Shaw focused on eight schools

Miami (Fla.) Monsignor Pace four-star offensive tackle Greg Shaw didn't see his senior season start off the way he expected. The 6-foot-5, 267-pounder said his team struggled in the first game, but it's something he's hoping to change real soon.

"We played the kickoff classic last weekend, but it was kind of more on the bad side for us," Shaw said.

"We had so many penalties and mistakes that it cost us. We lost by six points so it was bad, but we're stepping up now. we've worked hard in practice this week and everyone has worked hard. We're switching a bunch of people around and things will be fine. I definitely see us as a threat to win state."

He's also remains a threat to be one of the most heavily recruited players in South Florida. While coaches aren't able to call or text him at this point, his e-mail box has been flooded with messages from coaches all over the place.

"I've been getting a lot of emails, because of the text messaging rule," Shaw said. "It's hard to wake up and not see one of Doc's ([db]John Holiday[/db]) text messages. I liked being able to text with the coaches, because they keep me real informed. I would like it to come back, but I guess some people have to pay for texting, so I can see why they had to have the rule."

"Florida, Georgia Tech, Louisville, Rutgers, Miami, even some little colleges like St. Leo have been e-mailing me a lot about an academic scholarship. All of those schools have offered, but right now I'm waiting things out until the visits and all that stuff."

Shaw said his list is pretty focused, and sorry St. Leo, you're not on it.

"I'm at eight right now," he said. "LSU, Florida, USF, Louisville, Wisconsin, Georgia Tech, Georgia and UCF. I am going to narrow it down after I talk to the coaches some more and then I'm going to make my decision on which five schools I'm going to visit. I'll make my visits then make my choice."

So what will he look for in the perfect school?

"I guess who pursues me the most," Shaw, who is ranked as the No. 11 player in Florida and the No. 29 offensive tackle, said. "I don't want it to be too easy for me, like they have a spot for me, but I want them to tell me I have to fight and learn in order for me to step up early. I want to have an opportunity to get on the field early, but I know I have to learn certain things.

What will Shaw be looking forward to on his visits?

"I can't wait for all of the food," he said. "I guess seeing the places and getting to know what each school is all about. I guess that's what I'm looking most forward to, getting to know the programs deeper.

"I'd like to hear from Ohio State. I know a lot of people going there. I'm not trying to be the type of guy that is just following my friends or anything, but it would be a more comfortable situation to go there when I know some people rather than going somewhere I don't know anyone."