RAPID CITY - The choice is tough.

This time of year for senior football players can be just as tough as the football season. The time to choose a school - or whether to continue playing football - is now. While most players have not picked a school, they have just started talking to colleges about the possibility of continuing their football careers.

And signing day is a month away.

One player mulling his college choice is Spearfish running back Jordan Johnson, the state's third all-time leading rusher. He has narrowed his list of colleges to three - the University of Sioux Falls, Augustana and the University of Mary.

But at this point, he has good reasons to go to any of the schools, and he has talked to representatives from all three.

"Sioux Falls has a strong program, Augustana has new facilities and Mary, my dad knows the coach," said Johnson. But, he added that he is impressed with Sioux Falls because they are a contender that just won the NAIA national championship.

"USF's high on my list."

Colleges have taken a strong interest in him, even when he is at school. Johnson said he has been pulled from classes to talk to college representatives.

Johnson also does not know what position he will play. He wants to play on offense, but he does not know whether he will be a running back, slot receiver or a kick returner.

"It really doesn't matter to me," he said. "I just want to play."

Johnson, who will visit Augustana on a basketball trip, will make his decision before signing day in the next month. He plans on majoring in special education or athletic training.

Jordan also said that lineman teammate Nick Olson, a lineman, is taking a serious look at Black Hills State.

Alex Kling, quarterback for Black Hills Conference champion Belle Fourche, is planning on playing in college. He has several schools that he has considered, including Augustana, BHSU, Mary, South Dakota Mines, Minnesota State-Mankato and Rocky Mountain College in Billings, Mont.

Kling is still undecided on a major, and he still does not know what position he will play in college. He has been looked at to play quarterback, defensive back and receiver. Kling also said a school may take him as just an athlete, with a position to be determined later.

"I'd like to be part of an established program with a winning tradition," said Kling, who was surprised at the amount of work the recruiting process requires. "It's definitely a lot harder than I thought it would be."

Broncs' teammate Kyle Blake is also weighing some options, saying he is considering the University of South Dakota, Augustana and Mines.

"I like their programs and I like the schools," he said, adding that he would like to play either his high school position of linebacker or fullback.

Other schools, coaches and players are beginning the recruiting-selection process, as well.

Rapid City Central and Rapid City Stevens each have three players that are college prospects, according to their respective coaches.

Central coach Trent Pikula said several colleges have contacted Chris Alexander, Steve Dolan and Taylor Hill. Schools that have been in contact with players include Chadron State College, Dakota Wesleyan, Northern State, Mary, BHSU, and Concordia-St. Paul.

No players have signed yet from Rapid City Stevens, but schools such as Northern State and Mary are taking hard looks at Jeff Moran and Carter Mitchell, coach Paul Ferdinand said. Another player, Willy Lutes, is looking at Gustavus Adolphus in Minnesota.

Ferdinand said he enjoys the recruiting process.

"It's exciting," Ferdinand said. "You want to help them with their future."

Sturgis coach Rod Richardson said colleges are looking at five of his former players - Seth Mulvehill, Dylan Keszler, Jake Stygles, Tyler Bertsch and Mark Flottmeyer. BHSU has already visited the school.

Mulvehill, a defensive back for the Scoopers and one of the area's top defenders, is still undecided on whether he wants to play football. But, he is looking at going to either South Dakota State or St. John's in Minnesota.

"I want to go somewhere with a strong wildlife-management program," he said.

St. Thomas More has four senior football players looking to continue at the next level, said head coach Wayne Sullivan. Lenny Lonehill is considering Mines, Dakota Wesleyan and Southwest Minnesota State. Lineman Mike Dobesh is considering Dakota State and Dakota Wesleyan. Spencer Seljeskog is looking at Chadron State College, Mines and Dakota Wesleyan.

Kicker Kevin Robb will consider his options after attending kicking camps in Wisconsin and Minneapolis. Sullivan said Robb will get looked at by NCAA Division I scouts at the camps. D-I scouts cannot contact recruits yet, Sullivan said, though signing day is Feb. 4.

Sullivan enjoys the recruiting process and helping his former players.

"It's just now starting, so the fun begins," Sullivan said. "It's fun. I like it. I like watching the schools come through."

Sullivan said several schools are starting to visit More. Black Hills State will visit with his players in a week, and he is hearing from different schools than in years past - such as Carroll College and Southwest Minnesota State. Sullivan added that More is developing networks with several colleges.

Douglas' Chandlor Mikkonen, Wade Steier and Stetsen Murphy are considering several schools, said head coach Dave Broadie. Among the schools are Dakota Wesleyan, Chadron State College, Black Hills State and Dakota State.

Another Douglas teammate, Tarron Teeslink, has already committed to Mines but he does not know if he will play football.

"I definitely want to play, if I can," said Teeslink, who played receiver for the Patriots.