Tough decision ahead for Newsome

Now is where things really get difficult for Ryan Newsome.

After a weekend official visit to Texas, the standout wide receiver from Aledo has now taken all five of his official visits. With trips to Ole Miss, Tennessee, UCLA, Oklahoma and Texas now in the bag, it's almost time for Newsome to sort through his five finalists and begin working towards making a decision.

Almost.

Prior to narrowing his focus, Newsome and his Aledo teammates still have some business on the field to take care of. Aledo plays John Tyler this weekend in the semifinals of the Class 5A Division I playoffs. After his season concludes, possibly with a state title, Newsome will then begin to trim his list.

"I guess it's really depending on, if we go to state, that will determine a lot," Newsome said. " I'll probably narrow after these in-home home visits are over. If we do go to state, probably announce my top four after that's over."

Newsome, one of the most highly sought after receivers in the country, will have a busy week of coaches stopping by his house. Ole Miss is coming in on Monday. UCLA is expected to bring a large contingent of coaches on Wednesday. Either Oklahoma or Tennessee will be in on Thursday, and Texas is expected to make another in-home visit on Sunday.

Those visits will be key, Newsome said.

"I'm definitely blessed to be in the position I'm in, to have these schools recruiting me. That's why the in-home visits are so critical. I want to be able to pick the coaches' brains, be able to look you in the eye, see what you're all about," Newsome said. "All the schools I'm dealing with are legit people - that's why I've narrowed it down to these five. I could see myself playing for any of these coaches."

Traditionally, Newsome likes to step back from his official visits immediately after they're over to let the immediate excitement wear off. Doing that allows him to clear his head and give each visit a more honest assessment. Newsome plans to take a similar to approach when it comes time to make a decision.

"Probably after the new year when the dust settles, my head will be clear and everything will be out of the way, that's when I'll probably make my decision. I'm excited about that," Newsome said.

A 5-9, 175-pound playmaker at the slot receiver position, Newsome has been one of Texas' top recruiting targets since the day the current coaching staff arrived in Austin. He said several things stood out about his official visit last weekend, including the chance to watch a UT practice and Texas' ability to showcase the Longhorn Network (Newsome wants to major in communications).

"It was a really good visit. I had a great host, J-Gray (Jonathan Gray). I've been knowing him since I was a kid. Getting to be around him, spend some time with him was really cool," Newsome said. "The visit was great. Coach (Charlie) Strong, he sat down with me and my family, talked about a lot of stuff. He told me they want and need me at UT. I got to see practice too. That was cool to see.

"They were selling the Longhorn Network, how I'm pretty well set after college. That's what I want to do, and the Longhorn Network is directly affiliated with ESPN. I would have my foot in the door with a lot of important people. That's one thing I wanted to see, and they definitely showcased that to me over the weekend."

Texas hosted five other prospects on official last weekend, including top uncommitted linebackers Malik Jefferson and Darrin Kirkland Jr. Newsome spent quite a bit of time with both players.

"Malik is a smart guy. He's going to do what's best for him. So is Darrin. We're all similar. I think that's what helped us. We really clicked together. If it works out, it would be cool to play with each other. If not, we'll all do what's best for us.

Wherever he winds up, Newsome knows it will be a tough task settling on one school. All the schools on his list will draw strong consideration, and many of them have similar characteristics.

"The alumni support is really strong in all those schools. That's why it's kind of tough to decipher one from the other," Newsome said. "But that's the beauty of it. I have to pray about it, see where God takes me."