McMullen opens up to more schools

While most recruits start off with a long list of schools and narrow their focus from there, Akron (Ohio) Hoban defensive end Greg McMullen is expanding his list as the process goes on. After focusing on four schools in the winter, the 6-5, 255-pound McMullen has opened his process to a few more schools heading into the summer.

"It hasn't expanded greatly, but I'm keeping my eyes open to schools in the Big Ten and maybe one or two schools outside the Big Ten," McMullen said. "On the radar I have the Big Ten, Notre Dame and then I'll try to contact Miami (Fla.) and maybe a few other schools and maybe go down there for a camp or trip to check out the campus."

McMullen is hoping to set up a trip to Miami and possibly a few other schools this summer, but his visit plans for the next few months are on hold until he finishes out his junior year academically.

"This is the last week of school and I am finalizing everything," McMullen said. "I am taking my last exam Thursday, then I'll know for sure where I'll be going - what camps, what dates and all that stuff."

After a spring evaluation period he called, "stressful," because of the number of coaches through his school, McMullen still emerges from the spring with one team leading the way for his services. He named Nebraska his favorite earlier this spring, and still considers the Cornhuskers the team to beat for his services.

"They are still out in front," McMullen confirmed. "I have not gotten anywhere else so far, so I can't really switch it."

Ohio State had been the early favorite for McMullen before Nebraska moved to the top of his list. The Buckeyes are still on his radar, but Monday's announcement that head coach Jim Tressel would be replaced by Luke Fickell for the 2011 season has brought about additional questions for McMullen.

"I read a lot and listen to ESPN, so it was expected," McMullen said of Tressel's resignation. "There are a lot of questions that still have to be answered. I don't know Coach Fickell that much, so I have to get acquainted with him and the program.

"If they get more sanctions thrown on them for the long term, then I'm definitely not going there. I want to know how it feels to play in a Big Ten Championship and know how it feels to play in a bowl game."

There are several months for Ohio State to answer McMullen's questions and for the four-star prospect to take visits to the schools he has not yet seen. He does not expect a decision to come until mid-fall at the earliest.

"I am trying to take at least two, and maybe three, official visits. That's my goal," McMullen said. "I don't need to take all five, so I'll take two or three at most."