Four-star defensive end Malik Vann of Fairfield, Ohio has been working through the recruiting process for more than a year, and now has started to work toward his final decision. A date for that decision has been planned, and now we know the teams with the best chance of earning his commitment.

THE LATEST

Vann announced Tuesday night that Alabama, Cincinnati, Michigan State, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Wisconsin were the top six schools heading into what is expected to be the final ten weeks of his recruitment. Vann is planning to announce his final decision on June 26. He has upcoming visits scheduled to Cincinnati for this upcoming Friday, then will head down to Tennessee on April 22.

IN HIS WORDS

“How I feel I would fit into their programs, what they offer academically in my field of study and good football and possible early playing time (were important when narrowing down the list).”

RIVALS’ REACTION

Vann admitted that while June 26 is the planned commitment date, he is starting to feel a decision may come even sooner than that. With the Spring Evaluation Period starting up next week, then, these six schools have to assume they are making their final pitches in the coming weeks. Early in the process Notre Dame was a leader, but the Fighting Irish filled up at his position. Michigan State, which remains in contention, was also named as an early leader, but do not sleep on the hometown Cincinnati Bearcats. Vann seems to be buying into the vision new head coach Luke Fickell is presenting there.