4-Star TE Naseir Upshur Postpones Commitment Plans, Sets 3 Official Visits
Naseir Upshur needs more time.
The 4-star Philadelphia tight end cancelled plans to announce a commitment Aug. 8, instead eyeing the winter as an ideal opportunity to pick his collegiate destination.
"I'm pushing the decision back," he told Bleacher Report. "Probably until after the season."
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Upshur, a senior at Imhotep Institute, holds more than 40 scholarship offers. The 6'2", 233-pound playmaker expects to spend visits on several campuses before concluding his expansive recruitment.
He will head to Florida State next week for the first time, setting up a multi-day stay in Tallahassee.
His trip comes at an interesting point in time for the Seminoles.
Top-ranked 2016 tight end Isaac Nauta ended an eight-month commitment to Florida State on Wednesday, jolting much of the team's fanbase and creating a keyhole in a star-studded 2016 recruiting class.
"A lot of Florida State fans are disappointed, but a lot of them don't really know me. They're not in any trouble if I pick them," Upshur said. "Everything happens for a reason. If I go there, I'm going to be the best tight end and win another Mackey Award for the team."
Despite Nauta's longstanding pledge, the Seminoles never stopped pursuing the Pennsylvania standout.
"I was speaking to their coaches every day before Isaac even decommitted," he said. "They were only going to take one tight end in this class, but they wanted me too. They only offered two tight ends—me and Isaac—so I guess they're only recruiting me right now."
Florida State, the new favorite among experts in Upshur's 247Sports Crystal Ball, already locked him in for an official visit. He will attend the Seminoles' Oct. 10 matchup against Miami.
Upshur is also scheduled to be in the bleachers at Arizona State (Sept. 18) against New Mexico and at Michigan, when the Wolverines face either Michigan State (Oct. 17) or Ohio State (Nov. 28).
Arizona State extended his first offer as a sophomore and remains a compelling potential landing spot.
"[Former Sun Devils wide receiver] Jaelen Strong is like a brother to me. We've been cool for years, and that helped me develop a good relationship with the coaching staff," Upshur said.
Former teammate DeAndre Scott is a sophomore Arizona State defensive back.
Michigan, previously viewed as Upshur's favorite in Crystal Ball projections, has been ardent in its quest to land his commitment. Wolverines tight ends coach Jay Harbaugh visited Upshur earlier this year and has managed to make a strong impression along with his father.
"The Harbaughs have great personalities, and it's really important for them to get a top tight end. They think I can be that guy, so it's definitely a school to keep in mind," he said.
Upshur aims to use all five of his official visits, so that leaves two spots open.
South Carolina could be a contender to watch. The Gamecocks will host Upshur next week during his return trip from Tallahassee.
This will be his second campus visit to Columbia. Upshur said 4-star Gamecocks quarterback commit and fellow Pensylvania product Brandon McIlwain is recruiting him as hard as anybody.
Rated fourth nationally among tight ends in composite rankings, Upshur caught 22 passes for 640 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2014. He has loftier expectations in place for his senior campaign.
"My goal is to hit 1,000 yards this season. My blocking is going to be more aggressive, and I feel like I can score any time I catch the ball. I worked hard all offseason, so I shouldn't be easy to tackle," Upshur said.
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