there is no turning back," Stills said. "I want to make sure that I am making the best decision for myself and for my future."

With UCLA and USC being so close, is Stills planning on taking in any games this fall?

"Oh definitely," Stills said. "I'm going to talk to UCLA really soon about coming up for the San Diego State.

"I would still love to stay local and I am waiting a few commits to SDSU," Stills said. "They (San Diego State) could end up being a real team that I would consider.

"I feel we have so much talent here in the San Diego area and if could get a few guys to stay around, we could be a force to be reckoned with," Stills said. "Some of my best friends committed there a couple of weeks ago in King Holder, Rene Siluano and Jake Fely.

"Those three guys I have played football with since I was in the second grade and they committed to San Diego State," Stills said. "That's a big help for them. I saw that they got a quarterback commit (Tyler Bray). They (San Diego State) are working hard on their engine down there.

"Things are changing down there," Stills said. "I just want to see how their season goes and what kind of recruiting class they can get."

As a junior, Stills earned all-state, San Diego Section all-CIF and all-league after racking up 64 receptions for 1,274 yards and 16 touchdowns.

Stills has NFL bloodlines has his dad, Kenny Stills, Sr., played his college ball at Wisconsin and in the league for the Packers and the Vikings.

Stills was also selected to the preseason Rivals.com Rivals250 for the class of 2010.