Because of his enormous size, Lowell Furlow usually makes a large first impression. The offensive tackle visited Southern Mississippi Thursday, and apparently the Golden Eagles made a big impression of their own.

Furlow, who is 6’9” and weighs over 300 pounds, had named Mississippi State as the leader of his recruitment in the past, but now he isn’t so sure.

“It’s a mixed thing with Mississippi State and Southern Miss,” Furlow said. “I like both of them, but I’m not sure yet.”

Furlow said he had a chance to see the Eagles’ locker room and visited with coaches throughout the day.

“I met with the coaches and stuff and they really want me,” Furlow said. “I’m one of their big prospects. It went good over there. I liked it.”

Dallas County head coach Marty Smith ended up not making the trip to Hattiesburg, after originally planning to go.

Smith and Southern Mississippi offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey developed a friendship when coaching within a few miles of each other in the Birmingham area. When Lindsey was coaching at Hoover and Spain Park, Smith was coaching at John Carroll. Although they are friends, Smith did not want to sway Furlow by going with him.

Instead, Hornets’ assistant coach Cliff Nix escorted Furlow to Southern Mississippi.

Furlow has visited Mississippi State, who he called a co-leader with Southern Mississippi, three times, but Thursday was his first visit to Mississippi State.

Whenever he does decide between the two schools — a decision he hopes to make between the midway point of football season and the end of the season — he said feeling like he’s home will factor in.

“I would say feeling the most comfortable with it and feeling at home,” Furlow said when asked what the biggest deciding factor will be.

At the same time, Furlow said he’s always wanted to play in the SEC, something the Golden Eagles can’t offer him.

“It’s a big factor because that’s what I really wanted to do is play in the SEC,” Furlow said.

The Golden Eagles play in Conference USA. Strangely enough, Southern Miss and Mississippi State are scheduled to play against each other in 2015. The two teams also open the season against one another in 2014, while Furlow is working through his senior season.

For now, the Golden Eagles and Bulldogs will continue battling for the offensive lineman. They may have some other competition as well. Furlow said Alabama, Auburn and Penn State are among other teams that have reached out to him, but they have yet to offer him a scholarship and he has not went on an official visit to any of those schools.