Lions latest to offer Georgia RB/DB

Junior to Watch: Thomas Brown

School: Tucker (Ga.) High School

Position: Running Back/Cornerback

Size and speed: Brown is 5-foot-10, 185 pounds and has been timed as low as 4.37 in the 40-yard dash.

Statistics: As a junior, he rushed for more than 1,500 yards and tallied almost 2,200 all-purpose yards when factoring in receiving and special teams. He scored 30 touchdowns.

Honors: Was selected first-team Class 4A all-state at running back.

Favorite Schools: Georgia, Penn State, Maryland, Ohio State, Tennessee.

Skinny: The electric Brown will be one of the Peach State’s most sought-after players for 2004 and has already garnered two official scholarship offers.

“Georgia offered him earlier at running back and Penn State has now offered him as a DB,” said Tucker coach Bill Ballard. “I’m sure there’s going to be many more in the days to come. I’ve got mail for him on my desk right now from Tennessee, Ohio State and Miami in a big stack with a bunch of others. This kid can play for anybody, and I think he’s going to have that opportunity. He’s going to be able to pick his school.”

Brown has rushed for more than 2,500 yards, had more than 800 yards receiving and recorded another 800 yards in kickoff/punt returns during the last two seasons.

“He’s so versatile,” Ballard said. “He’s got the blazing speed to begin with. He’s a legit 4.35 guy. I don’t ever try to fool people on that, either. He’s that fast. But he’s also got great hands, good instincts, intelligence. He really understands the game. He’s one of the better all-around football players I’ve ever been around.”

Brown is expected to qualify with no problem. He’s scored more than 1,000 on an early SAT and carries a 2.8 GPA in accelerated courses, according to Ballard.