Palmetto LB draws wide interest

Junior to Watch: Alex Pearson

School: Greenville, S.C.

Position: Inside Linebacker

Size and speed: Pearson is 6-foot-2, weighs 249 pounds and runs the 40-yard dash in 4.7 seconds. He also boasts a 300-pound bench press and a 425-pound squat.

Statistics: As a junior, he recorded 101 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, five sacks, three blocked punts, two forced fumbles and one interception.

Honors: Was selected all-region and all-county.

Favorite Schools: South Carolina, Clemson, Georgia Tech, Michigan, Penn State, Virginia

Skinny: There’s a certain distinguishable sound when linebacker Alex Pearson reaches the ball carrier, according to Greenville coach Larry Frost.

“There’s no mistaking it,” Frost said. “There’s a big crack, and the guy always ends up going backwards. That’s the first thing coaches point out when they watch film on Alex. When he hits you, you get popped.”

Frost describes Pearson as a classic middle linebacker, although he’s been playing outside for Greenville earlier in his career.

“We’ve had him outside because of his great speed and agility,” he said. “He’s got excellent feet. But we’re going to stick him in the middle this year so people can’t see No. 44 and run away from his side. I think that’s where he’s going to end up playing in college, too, so it will help him get prepared for that.”

Pearson recorded 101 tackles, 11 TFL and five sacks as a junior. He’s also a standout in the classroom, maintaining a 4.3 weighted GPA. He scored a 1,000 on his first SAT attempt, but “he’s going to take it again because he wasn’t satisfied with that,” Frost said. “That gives you an indication of his work ethic and desire, both as a football player and student. He goes about both of them with the same determination.”

Schools showing early interest in Pearson include South Carolina, Clemson, Michigan, Penn State, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Virginia and Wake Forest.

“I’m not sure if he’s got a favorite right now, but academics will probably be a big part of it,” Frost said.