In the last decade, the Chattanooga area has produced a steady stream of Division I-A football prospects. From 2004 through ’07, 26 area players signed with Division I-A programs, including 15 with Southeastern Conference schools.

There even were years in which some of the nation’s top-rated talent came from the Scenic City. Former Red Bank star Gerald Riggs was the nation’s top-ranked running back prospect, while former Tyner defensive lineman Demonte Bolden was the state’s top overall recruit and Adarius Bowman was rated in the top 10 nationally. The area signing class of 2004 included five players who signed with SEC programs: Bolden and Dalton’s Cam Mayo to Tennessee, Tyner’s Greg Smith and North Jackson’s Blake Shrader to Auburn and Grundy County’s K.T. Mainord to South Carolina.

Only Bolden has seen significant playing time from that group.

After having no SEC signees among the five area players who signed with Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly I-A) programs last year, this fall is shaping up to be a gold rush of talent for college coaches. In terms of sheer volume, the tri-state area never has been so talent-rich, with nearly a dozen legitimate top-level prospects.

“This is as good a group of prospects as Chattanooga has ever had,” said one SEC assistant who has recruited this area. “There were some years with one or two guys who could really play at our level and a few others who were possibles, but this year there are several that look like they could really help any team.”

Two area players from the class of 2009 have already committed to SEC schools. McCallie’s Jay Fullam (6-foot-1, 190), the nation’s 53rd best safety according to Rivals.com, was Vanderbilt’s first commitment. Soon after, Rhea County offensive lineman Kevin Revis pledged his services to Tennessee.

With the current trend of committing early, at least five other area players could commit within the coming weeks.

One who continues gaining attention nearly every day is Ridgeland’s Mike Bowman, the younger brother of Adarius. The 6-foot-5, 212-pound receiver has steadily risen up the recruiting boards and is the nation’s 17th-rated player at his position according to Rivals.com. He has official offers from LSU, Arkansas, Ole Miss, Alabama, Kentucky, North Carolina State and Purdue and impressed Georgia coaches at a team camp two weeks ago.

The area’s top-rated recruit is North Jackson linebacker Tana Patrick (6-3, 229), who is ranked the nation’s fifth best linebacker by Rvals and is among the top 65 overall players nationally.

“I’ve put about 2,500 miles on my car the last few weeks just getting him to camps,” said North Jackson coach Shawn Peek. “He’s already got that D-I body and could step into the huddle with any team in America right now.”

Patrick, who has been invited to play in the U.S. Army and Under Armour All America games, visited Alabama and Auburn already and will go to Florida State in mid-July, followed by Tennessee. Besides receiving offers from more than half the schools in the SEC, he was visited by coaches from Southern California, Michigan, Texas A&M, Clemson, Florida State and Notre Dame.

Another player in the Sequatchie Valley gaining interest is South Pittsburg’s David Jones (6-1, 200), who averaged 11 yards per carry in rushing for more than 1,300 yards and was the state Class 1A championship game defensive MVP.

He already has offers from Vanderbilt, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Southern Miss, Memphis and Middle Tennessee State, will visit Auburn and Alabama in the coming weeks, was at Tennessee two weeks ago and was recently featured on the Rivals.com UT team Web site. He is also being heavily recruited by North Carolina.

“Vandy really rolled out the red carpet and let him know how much they wanted him,” said Jones’ father, Daniel. “Right now everybody but Tennessee is saying they like him as a running back. Tennessee seems to like him more as a linebacker.”

Ooltewah cornerback Sammy Seamster (6-3, 190), also one of the state of Tennessee’s top sprinters, is being most heavily sought by UT’s Volunteers, while Calhoun (Ga.) defensive lineman Eric McDaniel (6-3, 290) has offers from North Carolina State, Louisville, East Carolina and Alabama-Birmingham and is expected to have offers from Auburn and Georgia Tech soon.

“All he has to do is play up to his potential and he’ll have a lot of big offers,” Calhoun coach Hal Lamb said. “He had to play out of position last year, but we’re moving him to noseguard and I think he could have a big year and really get noticed.”

Cleveladn athlete Tucker Tipton (5-11, 185) already has an offer from the Air Force Academy, and another eight to 10 area players could receive FBS offers with impressive camps or seasons, including Bradley Central athlete Deonte Lindsey (5-11, 180), who is being recruited as a defensive back by Tennessee.

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