Rivals150 prospect asks for release

After a coaching change at Florida Atlantic, Rivals150 prospect Dago Pena will seek a release from his National of Intent with the Sun Belt school.

The athletic 6-foot-6, 200-pound wing from Charlotte High School in Punta Gorda, Florida, is now playing the waiting game.

"I asked for my release about two weeks ago but they haven't [released me] yet. So we are trying to work it out over the weekend or by Tuesday at the latest," Pena said. "They have everything that they need. The athletic director just has to give it to me. I'm just waiting now."

"I don't know if I want to play for a coach that I don't really know. I couldn't see myself playing for someone that I didn't know and play with a team that I just didn't know," Pena said.

Pena follows the same direction that fellow FAU signee Freddie Riley took. Riley re-opened his recruitment after Rex Walters left the Boca Raton school for the head coaching position at San Francisco.

Pena, the No. 141 ranked player in the class of 2009, is the highest ranked player in the class of 2008 that can enroll in a college for the fall semester without worry of any academic or legal problems. The floodgates will likely open for Pena this late in the game for the mid-major tournament teams and the high-majors that are still looking for late help.

Prior to his commitment to Florida Atlantic, Pena considered Kansas State, Virginia Commonwealth, South Florida, Penn State and Ole Miss. He visited Kansas State and Miami unofficially. Pena said he hopes to find a solution as soon as possible.

"I want to be in school in July or August or in the fall. I want to play in college this year. I just want to get my school set up so I can play. Now I have to wait for them to make their move. They've been talking and talking about it. I hope they can get it all done because it's always been, 'Oh we'll get it the next day or the next day or the next day.'

"I hope I can find a can find a better school in a better conference but also get the same kind of playing time," Pena said. "It's a hard decision because it's a big school but I had to do what was best for me, you know? I want to open my doors and visit some other schools before I decide all over again."