McGee focusing on his final four

Burnett, Texas quarterback Stephen McGee has narrowed his focus to a final four schools. At least for the time being.

"Stephen feels good about the situations at Oklahoma, Texas, Texas A&M and Georgia," McGee's father said. "Not to say someone else couldn't join the mix again, but for right now he's slowed on schools outside of those four."

The 6-foot-3, 205 pounder was on the road home from San Antonio where he had watched Texas qualify for the NCAA's Final Four.

"He knows that all of the schools run different systems. But he feels like he could fit in at each of those four. This summer at the Air 7 and the Elite 11 camps he'll get to put his skills out there. That will probably get more schools interested. But Stephen would like to have this process done in the next two or three weeks."

McGee has taken unofficial visits to Texas A&M, Texas and Oklahoma already. He will spend next weekend in Georgia taking a peek at both Georgia and Georgia Tech.

"He going to go there and see Georgia first hand. And while he's that close, he wants to take a look at Tech. He's doing this the right way. He's taking it fairly slow and is really analyzing each place."

McGee's teammate Jordan Shipley made an unofficial trip to Austin last Thursday as well and ended the process the next day.

"We're so happy for Jordan," the elder McGee said. "He is such a great kid. He felt right away that Texas was the best place for him after seeing it first hand last week."

So, will the decision of his teammate weigh into the final choice for McGee?

"Stephen is aware of Jordan's choice. But they both understand they have to do what is the best situation for each of them. They know they can't do college like it is high school. If they end up together, then that is fine. But that isn't a driving factor in their thinking."

Another school that was in the hunt for the talented signal caller's services was USC, who earlier this month received a verbal commitment from Louisiana native John David Booty.

“I certainly don’t want to speak for Stephen. But, I think most people are looking at three quarterbacks as the top ones in the country. I think it would be safe to say those three guys are looking to where the others are going and aware of what decisions have been made.”

The McGee family will be happy when the process comes to an end.

“I know I’ll be glad when this is all over. He’s going to come to a decision before too long on where he’s going. When he does commit somewhere, he’ll feel comfortable in that choice and have looked at the options very closely. Some of these kids that take this out until January have to be going crazy by the time it is over, with all of the calls and the visits. I’m sure we’ll still get calls when that is allowed. But, to be able to say we have reached a decision will be a lot less work for all of us.”

With a decision set to be made well before his final season of football begins, that will allow McGee the opportunity to enjoy his last round of games.

“He’s going to be able to go into the fall and stay focused on his season and what he has to do to make that season a successful one. He wants to win a state championship and enjoy the season. With the decision out of the way, he’ll be able to not worry about it between games.”