Former Ringgold High School standout Martez Eastland has transferred to Georgia Southern after spending one football season at the University of Mississippi, Ringgold coach Robert Akins confirmed.
Eastland, the 2008 and '09 Best of Preps North Georgia offensive player of the year, rushed for more than 3,000 yards in his final two prep seasons. The 6-foot-1, 235-pounder, who was listed as the No. 4 fullback in the country by Rivals.com, was headed to Georgia Southern when Ole Miss made a late offer.
Eastland had limited action as a Rebels freshman, rushing once for minus-2 yards and returning one kickoff for 39 yards. The lack of playing time was the main reason for the transfer, according to Akins.
"They hardly ever used a fullback this year, and Martez, like any player, wanted to get on the field," Akins said. "He really wanted to go to Georgia Southern before Ole Miss offered, so he's excited about the opportunity. They will definitely use him in that [option] offense."
Eastland, a criminal justice major, has begun classes in Statesboro.
Blue Hose for Penland
Calhoun receiver J.T. Palmer has committed to Presbyterian College in Clinton, S.C. Palmer earned Class AA all-state honors after leading the Yellow Jackets to the championship game with more than 1,100 yards receiving, including nearly 600 in the postseason. The 6-3 Palmer also received offers from Navy, Air Force, Samford and Tennessee Tech.
"He visited a couple of weeks ago, and they offered right away," Calhoun coach Hal Lamb said. "They're getting a good one, and I think he'll do well there."
Lamb said quarterback Landon Curtis, the state's offensive player of the year in his first season of starting, is awaiting an offer from Middle Tennessee State. He already has offers from West Georgia and Austin Peay.
Junior kicker Adam Griffith, Lamb reported, is closer to making an announcement, with Alabama the leader over LSU and Vanderbilt.
Spurrier woos Harris
South Carolina head coach Steve Spurrier spent two hours Monday with Ridgeland defensive end Mason Harris, according to Ridgeland coach Mark Mariakis. Harris, who commited to the Gamecocks last summer, recently received an offer from Miami and is planning to visit the Hurricanes later this month.
"Mason loves South Carolina, but he's still going to take the visit to Miami," Mariakis said Tuesday afternoon. "He just wants to make sure he knows where he wants to go. He's going to take his official visit to South Carolina this weekend."
Contact Lindsey Young at lyoung@timesfreepress.com or at 423-757-6296.