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As National Signing Day closes in for high school football players around the country, the race to garner Travante Stallworth's signature on Feb. 4 has heated up.
Stallworth, who was once a solid commitment to Auburn as of last summer, began to waver on that pledge following the resignation of former AU head coach Tommy Tuberville following his only losing season on the plains of Alabama.
The Tigers brought in Gene Chizik as the new head coach, but Stallworth began to listen to other coaches — mainly Michigan head man Rich Rodriguez and South Carolina coaching legend Steve Spurrier.
Stallworth made the trip up north to "The Big House" of Michigan the weekend of Jan. 9, while tripping to South Carolina this past weekend to receive the grand tour of the Gamecocks' facilities. He is set up to make his official visit to Auburn this coming weekend, giving Chizik an opportunity to sure up the previous commitment.
"My trip to South Carolina went well," Stallworth said. "I spent a lot of time with Coach (Steve) Spurrier and his son, who is the offensive coordinator. They want me to come in and replace Kenny McKinley, who was their all-time leading receiver there. They told me I could play the slot and get the ball on screens and use my speed.
"At Michigan, it was different than any other college campus I've ever been to," he continued. "They have outstanding facilities and the academics are top of the line. Coach (Rich) Rodriguez wants me to come in as a slot receiver and even said I could try quarterback. If it didn't work out, I could switch to receiver. They just want to get the ball in my hands in the open field."
One thing in Chizik's favor is the hiring of former Arkansas and Tulsa offensive coordinator Gus Malzhan to run the Tigers' offense. Much like the other two schools mentioned, Auburn wants Stallworth to come in as a slot receiver.
"I'm still committed to Auburn, but I owe it to myself to look at South Carolina and Michigan," Stallworth said. "Those are my top three and I will probably have a good idea where I'm going after my trip to Auburn this weekend."
For now, Stallworth will get one on one attention from those schools. Rodriguez and a member of Spurrier's staff — it's unsure of Spurrier himself will make the trip — will visit Leesville High on Wednesday. Auburn receivers coach and assistant head coach Trooper Taylor will be in town today to meet with Stallworth. In addition to those three schools, another Southeastern Conference school has stepped up its pursuit.
Dan Mullen, the former Florida offensive coordinator that led the Gators to two national championships in the last three years, is now the head coach at Mississippi State. Mullen will bring his spread offense to Starkville, Miss., with eyes on Stallworth to play the slot receiver role similar to what Percy Harvin did at Florida. Stallworth is tentatively scheduled to visit Mississippi State the weekend of Jan. 30.
"He's enjoying the recruiting process right now," Leesville head coach Terence Williams said. "Not many players have this opportunity, so he's going to make sure he makes the right decision. Whichever school he chooses, they're getting a great player."
Stallworth's mother has been accompanying him on his visits, but there is one individual keeping tabs on Stallworth and the recruiting efforts from across the world. His father, who is deployed in Iraq with the U.S. Army, remains in the loop as much as possible.
"My Dad sends me text messages all the time to keep up with my visits and what's going on with recruiting," Stallworth said. "Whenever he can get to the computer, he sends me messages."
As a junior, Stallworth made a position change from receiver to quarterback for the Wampus Cats and led the team to a district title. In two years as the starter, he passed for 2,679 yards with 24 TDs and 17 interceptions, while rushing 303 times for 1,488 yards and 32 TDs.
He ended his career at Leesville High second on the school's all-time passing list, in addition to finishing third in school history by accouting for 56 total touchdowns. Stallworth is listed as a three star recruit on both Rivals.com and Scout.com, the two most prominent recruiting services available.
As National Signing Day closes in for high school football players around the country, the race to garner Travante Stallworth's signature on Feb. 4 has heated up.
Stallworth, who was once a solid commitment to Auburn as of last summer, began to waver on that pledge following the resignation of former AU head coach Tommy Tuberville following his only losing season on the plains of Alabama.
The Tigers brought in Gene Chizik as the new head coach, but Stallworth began to listen to other coaches — mainly Michigan head man Rich Rodriguez and South Carolina coaching legend Steve Spurrier.
Stallworth made the trip up north to "The Big House" of Michigan the weekend of Jan. 9, while tripping to South Carolina this past weekend to receive the grand tour of the Gamecocks' facilities. He is set up to make his official visit to Auburn this coming weekend, giving Chizik an opportunity to sure up the previous commitment.
"My trip to South Carolina went well," Stallworth said. "I spent a lot of time with Coach (Steve) Spurrier and his son, who is the offensive coordinator. They want me to come in and replace Kenny McKinley, who was their all-time leading receiver there. They told me I could play the slot and get the ball on screens and use my speed.
"At Michigan, it was different than any other college campus I've ever been to," he continued. "They have outstanding facilities and the academics are top of the line. Coach (Rich) Rodriguez wants me to come in as a slot receiver and even said I could try quarterback. If it didn't work out, I could switch to receiver. They just want to get the ball in my hands in the open field."
One thing in Chizik's favor is the hiring of former Arkansas and Tulsa offensive coordinator Gus Malzhan to run the Tigers' offense. Much like the other two schools mentioned, Auburn wants Stallworth to come in as a slot receiver.
"I'm still committed to Auburn, but I owe it to myself to look at South Carolina and Michigan," Stallworth said. "Those are my top three and I will probably have a good idea where I'm going after my trip to Auburn this weekend."
For now, Stallworth will get one on one attention from those schools. Rodriguez and a member of Spurrier's staff — it's unsure of Spurrier himself will make the trip — will visit Leesville High on Wednesday. Auburn receivers coach and assistant head coach Trooper Taylor will be in town today to meet with Stallworth. In addition to those three schools, another Southeastern Conference school has stepped up its pursuit.
Dan Mullen, the former Florida offensive coordinator that led the Gators to two national championships in the last three years, is now the head coach at Mississippi State. Mullen will bring his spread offense to Starkville, Miss., with eyes on Stallworth to play the slot receiver role similar to what Percy Harvin did at Florida. Stallworth is tentatively scheduled to visit Mississippi State the weekend of Jan. 30.
"He's enjoying the recruiting process right now," Leesville head coach Terence Williams said. "Not many players have this opportunity, so he's going to make sure he makes the right decision. Whichever school he chooses, they're getting a great player."
Stallworth's mother has been accompanying him on his visits, but there is one individual keeping tabs on Stallworth and the recruiting efforts from across the world. His father, who is deployed in Iraq with the U.S. Army, remains in the loop as much as possible.
"My Dad sends me text messages all the time to keep up with my visits and what's going on with recruiting," Stallworth said. "Whenever he can get to the computer, he sends me messages."
As a junior, Stallworth made a position change from receiver to quarterback for the Wampus Cats and led the team to a district title. In two years as the starter, he passed for 2,679 yards with 24 TDs and 17 interceptions, while rushing 303 times for 1,488 yards and 32 TDs.
He ended his career at Leesville High second on the school's all-time passing list, in addition to finishing third in school history by accouting for 56 total touchdowns. Stallworth is listed as a three star recruit on both Rivals.com and Scout.com, the two most prominent recruiting services available.
