Hardesty passes on Notre Dame trip

New Bern, N.C. athlete Montario Hardesty was listed as one of the many official visitors to South Bend, Ind. this weekend. However, the four-star standout didn't make the trip.

"I cancelled because I told Notre Dame I was already happy with my three finalists," said the 6-foot-0, 190-pounder. "Notre Dame came in too late. I spoke to coach Weis and he sounds like a great coach, but I already felt more comfortable with the others. Coach (Jappy) Oliver was recruiting me for South Carolina and began recruiting me for Notre Dame, but it was just too late for me."

Hardesty will instead choose between Virginia Tech, North Carolina and Tennessee following his official visit to see the Vols on Jan. 14.

"I'll wait a week and weigh things out and then decide," he said. "All three schools have good opportunities for me at running back and I'll be comparing Tennessee to both UNC and Virginia Tech. North Carolina has the clearest path to playing time, but the others have a better chance to win I think. I'll know after Tennessee."

Hardesty isn't sure how he'll announce his decision.

"A couple of TV stations contacted me, but I'll probably just do it locally at school," he said. "I'll just do a press conference."