Jacksonville school has another linebacker
Those that follow recruiting closely know about the Jacksonville (Fla.) First Coast trio of Florida State linebacker commit Nigel Carr, South Carolina linebacker commit Shaq Wilson and headhunter strong safety/outside linebacker prospect Leandre Lance, but what most don't know is that none of the three led FCHS in sacks a year ago.
From the defensive end position, outside linebacker prospect Gary Tinsley tallied a First Coast record 17 sacks during his junior year and now the 6-foot-1, 220-pounder is getting plenty of attention from Division I-A programs.
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Memphis assistant Darin Hinshaw came by First Coast to check on Tinsley and the Tigers are interested.
"They said most likely they are going to end up offering me," he said. "(Hinshaw) said when he goes back down to the school he will be faxing me an offer."
Despite the interest, Tinsley doesn't know much about the Tigers from Conference USA.
"I don't know too much about them, but I know they got a good program and I wan to find out more," he said.
Arizona State also has been by to check on him.
"The Arizona State coaches are going to look at my film and then see about an offer," Tinsley said.
Minnesota assistant coach Tim Cross is actively recruiting Tinsley.
"He's sending text messages and saying they are going to offer me," he said. "He's been writing me letters and stuff. Coming to check up on me in May."
Two other programs also have shown interest in Tinsley.
"I talked to a coach from Wake Forest and South Carolina's started to talk to me a little bit. We went up to South Carolina last year for camp. If they were to offer me that would be a good choice for me."
Tinsley talked about his record-setting showing last season.
"The offensive lineman, it's like they are way too slow for me," he said. "I use that against them because I was way too quick for them to get their hands on me."
Despite his success at defensive end, the 6-foot-1, 220-pound Tinsley knows what position he best projects at in college.
"They said that (linebacker) is my natural position," he said. "I play a little bit of that. I play that in the game. That's why I happened to get most of the sacks."