Byron Cowart hasn't sent LOI

SEFFNER, Fla. -- Byron Cowart, the No. 1-ranked prospect in the ESPN 300, has yet to have his letter of intent faxed to Auburnafter committing to the Tigers during his signing day ceremony earlier Wednesday morning.

Seffner (Fla.) Armwood coach Sean Callahan said Cowart arrived at school in the morning with letters of intent signed to both Florida and Auburn. Cowart, however, told ESPN recruiting analyst Craig Haubert that he signed only one letter of intent, to Auburn, and is just waiting to make sure his "heart is there."

"Both scholarships were signed and given to me," Callahan said. "He did not want to fax anything off. All he wanted to do was make a verbal commitment to Auburn. His family did not want anything faxed off until everybody feels clear on where he needs to be. He's confused and still needs time. And he does have time to figure it out.

"His mother and mentor told him to hold up. ... I have no idea when this will go off. I'm not in that circle right now with who's making that decision."

Those comments stand in stark contrast to what Cowart told reporters after announcing that he had chosen the Tigers over the Gators. Cowart said he decided to attend Auburn shortly after taking a visit there Jan. 16.

Cowart has been locked in a highly competitive recruitment between the Tigers and Gators with Cowart and his mother feeling comfortable with Auburn defensive coordinator Will Muschamp.

The 6-foot-4, 258-pound Cowart, who registered 11 sacks and 21 tackles for loss as a senior, dominated the Under Armour All-America Game in early January, earning MVP honors.

That performance showed what he has the potential to do in college.

"During the season, people were saying, 'You didn't show me you were the No. 1 player,'" said Cowart, the first player from Florida ranked as the No. 1 overall prospect in the ESPN 300. "I was angry and I was upset. There are some things I'm still upset about I have to prove in college.

"My immediate thing is to be consistent. That's why the All-America game, I was trying to be high-tempo, high-motor every day. I have a big chip on my shoulder. I have a boulder on my shoulder, so I'm ready to get after it."

Gerald Hamilton and Derek Tyson of ESPN.com contributed to this report.