2005

b~EEK OF --'-)~U.!.-!n---'-/J---L------

Louisville twins giving Tigers longlook By MarkAlexander malexendriclarlonled!ler.com

"I'd say it's pretty much wide open now," Mantrell said. ~e're just going to wait and see how things work out. We'll probably wait until SigningDay." One factor working in Jackson State's favor is the fact the Ash– fords would like to stay close to home. "That's what we'd rather do," Derrell said. In addition, JSU assistant coach Zack Grady, a Louisville alum, is a family friend. "His sister and my sister are good friends," Derrell said. Taylorsville quarterback Kris Thigpen is also among those scheduled to visit JSU this week– end. Thigpen originally verbally committed to Vanderbilt last August. only to get a call from Commodores coach Bobby John– son the next day rescinding the

scholarshipoffer. Thigpen, 6-foot-4, 190 pounds, passed for 2,653 yards and 26 touchdowns as a junior and 1,356 yards and 8 touchdowns this past seasonas a senior. Many expect Thigpen to sign with Alcorn State. But be visited DeltaStateonThursday, isvisiting JSU this weekend and is contem– platinga visit toOhio University. "They're·(Ohio U.) kind of an unknown quantity right now," Tay– lorsville coach Shannon White said. "They're just getting film on him. I think it's prettywide open. "Kris is a good quarterback. and rve coached enough good ones to know,"Whitesaid. "Hecan flat out throw the football. He's a pocket passer. If he was a scrambler, he'd be in theSECright now."

our list," Mantreil said. "' came down to \Vatch the Capital City Classic, and I really liked it.• Mantrell. a 6-ioot-3, 225-pound defensive end. and Derrell, a ~10, 200-pound linebacker. each start– ed the past tv;o seaso~ at Eas· Central Colllllnmiry CoDege. "Both of those guys are really good players.· East c~ntral cc coach Terry Underwood ....aid. "Wherever they go, that schoOl v.ill be getting two good ones.· Mantrell, a second-team All– State selection. ~ in the Mis– sissippi Junior College All-~tar game. He runs the ~ya.'"li dash in the 4.6 range. He ba a~"' t d interest from New Mexicc State, North Dakota State. Cf:'nt ral A.rkansas, North Alabama and Ien– nessee-Chattanoogaamong others.

Mantrell and Derrell Ashford played pee-wee football together, they played junior high football together and they played high school football together. And, yes, the twin -J 8 - 0 -- brothers from Louisville also plan ---– to play college football together. "I can't play without him," Mantrell saidThursday. "No doubt, we would like to stick together,"Derrell said. The only question that remains is where. The Ashfords have attracted interest from several schools, including Jackson State, where the two are scheduled to take an official visitthisweekend. "Jackson State is really high on

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