Thursday, July 2, 2009

Knotts: Seven Independence players have offers

Yesterday, I blogged about the fact that two Independence rising juniors—Nyjee Fleming and Adrian Gamble—each were offered scholarships on the spot at Virginia’s camp last weekend.

Then I spoke with Patriots coach Tom Knotts, who mentioned that “now we have a total of seven kids who have scholarship offers. I don’t think any other team in the area has that many.”

So I asked him to break the list down for me and Knotts, who was talking on the phone and trying to keep infant son Jackson entertained at the same time, did so.

*Linbacker Courtland Carson: “He already has offers from Marshall and N.C. A&T,” Knotts said. “And Duke really liked him at their camp. I think a lot more are coming.”

*Quarterback Anthony Carrothers: “He’s only officially been offered by Winston-Salem State so far—his dad went there—but a lot of schools are seriously looking at him. He is the fastest player on our team.”

*Wide receiver Kierre Brown: Offers from Murray State and Eastern Kentucky.

*Defensive back Jeremy Inglesis: Offer from Elon.

*Defensive back Victor Hampton: One of the top corners in the country, he has already committed to Florida. Otherwise, he would be sitting on two dozen offers.

And offers could be coming to more Patriots.

Ryan Thompson, who is expected to play middle linebacker this year, was hurt as far as recruiters were concerned because he worked on the offensive line at 6-feet and 227 pounds as a junior.

“A lot of schools don’t mind taking a linebacker who’s 6 feet,” Knotts said. “And I’ll tell you, he’s my best player.”

--Stan Olson

If you know of any commitments, offers or visits, please email me at solson@charlotteobserver.com

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Florida is the only school that merits any mention. The other offers are no big deal.

I would expect other area teams have the same situation bit leave it to Knotts to try and get pub for his team.

MichaelProcton said...

Umm, Knotts received and answered a phone call. Strikes me he didn't do anything to go out of his way for that "publicity." And Hampton also got offers from Tennessee, Georgia, UNC, Clemson, and State.

Anonymous said...

The are many offers that were left off the list for the kids at Independence. Good luck guy's in the Big NFL 7 on 7 tournament!!!!!

Anonymous said...

This is to the person who said that the other offers are no big deal. What planet are you on? It is a very big deal for a kid to get a full scholarship on their athletic ability and for you to downplay shows your character. Please tell us the colleges that offered you football scholarships. Nevermind, it doesn't even matter because with your reasoning and frame of mind, I doubt you even went. Congrats guys on the scholarships and keep up the good work. Good luck at the NFL tournament next week in Minnesota. We know you guys are going to do a great job and have a great time doing it.