07-29-201005:35 PM
Tampa (FL) Alonso High School DE Anthony Chickillo had at one point planned to announce a college decision this week.
But now it doesn't appear that will be the case.
"I don't think it'll be the end of this month," he said. "I really haven't talked it over with my family - I just got back from six schools, went on a bus with a group of guys."
They toured Florida State, Georgia, Ole Miss, Auburn, Tennessee and Alabama.
"It went well," Chickillo said. "Ole Miss and Auburn, they offered me. I didn't have those two. I'm up to around 50 offers now.
"I'm not going to take any more visits (for now). I'm getting focused on the season. I'm talking to my parents and will maybe decide early."
Chickillo adds that he has "somewhat" narrowed things down, adding "but I don't have an official list. It's not what I'm down to, just schools I like. There's a lot of schools I like."
Of what he learned on his six-school tour, Chickillo said, "that every school has the nice stuff, nice equipment, everything is nice. The only thing that's different is the people. You're meeting all the new coaches, new people, and you get an idea what you like."
Chickillo says, in the end, his relationship with the coaching staff will make a big difference.
"Really my position coach and the strength and conditioning coach - my dad having been through the process, he said who you spend time with, that's who you have to have a good relationship with," Chickillo said.
And Chickillo has a strong relationship with Miami coaches.
"I talked to coach (Joe) Pannunzio five days ago - he just told me how they want me, how they need me," Chickillo said. "He says all the fans, that's all they talk about, stuff like that. He said I'll be a good fit for the defense and I can help them win.
"Me and coach (Rick) Petri have a great relationship. And I'm getting to know coach (Andreu) Swasey. I'm getting real cool with him. Coach (Randy) Shannon, my dad and him are good friends."
Of the hoopla surrounding his recruitment, Chickillo said, "I really don't pay attention to it. The speculation isn't bothering me."
Asked where Miami stands in his recruiting picture, Chickillo simply says, "Miami's still one of my favorite schools."
But now it doesn't appear that will be the case.
"I don't think it'll be the end of this month," he said. "I really haven't talked it over with my family - I just got back from six schools, went on a bus with a group of guys."
They toured Florida State, Georgia, Ole Miss, Auburn, Tennessee and Alabama.
"It went well," Chickillo said. "Ole Miss and Auburn, they offered me. I didn't have those two. I'm up to around 50 offers now.
"I'm not going to take any more visits (for now). I'm getting focused on the season. I'm talking to my parents and will maybe decide early."
Chickillo adds that he has "somewhat" narrowed things down, adding "but I don't have an official list. It's not what I'm down to, just schools I like. There's a lot of schools I like."
Of what he learned on his six-school tour, Chickillo said, "that every school has the nice stuff, nice equipment, everything is nice. The only thing that's different is the people. You're meeting all the new coaches, new people, and you get an idea what you like."
Chickillo says, in the end, his relationship with the coaching staff will make a big difference.
"Really my position coach and the strength and conditioning coach - my dad having been through the process, he said who you spend time with, that's who you have to have a good relationship with," Chickillo said.
And Chickillo has a strong relationship with Miami coaches.
"I talked to coach (Joe) Pannunzio five days ago - he just told me how they want me, how they need me," Chickillo said. "He says all the fans, that's all they talk about, stuff like that. He said I'll be a good fit for the defense and I can help them win.
"Me and coach (Rick) Petri have a great relationship. And I'm getting to know coach (Andreu) Swasey. I'm getting real cool with him. Coach (Randy) Shannon, my dad and him are good friends."
Of the hoopla surrounding his recruitment, Chickillo said, "I really don't pay attention to it. The speculation isn't bothering me."
Asked where Miami stands in his recruiting picture, Chickillo simply says, "Miami's still one of my favorite schools."