N.C. State, UNC, Duke Receive Football Commitments

WRALSportsFan

N.C. State, UNC, Duke Receive Football Commitments

By Sammy Batten

Jan 28, 2008

comments

N.C. State dipped into the junior college ranks for a second time in two weeks for defensive help, and North Carolina added a key in-state player to its class during weekend recruiting development.

The Wolfpack received commitments from Clement Johnson from Valley Forge Military Academy and defensive tackle Thomas Locust from Cerritos College in Norwalk, Calif. Both made pledges after taking official visits to Raleigh last weekend.

Johnson, a 5-foot-11 1/2, 195-pounder, played quarterback the last two years at Valley Forge. He was selected offensive player of the year in the Seaboard Football Conference this season.

N.C. State only recently offered a scholarship to Johnson after the coaching staff learned that junior safety DaJuan Morgan had declared himself eligible for the NFL Draft. Johnson had previously committed to Temple before the Wolfpack offered.

Although he’s been used primarily as a quarterback, Johnson is confident he can step in and help N.C. State immediately in the secondary.

“My athleticism is ridiculous,’’ Johnson said. “I have good size. I’m a man-to-man type defensive back, but I find the zone easy to play. Plus, I’ve played on the offensive side of the ball, so I know how quarterbacks think. It’ll be a lot easier for me to read them because I’ve played the position before.”

Locust attended Florida A&M for one year but did not play or practice with the football team. He transferred to Cerritos, where played the last two years. Locust made 24 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and one sack in 2007.

Colorado State and Nevada were also recruiting Locust, but he was drawn to N.C. State because it is closer to his hometown of Riviera Beach, Fla.

“Everything about the campus and the facilities made me close the deal,’’ Locust said. “The campus is nice and big and laid back. And it’s closer to home.’’

The additions of Johnson and Locust come a week after Nassau Community College defensive end Shea McKeen committed to the Wolfpack. A fourth JUCO player, defensive lineman Leroy Burgess from Georgia Military College, is also part of the N.C. State recruiting class.

UNC’s commitment came from one of the state’s top offensive line prospects in Jonathan Cooper from Wilmington’s Hoggard High School. The 6-2 1/2, 300-pounder chose the Tar Heels over offers from Duke, East Carolina, N.C. State, South Carolina and Wake Forest.

Cooper was a key player in Hoggard’s run to a 16-0 finish and the state 4-A championship this season. He was such a force at offensive guard that he was chosen player of the year in the Mideastern Conference.

Duke also added a third commitment for new head coach David Cutliffe in tight end Jackson Anderson from Frisco, Texas. The 6-4, 230-pounder had also taken an official visit to UNC, according to Frisco High coach Vince Gibson.

“He has good size potential,’’ Gibson said. “He’s a kid that’s going to get a lot bigger. He has the ability to be a good blocker. He’s a skilled athlete with good hands, and he can run routes and catch the ball, so he has the chance to develop into a really good prospect.’’

Veteran reporter Sammy Batten covers college football recruiting for the Fayetteville Observer. He can be reached at battens@fayobserver.com or (910) 486-3534.

Most Recent Comments

a committment does not mean they are going to play or show up until they do show up on the field will they help NCSU. It was like our coaching buddy, BCAMato who was committed to NCSU only to find out he was not coming back. Lets not get to excited and enjoy Sidney's show down with slaw dawgs and cheese fries please.....

"TruthBKnown Returns now why would SSI want to ruin a perfect record?"

Don't jinx it, man. State can use all the help it can get!

"Is this the point where NCSU fan starts talking about making it to a BCS bowl again?"

No, I'm thinking more along the lines of NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP!!!

Not this year, though. More like 2009.

SSI, sounds like you have a history of attending national championship schools. PLEASE ENROLL AT NC STATE ASAP!!!!
-- TruthBKnown Returns
now why would SSI want to ruin a perfect record?

;) - couldn't resist tbk.

Is this the point where NCSU fan starts talking about making it to a BCS bowl again? Every player is great and by the time they start playing are made into some all-world player...and then they get hit in the mouth and settle in for another 5-7 season.

WRAL Sports Fan

WRALSportsFan