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Creative Director
April 7, 2002
Goss catches eyes of baseball scouts
By Mark Alexander
Clarion-Ledger Staff Writer
Scouts have been flocking in droves to watch Jackson State ace pitcher Anthony Pearson this season. More times than not those same scouts don't leave without inquiring about a speedy outfielder named Michael Goss.
"He (Goss) has drawn a lot of interest," JSU coach Mark Salter said. "They (scouts) really like him. He can beat you in so many ways."
Goss, who has played all three outfield spots and bats third in the lineup, led the team in batting (.357) heading into Saturday's doubleheader at Mississippi Valley.
He went 4-for-5, with a double and a triple and scored three runs in the Tigers' 8-6 loss to Grambling on Wednesday ? one of seven multi-hit games this season for Goss. He has stuck out just nine times in 84 plate appearances (twice in his last 52). And he's committed only two errors.
A former All-State performer in football and baseball at Louisville High, Goss sat out his first season at JSU after failing to meet NCAA eligibility requirements. He played baseball a year ago, but redshirted in football before making his much-anticipated debut this season.
He lead the SWAC in kickoff return average (28.9 yards per return) and also had 19 catches for 254 yards and three touchdowns.
JSU fans may have seen the last of Goss in a Tigers football uniform ? or baseball uniform for that matter ? if he goes high enough in the major league amateur draft June 12.
"I'm really undecided right now," said Goss, who is 31 hours short of earning his degree. "I feel like I've got a good shot. The scouts already know what I can do. If I go in the first five to 10 rounds, I'll probably go. If not, I'll probably be back here for another season."
Football
JSU started spring practice this week without running back Nathan McLaurin and backup quarterback Brian Green, who are expected to miss the entire spring because of medical reasons.
McLaurin is still experiencing internal bleeding after being involved in a car accident a couple of weeks ago. He was on his way from Brandon to JSU when his truck hydroplaned, flipping over four or five times down a hill.
"I'm happy to be alive," said McLaurin, who amazingly escaped the accident with no major injuries. "I still get short of breath sometimes, but I'm OK."
Green lost 25-30 pounds while battling a thyroid gland problem. He has since gained back about about 15 to 20 of those pounds.
"I kept noticing I was losing weight," Green said. "The doctors didn't know what it was at first. But I saw a specialist and he finally figured it out. I'm feeling alright now."
One player turning heads already is running back Sammy White III, the son of former Grambling great Sammy White. White, who goes by Trey, started 11 games in his first two seasons at Grambling before transferring to Louisiana Tech last year. He didn't play football there.
Ironically, the last game the 6-foot, 215-pound White played in was against JSU. He had 90 yards on 12 carries before getting injured.
"I'm very excited about the opportunity to play at Jackson State," said White, who is from Monroe. "The first and foremost thing on my mind right now is learning the system."
Men's basketball
Wingfield's Edrick Montgomery, a first-team All-Metro selection, has committed to JSU.
The 6-7 forward/center averaged 23.8 points, 12.5 rebounds and 4.3 blocked shots for the Falcons, 19-10. Montgomery, an honor student with a 3.7 GPA, plans to sign with the Tigers this week.
"I wanted to stay close to home," said Montgomery, who was selected to play in the Mississippi/Alabama All-Star Game. "The main thing, though, is Jackson State has a meteorology school, and that's what I plan to major in."
Goss catches eyes of baseball scouts
By Mark Alexander
Clarion-Ledger Staff Writer
Scouts have been flocking in droves to watch Jackson State ace pitcher Anthony Pearson this season. More times than not those same scouts don't leave without inquiring about a speedy outfielder named Michael Goss.
"He (Goss) has drawn a lot of interest," JSU coach Mark Salter said. "They (scouts) really like him. He can beat you in so many ways."
Goss, who has played all three outfield spots and bats third in the lineup, led the team in batting (.357) heading into Saturday's doubleheader at Mississippi Valley.
He went 4-for-5, with a double and a triple and scored three runs in the Tigers' 8-6 loss to Grambling on Wednesday ? one of seven multi-hit games this season for Goss. He has stuck out just nine times in 84 plate appearances (twice in his last 52). And he's committed only two errors.
A former All-State performer in football and baseball at Louisville High, Goss sat out his first season at JSU after failing to meet NCAA eligibility requirements. He played baseball a year ago, but redshirted in football before making his much-anticipated debut this season.
He lead the SWAC in kickoff return average (28.9 yards per return) and also had 19 catches for 254 yards and three touchdowns.
JSU fans may have seen the last of Goss in a Tigers football uniform ? or baseball uniform for that matter ? if he goes high enough in the major league amateur draft June 12.
"I'm really undecided right now," said Goss, who is 31 hours short of earning his degree. "I feel like I've got a good shot. The scouts already know what I can do. If I go in the first five to 10 rounds, I'll probably go. If not, I'll probably be back here for another season."
Football
JSU started spring practice this week without running back Nathan McLaurin and backup quarterback Brian Green, who are expected to miss the entire spring because of medical reasons.
McLaurin is still experiencing internal bleeding after being involved in a car accident a couple of weeks ago. He was on his way from Brandon to JSU when his truck hydroplaned, flipping over four or five times down a hill.
"I'm happy to be alive," said McLaurin, who amazingly escaped the accident with no major injuries. "I still get short of breath sometimes, but I'm OK."
Green lost 25-30 pounds while battling a thyroid gland problem. He has since gained back about about 15 to 20 of those pounds.
"I kept noticing I was losing weight," Green said. "The doctors didn't know what it was at first. But I saw a specialist and he finally figured it out. I'm feeling alright now."
One player turning heads already is running back Sammy White III, the son of former Grambling great Sammy White. White, who goes by Trey, started 11 games in his first two seasons at Grambling before transferring to Louisiana Tech last year. He didn't play football there.
Ironically, the last game the 6-foot, 215-pound White played in was against JSU. He had 90 yards on 12 carries before getting injured.
"I'm very excited about the opportunity to play at Jackson State," said White, who is from Monroe. "The first and foremost thing on my mind right now is learning the system."
Men's basketball
Wingfield's Edrick Montgomery, a first-team All-Metro selection, has committed to JSU.
The 6-7 forward/center averaged 23.8 points, 12.5 rebounds and 4.3 blocked shots for the Falcons, 19-10. Montgomery, an honor student with a 3.7 GPA, plans to sign with the Tigers this week.
"I wanted to stay close to home," said Montgomery, who was selected to play in the Mississippi/Alabama All-Star Game. "The main thing, though, is Jackson State has a meteorology school, and that's what I plan to major in."
