Chad Bumphis, the 5-foot-10, 193-pound three-star wide receiver from Tupelo, Miss., has 15 scholarship offers but and says three SEC programs continue to solidly stand out - LSU, Florida and Mississippi State.
"I love the SEC," Bumphis said. "It's my favorite conference and I'd love to go play for a big-time SEC school."
"I love the type of offense that LSU runs," he said. "I think I'd fit in well there and like how they really spread the ball around and put the ball in the air.
"LSU always has great athletes and it's a very competitive school, so you know you're going to get better while you're there."
Bumphis, ranked as the No. 54 wide receiver in the country by Scout.com, plans on attending the LSU seven-on-seven camp and the Florida Friday Night Lights camps.
"I love how Florida gets the ball into their receivers' hands," Bumphis said. "I love how they used Percy Harvin and they said they see using me the same way. They said they'd set up a lot of quick screens and stuff for me."
Mississippi State is only one hour from his home, but Bumphis insists that's not a factor. "I don't care if I'm close to home or not," he said. "I really like coach Sylvester Croom. He's real cool and the type of coach that will take care of you and isn't just about football. You can go to him about anything.
"I was really impressed how well they did last season and I think they will be getting even better," Bumphis said.
Trailing the Tigers, Gators and Bulldogs are Alabama, Michigan and Ole Miss. All of his favorites have offered as well as Kentucky, Texas Tech, Auburn, Tennessee and others.
Bumphis says the school that is recruiting him the hardest is Alabama. "I talk to their coaches a lot and they send a ton of stuff all the time," he said. "They said I got a real good chance to play early there. I guess they signed like four receivers this year, but two of them might be playing baseball instead. If that happens they'll need more receivers."
The lone non-SEC school in Bumphis' top six is Michigan. "I love the tradition there," he said. "I like coach Rich Rodriguez a lot and think he's really going to help them out a lot. He plans on passing the ball a lot more and I'm excited to go there and see what it's like."
Growing up, Bumphis says he never followed a specific school and that he was into basketball more as a youngster. His parents don't have a preference either.
"I want a program that passes the ball and where I'll be able to get in and play early," he said. "I'm not too worried about making my decision early. I'll just do it whenever I'm comfortable."
Bumphis says he can bench press 280-pounds and squat 465. He also has a 34-inch vertical leap and runs a 4.4 forty.
"I have great speed, hands and body control," Bumphis said. "I like getting the ball in space and making people miss. I'm very quick on my feet and have great agility, but I still want to improve my route running and get better separation from the defenders. I also want to get stronger."
He reports a 2.5 core GPA and an 18 ACT, which he plans to retake in the fall.