Gallimore preps for first official visit

Rivals250 defensive tackle Neville Gallimore made just two unofficial visits this off-season, but he will take his first official visit in two weeks to Oklahoma.

"I am just excited to see the atmosphere," Gallimore said. "The tradition they have - I just can't wait to see what it is like to be on the Oklahoma campus and meet the players that are going through the process right now and hearing their stories.

"I'm definitely looking forward to meeting the coaches, seeing the facilities and having the opportunity to catch a game and see what it is like to be a Sooner."

Another factor that appeals to Gallimore about Oklahoma is the fact their winters are more mild than the ones he is used to in his hometown of Ottawa, Canada.

"I would rather be in the hottest weather than the coldest weather," Gallimore said. "Being born in Canada, you never get used to the cold weather."

The Sept. 12 date with Oklahoma is the only official visit Gallimore has set, but he has a good idea which schools will receive his remaining official visits.

"The four others are not officially set up, but they are most likely going to be to Miami, Maryland, Notre Dame, Ohio State and Florida State," Gallimore said.

Gallimore later added Florida to that group, noting that they were one of the schools he grew up watching.

"At one point in time I did actually admire Florida for small reasons like the colors," Gallimore said. "Being in Florida they have great weather out there too - a lot better than Canada when it comes to the wintertime."

Ohio State is one of those two schools Gallimore took unofficial visits to, and his first experience on their campus has the four-star Canadian excited to return to Columbus.

"It was great and I had a lot of fun," Gallimore said. "Coach Urban Meyer, Coach (Larry) Johnson and the whole staff was so welcoming. You can tell they really care for the players and they are right when they say they are unique. When you talk about Ohio State, you can't really compare. Obviously the winning tradition and the amount of players that came out - they bring a lot to the table."

Notre Dame has elicited similar feelings for Gallimore, spending a lot of time recruiting the 6-foot-3, 303-pound prospect and appealing to him from a tradition and academic standpoint.

"When you hear about Notre Dame, that is another school that people speak very highly of," Gallimore said. "I am looking forward to hopefully have the opportunity to take an official there. I just spoke to Coach (Mike) Elston not too long ago and will probably have an opportunity to set up an official visit there."

Of all the schools Gallimore is considering for official visits, Maryland is located closest to his Ottawa home and has been recruiting him the longest.

"I just really appreciate the fact that they were the first to reach out to me and offer me," Gallimore said. "They are another team with a great coaching staff and great people. Academically, they are probably one the best schools in terms of Law, which is one of things I am considering going into."

The aforementioned schools have the best shot at landing one of Gallimore's four remaining official visits, but he listed UCLA, California, Michigan State and Oregon as schools that are still in play.

"If I was to change, those would be the schools that would probably be a reason for the change," Gallimore said.

A final decision is likely to come on National Signing Day, but Gallimore said he is considering making it at the Army All-American Bowl in early January.

Ranked as the No. 219 player in the 2015 class, Gallimore kicked off his senior season with Canada Prep Academy Thursday night by posting eight tackles and three sacks in a 28-7 loss to Lowell (Mich.).