Two at the top for Neloms

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Monday morning marked the official start of two-a-days in the Sunshine State. For Tallahassee (Fla.) Leon defensive back Juan Neloms, it meant hunkering down and getting back to work.

"It was hard," Neloms said. "I had been here most of the time for summer workouts but it is still hard getting back to it, you have to work through it. We just have to get ready because we have a jamboree soon, real soon, and we want to win those so we go into our season playing well and ready to win some games, make the playoffs, and then hopefully go further than that."

During the summer months, Neloms was able to take a visit to see an in-state school. He had hoped to take additional trips but his plans fell through.

"I visited South Florida again and I was supposed to go to Illinois, but I wasn't able to make the trip," Neloms said. "Both of those schools have given me an offer."

At this stage of the process, Neloms says his interest in both the Bulls and the Illini is 'about the same'.

His recruitment to South Florida is being handled by defensive backs coach Rick Smith. He met with Smith, and the other coaches, when he previously visited the Tampa-based campus.

"South Florida offered me first," Neloms said. "I liked the coaches when I did go down there to visit. I liked the program. I met a lot of the players. I met B.J. (Daniels) and some of the other guys. They were showing me around campus and telling me what I can become if I choose to go to that school and participate with them."

With the Illini, his recruitment is being handled by defensive backs coach Mike Gillhamer. Illinois has made their offer official recently sending a written offer to Neloms.

"Illinois, I've talked to them a few times and they sent Coach (Bill) Ragans a piece of paper, a written offer, that I could commit to," Neloms said. "They just really want me to come play football for them. I really, really wanted to go visit them but since I didn't get that opportunity, hopefully when the football season starts they will come out and talk with me again and we will discuss things and talk about things more. We will go from there."

Neloms said official visits likely won't happen until after his senior season, unless he can take one during Leon's bye week. With visits on the backburner, a decision from the 6-foot-1, 180-pound defensive back is on hold for now.

"I was going to decide before we started school, but I think I am going to hold off and wait," Neloms said. "Maybe I will be ready to choose by the middle of the season."

The three-star defensive back has also been receiving attention from Miami, who checked in on him during the spring season. He said they haven't remained in regular contact.