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A trio of visits allowed Gaithersburg (Md.) Quince Orchard safety Ryan Drakeford to get glimpses of the Big Ten, SEC and Big 12, and a host of trips are still on the docket during a busy final two months of the season. Maryland, Kentucky and West Virginia each hosted Drakeford for game day visits. Northwestern, Penn State, Stanford, Auburn, Ohio State, Georgia Tech, Oklahoma and Georgia remain on his schedule, and he is formulating a trimmed list as he goes to each program. "These visits have taken the relationships to another level," said Drakeford, who spent Saturday at West Virginia. "I'll definitely be narrowing down my list considerably after this tour of game day visits. I've been to most schools more than once, so I'll have a good idea of where my heart might be at the end of these game day visits." When on campus, Drakeford is taking in a lot and gaining a better understanding of programs from an overall standpoint and not just the football game. "It's been amazing to watch firsthand how much goes into game day," he said. "It really is an event, especially when one of the talk shows is on campus. The preparation and excitement are unbelievable. "I've also been impressed by how the coaches have made time to make sure my family and I are comfortable. They all have made time to talk; some have made time to have a talk over breakfast or lunch while others have made time for me to chat briefly with the head coach. It's amazing how they make you a priority right before a big game." The game, though, is the centerpiece of the visits. "I'm looking at the game atmosphere, the fan base, and how the coaches interact with the players before, during, and after the game," he said. "I've observed that some fan bases are insane and make the game fun to watch live." Drakeford is making sure his family remains engaged in the process as well because they will be helping with the decision. "My parents have been my anchor since day one," he said. "They have been rock-solid support and have provided a strong foundation. Then there are my coaches that support my academic growth and my development on the gridiron."