Weems down to three

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - Before he arrived in the Sunshine State for the Offense-Defense All-American Bowl, four-star offensive tackle Darrion Weems shaved his list of college choices down to three.

Weems, the 6-foot-6, 285-pounder, says that he'll take visits to Oregon, Florida, and Washington this month and make a decision after that. After the All-American Bowl this Thursday, Jan. 4, Weems will head to his first official visit to see Washington. Then he'll follow that up with trips to Florida (Jan. 12) and Oregon (Jan. 19).

"That's what I've got it down to, those three schools," Weems said. "After that, I should be able to make a final decision."

The Rivals250 offensive lineman broke down what he likes about each one of his finalists.

"Oregon has a great coaching staff with great players," Weems said. "I went to Oregon for a camp one summer and I just loved it. With Florida, you've got coach (Urban) Meyer there and coach (Steve) Addazio who are great.

"With Washington, you've got coach Tyrone Willingham there and he's going to turn that program around. He's done that before."

Weems has been on quite a ride up to this point. He was forced out of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina and went to Woodland Hills (Calif.) Taft High School. Then he moved to Cedar Hill (Texas) High School for a semester and finally made his way back to Taft for his senior year.

Though the journey was tough, Weems says it has made him a better football player and person.

"I know a lot of different offenses because I've been coached by so many great coaches," Weems said. "That will just help me. Being at Taft for my senior year was great too. I learned a lot of sills that I wouldn't have learned anywhere else.

"Plus, I had to be a leader this year which I didn't have to when I was younger."

This week's innagural Offense-Defense All-American Bowl televised on ESPNU will give the country a look at what Weems says is his chance to have some fun.

"I had fun as a senior, but this week I'm going to let it all hang out," Weems said. "I'm going to have the kind of fun I've wanted to all along in high school."