Deaysean Rippy has a wide open recruiting list, but he'd like to make a decision soon.

The 2012 Sto-Rox (McKees Rocks, Pa.) linebacker discussed the recruiting process, who he's leaning on for advice, and what he's looking for during the decision making process in a

live chat with Rivals.com on Thursday.

You can click that link for a full replay of the chat, but here are some highlights.

Rippy's recruiting is wide open, although he's begun the process of cutting his list down to a top five or ten.

"I will in about a week and a half or two weeks," Rippy said. "I'd like to make a decision sometime soon. I plan on graduating in December."

With the early graduation planned, Rippy's hopeful he'll be able to land on a college campus in January, impress in spring ball, and get a chance to crack the depth chart.

"I think graduating early will benefit me," Rippy said. "Whatever team takes me I'd have a chance to start or be a second-teamer or backup."

That team very well might be Florida, who Rippy likes quit a bit and very nearly got a commitment from.

"That's what my heart was set on until something occurred," Rippy said of being a Gator. "I wanted to commit but they weren't ready to accept my commitment. Now I'm looking around."

And if Florida were to call immediately and say they'd accept his commitment?

"I would have to think hard about that," Rippy said. "It's a possibility."

The SEC seems to be a selling point for Rippy, saying he likes Tennessee but would have to visit before truly evaluating the Vols, that Trooper Taylor of Auburn is one of the most down-to-earth coaches he's met, and that Alabama's tradition is impressive.

As for the hometown Pitt Panthers, Rippy said he's been in touch with the staff, but that, "I'll have to see how they do this season. I have a cousin who plays for them. We talk about it. But I want to see how they perform."

When the decision finally comes down, Rippy said he'll continue to lean on his various family members who have been through the process - brother Doug Rippy plays at Colorado - as well as friends like Steelers safety Ryan Mundy and former Sto-Rox players Adam DiMichele and Alex DiMichele to make the best decision.

For the full chat replay, check out the live chat with Rivals.com here.

PaPreps publisher Andrew Chiappazzi can be reached at achiappazzi@yahoo.com