STARKVILLE — Football wasn’t Joey Claybrook’s only concern when he was looking at colleges.
Claybrook wanted to make sure he could have a top-notch academic experience and play football in college, so he was particular in where he looked. Claybrook received interest from Duke, one of the nation’s top academic schools. He also heard from Tulane, which is in New Orleans. The Starkville High School senior offensive lineman became more interested in Tulane as he did his research about the school. Conversations with Tulane coach Willie Fritz and members of his coaching staff helped convince Claybrook, so he decided to make a verbal commitment July 20.
“(It’s) the best place for me,” Claybrook said. “Academics is a really big thing, and Tulane is the best at that right now. … I think I have the best chance (for football) there.”
Claybrook chose Tulane over South Florida, Georgia State, and Louisiana-Lafayette. Although he received interest from Duke, he didn’t get a scholarship offer.
Claybrook talked to Starkville High football coach Ricky Woods about his options. He said he was afraid the scholarship offer would be taken away if he waited too long. Woods gave him some advice and didn’t favor one school over another.
“It’s just according to what he wanted, and he felt like that’s where he wanted to go with,” Woods said. “If that’s what he wants to do, I’m 100 percent behind him. It’s a good choice.”
Claybrook, who has family in the New Orleans area, said he is interested in majoring in physical therapy and becoming an athletic trainer.
Fritz,who is in his first year at Tulane, spent the last two seasons at Georgia Southern. In 23 seasons as a head coach, including stops at Blinn Community College (Texas), Central Missouri, Sam Houston State, and Georgia Southern, Fritz is 193-74-1. He is the fourth active winningest coach in the Football Bowl Subdivision.
“I could just talk to them like I’m talking to my family,” Claybrook said. “They’re just really close, and they were honest with me. I can be honest with them.”
Claybrook feels Tulane is on the rose because of Fritz and his staff. He said Tulane’s recruiting class and its running style of offense give him confidence Fritz can build a winning program.
As for this season at Starkville, Claybrook feels the Yellow Jackets might run the ball more than they have in the past. The left tackle is happy about that because it will give him a chance to work on his technique.
The 6-foot-7, 250-pound Claybrook is laid back away when he isn’t playing sports, but he is a different person when he steps on the football field.
“It’s just a different environment,” Claybrook said. “You’ve got to turn up the switch a lot in football. You’ve got to be tough on the offensive line. It’s a lot nastier than all the other positions.”
Woods said Claybrook has gained 50 pounds from last season, and wouldn’t be surprised if he weighs around 300 pounds when he finishes his career at Tulane.
“He’s still growing,” Woods said. “He grew so fast and so tall, now he’s beginning to put weight on. He’s going to grow into a really big human being.”
Claybrook might pick up a few more offers, but Claybrook said he probably is going to close his recruiting.
“I feel really good about Tulane,” Claybrook said. “It feels really good to concentrate on this, my senior season. I don’t want it to go by too fast.”
Follow Dispatch sports writer Ben Wait on Twitter @bcwait
Ben Wait reports on Mississippi State University sports for The Dispatch.
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