Battle battling back from knee injury

Jonathan Battle is battling back from a knee injury sustained earlier this fall. Battle, 6-1 and 273 pounds, is a junior defensive tackle prospect from Americus Sumter High School in south Georgia.

"I was playing good," Battle said. "Then I tore my ACL in week two. It was a toss sweep and the running back cut back. When I went for the tackle I hyper-extended my knee. I heard a pop. Rehab is going well and it seems as though the process is moving fast. I am just trying to get better every day."

Battle, who holds a 3.5 grade point average, learned a valuable lesson through the injury.

"It made me learn the importance of an education. I mean I am doing well but can do better in the classroom. I realized I have to pay more attention to the books because football doesn't last forever."

Through those two games Battle recorded 26 tackles and nine tackles for a loss. Was that enough to grab the attention of any colleges?

"I am talking with the coaches and teams are holding back to see how I produce next season. They are still very interested in me. I am getting letters from a host of schools like Georgia Tech, Georgia, Florida State, LSU, and Vanderbilt. Most of these teams want me to come to camps. I have been invited to games. Now they just want to see how I play.

"I am pretty open with the whole recruiting thing and have no favorite at this time."

Battle has a chance to be one of the top defensive tackles from the Peach State in 2011.