Oakland linebacker has 23 offers
The Golden State of California can always be counted to deliver some of the nation's top football players. The linebacker position has its share of talent and Josh Tatum (6-0, 220, 4.51) from Oakland (Calif.) McClymonds is among the very best the state has to offer. He starting to narrow down his list.
"Josh is a ball of energy," McClymonds coach Alonzo Carter said. "He's all about giving 100% when it comes to everything. Whether it is competing in drills or playing in the games."
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"If anything Josh needs to learn to pace himself," Carter said. "His non-stop motor pushes him."
"Josh is loaded with talent," Carter said. "Cal was so impressed with him that they offered him after he camped with them as a sophomore."
Tatum was selected Sophomore of the Year for his season in 2003.
Cal was way ahead on the recruiting curve with Tatum. Since that first offer many have followed and now the talented linebacker is trying to narrow his list of schools to seven.
Not an easy task to do when you consider Tatum already has 23 offers on the table and there is a good likelihood that there will be more.
"My top seven would be Cal, USC, Oregon, Miami, Tennessee, Michigan, and Oklahoma and that is in no particular order," Tatum said. "I've been talking to people, coaches call everyday, and there has been a lot of pressure to see who was going to be in my top seven."
"I'm not sure on all of them, but I had to trim my list down to let some of the teams know that although I'm interested in them, I will not be able to take an official visit to their school," Tatum said. "I definitely want to take all five of my official visits."
"Sometime in January, close to Signing Day if I'm relaxed and feel good about the school's program then I won't hesitate committing." Tatum said. "I'm in the place where I just want to learn more about the programs and I should know sometime close to January."
Though Tatum was hobbled with a gimpy ankle he was still very impressive at the NIKE Camp held in Palo Alto. His performance said a lot about Tatum's grit.
Tatum benched 185-pounds a very impressive 34 times. What makes this feat more impressive still is the fact that he only started benching again two weeks before the NIKE Camp.
"Josh is a great kid," Carter said. "It has been a treat to work with Josh."