College Football Recruiting 2013: Who Are the True Suitors for LB Alex Anzalone?

A once-promising commitment to Ohio State, 4-star OLB/RB Alex Anzalone from Wyomissing (Pa.) made a shocking de-commitment after he was approached by and took pictures with a registered sex offender while on an official visit to the school.

The Buckeyes have stayed on Anzalone, but he has re-opened his recruitment and is looking at several schools. But that's the schism in this situation—exactly which schools are options has been bantered about quite frequently.

Well, I'm here to set the record straight and inform you who the real suitors are in Anzalone's recruitment.

5. Notre Dame

What, you think Notre Dame wouldn't be in on a talented linebacker/running back prospect from Pennsylvania?

If not, then you're crazy.

Per Scout.com, the Irish are one of the prime-time suitors for Anzalone. I like the 6'2", 220-pounder as a linebacker, but my gut tells me that Notre Dame may be recruiting him to be a big running back and work the short-yardage situations in South Bend.

Watch out for the Irish in this thing. 

4. Stanford

Scout.com also lists Stanford as a focus school for Anzalone.

The Cardinal are no strangers to taking great high school two-way players and letting them play, well, two ways. They did it with Owen Marecic, and I can see Anzalone doing the same thing on The Farm.

Will distance play a role in Anzalone's decision? If so, it could be hard for Stanford to get the Keystone Stater to Northern California. 

3. USC

With the way USC is gobbling up elite prospects these days, it's no shock that Scout.com also has the Trojans as a real-deal suitor for Anzalone.

The Trojan coaches would need to get Anzalone in for a visit to seal the deal, though. Selling him and his family on the distance likely would require in-person, face-to-face convincing.

Yet, look for USC to continue working hard for Anzalone, who could potentially give the Trojans a third RB commitment for 2013 (should that be where USC likes him best). 

2. Penn State

Bill O'Brien definitely is trying to lock down in-state prospects, and he already saw Anzalone get away once. 

Luckily, according to Scout.com, Penn State is back in the race for Anzalone. Keeping him at home is the theme for the Nittany Lions, as seeing one of their state's best prospects leave would be a blow to recruiting and the roster.

O'Brien, Larry Johnson Sr. and the rest of Happy Valley will definitely hustle hard for Anzalone all the way until signing day. 

1. Florida

Now, Florida being listed at No. 1 doesn't mean it's the favorite, but I would really keep an eye on the Gators.

Scout.com lists them among the rest of the others, and I just think UF has a really good shot to land Anzalone. Will Muschamp is a defensive-minded head coach and has a good history of developing linebackers, should that be where he likes Anzalone. 

Watch out for Florida. 

What About Ohio State?

Scout.com says that Anzalone has stated "Ohio State is not out of the mix."

With Urban Meyer's legendary prowess as a recruiter and Luke Fickell surely working hard on Anzalone, it wouldn't be too overly shocking to see him re-commit to OSU.

However, with him looking around and the situation that occurred on his spring game visit likely scaring him a bit, I think it's more likely that Anzalone signs with one of the other five schools he's looking hard at. 

Edwin Weathersby has worked in scouting/player personnel departments for three professional football teams, including the New York Giants, Cleveland Browns and the Las Vegas Gladiators of the Arena League. He spent a year evaluating prep prospects and writing specific recruiting and scouting content articles for Student Sports Football (now ESPN Rise-HS).

A syndicated scout and writer, Weathersby has also contributed to WeAreSC.com, GatorBait.net and Diamonds in the Rough Inc., a college football and NFL draft magazine.