[COLOR=#000000][FONT=Times New Roman][FONT=Tahoma]The Kentucky football program has been able to recruit in the state of Georgia extremely well ever since Joker Phillips returned under Rich Brooks’ reign. Now that Joker is the head coach, it doesn’t look as if the Cats will stop recruiting the Peach State anytime soon. [/FONT][/FONT][/COLOR][FONT=Tahoma]
[/FONT] [FONT=Tahoma][COLOR=#000000]But the running back Joker has his eye on down in Georgia is now dropping Kentucky down his list a bit. Just a week ago, Hinesville (GA) Liberty County’s Shadrach Thornton said that Kentucky was his leader. Nationofblue.com talked with Thornton on Wednesday, and found out that the Cats are now trailing behind an ACC school.[/COLOR][/FONT][FONT=Tahoma]
[/FONT] [FONT=Tahoma][COLOR=#000000]The four schools Thornton mentioned a week ago were Kentucky, N.C. State, Georgia Tech, and Vanderbilt, and he made it clear at the time that the list was in correct order. “Those four schools are still the four schools I’m looking at,” Thornton said, “but my leader has changed. North Carolina State is now my leader.”[/COLOR][/FONT][FONT=Tahoma]
[/FONT] [FONT=Tahoma][COLOR=#000000]Thornton said he did some research into the rosters of the schools on his list, and that prompted a change at the top. “I recently looked up online the running back situation for Kentucky. They signed about six running backs, and the talent there looks pretty good. They’re set for the next few years. And I want to go somewhere I can really make an immediate impact. North Carolina State did not sign any running backs last year. So, if I go there, I’ll be competing for a starting spot against someone in my class.[/COLOR][/FONT][FONT=Tahoma]
[/FONT] [FONT=Tahoma][COLOR=#000000]“And I feel I can really help those guys. I feel like I’m ready…born to play the game.”[/COLOR][/FONT][FONT=Tahoma]
[/FONT] [FONT=Tahoma][COLOR=#000000]Kentucky is in the running for Thornton’s services because of a relationship he has built with new UK assistant coach Steve Pardue. Pardue was the head coach at LaGrange High School in Georgia, very near Liberty County. As a matter of fact, Pardue coached against Thornton’s team in the first round of the playoffs last year.[/COLOR][/FONT][FONT=Tahoma]
[/FONT] [FONT=Tahoma][COLOR=#000000]Kentucky has not offered many running backs in the 2012 class, and are hoping to get Thornton on campus for a visit this season, to make an effort at becoming the leader once again. “I will visit Vanderbilt and Kentucky during the season, for sure,” Thornton said. “It’s not like I’ve made a final decision or anything. All four of those schools are very close.”[/COLOR][/FONT][FONT=Tahoma]
[/FONT] [FONT=Tahoma][COLOR=#000000]The 6-foot-1, 210-pound Thornton is rated three out of five stars at his position by Rivals, and has been steading rising after impressive summer camp performances.[/COLOR][/FONT][FONT=Tahoma]
[/FONT] [FONT=Tahoma][COLOR=#000000]“Our entire offense is pretty much ran through him,” Liberty County offensive coordinator Ryan Glazer said. “This will be his third year starting, and it seems like every game, everyone is keying on him with their defense. He can run inside or outside. And there are even times when we put him at quarterback, in somewhat of a “wildcat” formation. He can throw the ball. He threw two touchdowns last season.[/COLOR][/FONT][FONT=Tahoma]
[/FONT] [FONT=Tahoma][COLOR=#000000]“He’s a valuable weapon catching the ball. He has the best hands on our team, and runs the best routes as a running back. We run the spread, so he’s usually the only back in the backfield. But we can split him out, too, because of his catching ability. He can run a kick back. He pretty much can do everything for us.”[/COLOR][/FONT]
