Visits are essential for Whitehurst
Gainesville (Fla.) linebacker Tashon Whitehurst, a Syracuse commitment, made the short trip in-state this past weekend to check out South Florida.
"I enjoyed myself," Whitehurst said of USF. "I had a real good time with the coaches and the players. I also learned a lot of new stuff about USF. The campus itself is great."
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Whitehurst says he remains committed to Syracuse, but that the Bulls have given him a lot to think about.
"It kind of made me sit down and think a lot about my decision on February 1st," Whitehurst said.
As for what stood out during the time the 6-foot-2, 190-pound linebacker was on campus, he shed some light on that subject.
"Really, just how the players bond and how they do things together," Whitehurst said. "I went to the banquet and got to see how they were after a bad season they had during which they worked so hard. I kind of got a chance to see the other side of the players and coaches.
"Also, how the coaches are dealing with everything," Whitehurst added. "They still push for their team to do the same thing they would do even though coaches have left."
South Florida recently lost the services of defensive coordinator Mark Snyder, as he departed for Texas A&M. Coaching changes won't have a major influence on Whitehurst's recruitment.
"I don't really worry about that because coaches change all the time," Whitehurst said. "I understand that coaches leave."
Before he sits down to make his final decision, Whitehurst intends to use his fifth and final official visit.
"I think I am going to head to Rutgers this weekend," Whitehurst said.
Whitehurst has taken official visits to Cincinnati, Marshall, South Florida, and Syracuse. Two of those schools, as well as Rutgers, help to make up his final three.
"I will be making my choice from Rutgers, Syracuse, and USF," Whitehurst said.
At this point, the three-star defender isn't sure where he will ultimately sign with.
"Once I take this visit this weekend, I can really determine what it is," Whitehurst said. "I have to see all my options and see everything around. Then I will sit down with my family and really have a real, long talk about what I need to do."