Pryor still likes four, moves toward decision

For quarterback Terrelle Pryor, Rivals.com's No. 1 player in the recruiting class of 2008, the last 11 days have been somewhat peaceful.

On Feb. 6, National Signing Day, he announced that he wouldn't be signing a Letter of Intent that day - unlike thousands of other high school football players.

However, the 6-foot-5, 235-pounder from Jeanette, Pa., knows he'll continue to attract attention until he makes his college choice.

But he's still not in a big hurry.

"With the basketball playoffs going on, I don't really know my schedule," said Pryor. "So I haven't scheduled a visit with Penn State yet or done much there. We just won our quarterfinal game against South Fayette, so we keep on playing."

Pryor, who is also a five-star basketball player, led his team to victory with 24 points, 24 rebounds, 10 blocks and seven assists. But in between basketball games, Pryor has been talking to coaches.

"They can only call once per week so it's limited, but I've talked to Joe Paterno and coach (Tom) Bradley from Penn State, Jim Tressel (Ohio State), Rich Rodriguez (Michigan) and Chip Kelly (Oregon)," he said. "It's really nothing new they're telling me, it's all the same stuff. I just have to figure out when I can take my Penn State visit.

"I'd also like to visit Oregon as well because I hear the facilities there are amazing and the offense fits me, but I'm not sure of anything until basketball slows down."

Pryor said the media attention has slowed down a great deal since Signing Day.

"That day was tough because I was being criticized by everyone for not making up my mind and signing," he said. "Mark May from ESPN is criticizing me on national television and he doesn't even know me. That kind of stuff really bothers me, when people who know nothing about me are talking about me like they know anything. There was so much media there that day that I had to address the issue, but I'd prefer to be left alone."

Numerous major Internet sites and newspapers asked Pryor if he was interested in keeping a daily journal since Signing Day, and he has rejected each one.

"I don't want anymore attention," he said. "I just want to make my decision with the people close to me."

Pryor admits he was set to sign with Ohio State the day before Feb. 6, but a conversation with his father, Craig, made him think twice. His father wanted him to take another look at Penn State and take an official visit.

But is Pryor doing it to appease his father or is he truly interested in the Nittany Lions?

"I'm really interested," he said. "This isn't just being respectful of my father, this is thinking things through and making sure I have all the info I need before I make a big decision. I really like Coach Bradley at Penn State and they could end up being the right fit for me, I'm not sure."

Has any other school entered the picture?

"No, it's still Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State and Oregon," he said. "That's it."

If Pryor takes an official visit to Penn State, he still may take another unofficial visit.

"I've seen everything at Michigan, but I didn't get to see everything at Ohio State," he said. "I am still in touch with all the Ohio State commitments I've become friends with, but they're being really cool about it, not pressuring me."

And with Ohio State so close to getting his signature and Penn State having his father in its corner, is it safe to say Michigan has dropped behind both?

"No, I can't say that," he said. "I'm considering all four schools and I'm going to pick the place that's right for me. It could be any of them.

Pryor talks about decisionClick "I'm just waiting for things to slow down a bit so I can visit Penn State and figure things out from there."Here to view this Link. | NCAA D-I recruiting calendarClick "I'm just waiting for things to slow down a bit so I can visit Penn State and figure things out from there."Here to view this Link. | Rivals.com Recruiting GlossaryClick "I'm just waiting for things to slow down a bit so I can visit Penn State and figure things out from there."Here to view this Link.

[rl]