Five-Star Challenge Insider: Top LB still has FSU on his mind

Rivals250 linebacker Dax Hollifield of Shelby, N.C., has certainly kept himself busy this spring and summer with visits to North Carolina, Virginia Tech and Florida State. He also had an eventful trip to the Five-Star Challenge, arriving in Indianapolis at about 1:30 a.m.

Despite the late arrival time, Hollifield came ready to compete and drew solid reviews from the Rivals analysts in attendance. He also gave Warchant an update on where he stands with the recruiting process and why his unofficial visit to Tallahassee has the Seminoles among his leaders.

"I love Florida State," Hollifield said. "Love Coach [Bill] Miller, and I see an open spot at linebacker. I was surprised at the depth there at linebacker. They need linebackers. The visit itself blew me away. I didn't know the campus was that amazing."

Hollifield, who is rated by Rivals as the nation's No. 5 inside linebacker, said he is equally intrigued by the Seminoles' defensive system.

"They run the 4-3, which is what we run, so that's perfect for me," he said. "I'm the middle of the defense, and when you watch their 'backers, they use them in a similar way to do what I do. So I like the fit a lot. Coach Miller was quite detailed on that in film in what I would do in that system."

Hollifield also came away impressed with Miller as a coach and person.

"He's a hard-working guy," Hollifield said. "He's coached some really good dudes. He's coached Ray Lewis and a lot of other players. He has a lot of experience in coaching. Not to mention you see how hard-working he is, and he knows the linebacker position so well. ...

"Coach Miller told me they want some physical guys that will knock your head off. And I I love to hit people, so I liked that."

As much as he enjoyed his spring trip to Florida State's campus, Hollifield said he now is looking forward to visiting for a game weekend.

"I know I'll be there in attendance for the FSU-Alabama game [in Atlanta], so I can't wait for that," he said. "And I plan on visiting pretty soon this summer -- hopefully in July, because I'm busy with summer basketball all the month of June. I've also set my first official visit to FSU. It will be for the Miami game. I can't wait because I've never been to a game there."

So, where do the Seminoles stand in his recruitment?

"They are really high up there. Especially after that visit," Hollifield said. "I feel like I'm one of the top linebackers on the board and feel I would have a really good chance at winning a title there at FSU if I went there."

The hard-hitting linebacker said he's also very interested in Virginia Tech, as well as North Carolina, South Carolina, Stanford and Notre Dame. He has not decided which other official visits he will take just yet.