Plant's Charles sets back college decision

Plant wide receiver Orson Charles postponed his final official visit to Southern Cal, which he was scheduled to make this weekend, and will now make his college decision late this month, Plant coach Robert Weiner told the Times Sunday.

Charles will now make his visit to USC in two weekends, Feb. 20-22, and he said Sunday he plans to make his decision shortly after that final trip. 

Charles didn't make the visit because he was taking the ACT this weekend, Weiner said. Charles is also a member of Plant's basketball team and the Panthers open district tournament play this week, which is why he is not going next weekend. 

Charles, rated the nation's seventh best senior receiver prospect by Rivals.com, has narrowed his finalists down to Florida, Georgia, Tennessee and USC. He said Sunday that all four schools have told him they will still have their offers on the table. Last week, he eliminated Florida State from consideration.

Ranked the No. 62 overall prospect by Rivals.com, Charles is just one of two senior recruits in the Rivals.com top-100 who has yet to sign a letter of intent. He got a late start on making his visits because of Plant's state championship run and then playing in the U.S. Army All-American Game.

-- EDUARDO A. ENCINA

Comments

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This kid has not committed because he has not qualified with the NCAA. Why should USC waste all that money sending him out there when he is not even eligible to play college football at this point. I say give up basketball and work on your test scores other wise it doesn't matter what DI program wants you, you will be playing at a community college

[TrojanMike]

Orson, take that visit SoCal, it's worth the trip. Sounds like you're doing things the right way and will make the decision that's best for you. Good luck.

btw, "told the Times" ... about postponing a recruiting trip? What's with St. Pete and the Tribune these days? Uh, when did high school sports become the White House beat?