Nero plans busy summer

Asked which schools currently stand out, defensive tackle Tyler Nero of Atmore (Ala.) Escambia County replied quickly.

"Auburn, Alabama and Arkansas," he said.

But, he was clear to point out, don't call them his leaders.

"I wouldn't really say they're my favorites," Nero said. "Those are really the only colleges I've gotten a chance to look at thus far. I don't really have any leaders."

That will change in the next couple of months.

The 6-foot-3, 250-pounder, who boasts 11 offers (including six from SEC programs), plans to hit the road often this summer and try to visit as many schools that have offered him as possible, he said.

"I'm going to Alabama for a camp next weekend, and I'm going to an Arkansas camp in July," Nero said. "I'm trying to get down to Florida in July. I'll probably hit South Alabama. And I'm trying to go to Georgia, FSU and a bunch of others."

To date, Nero, whose father played at Arkansas, has visited Alabama and Auburn the most.

"I've been to Alabama four or five times," he said. "I've been to a game, too. I went there for a meeting to talk to [coach] Nick Saban this spring. That's when he offered. He pulled me in his office and offered. I've been to Auburn a whole bunch of times. I can't even count on one hand. I've been to a bunch of their games, too. That's the closest school to me. That's probably why I've been there so many times."

When might Nero make his pick?

"I'm probably going to wait until after the season," Nero said. "My main focus is to win the state championship in high school."