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ATH, 5'9, 185, 4.4
Murfreesboro, TN
High School: Riverdale
HS Number: 7
AL Number: 2?
Official Visits: Ohio State, North Carolina, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Alabama
Second Choice: North Carolina
Host During Alabama Visit: Fernando Bryant
Committed: January 28, 1998
Roommate To Be: Jerome Morehead
Family Ties: Cousin of Shaun Bohanon
Academic Status: Qualified
Stats
HS Senior Season
Passing
- 103 attempted
- 64 completed
- 62% completion ratio
- 1011 yards
- 9 TDs
Rushing
- 154 carries
- 1624 yards
- 10.5 yards per carry
- 27 TDs
Career
Passing
- 378 attempted
- 225 completed
- 59% completion ratio
- 3661 yards
- 40 TDs
Rushing
- 389 carries
- 3488 yards
- 9.0 yards per carry
- 55 TDs
Honors
- Two-time All-County
- Two-time All-State
- Two-Time All Mid State
- Two-Time Mr. Football in Tennessee
- USA Today Player of the Year in Tennessee
- USA Today Honorable Mention All-American
- Pigskin Preps Super South 75
- Forrest Davis First Team All-South
- Prep Star All-American
Stories
A Confusing Process
When it came to Eric Locke, everyone was confused -- including Eric.
"I changed my mind a few times," Eric says. "But, mainly, I was just keeping my options open."
At first there were rumors that Eric was a lock for Alabama because of his friendship with current Tider Fernando Bryant.
But as the Tide began to struggle on the field, the rumors changed daily. Some said he was going to Vanderbilt. Others said North Carolina. And Tennessee, even though they were a longshot, never gave up.
"I’ve never been a big Tennessee fan, so I didn’t think I’d go there. I thought about Vanderbilt seriously."
But the Tar Heels were his second choice.
"My dad played for Mack Brown and I thought it would be nice if I played for him, too. But then Brown left for Texas."
Alabama was left at the top of Eric’s list.
"I visited Alabama last. That’s when I decided where I was going."
Mr. Tennessee Twice
Last season Eric became the first 5-A player in the state of Tennessee HS football history to be named Mr. Football a second time.
As a junior Eric won the award by edging out his cousin and current Tide freshman Shaun Bohanon.
"I played against him in high school. He’s a great player. If he works hard there’s no telling how good he can be."
Another Deuce?
He can play quarterback, wide receiver, running back and defensive back. And he can return kicks. Does that sound familiar?
"I always liked [David] Palmer," Locke says. "He was a great player."
Locke has been drawing comparisons to Palmer for a long time. He believes that he has the ability become another "Deuce."
"I think that I can return kicks as well as he did. I’d like to play both ways. But offense is where I will definitely be."
He has asked to wear number 2 because of his admiration of Palmer.
On The Recruiting Trail …
No Tennessee Grudge
Throughout the recruiting process there were rumors that Eric’s father, Juicy Locke, was calling the shots.
Juicy supposedly held a long-time grudge against Tennessee for not recruiting him when he was a HS star in Cookeville, TN. Rumors were that Juicy would get his revenge by sending his son to Alabama.
"That’s not true," Eric says. That’s just people talking who don’t know. Both my father and I have the utmost respect for the Tennessee program. I just like Alabama more."
Q&A
TI: Which position do you expect to play at Alabama?
EL: Right now it looks like I’ll strictly play offense. I’ll line up mostly at wide receiver, but I’ll also play some at quarterback and running back. They say they want to move me around and get the ball in different ways.
TI: Is there a chance that you may eventually become a two-way player?
EL: That’d be great if I get that opportunity. I think I could help out playing some spot duty on defense. Last season was my first time to play defense and I liked it. I played corner and free safety. [He had three INTs.]
TI: David Palmer is your idol. Any chance you may return kicks like "The Deuce" did?
EL: Yeah, I think so. He was a great player and I think I can do some things like he did. I’m pretty sure that I’ll return punts and kickoffs next season.
TI: Speaking of next season, do you think Alabama will turn things around?
EL: I’m sure that we’ll get it turned around. I just want to go in and make an early contribution in as many ways as possible, and hopefully be a part of bringing Alabama back to where it’s supposed to be.
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