McNeil talks recruiting

Rivals100 safety Michael McNeil of Mobile (Ala.) Davidson is one of the top uncommitted prospects in the Southeast. In an exclusive interview with Rivals.com on Wednesday night, the 6-foot-2, 200-pounder talked about his official visit to Florida State this weekend and where he currently stands in the recruiting process.

McNeil will arrive in Tallahassee on Friday.

"I'm looking forward to meeting the new coaching staff," he said. "There are some new faces at FSU. I'm also looking forward to hanging out with the other recruits that are there on their visits and also the current players on the team."

McNeil will be accompanied on his visit by his grandfather, Clifton McNeil, who played wide receiver in the NFL. Florida State's tradition of sending defensive players to the league is appealing to the hard-hitting safety.

"All of the teams I am looking at have great defenses, including Florida State," McNeil said. "FSU puts a lot of secondary players in the NFL, freshman get to play early and coach Mickey Andrews is a legend."

Andrews is McNeil's recruiter of record.

"Coach Andrews is very straightforward," McNeil said. "He tells me what I want to hear and has a great history with past players and developing them."

Heading into this weekend's visit, McNeil has the Noles firmly in his top three.

"Their chances are pretty good," he said. "They are in my top three with Tennessee and Auburn."

FSU head coach Bobby Bowden will make an in-home visit at some point following McNeil's trip to Tallahassee.

Earlier this week, new Alabama coach Nick Saban made an in-home visit with McNeil and family. He will make an official visit to Bama next weekend (Jan. 26).

"Coach Saban came to my house last night and it went well," McNeil said. "He told me I can help Alabama get back to where they used to be. Coach spoke about his credentials and how he won a National Championship with LSU and how he knows the NFL system from his time there.

"He told me about all the players he's put in the NFL and he wants me to help him win a National Championship for Bama. It's cool that he helps coach the secondary, too, and that they need safeties just like all of the other programs I am looking at."

Wednesday night, Tennessee head coach Phillip Fulmer will be in McNeil's home.

Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville has yet to do an in-home visit, but McNeil knows it is forthcoming.

"He'll come soon, I'm just not sure when yet," he said.

McNeil is a four-star rated recruit by Rivals.com and is a member of the Rivals100.