SPORTS

North Side DL prospect making impact for team.

Brandon Shields
USA TODAY NETWORK – Tennessee

JACKSON – There’s a lot to like about Greg Emerson in 2017.

North Side High School defensive lineman Greg Emerson runs a drill during a University of Tennessee satellite lineman camp at University School of Jackson's Kirkland Field on Wednesday, June 8, 2016.

Right at a year since the defensive lineman at North Side got his first NCAA FBS offer from Michigan State, Jackson’s high profile prospect seems to be a different player preparing for his senior season.

“His leadership and his drive to work to get better are both much more significant to him now than they were a year ago,” said North Side head coach Donnie Nickey, who’s led the Indians for about a year since being named the head coach.

Emerson appears to have become accustomed to the spotlight of being a recruit of his caliber. The recruiting service, 247 Sports, has him listed as a four-star prospect and as the No. 71 recruit overall in the country. He’s the No. 6 prospect at defensive tackle and No. 3 player in the state of Tennessee behind Knoxville Catholic offensive lineman Cade Mays and Franklin offensive lineman Max Wray.

North Side's Greg Emerson (7) celebrates a stop against Lexington on Sept. 16, 2016.

When asked about goals for his senior season, his immediate comments go toward the team and helping North Side succeed.

Getting Emerson to talk about what he wants to individually accomplish is about as difficult as keeping him out of your offensive backfield on a Friday night.

“I have two more classes I need to do well in to graduate early and enroll into a college early, so I want to get that done this fall,” Emerson said.

As far as what he wants to accomplish on the field?

“Win. Get North Side back to the playoffs and prove we’re not a one-and-done type of program,” Emerson said. “I want to win every game. I think everybody in this fieldhouse wants to get that accomplished.”

Emerson has already accomplished some feats individually. When the season ended in the first round of the playoffs on Nov. 4, 2016, Emerson weighed 275 pounds. Less than three months later, he was up to 297. This week during an interview, he said he was back down to 279 pounds on his 6-feet-3-inch frame.

North Side's Greg Emerson (7) pursues Lexington's Tylan Johnson (5) during a game Sept. 16, 2016.

“We’re all just working to get as good as we can be when the season gets here, and if that means I need to lose 20 more pounds, then I want to lose 20 more pounds,” Emerson said. “I don’t think I need to do that, but if that’s what’s needed of me, then I’m ready to start working on it.”

That kind of attitude is what Nickey likes and what coaches will like to see from the recruit, who had to take a few seconds to count up how many scholarship offers he’s received. It’s 20 according to 247 Sports, with the latest coming from LSU and Michigan.

And what about that leadership Nickey mentioned?

“I’m a senior now, and somebody’s got to step into that role to push the younger guys,” Emerson said. “It’s my turn now.”

It’s Emerson’s turn, and he has a plan for the rest of his time at North Side. He plans to unveil a top six list of schools early in the summer and enroll early after finishing up at the end of the fall semester.

Reach Brandon Shields at bjshields@jacksonsun.com or at 425-9751. Follow him on Twitter @JSEditorBrandon or on Instagram at jacksonsunsports.