[Ben E Lou]

From this morning's AJC: http://www.ajc.com/highschool/conten...karecruit.html

Tucker leads in big-time scholarships

By MICHAEL CARVELL
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution


Tucker will likely edge out Marist for having the most football players sign major-college scholarships.

The Tigers are expected to have six players sign letters-of-intent on Wednesday, including tailback Thomas Brown and defensive end Brandon Lang, to the University of Georgia. Split end James Swinton is headed to Auburn, fullback Jimmy Coleman to Tulane and linebacker Andrew McCain to Air Force.

Tucker quarterback D.T. McDowell will announce a decision after returning from an official visit to Mississippi State this weekend. McDowell is choosing among the Bulldogs, Louisiana State, Troy State and Nebraska.

McDowell had committed to Nebraska last summer but changed his mind after the school fired its staff. The new regime at Nebraska is recruiting him as an "athlete," which McDowell is not keen about because he has his heart set on playing quarterback. He canceled an official visit to Nebraska this past weekend.

"Mississippi State might be the school to beat, but we'll see," Tucker coach Bill Ballard said. "D.T. really likes Troy State, which would allow him to play both major college football and baseball."

Troy State is a surprise contender for McDowell, who said he is seriously considering the Alabama school. "Most people don't know about Troy State, but it's definitely a team on the rise. It would be neat to be part of building a program."

At Marist, quarterback Sean McVay pulled a minor surprise by canceling his recruiting trip to Duke last weekend and committing to Miami of Ohio. Two Marist players, cornerback Chris Davis and lineman Matt Rumsey, are headed to Duke, and cornerback William Middleton said he will sign with Furman.

Lakeside has at least two players on the way to major colleges: Cornerback Anthony Broadnax to Illinois and safety Will Dunbar to Alabama-Birmingham. Lakeside linebacker Brandon Williams got long looks from many schools, but ended up deciding on Furman.

Lakeside quarterback Jaeson Courseault is headed to Morehouse, and safety Keylon Callaway will sign with Clark Atlanta. Two or three other Lakeside players are still mulling small-college offers, according to coach Bill Harris.

"It's a great thing to see this many of our players earn scholarships because it will make the younger kids want to come out and play football," Harris said.