Two in front for Jesuit's Plasencia

Two-way Jesuit standout Johns Plasencia said Sunday night that two teams are currently ahead of the others in the pursuit to gain his commitment -- Northwestern and Vanderbilt. He visited the Wildcats two weekends ago, rating the trip an "8 or 9," and plans to make an official visit to Vandy sometime after the season. Plasencia also has plans to visit Duke. Northwestern and Vanderbilt have offered a scholarship; Duke, as of Sunday, had not. The 6-foot-5, 240-pounder, who is being recruited by some schools to play tight end and others to play defensive end, also is considering offers from Army, Air Force, Cincinnati, Louisville, N.C. State, Purdue, Syracuse and Tulane. Additionally, Plasencia, who carries a 4.12 GPA, is giving both Harvard and Penn a strong look. "It's a four-year commitment," Plasencia said. "Where I end up is going to stick with me for the rest of my life. It would be hard to turn down two of the best schools in the nation."

--KEITH NIEBUHR