Schneider cuts his list to six

Avon Lake (Ohio) tight end Dan Schneider narrowed his list of choices to six schools on Friday. The 6-foot-4 prospect visited Ohio State Friday, and released his list after the visit. The six programs are Indiana, Florida State, Michigan, Ohio State, Pittsburgh, and West Virginia.

The Buckeyes and Wolverines have not offered yet, but that could change by early next week.

"I went down to Ohio State today to get an idea of where I stand with them," Schneider said. "It went well. Coach (Jim) Tressel had just returned from his trip to Iraq, so Coach (John) Peterson, the tight end coach, is going to sit down with him and the staff on Monday and see if they can take two tight ends this year."

Schneider said he plans to call coach Peterson back on Monday.

"I grew up an Ohio State fan, it is in a good location in terms of its proximity to home. They are a national title contender every year."

After Dan hears from the Ohio State staff, he plans to visit Michigan on Tuesday. He said he will simply meet with the staff and perhaps check out the facilities.

"I just made the decision to visit of there," Schneider said. "To get an offer, I think it is going to take at least me making the effort to go up there and talking to the offensive coordinator, and it might take going to camp as well. I have to get to know them and they have to get to know me. The area recruiting coach (Bruce Tall) said he has no reservations about offering after watching me work out. Hopefully the other coaches would feel the same way after watching me work out. I am willing to do whatever it takes."

While Schneider was on his trip to Columbus, he landed an offer from West Virginia.

"Coach (Jeff) Mullen had called me and told me they have a scholarship offer for a tight end. I called them back today and they told me they were offering. They compete for a Big East championship every year. They are a winning program. I have heard great things about the campus. I have not been there yet. I am looking more into that now."

Schneider made a visit to Florida State in late May.

"Obviously the tradition there and the quality of the program stands out," Schneider said. "They have great coaches there. I like the stability there, the fact that they know who there next head coach is. They also have quality academics and a great campus. I think Coach Jimbo Fisher is going to do good things with the offense. He is an intense guy. He is going to do good things there."

Dan checked out the Panthers program during spring practice.

"I like Pittsburgh's proximity to home. They have good history in the program, and good academics. When I visited the history, tradition, and facilities stood out."

The Hoosiers are also in Schneider's top group.

"Indiana has a great campus and good academics. I see my self being able to get a lot of playing time there."

Among the top six, Schneider said no schools have a lead.

"I was hard enough just to say these teams are higher than the other ones. It would be too hard to say again who sticks out."

Recruiting fans can expect Dan to work toward making a decision soon.

"I am probably not going to narrow things down again," Schneider stated. "I will just commit. I would like to commit before my team camp starts in late July. In a dream world, I would have it done first week of July."