Jefferson making plans, taking his time

Mesquite (Texas) Poteet five-star linebacker Malik Jefferson is not in a rush to end his recruiting process. He is taking his time and he is making plans and he is taking in the experience.

Still, Jefferson hears the whispers, the questions, and the speculation. He hears schools like Texas A&M, Texas, and Oklahoma being thrown around as popular guesses.

Texas A&M has been one of the most talked about schools. On Thursday he saw the Aggies receive commitments from Cedar Hill standouts DaMarkus Lodge and Richard Moore, and he was genuinely excited for them.

"I'm happy for both of them actually," Jefferson said. "They committed and it was a good decision for both of them and that's where they feel like they fit and I'm happy for them. People have been pressuring me, but I still handle it the same every day."

The 6-foot-2, 220-pound standout linebacker may be taking his time, but he does have a few plans. Among those plans he is working on are his official visits.

"I'm trying to but you have to get a final word on exactly what officials you want to take," Jefferson said. "Right now I'm still in the process of going through that and making sure I have every official lined up."

He does not have anything set in stone right now, but he does have a few ideas about where he will visit.

"Out of state schools mostly, but I already have Ohio State, Stanford, and UCLA," Jefferson said.

Jefferson also has a few schools standing out. He is keeping his list under his vest at this point, but there are a few aspects of the schools on his list that

"Each of the schools bring that special thing: life after football of course," Jefferson said. "And player development and being around a good staff and good players as well. That's most important to me."

In addition to his visits and his standouts, Jefferson also plans to make his college decision in December, and he has his reasons for the timetable.

"It just gives me more time through the school year to focus on my football team," Jefferson said. "I'll be fine being patient with every school and I get to see every school I need to see and it gives me time to take all of my officials. I think that's better for me and helps me when I go in for football."