Leifheit cut it to seven
Four-star offensive tackle T.J. Leifheit cut his list to seven schools recently. Who has made the cut for the 6-foot-7, 300-pound lineman and what does he like about his finalists? Leifheit breaks it down inside.
"I'm down to NC State, North Carolina, Southern Cal, Tennessee, Florida State, Florida and LSU," he said. "That's my final seven.
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"I've developed a good relationship with all of the coaches at those schools and they recruited me the hardest. I have also visited all of them."
Leifheit discussed each of his finalists further in depth.
North Carolina: "It's close to home and I have teammates up there, that helps. I have an outstanding relationship with the offensive line coach, Coach Pittman. I talk to him three times a week a half hour at a time. We have a great relationship and they are an up and coming program."
NC State: "They are also in-state and I like the offensive line coach. They have a great reputation for putting guys in the pros at Boston College and one year they had the whole starting line get drafted. That's pretty strong."
Southern Cal: "It's a great school academically and they compete for a national championship all the time. I like the offensive line coach. He's been there for five years and ever since he's been there scholarship offensive linemen have played in the NFL."
Florida: "Florida is in the SEC. I like the offensive line coach and they are coming off a national championship two of the last three years."
Florida State: "I like the offensive line coach, Coach Trickett. He and I have a great relationship and I like the way they coaches are. They are hardnosed and teach. I also like that Coach Trickett is really assertive and hands on."
LSU: "I like once again the offensive line coach. He and I have a pretty good relationship. I visited there during the spring and talk to him a good bit. I enjoyed my trip down there and like Coach Miles a lot."
Tennessee: "I went up there for a visit and really enjoyed it. I like the offensive line coach and the quarterback coach. I talk to them every other day. I have a pretty good relationship with them and I think they are going to win a lot of games there."
With seven finalists in place, what is Leifheit's plan from here?
"I'm planning on taking a trip down to Florida. I'm trying to get down there this month," he said. "That's probably my next move. Then, I'm going to start scheduling my official visits and cut it down to five schools in about a month or so before the season."
In the meantime, the No. 26 offensive tackle in the country is working out in preparation for his senior season.
"I'm working on everything, speed, power, explosiveness, agility, quickness and flexibility to be ready for this season."