AUBURN | Jamari Staples' search for a new home continues.

The former UAB wide receiver left an official visit to Auburn on Thursday without an offer from the Tigers. He didn't, however, leave without optimism.

"They are just kind of waiting, making sure everything goes through academic-wise, making sure there are no problems there," Staples said. "They said they would be in touch in the next couple of days.

"I'll just be waiting to see what happens, but it's sounding pretty good so far."

Staples, 6-foot-3 and 195 pounds, arrived in Auburn on Tuesday for his visit. He spent the next 48 hours learning as much about the Tigers' program as possible.

"It was a good visit. It was fun," Staples said. "I got to know a lot of the guys. I got to see what practice is like, what the coaches are like."

Staples liked what he saw at the Tigers' Outback bowl practice. He liked what he saw from the offense, especially underclassmen quarterbacks Jeremy Johnson and Sean White.

"(Practice) is fun to watch," Staples said. "It would be even more fun to do. Jeremy is a good quarterback. Sean White is also.

"Just being a part of that (offense) would be something special."

Staples, originally from Ashland, Ala., is hopeful he gets the opportunity. He's hopeful he gets an Auburn offer.

"It would mean a lot," he said. "It would open up another door for me.

"I'm looking for a place that feels like I'm at home. (Auburn) has that home-feel because it's very close to home for me. They care about their players and it's a place people come to work hard. They are a hard-working team."

Auburn isn't Staples' only option, though. The former all-state player from Clay-Central High will take an official visit this weekend to Louisville. He plans to take an official visit next week to Florida.

Staples would like to be enrolled in January at one of the three schools. He has three years to play two, and will not have to sit out a year after transferring.