After a good visit Saturday to Southern Miss, Warren Central defensive back Chico Hunter is all but committed to Jeff Bower’s program.

Hunter said Monday that he is likely to forgo a final visit to Tuskegee College.

&#8220I think Southern is going to be the place where I’ll go,” Hunter said. National Signing Day for high school and junior college football recruits is Feb. 1. &#8220My mind is nearly made up. I don’t think, right now, I will try that visit to Tuskegee.”

Hunter was the Vicksburg Post’s 2004 Defensive Player of the Year, making 108 tackles in leading the Vikings to a 10-2 record.

He missed all but two games of the 2005 season with a knee injury. The fact that the Golden Eagles kept in contact, despite the season-ending injury, said a lot to Hunter.

&#8220They stuck with me through my injury,” he said, adding that other factors also came into play. ”I like the type of defense they play. I also like the environment.”

Southern Miss is coming off its second straight 7-5 season, which included a win over Arkansas State in the New Orleans Bowl.

Hunter says his knee has healed and he has resumed running.

&#8220It’s healed pretty well. I’m going to try and run some 40’s this week,” he said.

Academically, Hunter still has some work to do but is close to meeting NCAA eligibility standards.

&#8220I’ve got a 16 on the ACT and my grades right now are at 2.3. I need a 17 and a 2.5. That’s what I’m working on this semester,” Hunter said.

Viking defensive end Desmond Carson visited Jackson State on Saturday. The 2005 All-Warren County pick says he wants to make one more visit this week, preferably to Grambling State.

Viking quarterback Ryan Williams said he has drawn interest from Copiah-Lincoln and Southwest Community Colleges.