Tarver, Andre - Ringgold - baseball.He may be better known for his freshman exploits on the football field, but Andre Tarver's dream always has been to play baseball beyond the high school level.
The Ringgold High School sophomore has secured that dream after accepting an offer to play at SEC power Mississippi State University. Tarver, a 6-foot-2, 180-pound outfielder, visited the Starkville campus recently and informed Bulldogs coaches of his decision Wednesday.
"That's my dream, to play baseball as long as I can," said Tarver, who hit .420 in his first varsity season and displayed exceptional defensive skills. "The coaches watched me play one game, and they liked how I played. I had a very good connection with the coaches when I visited, and it just felt right."
A football wide receiver who recently was clocked at 4.56 seconds in the 40-yard dash at Georgia State's prospect camp, Tarver has received increased interest from college football recruiters and received an offer from Old Dominion recently. After gaining 886 yards on 37 receptions and scoring eight touchdowns, he's also had such schools as Tennessee, Georgia, Auburn, Michigan and Penn State showing considerable interest.
As of now, though, Tarver insists baseball is where his heart lies.
"I don't see myself playing very long in football," he said, adding that he does intend to continue to play for Robert Akins' Ringgold team. "I really don't want to hurt myself, and I think I have a better future in baseball."
Ringgold baseball coach Brent Tucker didn't disagree.
"I've coached Andre since he was 7 or 8, and he's always had a dream of playing big-time baseball," Tucker said. "He's going to one of the best programs in the country. You can't pass this up, and he's got a great future."
Tucker said Tarver's skills are only going to improve, and major league scouts already have taken notice.
"He's 6-2, 180 right now and could easily get to 6-3 and close to 200 pounds," Tucker said. "He has a big-time arm from the outfield. He was clocked at 91 mph last summer at the USA Baseball Trials.
"He has great speed, all the tools scouts are talking about."
Contact Lindsey Young at lyoung@timesfreepress.com or at 423-757-6296; follow on Twitter @youngsports22