TBT’s Speights commits to WKU

Posted Feb 1, 2010 by Bill Ward

Updated Feb 1, 2010 at 11:17 AM

Tampa Bay Tech senior Jerome Speights, a three-year starter for the Titans at safety, has made a verbal commitment to Western Kentucky University, TBT head coach C.C. Culpepper said Monday.

Culpepper said Speights made his decision after visiting the school in Bowling Green, Ky., last weekend. Culpepper said Speights was impressed with the Hilltoppers’ new multi-million dollar athletic facility and improvements to their football stadium. He said Speights is also hoping to make an immediate impact at the Division-I school this fall.

“I think it’s a great opportunity for Jerome to get on the field right away,” Culpepper said. “And for Western Kentucky to land a kid like Jerome, it says a lot about what the school is doing in Florida and where the program is headed.”

Western Kentucky is coached by former Manatee High star quarterback Willie Taggart and the Hilltoppers’ new defensive line coach, Raymond Woodie, was a head coach at Bayshore and Palmetto. Among the prep players from Florida who have recently made commitments to WKU is prized quarterback recruit Brion Carnes of Manatee, who led the Hurricanes to the Class 5A state title game last season against Plant.

Speights is a player Culpepper calls his “quarterback on defense.” He has been one of the Titans’ leading tacklers the past two seasons and is the play caller for the unit on the field.

“He’s a guy we’re going to miss a lot around here because of his leadership, not just because of his athletic skills,” Culpepper said. “This kid can put on 15 pounds in college and just be unbelievable. I’m expecting great things from him up there.”

Speights was also recruited by and made official visits to New Mexico, Michigan State and Middle Tennessee.

Culpepper said TBT linebacker Greg “Buster” Hickman was suppose to make the same recruiting trip to WKU with Speights but opted not to go. So as it stands now, Hickman is expected to sign with Florida International University on Wednesday during TBT’s National Signing Day ceremony.

TBT’s star fullback, Maurice Hagens, will sign with Miami, linebacker Sam Jones has made a commitment to Grand Rapids (Mich.) Community College. Culpepper said he is expecting defensive tackle Mark Grant and cornerback Derrick McCray to make their college decisions soon.