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ILB, 6'3, 235, 4.6, 410 BP
Bristol, FL
Nickname: Buddha
Birthday: 10-12-80
High School: Liberty County
HS Mascot: Bulldogs
HS Coach: Richard Kennedy
HS Position: ILB
HS Number: 82
AL Number: 48
Official Visits: Alabama
Second Choice: Nebraska
Host During Alabama Visit: Reggie Myles
Committed: 2-3-99
Academic Status: Not Qualified
Stats
HS Junior Season
Tackles
HS Senior Season
Tackles
- 211 total
- 42 for loss
- 22 QB sacks
Honors
- Three-time All-Area
- Two-time All-State
- All-Big Bend
- Team MVP
- Team's Outstanding LB Award
- Prep Star All American
SBR Scouting Report
Extremely aggressive and physical prospect. Big hitter who enjoys contact. Very good against the run. Excellent size and good speed. Should begin his collegiate career as a "Mike" linebacker but could be more suited to defensive end. Projects as a defensive end.
[Observation: senior game film.]
Stories
The Cottrell Connection
Ronnie Cottrell was in Liberty County coach Richard Kennedy's office watching tape of the Bulldogs game against North Florida Christian. After a few minutes, Cottrell had seen all that he needed to see.
"He turned to Coach Kennedy and told him that he had to have number 82," Dave Peterson says. "Coach told him that he couldn't have me -- I was only in the ninth grade."
Last spring, Cottrell returned to Liberty County looking for number 82.
"Three years ago he told Coach Kennedy that he would be back to get me," Peterson says. "And he kept his word."
That's the day Peterson decided for Alabama.
"A guy that wants you that much, you can't turn him down."
More "Funk" At Linebacker
Peterson knows what number he wants to wear at Alabama.
"I've got to have number 48," he says.
Why?
"Because the linebacker that wore number 48 for them last year is my kind of player."
That's Trevis Smith.
Peterson (82) |
"Yeah, that's him. He's hard-nosed just like I am, but I bring more funk than he does."
Funk? What's funk?
"Ability to make big plays. He's got a lot of heart, but I've got more athletic ability."
Last season Peterson had 211 tackles and 22 sacks. Now that's funk.
Bring on FSU and Florida!
What does Dave Peterson want most during his Alabama career?
"A chance to play Florida and Florida State," Peterson says. "I've got something for both of them. I want to show them they were wrong."
According to Peterson, coaches at both schools told him that he was too stiff to play linebacker in college.
"It was especially the coaches at Florida State," Peterson says. "If we play them, I'll show Daddy Bowden a stiff linebacker."
Peterson Blindsides Raymon Hudson
Bonifay-Holmes County running back Raymon Hudson was showing out. He had scored one touchdown and was headed for another one. But that's when Dave Peterson made the hit of the year.
"They punted to us," recalls Peterson. "When the ball came down it hit off of one of our players."
Hudson alertly scooped up the ball and was sprinting for the goalline.
"He started high-stepping at about the ten yardline," Peterson says. "I guess he thought that he was about to score."
Hudson was a half a step from the goalline when Peterson blindsided him.
"I hit him so hard that he flew back to the five yardline."
The hit left Hudson groggy for several minutes.
"He's a great player," Peterson says. "But he shouldn't have been trying to be so pretty."
Q&A
TI: Describe yourself as a linebacker.
DP: I'm physical and fast. Playing linebacker just comes naturally for me. I know the plays sometimes before they even run them. It's just an instinct thing. Great players have great instincts. They make plays before they know what they've done. That's me.
TI: Will you be an inside or an outside linebacker in college?
DP: Inside all the way. I love playing inside, especially against running teams. If the defensive linemen can tie up their man for just a second, I'll make the tackle.
TI: I understand that you're a weight training fanatic.
DP: I love it. I have a weightroom at my house. The coaches at Alabama won't have to worry about me missing any workouts. I workout six days a week. Right now, I'm benching 410.
TI: What do you think about Alabama's recruiting class?
DP: They say that it's one of the best that Alabama's had in a while. I know we got Michael Gaines, the big tight end from Florida High, and Raymon Hudson. I know what they can do. They're great players.
TI: Talk about Raymon Hudson as a player?
DP: He's not just a great player. He's a great, great player. Alabama fans better watch this guy because he has speed, power, moves, everything. He has the ability to play just anywhere on the field. I'm glad that he's going to Alabama. I'm looking forward to playing with him.
TI: Can you shed some light on your academic status?
DP: I'm not sure what my exact GPA is right now, but I think it will be OK. I just started taking a special class to help me with the test. I've still got a chance to make it.
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