TAMPA - Before the season began, Plant senior quarterback Robert Marve did not have a slew of attention from recruiters. That is how Alabama was able to strong arm him into a verbal commitment.

The Tide made Marve an offer over the summer, giving 24 hours to make a decision. At the time, it was the best offer Marve had, but the tide has definitely shifted in his favor.

Since coach Alabama coach Mike Shula was fired recently, Marve no longer is 100 percent committed to that school. It also does not help that Alabama has not hired a coach yet, which is causing the Tide to lose key players from this year’s recruiting class, which could include Marve.

“We’re not waiting around, per se, for Alabama. If anything, it’s an open situation and we’re actively talking to other schools,” Plant coach Robert Weiner said. “The longer it takes for them [Alabama] to name a coach, the more difficult of a situation it is for them.”

There is a long list of teams taking advantage of Alabama’s current difficultly.

Purdue visited Plant’s campus on Thursday, while Miami has turned up the heat on recruiting Marve recently. Other schools actively in the mix are Florida, USF, Mississippi State, UCLA, Illinois, Maryland and Hawaii.

Weiner said Florida State has shown interest, but the Seminoles only have seven scholarships to offer and are not sure if they want another quarterback. LSU wants Marve, but Jarrett Lee (Brenham High, Texas), another highly ranked quarterback, has verbally committed to the Tigers, while N.C. State has also shown some interest.

“The quarterback recruiting game is usually done pretty early. There may be people who love him, but there are only so many positions, and there is not much some schools can do,” Weiner said. “There might be 50 places that want him, but only half of those can sign him … Right now, I will field the calls and put the options in front of him. Some people are just talk, but we’ll figure out who has the most interest.”

USF has shown tremendous interest in Marve, who appears intrigued. Marve and Weiner attended USF’s practice on Wednesday. Weiner said the Bulls are definitely strong contenders, but Marve does not have any favorites right now.

“USF will always be in the mix,” Weiner said.

“When you finish 15-0, win a state championship, and the local media makes you into a hometown hero, there is always an allure to stay here and be around people you care for. In that regard, USF will be in the mix.”

“We will narrow it down to three or four schools over the holidays, and then Robert will take his visits. We really don’t know which school to attend because we’re starting over again. It just has to be a good situation for him.”