August 20, 2012- If you missed Nashville Ensworth's 35-28 win over Memphis University School in our CSS HSFB Game of the Week season opener Friday night, you missed another spectacular performance by Tigers star Corn Elder. Rated the 8 all-purpose back in the nation by 247 Sports, the 4-star RB rushed for 246 yards and scored 4 touchdowns, three of them coming on breath-taking runs of 33, 65 and 43 yards. Not bad for a kid who doesn't even know if he wants to play college football. Elder is also the 247 Sports 29 PG in basketball but his offers in that sport are of the mid-major variety while his offers in football are from among the nation's heavyweights. My guess is he'll go to school where they give him a real opportunity to do both and right now that would seem to put Ole Miss, Georgia Tech and Vandy up front. I'm sure more schools will dangle that carrot as well. Bruce Ellington has done a pretty good job of juggling two sports at South Carolina. I could see Corn Elder doing the same somewhere.
Other players that stood out were MUS QB Jordan Rodgers who is a Tennessee Vols baseball commit. Haven't seen him play that sport but he was 29-of-42 passing for 372 yards and 3 TDs Friday night so if he's even better than that at baseball, that's good news for Vols fans. Ensworth junior lineman Michael Sawyers really stood out even though he was playing on a bum ankle and remember the name of MUS OLB James Prather. Trust me Ole Miss, Bama, MState and LSU already know who he is.
This week Barton Simmons will re-join me in the booth after 247 Sports National Director of Scouting Gerry Hamilton did a good job of pinch-hitting. We'll be in the Jackson, MS area for Starkville at Madison Central. Even though I call SEC football, I still get a charge out of HSFB and that's why I do it...if any of you were wondering. It's just fun!
Vandy Super Freshmen
Been a while since we heard that phrase...in fact I can't ever remember saying that but the Commodores have three rookies that should play significant roles in Coach James Franklin's second season. Freshman Linebacker Darreon Herring, Running Back Brian Kimbrow and Defensive End Caleb Azubike have all been told to be ready to suit up and play this season. Of those three I believe that Herring, who you saw last season playing on the CSS HSFB Game of the Week for Stephenson HS in the Atlanta area, has the great chance to make a name this year after the sudden departure of senior LB Tristan Strong, who quit the team. You'll be able to see all three freshmen in action here on CSS when Vandy hosts Presbyterian Saturday, September 15th, 12:30pm ET.
Welcome to the Show
Former Kentucky Wildcats star Chris Rusin has become the latest SEC player to be called-up to the bigs. The second winningest pitcher in Wildcats history will make his first major league start Tuesday for the Brewers. He starred on those Kentucky teams coached by John Cohen, who's now back at his alma mater Mississippi State. But the common denominator is current Head Coach Gary Henderson who was his pitching coach in Lexington and who's reputation as a top flight recruiter was re-enforced this past season when Kentucky broke through with one of the greatest seasons in school history and even reached 1 in the national rankings. It might be a while before Kyle Parker gets his call-up but rest assured, if he keeps playing the way he has, it will come. I know once high school and college stars get drafted, it's easy to lose track of them in the minors so consider this my public service. The former Clemson Football and Baseball star is red hot right now having homered 7 times in his last 7 games. That gives him 20 on the season at High-A Modesto with a .311 batting average. I think he made the right call on what pro career path to follow.
