Linebacker Aaron Hansford has been quietly picking up a ton of offers. The Washington (D.C.) St. John's College High stand out is getting close to naming a short list but already knows some of the schools that will make the cut.

"I'll be coming out with a top ten soon because I want to narrow down my list," said the 6-foot-2, 210-pound Hansford. "It's not getting late in the game but it's just too much looking at everybody. I know Oregon, Ohio State, Penn State, Florida, North Carolina, Duke and Notre Dame will make the list."

Hansford shared what he has learned about each of those schools.

Oregon- "It's a Nike school and I know they play great football there," he said. "I still have to do some research on the school part, about my major and some other aspects. I have the gist of their athletic program, their style of play and what they would use me at."

Ohio State- "I like Ohio State a lot," Hansford said. "I've visited there two or three times and all the times I've talked to coach Fickell, coach Johnson and coach Meyer. I've visited the campus and I like the size of it. It's kind of big but I like having things spread out like that. I don't know if they're the leader. I've heard about people saying I'll end up there but I don't know at this point. It's funny how they know before I do."

Penn State- "I really like Penn State," he said. "From my time when I was up there, their academics are really good up there. I think the opportunity for good football is growing. They're going to be a top contender soon and I feel like it wouldn't be a bad deal to be a part of it. I know that I would definitely have an opportunity to play early. I talked to coach Pry and coach Franklin and Penn State is definitely something I'll consider."

Florida- "I really like Florida in general, like the weather down there," said Hansford. "I need to do more research on them as a school and their athletic program. I've talked to their coaches a little bit since they offered me but I have to get down on their campus this summer to get a feel for it."

North Carolina- "I just came back from North Carolina the other day," he said. "It was good. I talked to coach Chizik, coach Fedora and coach JP. I had a good time down there. They have a really good environment, a beautiful campus and I know they have a pretty good opportunity for me to play early."

Duke- "I do see Duke as a program on the rise," Hansford said. "Over the past couple seasons they've been doing very well in the ACC. They kind of shocked me at first. It's a small school but they seem to really know what they're doing. They may not be getting these highly ranked recruits but they must be teaching these kids something right. The academics at Duke are pretty intense but they do support their athletes. I talked to coach Cutcliffe and they've never had a player fail a class before. They seem to really know how to treat their players and prepare them for life."

Notre Dame- "I really like that it's a great school and they have a great tradition there," he said. "My dad really likes Notre Dame and a lot people really like them. It's a great opportunity there. I know it's in South Bend, Indiana and there isn't much there but everybody seems to like it and I've never gotten bad vibes about it. Kids from my school have gone there and give it good reports."

It sounds like Hansford will be on the road a lot before the season starts.

"I know I'll be visiting Penn State soon," said Hansford. "My mom has never been on the campus and she wants to get up there. I think I'll be up there next weekend. I think my dad and I might go back south to see some schools like South Carolina or Georgia. I might go see Ohio State again. I have to wait for my official visits to see the ones that are farther away."

Hansford said he could announce a top ten as soon as next week.