Samuel planning round of visits

Traveon Samuel isn't rushing into anything. He's careful with his words when he speaks on his recruitment and provides nothing that can be construed as a hint on where he might be leaning. Instead, the Phenix City (Ala.) Central High School running back's words are measured.

Even when speaking about his trip to take in Auburn's spring game, he holds back. The reason for that is anyone's guess, but his review isn't full of the usual over-the-top recruiting platitudes. He leaves plenty to the imagination.

"It was alright," Samuel said of the visit. "Not too much to brag on, but it was alright."

His hesitance might be in the name of patience. Samuel says no school stands out as things stand now. He plans to take his time when it comes to trimming his list. After all, he doesn't intend to make a verbal commitment until during his senior season at Central. For now, he's focused on unofficial visits.

"I'm going to take some more visits this summer," Samuel said. "I'm going to try to hit up Florida State. I know I am going back to Auburn. Then I'm going to South Carolina and Louisville.

Samuel currently holds 18 scholaship offers, including ones from in-state schools Auburn and Alabama. But the one official visit he knows he'll be taking will require a cross-country flight.

For whatever reason, Sonny Dykes' California program has his attention.

"I know for a fact that I am talking one of my official visits to Cal," Samuels said. "That's the only one I know for sure. I just want to experience that. I want to see what life is like out there on the west coast and experience that. I have a good connection with the coaches there."

Samuels, who plans to major in business management, says academics will play the biggest role in his recruitment. It's why he's open to schools in all corners of the country.

"It doesn't matter if I stay home in Alabama or not," he said. "I'm trying to put education first and then football second. My choice is about academics first and foremost. I'm not going to a school just to play football."