Malik Bryant has narrowed his list of schools from 41 offers to 5, and 2 of those programs hail from the SEC.

Bryant, the No. 2-ranked linebacker in the country in the class of 2023 class, narrowed his list to Florida, Southern Cal, Alabama, UCF and Miami, according to the 247Sports Composite. Bryant is from Orlando, Florida (Jones).

Bryant is expected to announce his commitment on July 23.

Bryant explained his final list in an exclusive announcement with The Gainesville Sun:

“I’m happy to be at this point and I’ve truly enjoyed the recruiting process. Cutting down from 40 offers to five is a humbling process. Just to see the different schools and opportunities has been humbling. When I choose one school, I will be at peace.”

Here’s what he said about Alabama and Florida:

Alabama: It’s Alabama. They win games. It’s a great program, of course. But they really take care of their players. They have programs off the field to hold their players accountable. They really care about them more than how they can produce on the field. I really like that.

Florida: I like that when the new staff came in how they got a grip in recruiting. They know their guys and they’re recruiting the families. I like their scheme and how they want to use me all over the field, how they can set me up to make plays. Everybody I’ve talked to on their team, even with them losing their old staff and getting a new staff, they still feel at home and that says a lot.

Here’s his scouting report from 247Sports:

A front seven player that can get after the quarterback. Initial burst tends to cause plenty of issues for opposing offensive tackles. Seems to be at his best when he’s asked to just attack the corner, but can track back inside and flush out pockets with a few different well-timed pass rushing moves. Ability to redirect in space and get lateral make him a difference maker outside the hashes. Also owns valuable experience in pass coverage having been asked in the past to stick with much quicker wide receivers coming out of the slot. More of a finesse rusher than power rusher at this stage in his development, but that could change as he matures. Average measurables (believed to be just over 6-foot-2, 235 pounds) and a lack of additional length in the arms could turn away some, but body of work speaks for itself as he started as a freshman in Florida’s highest classification before spending the next two years producing at the national powerhouse that is IMG Academy. Might be best suited for a 3-4 look, but could also find a role in a 4-3 front, potentially even as an off-ball linebacker. Likely going to need some time to get adjusted to the speed and physicality of big-time college football, but has the tools to eventually blossom into a starter for a Top 25 program.

Here are his highlights from Hudl: