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Story URL: http://recruiting.scout.com/2/265452.html

Allen Wallace
SuperPrep.com
Jun 8, 2004

"It's hard to find a natural center," said Mississippi OC Josh McNeil. "Top recruits almost never play center in high school. I'm a natural center; (center) will give me more of an opportunity to play sooner (than guard would). I want to go wherever I can play first."



Collins (Ms) OC Josh McNeil (6-4, 275, 5.0) appears to be the proverbial complete package: strength (BPs 375, SQs 500, PCs 285), technique (a starter since ninth grade, Josh has yet to allow a sack during his prep career), performance (116 pancakes last year alone), and pedigree (older brother Chris McNeil figures to be the starting C for Mississippi St next year).

He says he's got 15 offers on the table and favors:

1) Florida (very slight lead): "I'm going there next week for an unofficial visit. I talked to coach (Ron) Zook and their offensive line coach (Joe Wickline) on the phone, and they're both fiery guys. They expect to win the national championship this year."

2) LSU: "They're the national champions right now. Coach Saban is a real straightforward guy. I went to their spring game and got to meet some of the players. It was very nice."

3) Georgia: "I'm going there for an unofficial visit in July. Coach (Mark) Richt called me in May and told me they wanted me to come down in July and get a feel for the program.

4) Mississippi State: "My brother really likes it there. He told me to look at the depth charts of the schools that are recruiting me and see where I'll have the best chance to play early on."

Even though schools talk to Josh about playing OG, he prefers center. "It's hard to find a natural center," said McNeil. "Top recruits almost never play center in high school. I'm a natural center; (center) will give me more of an opportunity to play sooner (than guard would). I want to go wherever I can play first."

Josh says he also has offers from Tennessee, Nebraska, Oklahoma State, Ole Miss, Southern Mississippi, Clemson, Vanderbilt, Alabama, Auburn, Marshall and West Virginia. No camps.

3.5/20 ACT


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