Teeling mulling options

ORLANDO, Fla. - Seffner (Fla.) two-way lineman Brandon Teeling had a rough junior season. A knee injury ended it prematurely and from the sidelines he had to watch his team fall short in a state championship. The 6-foot-3, 260-pound lineman returned as a senior, healthy and fully rehabbed from his injury, and this time got to help his team win a state championship by contributing on the field.

"It was a great year," Teeling said. "I faced so much adversity with the knee injury. I was out for a real long time. I came back this year and started every single game. That feels so good. To finish it with a state championship, it feels so good."

The Sunshine State prospect has landed some new offers recently and is regularly hearing from a few schools.

"I have offers from Samford, just got offered by FAU and Western Kentucky also, and I also have one from Florida Tech," Teeling said. "Those are the main four in the picture for me. They are real active with me and still calling me."

Teeling is now working on scheduling official visits.

"I am supposed to visit Samford during the first weekend of January," Teeling said. "Probably the third week of January I am going to visit Western Kentucky. I haven't set it up with FAU yet."

Teeling's relationship with Florida Atlantic just began last week when new Owls' head coach Carl Pelini dropped in at Armwood for a practice leading up to their state championship game.

"Coach Pelini wants to try me on both sides of the ball," Teeling said. "They want to try me on both sides of the ball and see where I fit best. That is one of the things I like about them."

Samford likes Teeling as a defensive lineman while Western Kentucky is interested in him as an offensive guard. The versatile jumbo athlete is fine with playing on either side of the ball.

"Defense is definitely more fun," Teeling said. "But I have gotten used to offense and enjoyed it this year. So whichever helps the team. It don't matter to me, I'll play wherever as long as I get to play."

As of today, he doesn't claim a clear-cut leader.

"Right now it is really between Samford, FAU, and Western Kentucky," Teeling said. "Samford was in my house last (week). I really enjoyed that. I liked what they had to say. But I'd still like to learn more about Western Kentucky and FAU before I decide. I just want to find the place that is best for me."