Spurlock still searching for right fit

David Spurlock has finished the first round of his college visits.

Round two will begin this fall.

The offensive lineman from Riverdale High School in Murfreesboro took unofficial visits to Tennessee, Florida, Alabama and Vanderbilt this month.

The 6-foot-5, 290-pound Spurlock said visiting colleges and participating in their summer camps has helped him improve his skills.

"I think it’s nice," he said. "I learn a lot of stuff mostly around pass blocking because we run the wing-T and really don’t pass block that much (at Riverdale)."

Spurlock said he has scholarship offers from UT, Alabama, Ole Miss, Vanderbilt, North Carolina State, Louisville and MTSU.

He said he’s received strong interest from Florida, South Carolina, Penn State, Michigan and North Carolina.

Spurlock participated in UT’s senior camp June 16. He said he spent the majority of the time working and talking with UT’s coaches.

"It was nice," he said of the camp. "I learned a lot about footwork. It was mostly footwork and pass blocking."

Spurlock said he also used his time on UT’s campus to check out the facilities.

"They were nice," he said. "I liked the indoor facility a lot."

UT has placed an emphasis on recruiting offensive linemen in the 2008 signing class. The Vols signed only two (Darris Sawtelle and Cody Pope) in the 2007 class.

Spurlock said UT’s offensive line need will not be a factor in his decision.

Instead, he said he’s more concerned about the position he projects to play. Spurlock said UT is recruiting him to play center.

"I prefer guard, but I’ll play (center)," he said. "I just don’t want to really play tackle."

Spurlock said Alabama is the only school recruiting him to play guard. Every other school likes him at center.

Alabama looks to be in good standing with Spurlock. The Tide are recruiting him at his preferred position, and Spurlock said he’s developed a good relationship with offensive line coach Joe Pendry.

"They’re good people," Spurlock said of the Tide staff. "They like me a lot."

Spurlock said he doesn’t plan to take anymore unofficial visits this summer and will likely take official visits to UT, Alabama and Florida in the fall.

Spurlock hasn’t decided on his two other official visits, but he said he’s leaning toward Louisville for one.