Salley chooses Furman over Georgia Southern

It was a bit like choosing to take Ashanti or Beyonce to the prom.

Blackville-Hilda's Tharry Salley might have had the toughest choice of any area recruit so far in where to play his college football.

The fullback prospect had to choose between Furman and Georgia Southern. The Division I-AA equivalents of Jennifer Garner or Jessica Alba, if you will.

After weeks of contemplation, Salley knows the color of the next jersey he will put on will be purple, not navy blue.

"I'm going to go to Furman," Salley said. "It was a tough decision between them and (Georgia) Southern but I put a lot of thought in it and it's going to be Furman."

The thoroughness of the decision was a reflection of his intellectual prowess. Salley put the smarts that produced a 3.5 grade point average and over an 1,100 SAT score to good use.

"I looked at it as what environment and what campus I would want to be in if football was taken from me," Salley said. "I'm not hoping for that but it made the decision easier. They place fullbacks up on a pedestal at Georgia Southern but I just didn't think I'd feel as comfortable there as at Furman if for some reason I couldn't play football anymore."

Salley said that both schools were equal in the presentation of their campus and football programs. His hosts on each official visit were solid ambassadors. The tiebreaker was another unique look at the biggest decision of his young life.

"I looked at the guys I would be coming in with," Salley said. "I was cool with the guys that were on the trip with me going to Furman. I could envision myself hanging out, practicing and playing with those guys. It felt like the place."

He got to know a few incoming Paladins while practicing for the North Carolina-South Carolina Shrine Bowl this past month.

"I just got along really well with the guys who were going to be in my incoming class," Salley said.

Salley had a stellar career. He ran for almost 3,600 yards and 52 touchdowns. The 6-foot-2, 220-pound force put his name on the map with 30 scores in his junior year. He committed to Furman late Thursday evening.

"It's a solid decision," Salley said. "A strong one that is not likely to change."

HEPHZIBAH HOPES: Four Rebels are attracting attention because of their strong academic profiles plus their on-field savvy.

Leading the way is 255-pound offensive lineman Derick Grant. Grant has been offered by Alabama State. He is expected to fly to James Madison next week.

Grant's intelligence helped a 6-foot-5 blocker stand out even further. He has a high-B average and a 980 on the SAT.

Although limited by a cast that covered most of his one arm and a wrist, Jeremy D. Thomas was as explosive off the line as any player in the area this year. He scored over 1,100 on his SAT and has been asked to play for the Merchant Marine Academy.

Intense linebacker Bruce Lee has an official visit set for Fort Valley State and also interest from Clark Atlanta. The 6-foot, 175-pound Lee is also well above the NCAA qualifying standard.

The team's final prospect is 215-pound linebacker J'Michael Swain. He's received attention from the Apprentice School in Virginia and Belhaven College in Mississippi, among others. He topped 950 on his SAT.

"A coach can always wish for more players," Hephzibah head coach Todd Booker said. "but I can't wish for them to work harder in the classroom than mine."

GLENN HILLS UPDATE: Spartans defensive end Larry Knight has added an offer from James Madison to his list. He now faces a choice between the Dukes and Division I-A Central Michigan.

"That's what's bouncing around my head right," Knight said, who scored 1,020 on his SAT. "I've got an offer from the defending Division I-AA national champion in James Madison in one hand and a Division I-A offer, the highest level of college football, in the other. That's not going to be an easy one to break down."

Knight visited Coastal Carolina in Myrtle Beach this weekend. He said that teammate Reggie Wesby also made the trip and committed to James Madison last weekend.

"That doesn't make it any easier," Knight said, who carries a 3.8 GPA. "I could go up there and room with Reggie."

Wesby made 180 tackles for Glenn Hills from his linebacker position this year. According to Glenn Hills coach Felix Curry, Wesby might still consider an offer from Georgia Southern despite that commitment.

Travis Jefferson, another Glenn Hills prospect, appears to be seriously considering a chance to play for Division I-AA Charleston Southern in the Big South Conference.

IRISH EYE: Aquinas' all-state defensive back Eric Stallings is also hoping for an offer from James Madison after speaking with a member of the staff. The 5-foot-10 senior also has offers from Carson-Newman and Samford.

Reach Jeff Sentell at (706) 823-3425 or jeff.sentell@augustachronicle.com.