Stangle makes rounds out West

When he was first mentioned as a target by reporters, many people threw San Jacinto, Calif., quarterback Chasen Stangel into the sleeper category, but now the 6-foot-2, 190-pounder has picked up scholarships from three programs and is taking a grand tour of some of the top programs out West.

"We're actually in Idaho visiting Boise State right now," Stangel said. "We're going over to talk to the coaches and watch practice. Then they're going to give me a tour of the campus and facilities.

"I went to Utah yesterday and met with the coaches there. I know them real well. They have phenomenal facilities and I think their coaches are awesome. It was a great trip and they're definitely a team I am looking hard at."

After picking up offers from Purdue and New Mexico State, could Boise State or other teams be next?

"Boise State has been talking about maybe offering me," he said. "I don't know what they're thinking, really, but they took the time to set up a meeting and go through the trouble of showing me around so I figure they're pretty interested. They said they wanted to meet me as a person, I think to see how my personality is and see if I'm a leader.

"TCU is real interested in me along with UTEP, Oregon State Wisconsin, and SMU. I started getting a lot of interest from the Texas schools because I took a trip down there and looked at some schools. I really liked the TCU campus, so I sent out some video around there and they really liked my film."

Stangel does have a favorite, though.

"Purdue is my No. 1 for sure," he said. "Everyone else is still on the table, though. There are a lot of schools I'm considering right now and I'm just trying to check them out and see who offers me. I'd like to commit before my senior year so the latest I'd commit would probably be June. I don't think I'll go longer than June before deciding.

"I'm taking a visit to Purdue April 20th. It will be my first visit to their campus, but I hear it's great. I can't wait to see for myself. I've never even been to Indiana. I think there's a strong possibility I could commit on the visit."

Stangel does have an idea what he's looking for in the perfect school.

"A real important factor for me will be the coaches and how I feel about them," he said. "I like all the coaches I talk to, but it will come down to where I feel the coaches fit me best. The environment is important too since I'll be there for five years and I want to go somewhere I feel comfortable. Plus, I want to play against the top schools in the country. I want to go somewhere I can play the best."

Stangel, an all-conference selection as a junior, threw for 2,407 yards and 19 scores in 2005.