Ray Drew: Top College Football Recruit Choosing Between SEC, ACC Powers

Ray Drew is the No. 3-ranked football player in the class of 2011 and has yet to decide where he'll play his college football next season.

With five schools reportedly still in the mix to land Drew, the news and updates surrounding his commitment are just beginning. The 6-foot-5, 253-pound defensive end is reportedly considering Georgia, Auburn, LSU, Clemson and Tennessee.

According to his ESPNU Recruiting Profile, Drew is an already talented defender with plenty of upside and room to grow. With the quickness and athleticism rarely seen on the defensive line, Drew is sure to make whichever program he lands at next fall immediately better on the defensive end.

Drew had reportedly been very interested in playing at Florida. But when the Gators’ defensive line coach Dan McCarney left for the head position at North Texas State, Drew began having second thoughts. When Florida’s Urban Meyer announced that he would step down, Drew was all but gone.

He told the Orlando Sentinel recently that it is, in fact, too late for Florida to get back in the “Ray Drew Sweepstakes.”

So, that leaves Georgia, LSU, Auburn, Clemson and Tennessee as the potential landing spots for the Thomas County Central (GA) stud.

Drew reportedly made his official visit to Athens Dec. 11 and 12. He has also already visited Auburn and LSU. Clemson and Tennessee are soon to follow.

Hailing from a recruiting hotbed, Drew could be just one of a handful of top-ranked recruits that opt to remain close to home and play at Georgia. Tight end Jay Rome is another.

But with LSU and Auburn coming off impressive regular seasons and heading into top-flight bowl games, Drew may see those SEC powerhouses as better options.

Wherever Drew ends up, you can bet that the next six weeks leading up to National Signing Day will be wild for him.