'Confused' Oliver now is unsure after picking UT

Nyshier Oliver, who committed to Tennessee in June, has re-opened his recruitment and plans to visit other schools this fall.

The 5-foot-11, 185-pound athlete from St. Peter’s Prep in Jersey City, N.J., informed UT’s coaches last weekend, according to Oliver’s father, Theodore Oliver.

Oliver said his son still favors UT but wants to make sure it’s the right choice.

“It wasn’t a situation where he said he wasn’t going to Tennessee,” Theodore Oliver said Wednesday. “He still wants to participate and go to Tennessee. He wants to make sure it’s the right decision for him.”

Oliver said his son received little attention from other schools after he committed to the Vols.

That should change soon. Notre Dame already called to offer Nyshier Oliver a scholarship earlier this week.

Michigan, Boston College, Rutgers, Pittsburgh, West Virginia, Purdue and Illinois were a few schools to offer before he committed to UT.

Ohio State and Georgia had also shown interest.

Oliver has taken trips to UT twice.

Virginia and Rutgers are the only other schools he has visited.

Oliver’s father said his son’s early commitment left him confused with the recruiting process, which can happen to any prospect.

“A lot of people fail to realize they’re only teenagers,” Theodore Oliver said. “Sometimes they’re very indecisive. Certain players just need time.”

Oliver said he doesn’t expect his son to take too much time to make a final decision.

Theodore Oliver said his son will likely take a visit before his first high school game on Sept. 12 and then decide which schools he wants to see during the season.

Oliver will be making sure he finds the right fit.

“Could you live in a place for four years?” Theodore Oliver said. “It’s no other thing but that.”

Oliver said his son has become the closest with UT’s coaching staff among the schools he was considering. He’s being recruited by defensive backs coach Larry Slade.

That’s why Oliver wanted to be the one to tell Slade he needed to visit other schools.

“Do I think in my heart of hearts that he’s going to go to Tennessee?” Theodore Oliver said. “That’s what I believe. He just wants to make sure it’s the right decision.”

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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