Is DeMario Pressley next

It was inevitable that speculation would swirl around the elite trio at Greensboro (N.C.) Dudley. With two of the school's star prospects already committed, the best of the bunch gives the facts -- and dispels the rumors.

There had been rumors for weeks that defensive tackle DeMario Pressley, running back Jamaal Edwards, and defensive back Martel Thatch might go to a school as a packaged deal. But with Thatch's commitment to North Carolina and Edwards' commitment to Florida State, that apparently isn't the case.

"No, I don't think we had ever seriously planned on going to school at the same place," said Pressley, the nation's top defensive tackle. "We all realized that were had to look out for what was best for each of us, and that might result in us going to different schools. It looks like that's the way things have turned out, and hopefully that's what's best for us."

But the 'Heels and 'Noles both remain in the race for Pressley, even if neither school will end up with all three prospects.

"Yes, I'm still looking at those two," said the 6-foot-4, 285-pound defensive tackle who runs the 40-yard dash in 4.8 seconds. "Those two plus NC State, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Virginia, Georgia and Miami are on my list. You can list them all as 'medium' interest I guess. None really stand out above the others."

Pressley stayed in-state for camps this year, attending Wake Forest, North Carolina and NC State. However, staying close to home isn't a deciding factor for the big man.

"The biggest factors in my decision will be the graduation rate at each school and the academics and not location. I don't think I'll decide until after the season is over. I don't feel pressured one way or the other because of Jamaal or Martel's decisions. I have to do what's best for me."

As a junior Pressley had 97 tackles and 14 sacks en route to all-state honors.

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