[GoRU]

Tech, Oklahoma, South Carolina offer Flowery Branch DE | Football recruiting | ajc.com

Central Florida, Georgia Tech, Oklahoma and South Carolina are the first programs to extend scholarship offers to Flowery Branch defensive end Izaan Cross.”

Though Florida and Georgia have yet to offer, each school continues to actively recruit the 6-foot-4, 240-pound junior.

“Florida is recruiting him as a tight end, which is kind of funny because everybody else is recruiting him as a defensive end,” Flowery Branch Lee Shaw said.

Cross, who runs the 40 in just over 4.7 seconds, will likely get some reps at tight end in Shaw’s offense this fall.

“Florida asked me if he has good hands,” Shaw said. “I told them ‘yes’ and what a versatile athlete he is. He has good speed and great hands.”

Despite holding a limited number of class of 2009 scholarships, Georgia may be on the brink of offering Cross.

“Georgia had him down one time, and I think they want him to come back for another junior day,” Shaw said. “They’re in contact with me about him.”

The offer from Oklahoma has apparently given Cross a national presence in the recruiting world.

“He’s starting to get correspondence from schools like Southern Cal, Oregon and Ohio State,” Shaw said. “It’s becoming nationwide for him now.”

Shaw believes it’s too soon to declare a front runner.

“He’s just taking it all in, to be honest,” Shaw said. “I don’t know that there is one major school in his sights.

“I think he’s just enjoying the recruiting process and enjoying people wanting him, like every high school player does.”

Shaw’s son, Jaybo Shaw, signed with Georgia Tech last month to play quarterback.

Lee Shaw said it would be a disservice for him to urge Cross to rule out other programs and join his son at Tech.

“I think there is a natural kind of draw for him to Georgia Tech,” Shaw said. “But ultimately, it comes down to that kid and his family. I’d feel awfully guilty if I convince him to go to a school that wasn’t a right fit for him.”