Three-star returns from Air Force visit

As the homestretch approaches for the recruiting season, Van Buren, Ark. wide receiver Taylor Stockemer is beginning to get a clearer picture of the options in front of him. After his first official visit, a recent coaching change and some new interest, Stockemer is settling in for his decision-making process.

On Sunday Stockemer returned from his first official visit where he took in the atmosphere at the Air Force Academy.

"It was a beautiful place," Stockemer said. "It was just gorgeous. The scenery and all that was just amazing. I got to meet all of the coaches. I got to hang out with more of the coaches other than the ones that recruited me."

One coach that Stockemer was pleased to meet was the head man, Troy Calhoun.

"He's an honest man," Stockemer said. "He's a genius offensively. He told me that I'd be welcome there."

Other than the meet-and-greets with the coaches, Stockemer stayed pretty busy all weekend.

"We came in and got settled, got to meet the superintendent, a three-star general," he said. "The academic people were great. It's a great opportunity academically. We met with the science head. He had a little slide show for us with academics and requirements. Saturday we woke up and went right back to it. We toured more of the campus, had lunch at the stadium and then after that I went out with my host Chad Hall."

While the visit to Air Force went very well, Stockemer has several other options and is looking to evaluate each one, starting with an official visit next weekend.

"I'm taking an official visit to Arkansas State this Friday," he said. "I might have plans to visit SMU and Missouri after that."

Stockemer's interest in SMU has a lot to do with the new head coach, June Jones. With Jones' pass-happy offense heading to Dallas, Stockemer is ready to explore the opportunity.

"It'd be close to the top," he said of his reaction to a potential SMU offer. "I'd still like to visit and see what it's like down there."