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Monday, July 2, 2007
Dogs, Tide, Tigers court Tucker’s Lipscomb; Dacula update
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
Georgia, Alabama, Auburn, Oklahoma, Mississippi State, Ole Miss and Virginia have made scholarship offers to Tucker cornerback Neiko Lipscomb.
First-year Tucker coach Franklin Stephens labeled the 6-foot-2, 170-pound Lipscomb an impact player.
“I was really impressed with Neiko in the spring,” said Stephens, who moved to Tucker following a stint as an assistant under coach Jeff Herron at Camden County.
“He’s a tall, slender kid. But he’s a lot more physical than I thought he’d be. He’s a big-time playmaker who can play safety or corner.”
Stephens confirmed that Georgia, Alabama and Auburn are among the five teams still under consideration by Lipscomb.
“Neiko hasn’t had a chance to visit colleges this summer,” Stephens said. “So I think [his decision] will come down to his official visits this fall.”
Dacula’s Battle likely to commit in July
Dacula safety/running back Khiry Battle is ready for the recruiting process to conclude.
“I saw what Caleb King went through last year,” said Battle, a transfer from Greater Atlanta Christian, said, “and it seemed pretty stressful. I don’t want to go through that.”
King received more than 60 offers and faced constant scrutiny, before committing to Georgia in November.
Battle, who has 15 scholarship offers, plans on committing later this month. Northwestern is the latest school to extend an offer to the 6-1, 205-pound senior.
Battle’s older brother Deante Battle is an All-Big Ten defensive back at Northwestern.
Khiry Battle says Indiana, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Kentucky, Arkansas, Northwestern and North Carolina State are at the top of his list.
He’s trying to squeeze in visits to Michigan State, Arkansas, Central Florida, North Carolina State and Kentucky before making his decision.
While most schools are projecting Battle as a defensive back in college, some programs-North Carolina State, Central Florida, Eastern Michigan and East Carolina-see him as a running back.
“It doesn’t matter,” Battle said. “I’ll play whatever position that gets me on the field the quickest.”
Tucker’s Jones sports two Division I offers
Robert Jones, a 6-foot-4, 250-pound offensive/defensive lineman has offers from Marshall and Virginia.
“And I think Purdue is close and Georgia is a possibility,” Tucker coach Franklin Stephens said of his star lineman’s other scholarship prospects.
“Robert went to the Georgia camp about three weeks ago and did a really good job.”
Stephens plans to use Jones as a two-way player this fall.
“I think Robert is a kid with huge potential,” Stephens said. “He has size, speed and a frame that, when you get up on him, is a lot bigger than you believe.”
“I think he has a lot of room to grow. I think that is what some of the colleges like about him.”
Jones, who plans to attend a one-day camp at Wake Forest later this month, hasn’t indicated to his coach that he’s close to making a commitment.
“I think he is going to wait and see,” Stephens said. “But I think one of the schools he’s waiting to offer him is Georgia.”
Dacula’s Tatum headed for Houston
Dacula offensive lineman Ari Tatum’s first scholarship offer was the only one he needed.
After attending the University of Houston’s camp in June, Tatum verbally committed to coach Art Briles’ Cougars.
“I went to their camp, saw the facilities and thought that it would be a good place to be,” said Tatum, who is being recruited as a tight end, but will play offensive line for Dacula.
“They told me that I’d have the opportunity to play tight end as freshman, and then they’ll see how I grow into my body.”
Utilizing a high-protein diet filled with fish, chicken and vegetables, Tatum has packed on 30 pounds to his 6-foot-5 frame.
Before committing to Houston, Tatum had received interest from several SEC schools, including Auburn, LSU, Ole Miss and Kentucky. But no one besides Houston had extended an offer.
“Right, now I’m firmly committed to Houston,” Tatum said.
Troy offer for Calhoun’s Urbano
Calhoun running back Adam Urbano, who has an offer from Troy, plans to visit UAB later this month.
“I’m going to UAB on July 21 for a camp,” the 5-foot-9, 188-pound Urbano said. “And I may try to visit to Southern Florida.”
Urbano is also being recruited by Central Florida.
