Status reports and regional updates on visits and commitments from players around the country:

Atlantic
There have been reports that one of the nation's top defensive linemen, Darnell Dockett (Paint Branch, Mary.) has already scheduled some of his official visits.

"That's not true," said Dockett, a 6-foot-5, 260-pound defensive end. "I'm going to wait a little while before I get into all that stuff. Right now, I'm just trying to play football and narrow my list a little more."

Two Florida schools - Florida State and Florida - Dockett says are the front-runners, followed by Michigan, Ohio State, Maryland, North Carolina and South Carolina. He received a call from Buckeye head coach John Cooper on Sept. 7.

It looks like Virginia and Virginia Tech will be fighting it out for one of the nation's top receivers, Andrae Harrison (Newport News, Va.). The 6-3, 182-pound Harrison says he is leaning to the Hokies over the Cavaliers due to their proximity to his hometown.

In previous interviews Harrison had mentioned the possibility of leaving the state for his college ball with schools like Notre Dame, Tennessee, Michigan State, North Carolina, North Carolina State and Kentucky also in pursuit.

"I don't want to rule anybody out just yet, but I admit I would probably be more comfortable closer to home," said Harrison.

Harrison plans on taking unofficial visits to Charlottesville and Blacksburg over the next month's time to learn more about the two schools.

East

Although there have already been over 191 commitments nationwide, there has only been one known official visit. It occurred when Horace Dodd (Hamden, Conn.) made a trip to Penn State for the Southern Miss game.

Dodd was originally scheduled to visit Notre Dame that weekend for the Irish's clash with Michigan. But Dodd learned on that Thursday that his plane ticket to Notre Dame was from Northwest Airlines, which was on strike at the time.

Dodd and his coach acted quickly to schedule the PSU visit. They also acted quickly on making a commitment as he made the choice to attend Penn State . Dodd was expected to visit Notre Dame later this year and had scheduled planned to see Michigan on the Dec. 4 weekend. But he now says that he will not visit any other school.

Two of the East's better prospects - Augie Hoffman (Montvale, N.J.) and LB Clifton Smith II (Freeport, N.Y.) -have scheduled a visit to Syracuse for Dec. 4. Hoffman's top three choices include the Orangeman plus Notre Dame and Michigan. Hoffman is a two-way lineman.

Smith, the best linebacker in the East, says Notre Dame and Virginia, as well as Syracuse, comprise his top three.

Midlands

Shaun Coleman (Aurora, Colo.) has scheduled his first official visit. The 6-4, 210-pound quarterback has scheduled a Dec. 11 trip to Nebraska.

"I might commit on my visit," said Coleman. "I still need to think it over a little bit, but there's no question that the 'Huskers are my favorites."

Notre Dame and Northwestern are also in the hunt. The Irish have yet to offer a scholarship.

Wide receiver Anthony Johnson (Tulsa, Okl.) is favoring Kansas State. Johnson is related to former K-State star Kevin Lockett and current Wildcat Aaron Lockett, both of whom attended Washington High School like Johnson.

Johnson caught eight passes for 109 yards in Washington's season opening win over defending state champion Jenks 28-27.

Defensive back Terrance Curry (Kirkwood, Mo.) has scheduled a visit Missouri for Dec. 4.

Curry went to the Kansas-Missouri game on Sept. 12 and came away impressed with the Tigers.

"It was a great win for them (Missouri). And the coaches were telling me how I could be a big part of their future. It was cool."

Kansas, Iowa, Iowa State and Illinois are also recruiting Curry, who reportedly runs a 4.3 40-yard dash.

Midwest

One of the region's top wide receivers has decided to forgo football in favor of basketball. Ben Johnson (Minneapolis, Minn.) committed to the Northwestern basketball program on Sept. 5. He had been offered a scholarship by Minnesota for football prior to his pledge to the Wildcats.

Towering defensive lineman Casey Shelton (Des Moines, Iowa) has scheduled an official visit to Arizona State for Sept. 25. Shelton stands 6-foot-8 and weighs 240 pounds.

He is also considering Iowa, Iowa State, Notre Dame and Kansas State, but has yet to schedule any other official visits.

The nation's top linebacker T.J. Duckett (Kalamazoo, Mich.) says his current top five choices include Michigan State, Michigan, Ohio State, UCLA and Florida State.

Lloyd Carr, Bob Toledo and John Cooper placed phone calls to Duckett the first day college coaches could resume contact with recruits on Sept. 1.

While the three Midwest schools have been in the hunt for some time, Toledo's call to Duckett seemed to impress the 6-2, 250-pound star. "He talked about how they're other things to do out there (in Westwood) besides football," said Duckett. "I had thought about that before, but maybe not as much as I should."

Duckett is the younger brother of Tico Duckett who starred at Michigan State in the early '90s.

Southeast

Two of South Florida's premier prospects are also two of the nation's best.

Vernon Carey (Miami, Fla.) is considered by many colleges to be the nation's top offensive lineman and certainly one of the biggest. Also considered one of the best in the country is Jason Geathers (Boca Raton, Fla.) who is playing running back this year, but has played several other positions in previous seasons.

Carey, who is 6-5, 330 pounds, says his top two college choices are Ohio State and Miami. Florida, Kentucky and West Virginia are also giving chase.

Carey has dropped 20 pounds since two-a-day workouts began in August.

Geathers has narrowed his list to eight schools - Miami, Florida, Florida State, LSU, Ole Miss, Tennessee, Ohio State and Michigan - and lists no favorite among the group.

While several head coaches called Geathers on Sept. 1, only two, Gerry DiNardo and Phil Fulmer, were able to reach him.

Gary Brashears (Clarksville, Ark,), who was close to making a decision just weeks ago, has decided to take at least three official visits before selecting a college.

The right-handed quarterback has scheduled visits to Arkansas for Sept. 25, to Kentucky for Nov. 13 and to Florida State for Nov. 20.

Tennessee, Washington, Michigan and Florida may also get an official visit from Brashears.

Southwest

Running back Maurice Harris (Aldine, Texas) says he is close to committing to Texas A&M.

"I'll probably do it (commit) in November," said Harris. Is any other school even a possibility?

"Maybe Missouri, but not too much. I really like Texas A&M."

Though more heralded teammate Reggie Duncan (Killeen, Texas), a running back, has been out of action the first two weeks of the season with a hamstring pull, that hasn't curbed recruiters' interest in Ellison High offensive lineman Greg Barnum.

Barnum received phone calls recently from Nebraska head coach Frank Solich and Kentucky head coach Hal Mumme.

Beside the Wildcats and 'Huskers, Tennessee, Arkansas, Miami, Kansas and LSU are also in the picture. The Jayhawks may have an advantage. Kansas has two Ellison players on its roster-running back David Winbush and lineman Jason Stevenson.

Baylor is the leader for Dralinn Burks (Teague, Texas). The 6-4, 266-pound defensive lineman also lists Texas Tech, TCU and New Mexico.

West

Offensive lineman Nick Johnson (Cottonwood, Ariz.) has scheduled a few official visits. Johnson intends on making an official visit to Ohio State for the Buckeyes' Nov. 21 contest with Michigan. He also plans to visit Washington on Dec. 4 and Arizona State on Dec. 11.

Though Johnson has scheduled three of his allotted five official visits, he says he his not dropping any school from consideration and does not have a top choice at this time.

Another prospect to schedule a few of his official visits is lineman Jeremey Williams (Spokane, Wash.). Williams expects to visits Washington on Dec. 4, Michigan on Dec. 11 and Arizona State on Jan. 15.

Williams also includes USC and Washington State among his top five choices.

Defensive back Ricky Manning has scheduled three visits. Manning has scheduled stops to Michigan for Dec. 4, USC for Dec. 11 and UCLA for Dec. 18.

Bobby Burton is editor of The National Recruiting Advisor. To subscribe, dial toll-free 1-888-TNRA-NOW or 888-867-2669 (seven issues for $59, plus regional newsletters for an additional $20 per region). For the latest on your favorite college, dial 1-900-933-7776. The cost is $1.59 per minute (must be 18 or have parents' permission).