[Buckskin86]

http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-onlin...16574196.shtml

Sapp commits to GTech

Sandalwood linebacker decides to play football at Georgia Tech.

By CHASE GOODBREAD, The Times-Union

Marvin Sapp, a linebacker at Sandalwood and one of the area's top football prospects, told the Times-Union Monday that he has committed to play for Georgia Tech, choosing the Atlanta school over North Carolina and South Carolina.

Sapp visited Tech's campus over Labor Day weekend and was recruited by Tech assistant coach Buddy Geis, father of Sandalwood coach Adam Geis.

"The second time I went up there, it just felt right," Sapp said. "They are going to help me graduate and look out for my future, no matter what happens with football. That's what made a difference to me."

Sapp was named the Times-Union's Defensive Player of the Year in 2003 after compiling more than 120 tackles at Bolles. He transferred to Sandalwood in January and quickly claimed the starting middle linebacker job for the Saints. Sapp (6 feet, 210 pounds) is academically qualified for freshman eligibility, and said Georgia Tech has recruited him as a middle linebacker. Tech has three Jacksonville natives on its roster. Two of them, Jonathan Jackson of Bolles and Chirod Williams of White, will graduate before Sapp arrives next fall. Receiver Pat Clark of Mandarin is a freshman.

"I think [Sapp] is good enough to play on Sundays," said Adam Geis. "Physically, he works out like nothing I've seen before. He already power cleans more than all but six or seven guys on Georgia Tech's team, and this is a guy who still is going to get bigger."

Sapp is a relative of NFL star Warren Sapp and former Raines, Clemson and San Diego Charger Pat Sapp.

"He had a hard offer from just about everyone except Florida and FSU," Geis said. "But academically, he needs more than Florida and FSU, anyway. He can speak Spanish, he takes all AP [advanced placement] classes. Georgia Tech is right up his alley."

Sapp becomes the third T-U preseason Super 11 choice to make a commitment, joining Suwannee defensive back Bruce Johnson (Miami) and First Coast tight end Paul Muse (Clemson).