Darius McKeller

February 29, 2008

Bama has inside track on talented OL

Darius McKeller

The state of Georgia appears to be loaded with an excellent group of offensive linemen in the class of 2009. One of those with the most upside is perhaps Jonesboro's Darius McKeller. The 6-6, 285-pound McKeller has great size, nimble feet and good bloodlines.

"His dad, Keith McKeller, played for Marv Levy for 12 seasons with the Buffalo Bills," says Jonesboro head coach Clint Satterfield. "Darius is a lot like his dad. He's a very athletic kid. Darius moves really well for a big kid. Pass blocking is his strength. He's got tremendous upside.

"He's got to get strong in the upper body. But he's just 16 years old. He's going to develop his strength. The impressive thing is how well he can move his feet at such a young age."

McKeller has picked up early offers from Alabama, Georgia Tech and Mississippi State, and he's attracting strong interest from Georgia, LSU and Notre Dame.

It appears that McKeller's decision will probably come down to Alabama and Mississippi State.

"He and his family have a lot of contacts in Alabama," Satterfield says. "His dad played his college ball over there at Jacksonville State. His mother is from Alabama. She's got some ties to [former Alabama star] Cornelius Bennett. So I think they like Alabama."

"Alabama likes him enough that they'd take him as an early commitment," Satterfield adds. "They came over last year to watch [Griffin defensive lineman] Toby Jackson. That's when they noticed Darius. Darius was going up against a defensive end from Griffin who ran a 4.6 40, but he couldn't get past Darius. Darius was burying him all night."

Satterfield says that McKeller might make an early decision.

"I think he would like to do that," Satterfield says. "I think that he wants to get it out of the way early."

Another Jonesboro player the Tide staff is showing interest in is wide receiver Jason Griffin. The 6-1, 185-pound Griffin is being recruited by Alabama, Clemson, Georgia Tech and Louisville.

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	Darius McKeller February 29, 2008 Bama has inside track on talented OL Darius McKeller The state of Georgia appears to be loaded with an excellent group of offensive linemen in the class of 2009. One of those with the most upside is perhaps Jonesboro's Darius McKeller. The 6-6, 285-pound McKeller has great size, nimble feet and good bloodlines. "His dad, Keith McKeller, played for Marv Levy for 12 seasons with the Buffalo Bills," says Jonesboro head coach Clint Satterfield. "Darius is a lot like his dad. He's a very athletic kid. Darius moves really well for a big kid. Pass blocking is his strength. He's got tremendous upside. "He's got to get strong in the upper body. But he's just 16 years old. He's going to develop his strength. The impressive thing is how well he can move his feet at such a young age." McKeller has picked up early offers from Alabama, Georgia Tech and Mississippi State, and he's attracting strong interest from Georgia, LSU and Notre Dame. It appears that McKeller's decision will probably come down to Alabama and Mississippi State. "He and his family have a lot of contacts in Alabama," Satterfield says. "His dad played his college ball over there at Jacksonville State. His mother is from Alabama. She's got some ties to [former Alabama star] Cornelius Bennett. So I think they like Alabama." "Alabama likes him enough that they'd take him as an early commitment," Satterfield adds. "They came over last year to watch [Griffin defensive lineman] Toby Jackson. That's when they noticed Darius. Darius was going up against a defensive end from Griffin who ran a 4.6 40, but he couldn't get past Darius. Darius was burying him all night." Satterfield says that McKeller might make an early decision. "I think he would like to do that," Satterfield says. "I think that he wants to get it out of the way early." Another Jonesboro player the Tide staff is showing interest in is wide receiver Jason Griffin. The 6-1, 185-pound Griffin is being recruited by Alabama, Clemson, Georgia Tech and Louisville. Join the forum discussion.