Elite DL LJ McCray says there isn't a bad decision in his top 5

Daytona Beach (Fla.) Mainland four-star defensive lineman LJ McCray is getting closer to a college decision, one he plans to make by the end of October.

Auburn, Georgia, Florida, Florida State and Miami are the remaining contenders in his recruitment after he narrowed down to a top five. He has taken official visits with each program, except for Florida State, which he’ll visit the first weekend in October.

“All of these schools have been consistently doing a great job throughout this whole long process, especially the schools that offered me pretty early,” he told On3’s Josh Newberg. “I have great relationships with all the coaching staffs, and I don’t feel like I have a bad decision in my top five, honestly.”

McCray added that he doesn’t think any other schools will break into that top five between now and his decision date. While other top recruits have chosen to make their commitment prior to this season, McCray says he is happy with his decision to wait.

“The decision really didn’t hit me yet, but I’m kind of glad I did wait this long so to see how the teams pan out this season,” he said. “And just how the coaches are developing. Almost every school in my top five, there’s a lot of young guys. So I get to see those guys on TV, see how they’re really developing and if what the coaches are telling me is really real.”

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McCray has strong relationships with each coaching staff

Over the course of his recruitment, McCray has connected most with each of the coaching staffs in his top five more than any other school. He doesn’t have a specific coach that stands out, but it will ultimately be a big part of his decision.

“I talk to all of the head coaches pretty evenly, almost the same amount,” he said. “I talk to Coach Billy Napier and Coach Cristobal a lot, they’re probably the two I talk to the most. But I talk to all of them often.”

At Auburn, he and Coach Jeremy Garrett have connected, and he also likes the early opportunities available on The Plains.

“I have a great relationship with Coach Garrett at Auburn, and Keldric Faulk is freshman D-lineman there who is doing pretty good,” McCray said. “I have great relationships with Auburn, and it’s really like a family atmosphere.”

Florida and Florida State have been mainstays in his recruitment, but Miami is looking to make a move as well. And they helped themselves on his official visit in June.

“Florida, I’ve been there plenty of times but Miami, that was my second time going there,” he said. “And I really enjoyed it honestly, getting to hang out with the players. The first time I went, it was kind of just the coaching staff. But I really enjoyed myself.”

Decision hasn’t been made

The lone remaining official visit on tap is with the Seminoles, and he feels like it will give him a better chance to see the program up close and see the development of young players.

“Everywhere I took an OV, I’d been there before for an unofficial visit, so it’s just about getting up there a second time and seeing if the energy was the same as the first time,” he said. “I liked getting to hang around the coaches and players.”

Georgia continues to be a factor as well.

“Back-to-back national champions, there’s not much to not like about Georgia,” he added. “Especially with what Coach Scott has going on right there with defensive linemen. Who doesn’t want to be coached by the best right now?”

And as of now, McCray said he is truly still considering each school and could see himself at any of the five.

“Every day is a different school,” he said. “When I genuinely say I don’t have a bad school in my top five, I really love all of those schools.”