Tennessee pushing for Clayborn

Rivals250 defensive end Adrian Clayborn out of Webster Groves, Mo., already has taken officials to Texas Tech and Nebraska and scheduled ones to Iowa and Missouri. The 6-foot-3, 247-pounder recently announced that he is planning to head to a surprise fifth official visit.

"I think it's going to be to Tennessee," he said. "I was surprised they were interested in me. I also think they interest me because I've been talking to Steve Caldwell and I like that he's cool to talk to and no pressure. He also tells it to you straight. Their season doesn't really bother me because I think they'll bounce back next year and be one of the top teams again."

This weekend Clayborn takes his third official to Iowa.

"I went there last summer and I want to check it out again and have a good time," he said. "I hope to meet the coaches face-to-face and talk with some of the players to get a good feel for the school."

Before taking the visit this week, the four-star prospect has a busy week of in-home visits from coaches from Mississippi, Tennessee, Iowa and Nebraska. He has named Texas Tech and Nebraska as recent leaders, but is excited about taking upcoming trips to see Iowa (Dec. 2), Missouri (Dec.9) and possibly the Volunteers.

Clayborn and Webster Groves finished the season a couple weeks back in a tough 31-21 loss to McCluer North.

"We finished 10-1 and even beat our rival in a Thanksgiving Day game last week for fun, but that doesn't make up for not winning the state championship," he said. "I finished the year with 110 tackles, four sacks, 400 yards receiving and six touchdowns. I think I had a pretty good season and I could tell I gave more effort on every snap this year, people even told me that."

Now the No. 1 player in Missouri is playing basketball for the Statesmen.

"It should be a fun year as I think we have a good chance at the state title in that too."

Webster Groves kicks off the basketball season Thursday night.