Stangel ready for road trip

San Jacinto, Calif., quarterback Chasen Stangel is a traveling man.

After already taking a serious of unofficial visits through schools in the Rocky Mountain Region, Stangel is about to embark on a series of visits to schools in the Southwest, Texas and in the nation's Heartland. It's a two-month journey that will definitely give him plenty of frequent flier miles.

"We're flying out to UTEP today to take an unofficial visit and then throw at their one-day camp," Stangel, who is 6-foot and 184 pounds, said. "Then we're going to drive over to New Mexico and New Mexico State after that. It's only about a four-hour drive, and we're really looking forward to that.

"Then on June 8th or 9th and we're going to TCU for their one-day camp. Then I'm going to go over to SMU for one day either on the 10th or 11th, and then I'm heading to Nebraska for the Elite Quarterback Academy. We finally wrap things up with a one day stop at Washington on July 1 and San Diego State on July 6."

With offers already on the table from New Mexico, Purdue, Wyoming, New Mexico State, UTEP, SMU and Idaho, Stangel is hoping the trips to new places – especially Washington and Nebraska – could help him build on his offer sheet.

"I'm hoping to go up to Nebraska and blow them away," Stangel said. "I want to do my best and work as hard as I can to get ready for that camp. I think spring ball will help me get ready. I should be able to get my arm in shape and just be ready for several days of hard work.

"I talked to Trent Miles at Washington (Wednesday). He told me they really like me, they were going to keep recruiting me and that I'm a good player. He wants me to call Tyrone Willingham some time next week."

While some might think that Nebraska and Washington top his list, he's not quite ready to go that far yet.

"Well, now everybody is at the top of my list," Stangel said. "I do really like Nebraska and Washington, and they're both big time schools. I've enjoyed getting to know and learn more about them, but I don't want to rush into something and make a decision until I find the perfect fit."

Some in his family believe that if Nebraska were to offer, it would be the perfect fit.

His family has strong roots in Nebraska. His grandfather was born and raised in Nebraska, and he still has family in Tecumseh, Snider, Dodge, West Point and other parts of the state. His grandparents also have a Husker flag waving in front of their house.

But at this point Stangel isn't worrying about that. His team is smack dab in the middle of spring football practices and he's hoping to be able to take his team deeper in the playoffs this season.

"We're looking pretty good," Stangel said. "We have everybody back. I've been working hard on a lot of little things to get better. I would have to say my arm is stronger, and I'm faster, too. I'm trying to do the little extra things that will help me become a more complete quarterback."

Stangel threw for 2,407 yards and 19 touchdowns as a junior, allowing him to earn first-team all-conference honors.