Owls LB commits to Vols
For the second time this week, a Memphis University School football standout has made his college intentions known.
Linebacker Tim Hart announced via Twitter on Friday that he has verbally committed to the University of Tennessee. Verbal commitments are nonbinding, but Hart is expected to make it official on National Signing Day in February.
“After much reflection with my family and by myself, I am proud to say that I have committed to the University of Tennessee,” he tweeted.
Hart’s decision follows Tuesday’s announcement by safety Thomas Pickens that he’ll sign with the University of Memphis. In Knoxville, Hart will be reunited with former MUS star Drew Richmond, who will be a freshman on the offensive line this season.
Despite playing in just eight of MUS’ 12 games last year due to injury, the 6-1, 215-pound Hart ranked third on the team with 77 tackles. He had 10 tackles for lost yardage and three sacks.
Hart had offers from several schools, including California, Illinois, Indiana, LSU, Memphis, Mississippi State, Missouri and Ole Miss.
WOODDALE’S POTENTIAL PLEASES STEVENS
Wooddale’s recent football past hasn’t been much to write home about. But Darrin Stevens is excited about the future.
Stevens, a 2003 graduate of Munford, was recently named the Cardinals’ new coach, replacing Keith Spann. Wooddale is 5-25 over the last three seasons and hasn’t made the playoffs since 2010.
Wooddale finished 1-9 in 2014 but relied mainly on sophomores, including quarterback Jerry Craine Jr., who already has an offer from Arkansas State. Stevens, last year’s offensive coordinator, is looking to take things up a level this year, on and off the field.
“We averaged 402 yards per game last year but we couldn’t stop anybody,” he said. “We had 27 sophomores on a 40-man team. We’ve spent $29,000 in the last three weeks, new helmets, new uniforms. Our helmets were 8 or 9 years old.”
The Cardinals open the season at Harding on Aug. 21.
HOPKINS TAKES OVER BRIARCREST BASEBALL
After nine seasons as an assistant at one of the area’s top baseball programs, Craig Hopkins has a chance to lead his own team.
Hopkins was recently named as head coach at Briarcrest. He replaces Brian Stewart, who did double duty last season in coaching both the football and baseball teams.
The Houston High graduate comes to the Saints from Collierville, where he was the hitting coach. The Dragons reached the AAA state tournament six times with Hopkins on the staff, winning the title in 2013. In that span, Collierville produced 41 college players, including 20 at the Division 1 level.
“Coach Hopkins brings a wealth of knowledge and the ability to teach baseball skills to our student athletes,” Saints athletic director Joe Rowell said in a statement. “We are excited about his passion and desire to build a successful program based on solid fundamentals.”
Hopkins inherits a team that is expected to return several key players after finishing runner-up to CBHS at the Division 2-AA state tournament in May.