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Townsend plans to take his time

Greg Townsend Jr. was so close to making a commitment, to putting the recruiting process behind him, to looking forward to a stress-free summer and senior season.
Then the Beverly Hills, Calif. defensive end decided to consider all of his options, wait it out, maybe take some visits and then make his choice closer to National Signing Day.
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Southern Cal is still the favorite for Townsend, a 6-foot-4, 242-pound prospect who won the defensive line MVP award Sunday at the Los Angeles Nike Camp, but he will also consider Washington, Oregon, TCU and Miami.
"I was close to a commitment because SC is close to home, it's a good program but I'm still going to wait my decision out," said Townsend, included in the Rivals 250 to watch for 2011.
"At the top of my list right now is SC but I also have Washington, Oregon, TCU and Miami so I'm just going to wait until next year, wait until signing day, wait until the very last time to make my decision."
There was a time when it looked Southern Cal was going to have Townsend locked up and even though that probably won't happen soon there's still a good chance that's the way it will end up. The Trojans are still the leader and Townsend admitted it will be tough to beat them.
"It will be," Townsend said. "It's right in my backyard and I'm up here all the time. It's just going to be tough. It's a beautiful place. Everybody wants to come to Cali but sometimes it's better to get out of Cali. I'm not sure what I want to do yet."
Oregon was the early favorite for Townsend, who dominated with his speed to the outside and strength to the inside during one-on-one drills at the Nike Camp, but he said there's been a lack of communication between him and the Ducks' staff. That has hurt Oregon's chances but it cannot be counted out yet.
If any school seems like a legitimate threat to Southern Cal it could be Washington because Townsend is enamored with its coaching staff. TCU and Miami are considered outside shots but will still be considered and Townsend said he'd like to talk with Miami defensive line coach Rick Petri soon.
"The Washington coaching staff is one of the coolest coaching staffs I ever met in my life," Townsend said. "They're like chill people and they tell you straight up what's the deal."
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