Georgias Battle emerges with offers

An Atlanta-area sleeper has emerged with multiple scholarship offers and is hoping to get more. Dacula (Ga.) safety/running back prospect Khiry Battle has five early offers, including ones from Southeastern Conference and Atlantic Coast Conference programs.

"I got offers from Ole Miss, Arkansas, Virginia, Indiana and Eastern Michigan," he said. "My top seven right now (in no order) is Arkansas, Auburn, Florida, Georgia, Ole Miss, Virginia and Clemson."

Battle added that the programs that have yet to offer are keeping close tabs.

"They say they want to see me in spring practice," he said. "They are waiting to see my footwork and things like that."

Ole Miss was one of the first programs to offer Battle.

"They along with Eastern Michigan have shown the most interest," he said. "They were the first to offer me, their offer came on the same day as Eastern Michigan's. I love (Rebels head coach) Ed Orgeron and coach Frank Wilson the running backs coach down there. I think they are turning the program around. It's going to be a different mindset. Wining is going to become a habit."

The tradition of Arkansas at both of his potential positions stands out to Battle. The Razorbacks are recruiting him as a safety.

"They have a history of great defensive backs and running backs," he said. "If I went there, it definitely would be as a safety. The defensive back coach (Bobby Allen) has sent a lot of guys to the pros."

Virginia's coaching staff also has Battle's attention.

"(Cavaliers head coach) Al Groh coached in the pros also and they've got great tradition," he said. "There's not too much you can say bad about Virginia. They are good in academics and athletics. Coach Groh is just a coach I'd like to play for."

Battle is very familiar with the Auburn program.

"I grew up around AU," he said. "I've been going to their spring game every year since I was 10. I also have a good friend down there in (Tigers running back) [db]Brad Lester. Me and his family go way back."

Florida's coaches and the current state of the program stand out.

"I love the coaches down there and they just won the national championship so that speaks for itself," Battle said. "Plus, it is an SEC school and they send a lot of guys to the league."

The in-state Georgia Bulldogs are major factors as well.

"They are the hometown team," he said. "Everybody around here wants to play for the Dawgs."

Battle has made the drive up I-85 to Clemson and enjoyed his experience there.

"I had an unofficial visit to that school and it's nice," he said. "They have a lot of building going on. They are getting a lot of new facilities. I like the coaches there. They are good. They are one of the few schools in the south that likes me on the offensive side of the ball. The running backs coach (Andre Powell said that he was looking to bring in a big back after James Davis leaves."

There are several things that will be important to Battle when he goes to pick a college.

"The No. 1 things are going to be coaching staff, atmosphere and players," he said. "I need to go somewhere I feel comfortable. It's going to be coaches and character of players I am around."