Gator Country

Once committed to North Carolina State, Chris Culliver of Garner (NC) has decided to re-open the recruiting doors. He's one of the most highly sought after defensive backs in the south and now that he's backed off of that commitment to NC State, he's taking his time checking out new schools including the University of Florida.

Culliver is one guy that can do it all as a defensive back. He has the size at 6-1 and 190 pounds to go with 4.38 speed timed at a Scout.com combine in Durham earlier this year. He has the agility as shown by his pro shuttle of 4.25 seconds. He also did a standing broad jump of 9-11, showing the same explosion in his legs that he uses to strike fear in ball carriers when he hits them.

Even though he backed off the commitment to NC State, he bears no ill will. He simply felt a need to see if some of the nation’s big time programs were interested in him.

“Yeah I am open to whomever right now,” Culliver said. “I just decommitted. I don’t want to be committed to a school. There was nothing bad between me and North Carolina State. It’s just a commitment doesn’t mean anything to me. I could commit anywhere and go anywhere else.”

Right now it certainly seems wide open.

“I don’t have a top list of schools,” he said.

One school that will get a visit later is the University of Florida. Culliver spent a great portion of his life living in the panhandle of Florida. He recently visited family there. The Gators have more than a few connections with the electrifying defensive back.

“I am very interested in Florida,” he said. “Doc Holliday knows my coach real well. He trained Coach Corey Lyons at NC State. Coach Lyons is the linebacker coach on our team.”

Corey Lyons played linebacker at North Carolina State just a few years ago when Florida safety coach Doc Holliday was the associate head coach at the Raleigh school. That Lyons-Holliday connection must be working because Culliver and Florida seem to be connecting.

“Coach Holliday likes my competitiveness,” Culliver said. “When I am on the field I know nobody can beat me, no way no how. Some schools are recruiting me as a cornerback or a safety. I’d rather play safety, but it doesn’t really matter to me. If it will help the team, I will play corner.”

He plans a busy fall with four official visits. Culliver looks to make a final decision before the New Year rolls around. “I will take probably four visits,’ he said. “I will visit Florida, Clemson, Virginia Tech, and probably one more school. I think I will make my final decision in November or December.”

Chris Culliver plans on letting the recruiting come to him now as he prepares for the season. With some big time programs knocking on the door and certainly more ready to chime in, it may be hard for him to stay focused. He is determined to do so and that is yet another thing these big time programs are looking for.

More Football Recruiting | RSS