Football: Jackets get first commitment

Hey, the Jackets landed their first gridiron commitment for the class of 2006 - DT/C Ben Anderson, from Aiken SC. Ben is 6'2" 260lb, runs a 4.9-40, benches 410lb, squats 460 and claims a 3.4 GPA - per Rivals profile. Tech was his first offer, but other schools he was communicating with included Clemson, Auburn, Duke, FSU, Georgia, UNC, SC, Vandy...... Looks like a solid prospect.


One interesting note. In one of the free boards, someone posted a quote from Anderson saying that the coaching staff had asked him not to visit other schools. Certainly a change of policy if true. I remember a story last year where Coach said that he never wanted a kid to verbally commit unless he was totally sure he wanted to be at GT - that there was a trust there. But it didn't appear that subsequent visits to other schools were discouraged. Well, after losing several early verbal candidates in the last class, looks like the staff is going a different direction. Honestly, I think this is a good thing. Don't commit until you are ready, but once you do, be true. It kills recruiting later in the process when kids abandon you and you've been holding a slot for them. And face it - some kids can use the system to hold a spot, while holding out for something they might want more. On the other side of the coin, coaches can abuse the process as well - just look at Tommy Bowden and the RB he dumped after he got 2 better ones to sign.........


Back to the important stuff - welcome Ben Anderson!!!!!! GO JACKETS!!!!