Sleeper Peach State DB picks up offer

Before the tenure of Robert Herring, Newnan (Ga.) was never really known as a powerhouse program in high school football circles. Since Herring has taken over the program, the Cougars are quickly becoming not only one of the state’s most feared programs, but one of the best in producing Division I prospects. The most recent emerging prospect is standout linebacker/defensive back Renaldo Warner.

“Ball State and Jacksonville State recently offered me a scholarship,” Warner said. “Those aren’t big time schools, but I was excited and I am getting calls from a lot of schools that are bigger. Southern Miss, Mississippi State, Arkansas, Tennessee, Clemson and Memphis all called me in May too.”

Warner plays linebacker, but at 5-foot-9, 170 pounds, he is smart enough to know where he will end up in college.

“I made second-team all-region at linebacker as a junior,” Warner said. “I know that I won’t play there in college though. I would really like to play safety, but I think with my height most schools want me at cornerback. Maybe if I grow two or three inches I could play safety.”

Don’t let his size fool you, though. Warner is strong and packs a big time punch when he hits you. Just ask the one of the 113 guys he tackles last year or one of the six he sacked. He’s got quickness and leaping ability; just ask the two quarterbacks he intercepted his junior year.

“I’m looking for a school with a great tradition and background, that is real important to me in a school,” Warner said. “I would like to play pretty early too. I know that is not the easiest thing to do, but if I go and work hard I think I can do it. I just want to know the opportunity is there.”

Warner plans to camp at Georgia and Tennessee over the summer. He is also going to attend a 7-on-7 camp at Clemson with some of his teammates.

“Clemson and Middle Tennessee State are really recruiting me hard,” Warner said. “They told me that they saw my film and really like me a lot and they want me to come to camp and they would make a decision on whether to offer me or not.”