Here are this week's conference-by-conference updates:

ACC
Two ACC schools are awaiting word from two national top 25 prospects -- running back Nick Maddox (Kannapolis, N.C.) and defensive back Mike Waddell (Rockingham, N.C.).

Maddox is considering Florida and Georgia, as well as the Seminoles and Tar Heels.

"It's not something I'm sure about just yet," said Maddox of his decision. "Each of the schools have something different to offer than the others."

FSU already beat out the Tar Heels in a head-to-head battle for the nation's top defensive end Darnell Dockett (Burtonsville, Mary.) who announced his decision on ESPN's telecast of the Hooter's Hula Bowl. But unlike Dockett, Maddox and Waddell are both from the state of North Carolina

If both were to decide to go to Tallahassee, Tar Heel fans would have lost two key prospects to the one team that they've been trying to catch for the past few years in the ACC.

Maddox is slated to make his official visit to Tallahassee this weekend.

Big East
Both Nathaniel Adibi (Hampton, Va.) and Keith Willis (Norfolk, Va.) have decided to remain in the state of Virginia for their college ball and play for Virginia Tech. Adibi selected the Hokies over North Carolina, Penn State and Virginia.

Willis picked Tech over Michigan, Virginia and Georgia.

As mentioned, Adibi and Willis, both from the talent-rich Tidewater area of the state, also considered Virginia.

The recruiting results in the Tidewater area often decide on who wins the recruiting battle between Virginia Tech and Virginia.

With the addition of Willis and Adibi, the Hokies have the upper-hand on the Cavaliers heading into recruiting's final days.

While Kordell Stewart will always be the first Pittsburgh player to be known as "Slash", Rod Rutherford may be the next.

Rutherford announced on Thursday that he would remain in the city where he was raised to play his college ball. Rutherford has been promised a chance to play quarterback at Pitt, but some other big-time schools, like Florida State, recruited Rutherford as an "athlete".

Big Ten
Wisconsin is still looking for a big tailback to eventually replace senior-to-be Ron Dayne. Among the candidates were Joe Weber (San Bernadino, Calif.) and Thomas Tapeh (Minneapolis, Minn.).

But while Weber and Tapeh have the size that Barry Alvarez seems to prefer in his running backs, the pair preferred other programs. Weber chose Texas A&M and Tapeh selected Minnesota.

Tapeh's commitment is a coup for the Golden Gophers. Minnesota not only beat out the Badgers for Tapeh, but other nationally rated programs like Michigan, Notre Dame and Nebraska also recruited the 6-2, 210-pound tailback, who is considered his home state's top college prospect.

When's the last time Minnesota beat all of those programs for a marquee player?

The answer is not known. But it's known that it hasn't happened in the '90s.

Big 12

In front of more than 100 people, linebacker Cory Redding (Houston, Tex.) announced last Thursday his intentions to play for Texas next season.

"I want to stay in the state. I'm a Texan and I want to stay in Texas," said Redding at his press conference.

Redding, considered one of the best players in the state as well as the country, hit upon a "stay in state" theme that Longhorn coach Mack Brown and Texas A&M coach R.C. Slocum have preached all year to high school prospects within the Lone Star State.

"I think they can look at a guy like Ja'Mar (Toombs) and see an example of a guy who can be recruited by every team in the country, the Florida States of the college football world," said Slocum during the '97 football season. "And they can see that Ja'Mar made a great decision by staying in state."

Nebraska isn't staying in state for the final days of recruiting. Instead Frank Solich and staff are working two prospects in Hawaii. Solich made home visits to linemen Sluaki Livai and Tunui Fonoti, both of Kahuku, Hawaii, earlier this week, and both have the Huskers as a finalist among their choices.

Hawaii has been good to Nebraska the past two years, signing at least one player in each campaign. This season, the Huskers already have a pledge from Tamotu Tagaoi Jr., a defensive lineman from Honolulu.

Pac-10
Don't look now, but Arizona may be having as good of a recruiting year as any team in the conference.

The Wildcats, not a usual contender for top honors in the conference's recruiting race, have been a hot team among recruits out West.

Two linebackers who recently committed are expected to have immediate impacts on the team. Lance Briggs (Elk Grove, Calif.) picked the Cats over Southern Cal and Nebraska. Briggs is so talented USC offered him the opportunity to play running back.

Joe Siofele (Honolulu, Hawaii) is considered his state's top prospect. If Siofele is anything like the two Hawaiians -- offensive guard Makoa Freitas (Kamehameha) and Keoni Fraser (Wailea) -- who the Cats signed last year, and who were mainstays all season on a 12-1 team, then Siofele should prove a valuable addition.

One star player who has ruled the Wildcats out is defensive back Atari Callen (Concord, Calif.). Even though Callen's brother Leon plays for Arizona, Atari has narrowed his choices to UCLA, Cal and Washington.

Callen and tight end Mike Seidman (Westlake, Calif.) are the two highest rated Californians who have yet to choose a school. Seidman is deciding between USC and UCLA.

SEC
Florida is on a roll.

In the last week, the Gators have pretty much secured a spot among the nation's top 10 classes with oral commitments from seven players. The two most noteworthy are both linebackers -- Matt Farrior (Ettrick, Va.) and Byron Hardmon (Jacksonville, Fla.).

Farrior is the brother of James Farrior who plays for the New York Jets and who played his college ball at Virginia. The Gators surprised many onlookers who felt Farrior would sign with either Ohio State or Virginia.

The Hardmon saga is not completely over. He says he will still take one more visit -- to Tennessee this upcoming weekend.

Like the Gators, Alabama has seen its fortunes rise.

Two of the top three players in the state of Alabama pledged to the Crimson Tide this week. Linebacker Saleem Rasheed (Birmingham, Ala.) and defensive lineman Kenny King Jr. (Daphne, Ala.) committed to the Tide.

Rasheed chose Alabama over Florida. King picked the Tide over Tennessee, Florida and Georgia.

Bobby Burton is editor-in-chief of The National Recruiting Advisor. To subscribe, dial toll-free 1-888-TNRA-NOW (seven issues for $59). 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).