Nation's top pass catcher leaves New York

The No. 1 wide receiver in the nation according to Scout.com has decided to transfer schools and is now focusing on which schools to set-up official visits with. Four schools will receive visits, but that doesn’t mean he’s only considering four schools.

Staten Island (N.Y.) Moore Catholic wide receiver Vidal Hazelton (6-4, 200, 4.5) has decided to transfer to Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham, Virginia and play out his senior season.

“I’m going there for my senior year,” Hazelton said. “I have to get focused and used to being away from home; I feel this will do that for me.” Hazelton will report to Hargrave on August 11th for camp. The talented wide receiver will play his first game for Hargrave August 26th.

One the recruiting front Hazelton is primarily focused on six schools, Tennessee, Miami, Florida State, Florida, Virginia Tech, and Virginia. He has set an official visit date with the Seminoles, and is looking at dates with Tennessee, Miami, and Florida.

“I’m visiting Florida State, September 3rd for the Miami game,” Hazelton said. “I plan on trips to Tennessee, Miami, and Florida also.”

By no means does this mean Virginia or Virginia Tech are out of the equation.

“Virginia is in the mix, but I’ve been there like a 100 times,” Hazelton said. “I’ll be going to school in Virginia, so I can stop and see those two schools anytime.”

If things fall into place, Michigan could be a team that enters the race for Hazelton’s services as well.

“They offered me, but I haven’t seen any paper yet,’ Hazelton said. “I told them if I get the official offer I would come check them out, so we’ll see.”

So what makes Tennessee, Miami, Florida, and Florida State stand out enough to take visits to those respective schools?

Tennessee: “I like them, and I looked at the roster and they have a lot of wide receivers graduating. They have a good coaching staff; I really like Coach [Pat] Washington who is recruiting me. Tennessee has always put wide receivers in the league.”

Miami: “They have a small campus. They really need help at wide receiver. They always send guys to the NFL. I like how the staff is real forward with you.”

Florida State: “They have a great tradition of winning, but their weak at wide receiver. They signed Fred Rouse, but I like the competition. It’s a college town, which I like. They have a nice academic support program there and the coaches are nice there.”

Florida: “I love that offense, what wide receiver wouldn’t? I like Coach [Urban] Meyer and the staff at Florida. My boy Nyan Boateng goes there and the campus is beautiful.”

Hazelton is hopeful a decision will come during the season.

“I’m going to try and take the visits in September and October then I’m going to announce my decision soon after.”