Howard down to two

Orlando (Fla.) Edgewater four-star wide receiver Alton Howard took his third official visit this past weekend traveling to UCF.

"It was a real good experience," Howard said. "It was different from my usual visits of just going to their games. It was more organized and I spent a lot of time with the coaching staff. Overall, it just showed me what it is like there for the college life. It was just a real good experience."

Howard, who had previously taken official visits to Cincinnati and Tennessee, said that he enjoyed his most recent experience at the hometown school.

"I like their team chemistry," Howard said. "I like the support from their fans as well."

The visit provided the 5-foot-9, 178-pound wide receiver with an opportunity to get to know about the shake-up on the Knights' staff involving his position.

"I really did have a good relationship with (former wide receivers) Coach (David) Kelly but I also know (new wide receivers) Coach (Sean) Beckton," Howard said. "He is in the UCF Hall of Fame and he most recently coached their defensive backs. Now he is coaching the wide receivers. He has a great history coaching wide receivers. He coached Brandon Marshall and Mike Sims-Walker."

The Sunshine State prospect admits that the possibility of playing college football around the corner from home is appealing, but ultimately distance won't factor heavily into his decision.

"It is a great opportunity," Howard said. "I don't care how close to home I am though, as long as it is great opportunity and a place that I fit at. I just want to play for coaches that are going to utilize me."

At this stage, Howard says he is down to a pair of schools - Tennessee and UCF - with a decision being imminent.

While he did recently visit UCF, he remains in regular contact with Tennessee, who he visited earlier this season.

"I talk to them every week," Howard said. "The one thing I remember from that visit is the support of the fans. Also, talking to Coach (Derek) Dooley and the team, it is a real family. The game though, in a stadium that seats over 100,000 people, that is just incredible to see that many people watching them play. I just loved the atmosphere there."

As of Monday evening, Howard said the final decision has yet to be made.

"I am still thinking about it," Howard said. "I am still weighing everything out, considering all factors.

"It is going to come down to the coaching connection I feel and how the coaching staff is going to use me," Howard added.

Howard said he will announce his final decision on Wednesday around noon.