"I just think it taught me that the game is
bigger than any one person. It is a business, and if you do not produce, you are
expendable. No matter what you have done in the past, it is all about what you
do in the present and the future," added T.J. Pridemore. "You have to
keep getting better and better, or you will get passed over. No matter what level
you are playing on."
T.J. is a 6' 2", 235 pound linebacker for
Buford that reports a 4.58 forty.
"I think my size and speed are
my biggest strengths. I also love contact. I love to hit."
And what
would this Pridemore like to work on?
"Everything, just watching film
and learning more and more about offenses. I want to work on my speed and keep
working hard in the weight room."
T.J. had a successful junior campaign
as he collected 115 tackles, 3 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, and recovered 2 fumbles.
He was named 1st Team All-State by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. But
Pridemore felt a little disappointed with how the season ended.
"It
did not end how we wanted it to, but I had a pretty good season. I am really competitive
so I am never happy unless we win it all. I know next year I will come back bigger/stronger/and
faster."
Who are the main colleges involved in Pridemore's recruitment?
"That
would be Vandy, Virginia Tech, Ole Miss, Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, Duke,
Auburn, and Florida State."
Any offers?
"Mississippi State,
Duke, and Ole Miss have offered me."
Has T.J. taken in any Jr Days
this Spring?
"I went to South Carolina, Ole Miss, and Duke."
Did
anyone accompany Pridemore on his Ole Miss trip?
"My father, J.T.
Swanson, and RB Demetris Murrah came with me."
How did T.J.'s experience
at Ole Miss go?
"I liked it at all three schools. I liked Ole Miss
because I liked their staff the best, and they have great facilities over there."
Was
this T.J.'s first trip to Oxford?
"Yes, I heard their campus was
going to be really impressive, and it was, but their football and athletic facilities
were better than I was expecting."
What stood out the most about Ole
Miss?
"I liked their coaches a lot. I really like Coaches Freeze and
Orgeron. Being a defensive guy, I like how defensive minded their coaching staff
is. That is what they are, a defensive minded team."
Did anyone come
with Pridemore on his South Carolina trip?
"My father and Omar Hunter came with me."
How did T.J.'s experience at South Carolina
go?
"I like Coach Spurrier a lot. My recruiting coach, Coaches Beamer,
and Nix and are all good people. They also had nice facilities, but I liked their
stadium and location of the school. It is only 3 hours from my house. I like that."
What
stood out the most about South Carolina?
"There are a couple of guys
I know who play for them. Yvun Benag and Jared Cook, I grew up around those guys.
One plays offense and the other plays defense. When I talk to those guys, they
both love the coaches there. That is impressive that both of them have nothing
but good things to say about their staff."
Did anyone accompany T.J.
on his Duke trip?
"Both of my parents and my brother were there."
How
did the visit go?
"It was good. I have a brother, Matt Pridemore,
who plays for Duke. He is greyshirting this year. I like Coach Spencer a lot.
He is my recruiting coordinator. Ted Roof is another defensive minded coach, like
Ole Miss'. He really seems like he is working hard to turn things around up there.
They work real hard."
What did T.J. like the most about Duke?
"I
like how hard their staff works and their football facilities are really nice."
What
has T.J.'s father said about each school?
"He just gives me a general
perspective about each school, just a few pros and cons. He played for West Virginia,
but he wants it to be my decision, so he does not give me an opinion about each
school. But he has been impressed with all of them."
Besides the colleges
that T.J. has visited, have anymore caught his eye?
"Not really, but
I would like to go over to West Virginia and check it out."
What stands
out about West Virginia?
"My dad was inducted into their Hall of Fame
when I was 11. I have been up to a few of their games."
Is Pridemore's
father disappointed that West Virginia has not offered yet?
"No sir,
he is not disappointed. We have been talking to West Virginia a good bit lately."
T.J.
should have no problems qualifying as he carries a 3.8 Core GPA / 1450 SAT.