SPORTSCRACK

OMAR HUNTER LOOKING ELSEWHERE?
For those of you not familiar with Omar Hunter he is a 310 pound beast of a defensive tackle from Duluth, GA. Currently he is the 2nd rated defensive tackle in the country and is committed to Charlie Weis and Notre Dame. Yes, the same Notre Dame who is losing Trevor Laws to the NFL Draft and would seem to have an open spot for the heralded recruit to start right away. This is from today's AJC...

Hunter rethinking commitment to Irish

By BRIAN COSTA
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 12/19/07
Buford defensive tackle Omar Hunter is having second thoughts about his commitment to Notre Dame, his coach said Wednesday.

Coach Jess Simpson said Hunter has not withdrawn his commitment to the Irish - yet. But he is giving strong consideration to both Florida and Southern California - with Florida being the more likely alternative to Notre Dame, Simpson said.

"I think he wants to take the holidays and reconsider things," Simpson said, "and possibly take a visit to Florida and [USC]."

The Irish just completed their worst year in school history, finishing 3-9. That's not the kind of season Hunter is used to, having just led Buford (15-0) to the Class AA championship. But Simpson said Notre Dame's 2007 performance is not Hunter's main concern.

"I don't think it was so much the season they had," he said. "I think he's just starting to reconsider where he's going to school and how far away it is and the weather and the climate, and how easy it is for his family to come see him."

There has never been a shortage of interest in Hunter, who is rated the second-best high school defensive tackle in the country by Scout.com. The 6-foot-1, 311-pound senior committed to Notre Dame in June, but has apparently become less certain in recent months.

Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis tried to firm up Hunter's commitment last week with a personal visit to Buford. And later in the week, USC coach Pete Carroll also showed up, urging Hunter to take another trip out west.

Hunter, who could not be reached for comment, did not have any visits planned as of Wednesday. He visited Florida and USC before committing to the Irish, and has enough time to see both schools again if he wants before signing a letter of intent in February.

"It's a good problem to have," Simpson said.

So now it appears "King O" as his teammates and friends call him is looking elsewhere with a little over a month remaining till National Signing Day. In the past couple of months Hunter has made it clear that he is 100% committed to the Irish. Now it appears he is having second thoughts with two great coaches in Urban Meyer and Pete Carroll circling the Duluth recruit and smelling blood.

If Notre Dame loses out on Hunter it would be a big loss to the current #1 ranked recruiting class. Hunter is one of 5 defensive linemen expected to come in the current class and compete for immediate playing time. And yes, Hunter is by far the best of them and most dominating in my opinion. This should make for an interesting month to see where Hunter decides to play his college ball. My fingers are crossed he remains committed to Notre Dame and just takes a visit to Florida with his teammate T.J. Pridemore and views it as a free vacation and nothing more.

Yeah, I know, wishful thinking on my part.