Marvin Austin talks FSU, Miami

Since he visited Miami and Florida State, Washington (D.C.) Coolidge defensive tackle Marvin Austin has been rumored to be favoring one or the other. Austin talks about the two schools a few weeks removed from his trips and what other schools are in the mix.

"Both visits were good for different reasons," said the 6-foot-2, 291-pounder. "I honestly didn't like one better than the other. Each has its own strengths."

Austin compared each program.

"Florida State has better facilities but Miami is a bigger city. But that can be a good or a bad thing. I don't think it would be bad for me, but sometimes you can lose focus in a big city. Miami is an easier city for networking after college but Tallahassee is more of a college town.

"Bobby Bowden will be coaching forever at FSU so you don't really have to worry about him leaving which Larry Coker is on the hot seat. Miami has a great connection to former players who come back and help the current team and they have the winning reputation and great defense. Florida State has a tremendous defensive line tradition and have had recent success putting linemen in the NFL."

Austin said he could end up taking an official visit to both schools.

"It could happen, I'm not sure," he said. "At first I figured I'd visit just one but now it could be both. I've visited Miami and FSU so I might not need to see both again so I'm still figuring that out. The only official visit I know of for sure is Southern Cal."

Austin is currently working out at Washington (D.C.) Ballou, his new school.

"The paperwork is going through on Friday so I'll officially be at Ballou then, but it's a done deal," he said. "We're in the process of moving."

In addition to Florida State, Miami and Southern Cal, Austin still lists Maryland, North Carolina, NC State, Notre Dame, Penn State, Tennessee and Virginia.

"Nothing has changed there," he said. "I hope to narrow it down soon, but I'm not ready to yet. Right now I'm focusing on the season ahead and getting ready. I think we're going to be very good this year."