4-star OT Isaiah Prince to make SEC rounds, says he's 'lost count' of trips to Maryland

Choosing where to go to college is never an easy process. It can take years to figure out the perfect match and pick a school where a student will succeed and be happy. For Eleanor Roosevelt offensive tackle Isaiah Prince, the search for the right place to learn and play football at the college level is just beginning.

Prince, the ninth-best offensive tackle in the nation and the best prospect in Maryland according to the 247composite, has received offers to play at 21 universities. Out of those schools, he has shown the most interest in Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Maryland, Ohio State and Tennessee, according to 247sports.

College coaches have been calling Prince to offer scholarships since he stepped foot on the field at Eleanor Roosevelt but still with one season left in high school, he feels no rush to make a decision.

"Whichever school fits best and whenever I'm ready to make a decision then I will," Prince said. "I don't really have a timetable."

Prince has only visited Maryland and Ohio State thus far, but plans to travel south to visit Alabama, Auburn and Florida from July 23-26. He says he has enjoyed his visits to College Park and Columbus and saw similarities between the two programs and different opportunities at each location.

"Ohio State has a much different campus than Maryland but I think they both have really great coaching staffs and have done a great job with recruiting," Prince said.

Playing just down the road from College Park in Greenbelt, Prince says it's "hard to count" how many visits he has made to University of Maryland because of how frequently he is there. He has maintained steady contact with offensive coordinator Mike Locksley since receiving an offer from him after his sophomore season at Eleanor Roosevelt.

Prince said Locksley and head coach Randy Edsall presented him with a chance to start at left tackle right off the bat for the Terrapins during his unofficial visit on June 28. He said has not yet talked to any other coaches about what his role would be, possibly giving Maryland an early edge in signing him.

"[Locksley and Edsall said] I would probably be the starting left tackle," Prince said. "Hopefully I would start all four years, help protect the quarterback and help [the Terps] play for the Big Ten Championship."

Prince broke his ankle early on in his junior season, limiting him to just three games. The injury has not slowed down the influx of interest from Division-I football programs however, as Prince has amassed eight offers in 2014 alone.

Prince also stressed the importance of academics on his decision but says the difference in quality of education from each school he received an offer from is small, making his decision more difficult.

"Out of all the schools that offered, I think they all have great academic programs," Prince said. "It really doesn't matter which one I go to. I'm just trying to find which schools fits [me] best."