ESPN Midwest recruiting Blog

Posted by Bill Kurelic

A week ago athlete Kevin Newsome (Chatham, Va./Hargrave Military Academy) had narrowed his college choices down to five schools, Boston College, Virginia Tech, Ohio State, Penn State and Vanderbilt. Things have changed slightly as Newsome has now reduced his list by one.

"It came down to making some choices and I decided Vanderbilt wasn't going to be one of them," Newsome said. "It's down to four schools now."

The 6-foot-3 and 217-pound Newsome has made one official visit to date. He visited Boston College the first weekend in September. Newsome previously said there was a good chance he would make an official visit to Ohio State the weekend of Nov. 22 when the Buckeyes host Michigan.

"I'm going to take that visit," Newsome said on Sunday night. "I'm leaving on Friday and I'll be back on Sunday."

Newsome has an official visit scheduled to Penn State the weekend of Dec. 5. He will also make an official visit to Virginia Tech.

"I'll visit Virginia Tech sometime after Penn State," Newsome said. "That's when I want it to be."

Newsome is the No. 147 prospect on the ESPNU 150.

Three make official visits to Illinois

Linebacker Sam Barrington (Jacksonville, Fla./Terry Porter) was one of three prospects to make an official visit to Illinois over the weekend. The 6-foot-3 and 225-pound Barrington did not commit, but he did come away impressed with his trip north.

"I liked it a lot," Barrington said. "I could honestly see myself going to Illinois. There is a great opportunity there. They have a lot of great young players. They are just lacking some senior leadership. The atmosphere was great. It was just a great visit."

Barrington made an official visit to Purdue the last weekend in October. He plans to visit South Florida Dec. 5, Clemson Jan. 9 and Florida Jan. 16. Barrington has scholarship offers from all but the Gators. He plans to take all five official visits before selecting a college.

"That is exactly what I'm going to do," Barrington said. "I don't have a favorite at all."

Also making official visits to Illinois over the weekend were defensive end Michael Buchanan (Homewood, Ill./Flossmoor) and offensive lineman Andrew Carter (Tallahassee, Fla./Leon).

Carter committed to the Fighting Illini in July. Buchanan is highly considering Illinois, but has yet to make a commitment. Purdue, Minnesota and Vanderbilt are among Buchanan's other scholarship offers.

Linebacker Hawatha Bell had scheduled an official visit to Illinois for this past weekend, but did not make the trip due to illness. He plans to reschedule the visit.

Campbell makes first official visit
Defensive lineman William Campbell (Detroit/Cass Tech) made his first official visit over the weekend. Campbell visited Alabama and was on hand as the Crimson Tide defeated Mississippi State.

The 6-foot-5 and 315-pound Campbell came away impressed with his visit to Alabama, but as expected, did not make a commitment. Campbell, who was a Michigan commitment at one time, has said he will make official visits to Alabama, LSU, USC, Miami and Michigan before selecting a college.

Campbell felt he had made his decision too quickly when he first selected the Wolverines, and wants to go through the recruiting process and make all five official visits before making a commitment this time.