Former Cherokee County Warrior and Jacksonville State receiver Maurice Dupree hauls in a pass from Cherokee County quarterback Coty Blanchard on Saturday during a workout. Dupree is hopeful of becoming an NFL draft pick and is currently in El Paso, Texas preparing for Saturday's Texas vs. The Nation All-Star football game.
Nothing would be further from the truth.
The wide receiver/kick returner has a shot at being selected in April’s NFL Draft. He said he’s been working out every chance he gets, including a brief throwing session on Saturday in Centre with current Warrior quarterback Coty Blanchard and his father, former JSU receiver Fran Blanchard.
Dupree departed on Sunday for El Paso, Texas after receiving an invite to play in the 3rd annual Texas vs. the Nation All-Star Challenge. The game is set for Jan. 31 at 2 p.m. It will be televised on CBS College Sports.
“I’m looking forward to it,” Dupree said. “Me coming from a smaller school and competing against some of the guys from bigger schools, I want to show them what I can do.”
Dupree has already had workouts for several NFL teams, with more to come. He said they’ve been impressed with what they’ve seen out of him.
“They’re saying my grade is anywhere from the fourth through the seventh round,” Dupree said. “They said if I don’t get drafted, I’m definitely going to sign as a free agent.
“I’ve worked out for the (Tennessee) Titans already, and I’ve got a workout for the (Jacksonville) Jaguars at the end of February. It depends on how I do in this game (Texas vs. the Nation) whether I get invited to the (NFL) combine at the end of February. It’s been real busy, but right now, I’m just trying to take it all in.”
Last season for the Gamecocks (8-3), Dupree had 49 receptions for 799 yards and 10 touchdowns. As a punt returner, he had 17 returns for 193 yards with a long return of 39 yards. As a kick returner, Dupree had 19 kickoffs for 537 yards and a touchdown with his longest return being 99 yards.
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With area basketball tournaments around the corner, that means the Northeast Regional tournament at Jacksonville State University isn’t that far away.
If you would like to get a jumpstart on avoiding the crowds, Alabama High School Athletic Association Northeast Regional Tournament week-long passes go on sale Monday, Feb. 2, and will be available until Thursday, Feb. 19, at the Jacksonville State University Campus Bookstore located in the Theron Montgomery Building.
The tournament pass, which allows an individual admittance into every game, is available for just $25. The passes must be purchased in person, as the pass includes a photo ID.
Tournament parking passes can also be purchased for $10 for each vehicle and also is available at the JSU Campus Bookstore in the Montgomery Building.
The JSU Campus Bookstore is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. and from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. (Closes at 2 p.m. on Fridays).
For more information, please contact Mark Jones at (256) 782-5072.
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The Cherokee County Youth Girls Softball League of Leesburg will be holding sign-ups for the 2009 season through Jan. 31 from 9 a.m. until noon. Sign-ups will be for girls ages 4-12 at the softball field concession stand in Leesburg. A birth certificate is required.
There is a $40 sign-up fee for the first child and $35 for any others in the immediate family. For more information, please contact Greg Parker at 1-404-434-6080.
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The eighth annual Boaz Youth Basketball Bash will be held Feb. 20-21 at Boaz High School, Boaz Middle School and the Boaz Recreation Center. The entry fee is $75 per team. The entry deadline is Feb. 13 at 2 p.m.
Admission is $5 per day and is good for all gyms.
For more information, please contact Jimmy Collins at (256) 302-4298, (256) 840-0033 or (256) 593-9211.
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