Four-star Louisiana DL setting visits
Official visits are starting to fall into place for
one of the nation's top defensive line prospects.
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Four-star River Ridge (La.) standout
Carnell Stewart has three of his spots lined up and has
narrowed down candidates for the remaining two trips.
"I know I'm going to Colorado, Miami and Florida,"
Southeast Top 100 team and
the nations No. 9 rated defensive tackle. "Colorado was scheduled for
December 13, but I think I'm going to have to push that back a week because
we started our season later than usual in Louisiana, and it looks like the
championship game will be that weekend. I'll probably go there the week
after, the 20th.
"After that, I'm going to Florida on Jan. 10th through the 12th and
Miami on Jan. 24th through the 26th."
So who's in line for the coveted fourth and fifth
spots?
"Right now, it's either Michigan, LSU, Oklahoma or
USC," he said. "I expect to have those all set sometime soon."
Stewart (6-6, 297, 4.75) has had calls from
Michigan, Colorado, USC, Miami, Florida, LSU, Tulane, Oklahoma, Oklahoma
State, Nebraska and Illinois during the last week and a half. He has offers
from each program, including about a dozen more, noting the only school
which has actively recruited him and not offered is Ohio State.
Asked how he's gone through the process of
eliminating teams and choosing finalists, Stewart said: "I'm looking at how
they're playing this year and how things look for the future. I haven't
really gone to many games, so I've spent a lot of time watching them on TV.
"I'm studying the depth charts pretty hard, trying
to figure out how I fit in. I know Florida and Miami are losing a bunch of
D-Linemen. Colorado and USC are looking for defensive ends. LSU tells me I
probably wouldn't redshirt there, that I could jump right into their
rotation with (defensive ends) Marquise Hill and Marcus Spears. They're
letting me know how much they think of me, trying to keep me here at home.
I've been open-minded to leaving (the state), but I like what they're
telling me lately."
Asked if immediate playing time was a top priority
for him, Stewart had a mixed response.
"In a way it is, but in a way it's not," he said. "I
want to play right away. I think every player does deep down inside. But if
I'm not ready, I'm not against redshirting at all. I just want to make sure
I know as much about the team ahead of time so I can find the best situation
for me."
Chances are, Stewart will be ready, at least
physically. He sports a 450 bench and a 600 squat to go along with his
tremendous frame.
Through eight games this season, Stewart has helped
lead John Curtis High School to an undefeated record and the No. 1 ranking
in Louisiana Class 4A. The Patriots, who have won over 300 games and 17
state championships in their 33 years of existence, are ranked No. 11
nationally by RivalsHigh.