Wentz withdraws Stanford pledge

Camden Wentz is a center prospect that committed back in the spring to Stanford. But because of their stringent academics and admissions Wentz backed off his commitment yesterday and opened things back up with his recruiting.

"It has nothing to do with the coaches and the school," said Wentz of Stanford. "It's their admissions. My application won't be read until late December or January. Knowing that, I couldn't wait to see what would happen and I had to open things back up and see what was out there for me. The coaches there understood."

Wentz, from Marietta (Ga.) Lassiter High School, committed to the Cardinal the first week of March. It was his first offer and he jumped on it. He believes he ended things too early.

"I did and I put all my eggs in one basket. I know a handful of schools said they would have offered had I not committed to Stanford. Rutgers, Duke, Vanderbilt, Georgia Tech, and Louisville are some of the schools that I stayed in contact with and I have talked with them this week."

Last weekend Wentz took an unofficial visit to Louisville. He came away impressed with the Cardinals.

"It was a spur of the moment type of thing and I enjoyed it. Louisville is not too far from home and I like the coaches. They seem very interested and I like the OL coach. We sat down before the game and we talked about Louisville and what would happen if I were to go there. Louisville seems very promising."

Despite the trip to Louisville and all the other teams pursuing Wentz, Stanford is still at the top for Wentz. At least for now.

"Stanford is still my No. 1 team. But they are the only team that has offered and that may change if these other teams offer me. We'll see. I just want to play big time BCS football."

Florida State and North Carolina are supposed to come by Lassiter High School on Friday. Lassiter, 6-2 on the year, plays Alpharetta (Ga.) Centennial High School this weekend before closing the season against Roswell (Ga.). Wentz, 6-3.5 and 275 pounds, is recruited to play center but is playing left tackle this season. He has not allowed a sack this season.