[ COLLEGE RECRUITING ]
Titans sign Jackson
for Europe
The Tennessee Titans never gave up on Nate Jackson, and they proved it yesterday by signing the popular, hard-hitting safety from Waianae and the University of Hawaii to an NFL Europe contract.
"They really liked him two years ago," Jackson's agent, Leo Goeas, said.
Jackson was in the Titans' camp as a free agent in the summer of 2002, but returned home due to a death in his family and was later released from the team. Then, in December of that year, Jackson underwent heart-valve-replacement surgery. His life was in the balance, not to mention his football future.
But Jackson has recovered well, and was going to play this spring and summer for the Hawaiian Islanders of arenafootball2 if the Titans' deal -- which also includes a guaranteed spot in training camp this year -- didn't come through.
Islanders coach Cal Lee said he is disappointed he won't have the 5-foot-11, 180-pound Jackson in his lineup this season.
"Those things happen," Lee said. "Good for him. You've got to be happy for the guy being given a chance to reach his dreams. We're happy for him."
Jackson leaves Feb. 23 for a three-week training camp in Florida for NFL Europe players.
"Then he'll find out what team he's allocated to," Goeas said. "After the season, it will be time for training camp."
Goeas also said several former UH players will work out for scouts at a "pro day" on March 23 in Los Angeles.
Warriors defensive line alums Houston Ala, Kevin Jackson, Travis LaBoy, Lance Samuseva and Isaac Sopoaga are among the players expected to participate.
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4 Crusaders headed
to Alcorn State
Four Saint Louis football players will sign national letters of intent today to play for Alcorn State in Mississippi.
Three of the four are Star-Bulletin first-team all-state selections -- running back B.J. Batts, linebacker Dylan Moss and offensive lineman Bronson Carvalho.
The other is defensive lineman Oren Long.
The Braves were also pursuing Crusaders defensive back Keao Monteilh, who will instead accept an invitation to walk on at the University of Hawaii.
"It's just an opportunity to go somewhere far away from Hawaii and it's one of the top schools in the South," Moss said.
"But the best part of it is that I get to be with my closest buddies."
Moss said the Alcorn State coaches mentioned that they like his aggressive style and that he may also be used as a long snapper.
"They told me that they like the fact that I'm always flying to the ball and I'm always around the ball, whether I make the tackle or not," he added.
The Braves coaches told Batts he'll likely work out as a kick returner in his first year and as a running back after that.
"I'm really excited," Batts said. "It was a big decision and I had a hard time choosing where I wanted to go.
"Without a doubt, it's great to be going with guys you know. I've been best friends with Dylan since eighth grade."
Carvalho and Long were also key ingredients for the Crusaders last fall.
The Interscholastic League of Honolulu champions made it to the state Division I championship game, but lost to Kahuku 27-26.
Alcorn State was also interested in Saint Louis kicker/punter C.J. Santiago, but couldn't offer him a scholarship. Santiago plans to wait until March to decide where he wants to go.
A Division I-AA school, Alcorn State competes in the Southwestern Athletic Conference and is well known for feeding the NFL with top-grade talent.
Tennessee quarterback Steve McNair, the NFL's co-MVP this year, and Green Bay wide receiver Donald Driver played for the Braves.
