Fairley High Cornerback Neloms Picks Kentucky
Tuesday, January 27th, 2009
By Jason Smith, Memphis Commercial Appeal
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Kentucky head football coach Rich Brooks’ French toast was apparently too alluring to pass up.
Moments after having breakfast at Brooks’ home Sunday morning, Fairley senior defensive back Martavius Neloms committed to the Wildcats, wrapping up an official visit to Lexington, Ky.
“We had French toast, bacon and eggs and sausage and good stuff like that. It was nice,” said Neloms, who also had offers from Arkansas State and Southern Miss. “It’s perfect for me, because, you know, it’s a chance to play in the SEC.”
Neloms, a 6-2, 180-pound cornerback and All-Metro selection by The Commercial Appeal, registered a state-best eight interceptions this season, returning two for touchdowns.
He also had an interception in December’s AutoZone Liberty Bowl High School All-Star Game at Memphis University School, helping the Red Team record the first shutout (14-0) in the event’s seven-year history.
“I think he’s the best cover man in town. His numbers speak for themselves,” Fairley head coach Rahnmann Slocum said Monday. “He had 14 interceptions in two years.”
Neloms, who transferred to Fairley from Ridgeway as a sophomore, didn’t begin playing football until his junior year.
“His dad, a Fairley graduate, got custody of him and brought his son to me and said, ‘I know you can make this happen for him. Push him as hard as you can,’” Slocum said. “If he would have played football for four years, there would be no limit to what he could be doing right now.”
Neloms is the only defensive back among Kentucky’s 24 public commitments for 2009.
“It’s going to be a good fit for him because they’re graduating a lot of DBs,” Slocum said. “The starting DB that’s supposed to be the star (All-American and All-Southeastern Conference cornerback Trevard Lindley) decided to play his senior year and not go to the NFL, so that will be a great thing for (Neloms), to have somebody to learn from.”
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Article from CatsPause.com below:
The defensive back position has been a huge priority for the Kentucky staff throughout the 2009 recruiting process, and on Sunday night the Wildcats finally broke through with a commitment. Fresh off his official visit to Lexington this weekend, Memphis (Tenn.) Fairley cornerback Martavius Neloms says he is a Wildcat. “I had a great time up there; loved everything about it,” Neloms said. “The players made me feel like it was home, the coaches were real cool and down to earth, and the campus was huge. I couldn’t believe all the facilities they had for football. It’s just an honor and a dream come true to get a chance to play in the SEC.” Neloms has flown largely under the radar this year, but teams around Memphis know all about the 6-foot-2, 175-pound ballhawk. As a senior, he earned all-state honors thanks in large part to his eight interceptions. “One of the things I liked about Kentucky was the style of defense they run,” Neloms said. “I got a chance to watch them practice when they came to Memphis for the Liberty Bowl, and I watched them real close in that game. I love how their defensive coaches give them a chance to make a lot of plays because they’re in man coverage most of the time. That’s how I like to play.” Neloms was recruited by UK assistant coach Randy Sanders, who he cited as another factor in his decision. He also enjoyed his time spent at head coach Rich Brooks’ home this weekend alongside his official host, DeMoreo Ford. “We had a great time at his house,” Neloms said. “We had a huge breakfast and just hung out and got to know each other a lot better. I like the guys they have on their team.” Neloms had also visited Arkansas State and had a trip to Southern Miss planned for next weekend — the last visit date prior to national signing day — but he doesn’t think that will be necessary now. “I’ve pretty much found my team,” he said. “I love Kentucky. I don’t think anything else would compare to it. It was unbelievable.”
source: www.CatsPause.com
