Hardesty names two favorites

New Bern, N.C. running back Montario Hardesty had a good performance at the North Carolina-South Carolina Shrine Bowl last week, and heard from Notre Dame and South Carolina before he left trying to get an official visit.

"Coach Charlie Weis at Notre Dame called and then coach Steve Spurrier at South Carolina was right after," the 6-foot-0, 190-pound speedster said. "They were both very cool. I enjoyed talking to them. Ohio State and NC State have called too trying to get me to take my last visit there. I'm not sure about if I will do that or not."

Notre Dame had fallen off of Hardesty's list completely until the call from Weis.

"The whole situation turned me off," he said. "But coach Weis seemed like a good person."

Right now Hardesty has his fourth visit set for Tennessee on Jan.14. He is thinking about taking one on Jan. 21 as well.

So who leads?

"Tennessee and North Carolina are leading with Virginia Tech right behind," Hardesty said.

What is standing out about the schools in front?

"Tennessee just has incredible football atmosphere with more than 100,000 people in the stands every week and I really like the coaches I've dealt with there," Hardesty said. "North Carolina had a very good season and I like the direction they are going and it is a very nice place."

Hardesty was the North Carolina offensive MVP in the Shrine bowl with 12 carries for 55 yards and one touchdown. He showed his athletic skills with five kickoff returns for 136 yards.

"Being at the Shrine Bowl was great with all the super players there and having a chance to chill out them," Hardesty said.

Hardesty said he isn't sure when a decision will come.

"It will depend on if I take that last visit and I'm not sure about that yet," Hardesty said. "I plan to talk with my coach, mom, dad and probably uncle. I would like to do it end of January or early February. I'll just have to see what happens."