College football recruiting notes: Central-Phenix City's J.D. McKissic commits to Arkansas State
Arkansas State is shaping up to feel just like home for Central-Phenix City wide receiver and kick returner J.D. McKissic.
McKissic (5-foot-10, 180 pounds) joined Central linebacker Bronterrious Jakes in committing to the Red Wolves. McKissic said he feels a connection to Arkansas State coaches and expects to fit well in the system under first-year head coach and former offensive coordinator Hugh Freeze.
“The wide receivers coach reminds me a lot of my high school coach, and they showed me a lot of love when I went there,” said McKissic, a first-team Ledger-Enquirer All-Bi-City selection.
“It really seemed like they wanted me a lot, and they weren’t afraid to throw the ball.”
McKissic said he also is looking forward to the same kind of winning records he had at Central. The Red Wolves went 4-8 last season but set several school records on offense.
“They’re definitely coming up,” McKissic said of the Red Wolves. “There’s going to be a great awakening.”
McKissic rushed for 411 yards and 19 touchdowns, had 557 yards and six touchdowns receiving and returned a kickoff for a touchdown in 2010.
McKissic and Jakes are expected to sign Feb. 2, national signing day.
Report: Fanning sticking with Alabama
Rumors that former Harris County and Auburn High defensive lineman and longtime Alabama commitment LaMichael Fanning would visit Auburn ended where they began this week.
FoxSports and scout.com recruiting analyst Andrew Bone reported Tuesday that Fanning likely would visit Auburn this weekend, fueling speculation that the Crimson Tide commitment could shift gears in the final days before national signing day.
But by Wednesday night, notions of Fanning’s possible interest in Auburn were quelled when Bone reported on Twitter that Fanning did not, in fact, have plans to visit Auburn and remains “100% solid to Alabama.”
Fanning committed to Alabama in April, when he was with Auburn High. He later transferred to Harris County for a senior season that ended with him leaving the team in October after being suspended for violating an undisclosed team rule.
Fanning could not be reached for comment this week.
Hardaway’s Scott, Jackson taking visits
Recruiting is heating up for a pair of Hardaway starters in the finals days before national signing day.
Hardaway athlete Austin Scott (5-7, 169) was slated to visit Valdosta State on Thursday and West Georgia on Sunday. Hardaway coach Jeff Battles said he expects both schools to offer Scott a scholarship.
Hardaway linebacker Walter Jackson (5-11, 190) met with Huntingdon coaches this week and plans on setting up a visit to West Alabama. Battles said those schools were likely to make offers, too.
Scott and Jackson were first-team Ledger-Enquirer All-Bi-City selections in 2010.
Chris White, 706-571-8571; follow Chris online at twitter.com/le_chriswhite and at facebook.com/lechriswhite.
This story was originally published January 28, 2011 at 12:00 AM with the headline "College football recruiting notes: Central-Phenix City's J.D. McKissic commits to Arkansas State."