Stalker makes return trip to UVa

Virginia was one of the first big offers for West Chester (Ohio) Lakota West's C.J. Stalker and the four-star linebacker continues to maintain high interest in the Cavaliers.

"This past weekend my father and I were just at the University of Virginia," Stalker said. "We got up there late Thursday night, then Friday morning we got to see the defense work out and sit in on some defensive meetings and linebacker meetings with Coach (Jon) Tenuta.

"Following that we got to see more of the campus and I got to speak with one of the professors there who is also an orthopedic surgeon. I got a chance to eat with Coach Tenuta and talk, so that was pretty cool."

Stalker has held an offer from Virginia for more than five months, and his relationship with the staff goes back even further. He does not plan to take his recruitment into his senior season, and the thought of ending it now occurred on his drive back from Virginia.

"I would say that definitely crossed my mind a little bit," Stalker said. "This place felt family-oriented, which I want, and the academics are there. But I am still waiting and just seeing what I have and evaluating from there after these next trips."

The next trips for Stalker will be to Vanderbilt and Louisville. The Commodores have not offered yet, but will make an evaluation of the four-star during camp this week.

"I am actually going to Vanderbilt this upcoming weekend to spend some time with Coach (David) Kotulski," Stalker said. "That's another school with high academics.

"Coach Kotulski wants to get me down there, get a chance to spend a little more time with me and (an offer) could definitely be in line, hopefully after this weekend. I will be working out a little bit. There won't be a whole bunch of guys there, but Coach Kotulski wants to see me run around a little bit."

The trip to Louisville is expected to take place after Stalker returns from Vanderbilt, and those two schools along with Virginia are standing out most at this time.

"I would say there are a couple (at the top)," Stalker said. "I really like Virginia and Vanderbilt is the same way because I have been down there in the fall to see a game. Then, I really like Louisville as well.

"Most likely I will end it up here in a month and a half or two months - by the end of the summer just so I can get that out of the way and focus on my team."

The 6-foot-2, 223-pound Stalker is ranked as the No. 11 inside linebacker prospect in the 2015 class and the No. 11 player in the state of Ohio.