Tatum sets next official visit
It has been a rough year for Oakland (Calif.) McClymonds linebacker Joshua Tatum but things are starting to turn around for the better. He had successful ACL surgery two weeks ago, was recently honored as an Army All-American and is doing well enough in his rehab to take another official visit later this month.
Tatum, 6-1, 220 pounds has only played in five games over the last two seasons yet he's still one of the most heavily recruited players in the country. After tearing his ACL on the opening kickoff of the Warriors game in week four this season, Tatum was in a state of shock for a few days but is round back in to shape now.
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"I was just so stunned and didn't know what to think," Tatum said. "I worked so hard in the off-season to get in great shape and then to blow out my knee so early in the year, I was just stunned. But all the coaches who were recruiting me called right after the injury to say they were going to stand by me and still wanted me to play for their program. That meant a lot to me and makes me want to work even harder to get back in to shape by the fall.
"The surgery went well though and I'm doing good right now. My spirits are up. The US Army was at our school yesterday to invite me and Derrick (Hill) to play in the All-American game and even though I obviously can't play in it, it was still a big honor just to make it."
Tatum took an official visit to Tennessee earlier in the month and will take one more trip in two weeks before making his decision.
"I'm going to visit Miami (Oct. 28) when they host North Carolina," Tatum said. "I really want to check out Miami, they're a school I've always liked. After that visit, I'm going to sit down and talk with my coaches and family and try to make a decision in early November. I have December trips with Cal and USC but I don't think I need to take those.