Heyward-Bey expands list of leaders

Speed is a highly valued asset in football at all levels, and that's one reason why wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey is being recruited so heavily. His list of leaders was once very short, but now things may be opening up.

"I'm looking at five schools now instead of three or so," said Heyward-Bey. "Maryland, Alabama, Michigan State, Virginia and Marshall are my five favorites. The thing I like with each one of those are the coaches. I'm going to have to really be tight with the coaching staff at whatever school I choose, because they'll be the people that help me most develop as a player and a person. I'm also trying to find a school with great student support."

The 6-foot-2, 190-pound receiver from Owing Mills (Md.) McDonogh runs the 40-yard dash in 4.38 seconds and has the athletic potential to become a gamebreaker on the outside at the college level. He has offers from his five leaders in addition to Penn State and Duke. Right now he doesn't have too many summer plans.

"I went to a NIKE Camp, but that's all I've done so far," he said. "I don't have any plans to go to any camps and I'm not sure about visits. That could change, but right now I don't know."

Heyward-Bey knows he has his speed working for him, and he's always working to improve it.

"I ran the 40-yard dash in 4.36 seconds at the NIKE Camp. I've run the 100 meters in 10.5 seconds and I'm a high school All-American in the 60 meters. My speed is what really makes my game. I don't have a date for my final decision but I think I'd like to decide before the start of my senior season."