Vols Swoop In On NC State Commit

The Tennessee Volunteers coaching staff has moved to the front on the list of a former NC State commitment.

"Right now, you can consider him open," said Richlands, N.C. head coach Kevin Wilson of his talented defensive end Mario Williams. "Mario still likes NC State and they'll be among his final five along with North Carolina. Those are the only two schools he's looking at in state."

Williams had committed to NC State back in February but decided he wanted to look around at some other schools before making his final decision.

"Right now he really likes Tennessee the best," said Wilson of his 6-foot-6, 250-pound star. "He would have a chance to play for the national championship every year and they were the first program to visit the school and that showed alot of interest."

However, Williams won't decide until December this time around.

"He wants to take five official visits and decide," Wilson said. "He'll visit Tennessee, NC State, North Carolina and South Carolina for sure. The last visit will be determined before the season ends. He'll take his visits in November and December because he wants to graduate early and enroll in college in January."

Williams had more than 100 tackles as a junior and is considered by many to be one of the top five players in North Carolina this year.

"He just decided too early," said Wilson of the commitment to NC State. "A verbal commitment is non-binding and he wants to make sure he makes the right choice."