Editor's note: This article uses excerpts from a longer story about the schools recruiting Dunlap football player Mack Sutter.

Mack Sutter has publicly cut his college football choices to 12.

The tight end from Dunlap High School announced his dozen finalists earlier this month: Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio State, Ole Miss, Penn State and Tennessee.

Here's what the four-star prospect had to say about Missouri, Iowa and Illinois.

Iowa football identified Mack Sutter early

• 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."

Previous tight end success has helped 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."

Illinois football benefits from proximity

• 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."

For more on how Sutter views other schools, including Alabama, Auburn and Ole Miss, click here.

This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Illinois football among Big Ten and SEC schools coveting 4-star player