Mack Sutter has cut his college football choices to 12.

The four-star Dunlap junior tight end put out a graphic on social media earlier this week titled, "Where's home?" to announce his dozen finalists: Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio State, Ole Miss, Penn State and Tennessee.

Since January, the 6-foot-6, 225-pounder has picked up 33 scholarship offers from the Big Ten, SEC, ACC and Big 12 conferences. In 2024, Sutter moves from quarterback to tight end, while continuing to play linebacker.

Inside the process: Q&A with Dunlap's Mack Sutter, one of the nation's top college football recruits

"It kind of was at the beginning of the summer, I was like, 'How am I going to narrow it down?'," Sutter said when asked if making his list was a difficult decision, "but then kind of closer to the end of the summer after I visited some schools again and saw the ones I liked.

"I kind of felt pretty good with my decision, and liked what I have to choose from right now."

As of now, Sutter expects to make his final choice following the football season and before the end of the year.

"This season I'll be going to see some gameday visits," Sutter said, "and then after those game days that's right when the (high school football) season ends. That's when I'll really get down to deciding where I'll take my official visits, then make my decision like late winter (of this year)."

Here is a breakdown of each of Sutter's finalists, with his thoughts on each. Schools are listed in alphabetical order.

Alabama

• What he said: "Big-time football, so it's kind of hard to pass ... and also what they're doing with the tight end position. They got a new coach (Kalen DeBoer) there from Washington, so they're going to use their tight ends more this year, so that'll be cool to see. They got a lot of good guys to go against the freshmen as well. You're always going against the best talent."

Auburn

• What he said: "I love the SEC schools. They use the tight ends a lot, so that's what I like. But I was really surprised with the school life. It just looks like I would fit there to go to school. That's kind of a reason why I choose it. I kind of see myself outside of football being there."

Georgia

• What he said: "I really like Georgia because their tight end coach, coach (Todd) Hartley. He's really a down-to-earth person. ... He'll also compliment you when you do good. ... Kind of just like Alabama, too, you're going against the best guys every practice, so if you go there, you'll only get better."

Illinois

• What he said: "They're still up there ... went there for a practice a few days ago. It was a great time. I love how they treat me. It's like family when I go there and love how it's close to home and just how it feels there."

Iowa

• What he said: "Iowa was kind of the first place I started visiting. ... They were kind of big on me first. 'Tight End U,' they're known as."

Michigan

• What he said: "Defending champions. They're the top guys in all college football. ... They use a ton of tight ends. They have almost 10 (tight ends) in the room. ... On all the tight end lists, 12-personnel, 11-personnel, they are always the top guys, so that's always a good sign to see."

Missouri

• What he said: "Mizzou was really cool ... It's a SEC school that's closer to home. That's kind of why I went there. They produce at the tight end position as well. They have a freshman all-American tight end (Brett Norfleet), so that's always good to hear."

Nebraska

• What he said: "That was my first offer, so kind of the first ever school to believe in me. So that's kind of why I have them in there because I know they that really do believe in me and see my potential. ... Really enjoyed my time down there, as well."

Ohio State

• What he said: "My mom's side is from Ohio, so it's not to pass them up, as well. Big-time program right by all my family. I grew up going to Ohio. Big Ohio fan. My dad also played for the Browns. ... Coach Keenan (Bailey) — the tight end coach — was a wide receivers coach. ... If I go there, my route run will develop. I'll be a really good route runner."

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Ole Miss

• What he said: "Ole Miss — I like a lot too. I know I'm saying I like all of them, but I mean, it's pretty hard because they're all amazing schools and stuff. I actually went to go visit and didn't think I would like it ... and ever since my first visit, I loved it. I was really surprised but everything there is like family. Big-time SEC ball. Lane Kiffin, what he's doing there is sweet as well. Then I visited again, the feeling didn't change."

Penn State

• What he said: "I like a lot because of their following, so they've always kind of been on my list. When I was younger, I kind of always liked them. I really like Penn State because of the Whiteout Game, all their traditions, there's a big following. But then also with the tight end position, they put some guys in the (NFL) like Theo Johnson and some other guys coming up."

Tennessee

• What he said: "They're probably out of the mix right now. They just had a guy commit — a (class of 2026) tight end commit — so they'll probably be out unless something happens. So right now, they're probably out."

Adam Duvall is a Journal Star sports reporter. Email him at aduvall@pjstar.com. Follow him on Twitter @AdamDuvall.

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