MD out, UNC in for Austin

Washington (D.C.) Ballou defensive tackle Marvin Austin was scheduled to take an official visit to Maryland this weekend, but things got a bit confused. In the ensuing confusion, the Terps might not have a chance with the top player in the Maryland/D.C. area.

"I was set to visit Maryland but I wanted to see the state championship game that Friendly High School was playing in," said the 6-foot-2, 291-pounder who is ranked as the No. 2 player in the country. "I told the coaches. They knew I wanted to see this game and I told them I'd take my official visit on Sunday into early next week, but they didn't want that.

"On the Saturday of every official visit the coaches bring the players to the ESPNZone and they told me that was an important part of the visit so they didn't want me to miss that. I told them I didn't want to miss the Friendly game so I cancelled the visit."

Will Austin re-schedule?

"I don't know right now," said Austin. "I've been to Illinois, Tennessee and Southern Cal and Maryland was supposed to be my fourth visit and then Florida State my last one in January. Now I might visit North Carolina or Miami instead of Maryland. I spoke at length with Butch Davis and he had great success at Miami and he emphasized Broadcasting at UNC which is what I want to major in. Miami will also be a consideration because Randy Shannon is the coach. He's a great defensive coach and a good man."

Austin listed Southern Cal as his leader following his visit to Los Angeles a couple of weeks back for the Trojans win over Notre Dame. Is that still the case?

"I'm not really sure," he said. "I am keeping things open right now and I won't really know until I take all my visits."