ODDS AND ENDS: Banneker LB learns harsh recruiting reality

Banneker linebacker Milton Patterson has experienced recruiting’s worst nightmare.

He had dreams of playing in the SEC and was offered by Mississippi State, but while he was waiting to see if any other schools would offer, the Bulldogs withdrew the scholarship after filling up at his position.

It’s a situation that happens every year, and it causes shivers among every state prospect who has limited major-college offers.

“I couldn’t believe it,” Patterson said. “I thought it was the end.”

The 5-foot-11, 230-pound Patterson said several people have suggested he should have committed sooner.

“They say I should have made a wiser decision,” he said. “Life is full of choices, and you don’t always make the right one, but no regrets and no love lost toward Mississippi State.”

Both sides should share blame.

“I hadn’t had too many conversations with them, so there may have been some bad communication,” Patterson said. “I understand it’s a business …”

Patterson now will choose among Akron, South Carolina State and Savannah State.

Lassiter tight end making recruiting, YouTube circuit

Lassiter’s Philip Lutzenkirchen has been a smash hit on ESPN and YouTube with his spectacular play against Centennial. He caught a pass while leaping out of the back of the end zone, then tossed the ball back into play before his feet touched the ground to teammate Reid Handler for a touchdown.

And Lutzenkirchen also has been extremely popular with colleges. He is committed to Auburn but is looking at other schools until a new offensive coordinator is named.

The 6-4, 245-pound tight end is making an official visit to Florida State on Saturday. He traveled to Florida last weekend and has offers from Georgia Tech and South Carolina.

“Every night it seems I get a call from another area code that I’ve never heard of,” Lutzenkirchen said. “It’s kind of crazy.”

Tennessee tries to reassure Milton fullback Williams

Tennessee athletics director Mike Hamilton called Milton fullback Toney Williams to make it clear he’s still wanted.

Since coach Phil Fulmer announced his resignation on Monday, Tennessee has lost one Georgia commitment (Valdosta’s Antonio Foster to Georgia Tech) and is in danger of losing its other two, Stephenson linebacker Nigel Mitchell-Thornton and Williams.

“[Hamilton] wanted Toney to know that he still has his football scholarship at Tennessee, if he still wants it,” Milton coach Scott Walker said.

Walker said Williams hasn’t decided what to do

“We’re waiting to hear back from a couple of colleges that called, see who is interested in Toney, and see how things settle at Tennessee,” Walker said.

Georgia, Georgia Tech, Alabama, Mississippi, Kentucky and North Carolina State have called this week about Williams, who has rushed for 1,875 yards and 23 touchdowns for Milton (7-2, 6-2), which is in the playoffs for the first time since 1999.

Phillip Giltman, Glenn LaFollette and Scott Bernarde contributed to this article.