Batiste ready for spring football
Despite not having many passes thrown his way in 2010, Lutcher (La.) junior Jordan Batiste still managed to be productive in several ways in the defensive secondary. The 5-foot-9 and 170-pound cornerback had 84 tackles, two interceptions, one fumble recovery and a blocked punt last fall.
Later next week, Batiste will continue to fine-tune his coverage skills and his tackling skills.
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"We start spring ball on May 9th and everybody is ready to go," said Batiste. "At corner I am pretty comfortable in man coverage and bump and run. And I love being in run support and I want to keep doing well in those areas.
"Overall, I am just hoping to impress all the college coaches coming to see me practice. I hope I do well enough to get more offers and attention."
And Batiste is expecting several visitors this spring. Already owning offers from Mississippi State, Southern Miss, Tulane, Memphis and North Texas, Batiste noted of the other schools stopping by this spring.
"I went to see a couple of schools this spring and went to junior days at Mississippi State, LSU and Tulane," said Batiste. "And then Pittsburgh, Ole Miss, LSU, Tennessee and the schools that offered me are coming by to see me this spring.
"Later in the summer, I am going to camps at Mississippi State, Ole Miss, LSU and North Texas. And next Saturday I am going to a Nike combine in Houston, Texas."
Concerning his MSU offer, Batiste noted that one of the Bulldogs' biggest selling points is simply their head coach Dan Mullen.
"I like the Mississippi State coaching staff," said Batiste. "Coach Mullen is a cool coach and a good guy. I can tell their program is about to be a major contender in the future, and probably starting next year. They've kept in good touch with me this spring."
Of the schools offering him and showing interest, Batiste said the pair of SEC schools in the Magnolia State are at the top of his favorites' list.
"Out of all the schools, I like Mississippi State and Ole Miss," Batiste said. "I like Coach Mullen cause he is straight up with you and I feel I could play early at both schools. With Ole Miss, I've always liked them and with them showing me interest, that made me like them even more."
Concerning his eventual college decision, Batiste has a shorter timeframe than most 2012 prospects. That's because he is scheduled to graduate in December and arrive on a college campus somewhere when the new year arrives.
"I hope to have a good idea after the summer camps," said Batiste. "I plan to know by then and know before my senior year starts. Since I am graduating early in December, I need to know by this summer."