Teradja Mitchell talks about his Virginia Tech visit (VIDEO)
by Andy Hilton, recruit757
Eric Crosby committed to UT (Photo: Andy Hilton/recruit757)
What a birthday present for Ocean Lakes defensive tackle Eric Crosby. Appropriately, the whole process started two years ago on Crosby’s 16th birthday. He ended the recruiting process on Friday, his 18th birthday.
Eric Crosby was honored in the library at Ocean Lakes High School on Friday afternoon, accompanied by almost two hundred of his closest friends, teammates and family members as he announced his college intentions.
“I would like to say that I’ll be attending the University of Tennessee,” said Crosby, to the cheers of the crowd there to celebrate.
After the fervor died down, Eric was very clear on his reasons for picking the Vols.
“It’s the school where I feel comfortable. It’s where I want to spend the next four years. They always made me feel at home when I went up there. It’s a great atmosphere all around,” Crosby stated.
Oddly enough, the Hokies and the Volunteers face each other in the legendary Battle of Bristol this September. Crosby has the potential to be on the Volunteer sideline if the game is played again, while several of his former Dolphin teammates will be on the sideline this fall for the Hokies. Crosby is in line to be the first Ocean Lakes player to play his college ball at Tennessee since the legendary Justin Hunter, who now has an NFL career with the Tennessee Titans. Hunter is now coming into his fourth NFL season.
Hunter has had the opportunity to impact Eric as a role model, just like his coaches at Ocean Lakes have had an impact. Assistant Coach Chris Ramey has been with Eric throughout his career at Ocean Lakes, and Coach Ramey observed Eric’s progressing maturity.
“In the last two years he has just grown tremendously, into a mature, responsible young man. That to me as a coach can teach you that football is great, but when we have players like (Eric), he is why I coach. I just went to East Carolina (over the weekend) and saw three of my former players. This is the kind of stuff that you want to retire to. All of the other stuff comes and goes. Having him turn into a young man, him having a child, and him being a father figure, that carries on (the legacy) and that’s all we can ask for,” Ramey said.
Crosby loved the opportunity to make an impact in the SEC playing for defensive coordinator Bob Shoop and defensive line coach Steve Stripling.
“(Coach Shoop) is all about getting the defensive line sacks, tackles for a loss… he wants the defensive line making the plays before anybody else,” Crosby explained. “Make big plays, get the quarterback and stop the ball.”
Crosby also added that he’d like to major in education and become a P.E. Teacher one day. Just like Coach Ramey said, he may be building off of the foundation that’s been provided and one day he’ll come back around to help younger athletes just like others have helped him.
– Andy Hilton
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