4-Star Nate Craig-Myers Details Upcoming Recruiting Plans and Decision Timeline

With less than three months until national signing day, prospects such as 4-star Nate Craig-Myers can see the finish line approaching.

He’s tentatively planning to make a commitment early in January.

“I’ll make my decision hopefully on Jan. 9,” Craig-Myers told Bleacher Report. “I just want to find a home away from home where I can feel like I can come up [there] and have a life after football.”

According to GatorBait’s Luke Stampini, the nation’s No. 3 receiver and the No. 35 player overall in the 2016 class wants his announcement to be something the Tampa community can be involved with. 

In fact, giving back to his hometown is a big theme with Craig-Myers—who has been active in the Tampa area doing community service work through his affiliation with Unsigned Preps.

“I just really want to do something that gives back to the community and helps those that need it,” Craig-Myers said. “I just feel like our community has done so much for me in opening up their doors for me and helping make a lot of opportunities happen, so I just feel that is something that is only right to do. Giving back gives me a warm feeling in my heart.”

The recruiting process has been filled with ups and downs for Craig-Myers—who backed off an early pledge to Auburn earlier this year. While he’s enjoyed the perks of being a stud recruit, he admits he’s ready for it to come to a conclusion.

“Recruiting definitely puts yourself in check because a lot of guys want to be recruited, but they really don’t know what goes on,” he explained. “They only see the good things going on. A lot of it can get you stressed out. You have to keep up with a lot of coaches that are trying to call you. You just really have to keep remaining humble and really not let it get to your head and just take things one step at a time.”

His immediate focus is on helping Tampa Catholic High School make a deep playoff run. After his senior season concludes, he has a few programs he hopes to take visits to before making his decision.

“I don’t have my official visits set up yet,” Craig-Myers said. “[After this season], I just want to get out to a few schools and see what they have to offer. Notre Dame, Alabama, Miami and Ohio State are some of those schools.”

While in-state powers Florida and Florida State are noticeably absent on his tentative visit schedule, he’s visited both programs numerous times. He also plans to visit Gainesville at the end of the month when both Sunshine State powers square off in the Swamp.

“Being an in-state guy and in Florida, there’s nothing like being a hometown hero,” Craig-Myers said of the allure for playing for either the Gators or the ‘Noles. “It’s really about being comfortable around the coaches and the team. Just hearing different things about them, it makes me feel like I’m already at home.”

While he still has a lot to figure out in finding his next home, he did mention one key factor he will be searching for in helping him make his choice. 

“I want to find a place that fits me the best and feels like home away from home,” he said. “Just somewhere I feel comfortable on and off the field and somewhere I can compete for a chance to play right away.”

Sanjay Kirpalani is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. Unless otherwise noted, all quotes obtained firsthand and all recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports. 

Follow @SanjayKirpalani