[LeeCoUKFan]

Nelson researching a host of suitors, including UK

Justin Rowland
Special to CatsIllustrated.com

Since backing out of his verbal pledge to Virginia last month three-star defensive tackle Chris Nelson has been trying to research some of the other schools that had been recruiting him.

Virginia hasn't completely thrown in the towel as assistant coach Vincent Brown wrote a note to Nelson just the other day.

But it's clear the 6-foot-3, 280-pound lineman from Lakeland (Fla.) Victory Christian Academy is interested in exploring other options. Many college assistants stopped by during the spring, including Kentucky's own Chad Scott.

"We've been talking the whole recruiting process," Nelson said. "We've built a good relationship. I should be taking a visit up there probably in late June.

"(Scott) said right now Kentucky's a building school but as far as academics and getting people to the league it's a great school to go to. He said he wants me to take a visit so they can show me what they've got to offer."

Nelson said his interest in UK is "pretty medium" at the moment, but that's what his interest is in all of the schools recruiting him.

There were plenty of rumors that Louisville was weighing heavily on Nelson's mind when he de-committed from Virginia. He's likely to visit Louisville on the same trip up to Kentucky.

"I'm still talking to Louisville. I'm talking to coach Charlie Strong and coach Brian Jean-Mary too. I just like their personalities. Coach Strong tells me to call him anytime I want to. We have a real strong relationship."

Besides the Cats and Cards, Nelson said South Florida, Central Florida, Pitt and Iowa are probably recruiting him the hardest. He is also hearing from Miami and Alabama to a lesser degree.

http://kentucky.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1510037