Highly recruited Tampa Catholic offensive lineman Chaz Green, who had long been favoring UF, said Thursday that he's now wide open.

"I would say that UF, Tennessee and USC are all right at the same place right now," Green told the Times. 

Earlier this season, Green made an official visit to Ohio State to watch the Buckeyes game against USC. But it seems like his visit to Tennessee two weekends ago is what provoked a change of heart.

"When I went there over the spring there were a lot of questions," Green said of the Vols under first-year head coach Lane Kiffin. "But when I went there this time, you see everything they've done in such a short time. All they need is a couple of guys up front because you know they're going to have good running backs and they're always going to have a great defense under Monte Kiffin. I was really impressed with everything they've done in that little bit of time."

And it appears the Vols are making a mid-season press for Green. Monte Kiffin, Tennessee's defensive coordinator and former longtime Bucs assistant, made a visit to Tampa Catholic last Thursday, Green said.

Meanwhile, UT message-board rumblings now call Green a lock. But Green said he will take his time making a decision. He still plans on making an official visit to USC, but he said he will likely wait until the end of the season to head to the West Coast.

Rivals.com ranks Green as the fifth best offensive tackle prospect in the nation and the ninth overall prospect in Florida.

The Crusaders (4-0) travel to Sarasota Cardinal Mooney tomorrow.

- EDUARDO A. ENCINA, Times staff writer
eencina@sptimes.com