Eric Gordon faces a daunting task this summer.

There are at least 15 colleges that have offered the defensive back from Hillsboro High School in Nashville a scholarship. Gordon is considering them all.

“It’s a big list,” the 5-foot-10, 185-pounder said.

Along with Alabama, Colorado, Louisville, Oklahoma and others, Tennessee is on that list. That’s why Gordon traveled to Knoxville this week to check out the Vols.

“I got to meet all the coaches, a couple of the players and see the stadium,” Gordon said.

Being an in-state school gives UT some advantage. The Vols certainly won’t be forgotten.

“I didn’t want to overlook it,” Gordon said of UT. “I wanted to give them some attention.”

There was cause for concern when Gordon didn’t attend UT’s football camp last weekend. As one of the top prospects in the state, he was expected to attend.

“I had a lot going on,” Gordon said when asked why he didn’t attend UT’s camp.

Gordon said he intends to take another trip – probably an official visit this fall - to UT. That, however, doesn’t lock up UT as Gordon’s leader, especially with Alabama in the mix. Gordon said he’ll take other official visits as well and make his decision sometime late in his senior season or after it altogether.

Perhaps Gordon should take in a Lady Vols basketball game upon his return. Gordon is the second UT prospect (along with Florida tailback Jarvis Giles) who commented on meeting with coach Pat Summit during his visit.

“It was great,” Gordon said.

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.