Probably the most rewarding job about covering recruits is when you get to know a little bit about these young men. Every year, a couple of prospects will impress me more as human beings than just prospects. Case in point with guys like Zac Stacy or Chris Marve from previous classes.
Already this year, a few prospects like Brandon Brown of Hillwood, Orleans Opoku-Darkwa of Ensworth and Prattville (Ala.)'s Sam Gibson, have impressed me with the way they carry themselves.
Gibson, in particular, impresses me considering his background and story.
Originally born in Los Angeles, Gibson is actually named after his father, Sam Gibson, Jr. However, the younger Sam was never able to meet his father, as his dad was gunned down by for being a Crip before Sam was born. His mother, also a gang member at that time, was able to pull herself and her future son, out of that scene after the death of Gibson, Jr. and a few years later, they moved to Indiana.
Gibson has lived in a couple of places over his life including Florida [where he was once a teammate of Vanderbilt 2009 signee Justin Cabbagestalk], but now has plenty of opportunities opening up for him as a member of the Prattville program.
You can tell the young man is thankful for everything that's happening for him at this moment. He's a solid student and may soon grab other SEC offers in addition to his offer from Vanderbilt [which really impressed him and has him seriously thinking about the Nashville program]. But no matter where he ends up going, he's got a fan in me, because knowing what he's gone through and seeing where he is now, that's a true winner in my book.
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