SMU lands 2A player of year

When you think of East Texas football, a lot of people think of Jerry Bennett.

The long time high school coach at Jefferson was one of the best in the area before he took his game to SMU. He continues to recruit that area with great success and he's landed his first pledge for the class of 2007.

SMU has picked up its second commitment, this time the pledge is from DeKalb, Texas, athlete/dual-threat quarterback Terrance Ganaway. The 6-foot, 199-pounder had one of the better days at the recent College Station NIKE Training Camp, where he clocked a 4.64-second time in the 40-yard dash, 21 in the bench press, 4.68-second time in the shuttle and a 30-inch vertical leap.

He also gets it done on the field.

As a junior he was named class 2A state player of the year after rushing for 2,335 yards and 22 scores on 296 carries. He plays quarterback in high school but was recruited by the Ponies to play athlete.

"I committed to coach Bennett tonight," Ganaway said. "I committed to them because they were the first team that believed in me enough to offer me a scholarship. I also like it because it's close to home and I really like the coaches. Jerry Bennett is a really funny guy, and I like him and the other coaches a lot.

"SMU recruited me as an athlete. I'll play anywhere they put me at. I just want to play football."

Ganaway was also recruited by Houston, Sam Houston State, Stephen F. Austin, North Texas, Tulsa and Louisiana Tech. He also named his districts' most valuable player and he also earned all-region honors in 2005.

Named class 2A state player of the year on offense in 2005. Also was named his district's most valuable player and also earned all-region honors as a junior.