Tennessee still has time to make up ground with Corey Liuget, but the Vols have plenty of catching up to do.

Liuget, a defensive end from Hialeah (Fla.) High School, said he is mainly considering Central Florida, South Florida, Miami, Ohio State, Illinois, Rutgers and LSU.

He said he hasn’t given UT the same consideration because the Vols started recruiting him later than the schools on his list.

“It kind of upset me when they came to me at the last minute,” Liuget said. “I like the program but they kind of came in too late. I’m still reconsidering the school because of the people.”

The main person at UT who has Liuget reconsidering the Vols is receivers coach Trooper Taylor.

“Coach Troop seems like a great guy,” Liuget said. “He told me if I were to come to Tennessee he’d treat me like I’m his own family. He seems like a good guy that I would want to play for.”

UT’s recent performances have also caused Liuget to take another look at the Vols. He said he was surprised when he saw UT beat Georgia 35-14 on Oct. 6.

“I saw Tennessee gave it to them,” the 6-foot-3, 260-pounder said. “I was real surprised because I didn’t see Tennessee beating them like that.”

Liuget has seen plenty of Central Florida and South Florida, two schools he said have recruited him the longest and hardest.

That persistence, which he said dates back to his sophomore season, has put Central Florida and South Florida at the top of his list.

“They’re honest with me,” Liuget said. “They just stay truthful with me. Their programs are coming up.”

It’s easy to see that South Florida’s program is on the rise. The Bulls (6-0) are ranked No. 2 in the initial Bowl Championship Series rankings.

Liuget said the credit for South Florida’s success goes to head coach Jim Leavitt.

“It speaks to everything he does and the way he is,” Liuget said. “It makes you proud and realize what he really is trying to do. South Florida would be a great place for me.”

Liuget said he will look strongly at Miami. The campus is about 20 minutes from Hialeah.

That close proximity could work against the Hurricanes as Liuget said it may be best for him to play away from home.

“It’d be a growing experience most of all,” he said. “I think it’s a big possibility I may leave home. My family kind of wants me to experience new things.”

Liuget said he hasn’t taken any official visits and has yet to schedule them. He said he plans to make his college decision in February.

Liuget said there will be one common factor when he decides to start choosing a school.

“It’s just the people,” he said. “If I like the people and the players, that’s the best school for me.”

© 2007, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.