On Aug. 11, Plantation standout quarterback/cornerback Brandon McGee will hold a press conference at the school, prior to the start of the summer practice, to announce what college he will attend. It's a trend that is happening all over the country.

With the media and recruiting fan websites following every step an athlete makes throughout the course of a season, the news on where that individual will go to school is more important than ever. Making that life-changing decision is something that takes time. Weeks before he names the school where he will play football and get an education the next four years, and McGee is sure what hat he will put on as the news media gathers at the school.

"I have a good feeling where I want to go," McGee said. "But the next few weeks, I will take a look at the programs I narrowed down my choices to and really hit the pros and cons."

Why, with all the talent that McGee has, would he want to announce so early? This is one of the top players in the country, and while I'm sure colleges are giving him an ultimatum on when he needs to at least them know, this 6-0, 180-pounder is doing what's best for him.

"I want to get the decision out of the way and concentrate on the season ahead," McGee said. "I know people may not consider this team as a program that can make a playoff spot in this tough region, but we will surprise a lot of people and I want to be mentally focused on thje season and not my college choice."

McGee will choose from between North Carolina, Ohio State, Tennessee, Miami, and FSU.

While McGee has announced his date, there are other BCAA athletes who will hold off, waiting for the right offer. As Miramar standout quarterback Eugene Smith is finding out, the decision will never be an easy one.

Perhaps the best quarterback to ever wear a uniform in Broward County, this season ahead will separate the 6-3, 180-pounder from some of the greats to play the sport. He has a chance this coming season to surpass 4,000 total yards! That's a number that would truly put him in a light by himself.

"This is not going to be easy," Smith said. "I have a feeling that it will come down to signing day. I want the school that I choose to be right for me as a student, a person and as a football player. I have watched too many athletes over the years choose a school for the wrong reasons.

While McGee has outside help from a mentor close to his family, Smith's decision will be all on him. While his mother and father will have some input along with head coach Damon Cogdell and his uncle, Antwan Sellers, Smith will choose the school pretty much on his own gut feeling.

"I have to live the four years with the decision," he said. "That's why the decision made will be on me."

LSU, Boston College, FSU, Oregon, Louisville and the University of South Florida are on his list of six schools that he will concentrate on.

Other area athletes who are still exploring their options include Deerfield Beach quarterback Denard Robinson (Florida, Louisville, Michigan, UCF and West Virginia), Ely cornernback Michael Carter (Florida, Georgia, Miami, Minnesota and West Virginia), Pompano linebacker Antwan Higgs (Louisville, LSU, Miami, Mississippi State, South Carolina, West Virginia and Wisconsin), Cypress Bay linebacker Shane Gordon (Florida International, Miami, Mississippi State, Pittsburgh, South Carolina, South Florida and Syracuse), Plantation safety Vlad Emilien (Colorado, Florida, Iowa State, Ohio State, Tennessee, Wake Forest and Wisconsin)  and South Broward offensive line standout Steven Jacques (Auburn, Florida State, South Carolina, South Florida and West Virginia).

Ricardo Dixon & Victor Marc

While many are still going over the choices in their heads, there are some who have already made up their mind – like Hallandale High's new newest imports, quarterback Victor Marc and defensive back Ricardo Dixon, two standouts from Miami's Dr. Michael Krop High. Both announced that they will attend the University of South Florida.

On a recent trip to Tampa, we talked to both players about the early decision, and they agreed that an opportunity to play at a school on the rise like USF was a dream come true.

"This is a tremendous opportunity for both of us," said Dixon. "You can bring up all those teams like Miami, FSU, Oklahoma and none of them reached the No. 2 spot in the country. USF was there and will be there again."

Other early commitments belong to St. Thomas receiver Duron Carter (Ohio St.) and punter Ben Turk (Notre Dame) and Piper running back Deshaun Sands (Kansas).

NEXT WEEK: what it’s like the week before the official start of summer practice. Some teams have learned to adjust to the shorter time between two-a-days and the start of class.

You can reach Larry Blustein via e-mail at FloridaKids1@hotmail.com. He can also be heard every Thursday night (9-10) on the Miami Dolphins High School Gridiron Report on WQAM (560 AM).