Top contenders emerging for Tuley-Tillman

It has been a whirlwind last couple months for Peoria (Ill.) Manual offensive tackle Logan Tuley-Tillman. Since his junior season ended, Tuley-Tillman has been adding new scholarship offers every week, and now has a total of 16 to his credit.

"I'm still sitting back and letting them all come in," Tuley-Tillman said. "I really wanted to get it done before the season started, but now that so many great opportunities are out there I am going to take my time with it. I am probably going to take my five official visits."

Of the schools he has seen and had a chance to research in depth, several have started to emerge as strong contenders. Tuley-Tillman listed Alabama, Michigan, Ohio State, Arkansas, South Carolina and Florida State as programs that were already standing out, but more programs have a chance to add their name to that list in the coming months.

"I got invited to USC's junior day sometime next month and I am going to try and make it to that one," Tuley-Tillman said. "Then, I am going to Iowa's junior day for sure, and at the end of the month I am going to be going to Alabama."

Tuley-Tillman is coming off a Sunday unofficial visit to Ohio State, where he was able to take in the Buckeye's home basketball contest against Indiana and meet with the coaching staff.

"I liked being down there and just seeing how it is from the other side of the fence," Tuley-Tillman said. "I got to be around Coach Urban Meyer a lot and I really liked his message. They're not going to baby you, they are just going to put everything in front of you to be successful."

Tuley-Tillman said he went into Sunday's visit to Ohio State without any expectations, but came out with a strong interest in the Buckeyes.

"I really like them and they are in contention. They have a need for offensive tackles too, so that is a big thing that is going to weigh into it," Tuley-Tillman said. "I really just wanted to get down there and see what it was like, and it really was good down there. I see how much their fans love all their sports, and the new staff they've got is really an all-star staff."

Among the latest schools to offer Tuley-Tillman are Oklahoma State, Florida State, Arkansas and South Carolina. He plans to continue visiting schools and identifying top contenders into the spring and summer.

"Pretty soon, me and my mom are going to start traveling to all these places and see what they are like and what she thinks about it," Tuley-Tillman said.