Two-sport star has a decision to make
After reaching the middle of nowhere and taking a right, then a left, you reach Coldspring, Texas.
At the base of Lake Livingston, the town with a population of only 681 is on the recruiting map – kind of. Franklin Reed is unsure of his future, but at 6-8, 240-pounds he's got one.
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"I love basketball and really want to play in college," Reed said said. "I just play football to stay in shape, but I'm not really looking to play in college. I've been talking with Texas and Texas-San Antonio lately about basketball. I'd like to talk with Houston also."
He also is not finished growing.
"My doctor says I'm supposed to grow another four inches, so I could end up being a seven-footer," he said.
Reed, however, is receiving significantly more interest for football than basketball. Missouri, LSU, Northwestern, Arkansas and Miami among others have visited the tight end/wide out, but are coming away confused.
"He's a better football prospect," Coldspring athletic director/football coach R. E. Lymas said. "He can run 4.5 40-yard dash and catch anything thrown his way. But I'm not sure he has the love for the game."
Coldspring finished 1-9 last season on the ponderosa, while he led his basketball team to a 23-5 record, reaching the third round of the playoffs.
"I consider myself a great defender," he said. "I do average like 20 points a game on put backs and running the court. I've been playing AAU basketball during the summer the last two years and have been receiving some exposure."
Nevertheless, basketball has gotten Reed into terrific shape. He has lost 40 pounds over the past 18 months from pounding the hardwood, which translates to the football field.
"We are expecting big things from Franklin this fall," he said. "I really think he will start receiving some offers in football during the season. We will definitely be getting the ball to him."