McDowell previews NSD decision
MORE: Class of 2014 Rivals100
SOUTHFIELD, Mich. - Five-star defensive end Malik McDowell is set to announce his decision from among four schools on Wednesday, but that final decision on where he will go has not been made.
Advertisement
"I am going to talk with my parents a lot this week, just try to feel where the best place for me is," McDowell said Monday afternoon.
The four schools in the running are Florida State, Michigan, Michigan State and Ohio State. McDowell came off his fifth and final official visit to Ohio State this past weekend.
"It was a fun trip, a late trip," McDowell said. "I haven't been able to get to know their staff as well, but this trip helped out a lot. I talked to Coach [Urban] Meyer a lot and Coach [Larry] Johnson a lot and a lot of the players."
Johnson is Ohio State's new defensive line coach who was hired in last month, and the official visit gave McDowell the chance to see how they meshed.
"He's a good coach and he knows a lot," McDowell said. "He's a real experienced coach so I think he can help me out a lot. He's overall a good person."
Michigan State was able to host McDowell for an official visit the weekend prior to Ohio State, and head coach Mark Dantonio and his staff continue to impress the in-state prospect.
"I like a lot about the Spartans," McDowell said. "I like Coach D, Coach [Pat] Narduzzi, Coach [Ron] Burton and Coach [Terry] Samuel too. Just the team atmosphere - I like the school atmosphere and just the overall school."
McDowell confirmed that the Spartans were the team he felt most comfortable with heading into the final days of his recruitment, but said other schools are still in the mix for his signature.
Florida State is the only school outside the Midwest in McDowell's final four, but an official visit to Tallahassee in January put them in position to draw the five-star down South.
"The players made me feel real comfortable," McDowell said. "The coaches are just the same as they were here -- real good people. They are real energetic coaches, so I like that."
Michigan was the only one of his final four that did not host McDowell for an official visit, but he said that fact will not hurt their chances.
"I have seen Michigan the most out of any school," McDowell said. "Michigan as an overall school just speaks for itself."
Head coach Brady Hoke and several assistants did get the final in-home visit with the family on Friday, and McDowell shared what was discussed in that meeting.
"Just how they would use me, what I could be if I came and what they could do with me," McDowell said.
The 6-foot-6, 290-pound McDowell is the top rated prospect in Michigan and the Midwest for the 2014 class. He will announce his decision at a 9:30 a.m. ET press conference on Wednesday.
Josh Helmholdt is the Midwest Region football recruiting analyst for Rivals.com. You can click here to follow him on Twitter.
Click Here to view this Link.
[rl]