ESPN Midwest recruiting Blog

Posted by Bill Kurelic

Wide receiver Je'Ron Stokes (Philadelphia, Pa./Northeast) has made an official visits to two Big Ten school. He won't visit a third.

Stokes visited Illinois last weekend and Michigan the one before that. Before taking his trip to Illinois, Stokes said he would likely make an official visit to Penn State the weekend of Jan. 30, but he's had a change of heart.

"I'm not going to visit Penn State," Stokes said on Monday night. "In my heart I didn't feel like Penn State is the right place for me. I didn't want to waste their time and they were looking at other people."

With his official visits completed, Stokes' decision is down to Tennessee, Illinois, Michigan and Georgia.

"I'm going to announce on signing day," Stokes said. "I haven't made up my mind yet. It's a hard decision. They are four great Division I institutions with great people. I'm just thinking and praying so I can make the right decision."

Stokes committed to Tennessee last spring. After Lane Kiffin replaced Phil Fulmer, Stokes remained committed to the Vols though he opened the recruiting process back up enough to say he would take official visits to other schools.

Stokes continues to say he is committed to Tennessee at this point, pending his final decision and announcement on signing day.

Hall gets two big visits
Offensive lineman Marcus Hall (Cleveland/Glenville), the Midwest's top uncommitted prospect, is set to welcome in two visitors this week. Ohio State coach Jim Tressel will make an in-home visit with Hall on Wednesday while Miami coach Randy Shannon stops at Hall's home on Thursday.

Hall has said he will announce his college choice after those two visits. He is not certain exactly when he will make the announcement other than to say it will be sometime between Thursday night and national signing day on Feb. 4.

"I'm not sure right now exactly when I'm going to announce," Hall said. "But I won't wait past signing day,"

Wiley picks Miami of Ohio
Miami of Ohio has picked up a commitment from offensive lineman Evan Wiley (Toledo, Ohio/St. John's). Wiley committed to the RedHawks over scholarship offers from Toledo and Marshall.

"Miami's business program is in the Top 10 nationally," Wiley said. "With the addition of Coach (Mike) Haywood from Notre Dame, I think with all the things he brings to the table Miami will be restored to a MAC power and maybe a national power."

The 6-foot-6 and 285-pound Wiley, who played on the same St. John's offensive line this season with Ohio State commitment Jack Mewhort, is expected to play offensive tackle for the RedHawks.