Football - Welcome Home Boys

Tired of hearing about all the kids exiting the Georgia Tech program? Well, here's some good news. There are some kids on their way in from high profile programs as well. As you will read, sometimes you have to let kids before before you can truly bring them home.

ANTHONY ALLEN

A big powerful running back that should fit right into the B-back position. He's 6'1 232lb and comes by way of Louisville, where he actually led the Cards in TD's as a freshman with 14. He also rushed for over 400 yards as a freshman. He set a Louisville record against Middle Tennessee State with 275 yards on the ground with a workmanlike 35 carries. Wow.

“He is tough, he’s tough to bring down,” UofL senior quarterback Brian Brohm said. “He was wearing them down and I think by the fourth quarter they were tired of tackling him. He is a big back and he wears on you throughout the game. And in the fourth quarter he is going to pound them.”

Allen is actually a "local" guy, from Jesuit High School in GA. So he's coming home. He was recruited by Georgia Tech heavily but chose UL instead. So just like Tashard Choice, eventually they come home. Allen should have 2 years to play.

MARIO EDWARDS

Edwards is a 6'2" 200lb safety who joing the Ramblin Wreck by way of Virginia Tech. However, he's another hometown kid returning to the nest. He's from the ATL.

An all-state defensive back for Coach Dallas Allen at Westlake ... Also saw action as a wide receiver ... Registered 98 tackles as a senior ... Had four interceptions, six sacks, two fumble recoveries and a blocked punt ... Caught six passes for 123 yards ... Helped team to a region title ... Contributed 12 tackles, an interception, two pass deflections and a forced fumble during a playoff game against Banneker ... An all-city and all-state selection ... Rated the No. 25 safety in the country by rivals.com ... Rated the No. 83 safety in the country by scout.com ... Listed as the No. 27 prospect in the state of Georgia in the rivals.com postseason rankings ... Had 75 tackles, two
interceptions, 10 pass break ups, four forced fumbles and three sacks as a junior.
Personal: Mario Edwards ... Born 7/14/88 in Atlanta, GA ... Son of William and Maudestia Edwards ... As a youngster, won the state of Georgia 200-meter dash for the 11 and under age group.

He was a "3-star" guy on Scout.com, and had some interest in Georgia Tech, but it seems that we never offered him. Here's what I think - if you're a DB and get an offer from Virginia Tech, you've got to be pretty good. If there's one thing Beamer does right, it's DB's. Edwards should have 2 years to play, but he has filed a waiver to avoid sitting out a transfer year and evidently has a good case.

PRESTON LYONS

Another running back - this time a B-back candidate. He comes from Colgate by way of Marist High School. That's right - another hometown kid. He's about 6'1" 200lb. He should have 2-3 years to play.

High School: A 2007 graduate of the Marist School in Atlanta, Georgia … lettered and started three years with the War Eagles … played fullback in his senior season … served as a game captain in his senior year … carried 184 times for 1,451 yards and 22 touchdowns and caught eight passes for 71 as a senior … rushed for a school record 3,707 career yards and 61 touchdowns … had 4,074 career all-purpose yards … his 2006 team was Georgia state runner up in Class AAAA … was first team all-state, first team all-DeKalb County and first team all-Northside Atlanta … set school record of career rushing yards (3,707) and career touchdowns (61) … team’s most valuable back … coached by Alan Chadwick.

Personal: Major is undeclared … parents are Coleman and Joanne Lyons of Atlanta, Georgia … born August 9, 1988 in Greenwich, Connecticut … has one brother and sister … full name is Preston Zech Lyons.

ON THE RECRUITING FRONT

Great news! It's now official - the Jackets land highly touted QB prospect Jordan Luallen. He's a tall dual-threat guy, 6'3", 205lb.

As a junior, Jordan Luallen helped lead his team to a 9-2 record. He completed 60 percent of his passes for 756 yards and 12 touchdowns with no interceptions. He also rushed for 475 yards and 13 touchdowns; bench presses 280 pounds, squats 330 and claims a 31-inch vertical jump.

He had offers from Cincinatti, Indiana, Iowa, Louisville, Maryland and Standford, among others.

Good times!!!