Miami makes its pitch to Cushing

A day after Pete Carroll and most of his staff spent four hours with Oradell (N.J.) Bergen Catholic linebacker Brian Cushing to talk to him about how he can fit in at USC, Miami head coach Larry Coker and a few assistants were with the standout on Wednesday to discuss a commitment to Miami. How did it go and what's next?

"It went great," said the 6-foot-4, 230-pounder. "I felt really comfortable with them and we spent about three hours talking about things. Last year they didn't get all the linebackers they needed and they already have a few this year, but they've dropped a few guys and stuck with me and told me I can play early. A chance to compete at Miami is something you can't ignore."

Does this change his leader board at all?

"USC is still my favorite because they have been for so long," he said. "Miami, Florida and Boston College are the others teams I'm looking at. I visit BC this weekend and then I will sit down and figure things out. I'm making my decision on ESPNews on Signing Day and I probably won't know for sure until I get there."

Cushing said the hardest part is telling coaches he's not coming.

"I spoke to coach D'Onofrio from Virginia on Wednesday and that was tough," he said. "I really like him and have known him for a long time, so it was hard to say no."