Family First

"I really like the facilities at Arizona State and it's just a nice place in general," Jamal Womble said. "They had a great season and I didn't expect them to do as well as they did. They've got a good chance to go to a BCS bowl this year. Coach Dennis Erickson really turned things around there and I'm really looking forward to getting to talk with him and get to know him better during my trip."

Jamal Womble, the 5-foot-10.5, 215-pound three-star running back from Buena High School in Sierra Vista, Ariz., will be announcing his decision on Dec. 5 during a press conference at his high school.

"My dad is being deployed to Iraq on Dec. 8 and I really wanted him to see me make my decision," Womble said. "My parents both back me and support whatever decision I make."

Womble, Scout.com's No. 50 running back nationwide, has narrowed it down to three finalists: North Carolina, South Carolina and Arizona State. He takes his final visit to see the Sun Devils in action on Dec. 1.

"I really like the facilities at Arizona State and it's just a nice place in general," he said. "They had a great season and I didn't expect them to do as well as they did. They've got a good chance to go to a BCS bowl this year. Coach Dennis Erickson really turned things around there and I'm really looking forward to getting to talk with him and get to know him better during my trip."

Last weekend (Nov. 23) Womble visited South Carolina officially for their big Clemson rivalry game. "I loved the atmosphere at the game," he said. "That was easily the highlight of my trip and of all my trips. That was the most amazing atmosphere at a football game I've ever been at including NFL or college. It's hard to describe but the fans were great and they were in it from the very beginning to the very end.

"It was also really cool to sit down and have breakfast with the coaches and just get to talk to them," he said. "They said they really like how I can catch the ball too and they see me making catches for them as well as just taking it up the middle."

He visited North Carolina on Oct. 5. "Coach Butch Davis is great and I think they are on the rise," he said. "They'll be a great program in the future because coach Davis has a good reputation for making teams great. They are also bringing in some good recruits next year."

The Tar Heel coaches plan to visit Womble for an in-home visit next week.

Womble also visited Boston College on Sept. 7, but is no longer considering the Eagles. He also previously had Wisconsin, Nebraska and Louisville on his favorites list before narrowing it down to his current final three.

"The three I've narrowed it down to are the best fit for me and my family," he said. "With North Carolina and South Carolina I've got a lot of family in that area and ties to the south. And with Arizona State I've got my dad and when he gets back from Iraq he may have to stay in Arizona for a few more years - so if I went to Arizona State that would work out pretty well."

In late October when we spoke with Womble he said that North Carolina had a "slight lead", but he now says all three favorites are even.

"I'm making my announcement next week, so I don't want to name a leader or anything right now. But it's not like I've already made up my mind. After I get back from Arizona State, I'll have a few days to really talk everything through with my parents."

Womble finished his senior season (3-7) with 170 carries for 1,787 yards and 20 touchdowns. He also had one touchdown receiving and one kick return for a score.

He reports a 3.0 core GPA and a 1560 SAT (3 sections).