|
OL, 6’7, 255, 5.2, 275 bp
Waynesboro, GA
High School: Burke County
HS Number: 59
AL Number: 59
Official Visits: Alabama
Second Choice: Virginia and UCF
Host During Alabama Visit: Shawn Williams
Committed: January 21, 1998
Academic Status: Qualified
Stats
HS Junior Season
Blocking
HS Senior Season
Blocking
Honors
- All-Distirct
- All-Region
- All-State
- GA-FL All-Star Game
Stories
He’s A Left Tackle
When was the last time you heard an incoming freshman say that he didn’t expect to make an immediate impact?
Lanis Baxley is not your typical 18-year old. He’s realistic about his first year at Alabama.
"I think I’ll be on the scout team as a freshman," he says. "I need some time to get bigger and stronger. I should be ready to play by my sophomore year."
Baxley, who is 6’7, 255 pounds, is an outstanding athlete. He plays football and basketball, and he throws the shot put and discus.
In high school Baxley was a three-year starter at left tackle. Most recruiting services consider him a sleeper, but as a senior he earned All-State honors and was selected to play in the prestigious Georgia-Florida All-Star Game slated for this June.
His goal is to become Alabama’s starting left tackle. He says that being left-handed gives him a big advantage in playing that position.
"For some people it’s awkward playing on the left side. But my footwork and coordination are very good. It just comes natural for me because I’m a lefty."
Being a good left tackle is hard. But Baxley likes the challenge.
"Usually the left tackle is going against the opponent’s best pass rusher. A left tackle must have the size and be a good enough athlete to protect the quarterback’s blindside. In high school my coaches always wanted me on the backside of the play."
On The Recruiting Trail …
Dabo Did It
Dabo Swinney left no doubt about it, he wanted Lanis Baxley.
"Coach Swinney started calling me real early last year," Baxley says. "He just kept on calling and calling. That impressed me. I knew that they must want me."
Late in the recruiting process there were rumors that Georgia was interested in Baxley. But by the middle of the season, Georgia was practically out of the picture for Baxley.
"I was a Georgia fan growing up. But Coach Swinney had me and my mom pretty convinced about Alabama."
Baxley recalls when Swinney offered him a scholarship.
"I’ll never forget that it was after we beat Clarkston in the Georgia . He said that I had a scholarship if I wanted it. The next week he came over to see me play basketball and I told him I was committed to Alabama."
Q&A
TI: Lanis, you’re considered a sleeper. But you were chosen to play in the Georgia-Florida High School All-Star Game. How do you feel about the opportunity?
LB: First of all, it’s just an honor to have the opportunity. It also gives me a chance to prove myself. I’ll be able to show people that I can line up and play against some of the best high school players around.
TI: We understand that the area of Georgia where you played high school ball is very competitive.
LB: We played in the second largest classification the state. In our region there were four teams ranked in the state’s top 15.
TI: So you’ve played against excellent competition?
LB: I’ve played against all the Augusta schools. I played against Shawn Williams, who’s at Alabama now. And even though they’re not in our region, I started against Washington County my sophomore season. I was blocking some on Derek Sanders. So, yeah, I’ve played against the best players in Georgia and I performed well.
TI: What did you think about Shawn Williams and Derek Sanders as players?
LB: I didn’t play much against Shawn because he was mainly on offense. Derek was very tall and kind of thin. He and I were sophomores so we were probably nervous. He’s a good player though.
TI: Why did you select Alabama?
LB: Mostly because I like the tradition and the coaches.
TI: They’ve had some troubles on the offensive line for the past few years. What special attributes do you have that may help them?
LB: Mainly my speed, quickness and footwork. They need people who can protect the quarterback. I think my pass blocking ability and the fact that I’m a natural left tackle will be a big help to them.
TI: Do you think that Alabama will get the program turned around?
LB: Yes, I do. If I didn’t I wouldn’t be going there.
|
