Beardens Bartlett first ETSU commit
Caleb Bartlett is ready to get on the field and play immediately at East Tennessee State where former North Carolina head coach Carl Torbush is reviving the Buccaneers program.
The Bearden Bulldogs Class of 2014 offensive lineman recently became the first student/athlete to commit to the East Tennessee State football team.
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"I want to get back on the football field and play," Bartlett said. "I'm ready to play tonight because I love it. I'd play right now for ETSU."
Bartlett was a two-year starter Bearden Coach Brad Taylor describes as having a "nasty streak" when the going gets tough on the gridiron. The 6-3, 262-pounder is expected to use his athleticism to play center for the Bucs when the program cranks up in the Fall of 2015.
"I think it's a great opportunity for Caleb," Taylor said. "He has a big body that can be developed at the next level. I'm very happy and proud of him."
Bartlett said he had offers from Chattanooga, UT-Martin, West Carolina, Liberty College and Eastern Kentucky.
His first game at ETSU will be Sept. 3, 2015 when the Bucs open with the Kennesaw State Owls at Kermit Tipton Stadium on the Science Hill High School campus. It will also be Kennesaw State's opening game of the Owls' football program.
ETSU has plans to build a new stadium, but a location hasn't been announced.
Bearden principle Dr. John Bartlett is happy his son decided on ETSU.
"He's just 17 now and I think he will be able to go in and fight for a starting position right away," Dr. Bartlett said. "ETSU is just far enough away that Caleb won't be at the back door all the time bringing his dirty laundry home."
Both father and son were impressed with Coach Torbush, who was the first All-State football player to ever play for Austin-East High and went on to be an All-American at Carson-Newman in baseball and football.
Torbush is in the Carson-Newman and Knoxville Sports Hall of Fame.
"I have followed his career and he has outstanding character," Dr. Bartlett said. "If you have to turn your son over to someone you want it to be a fine Christian man like him."
The younger Bartlett is happy to be a part of a new program and looking forward to one day playing in a new stadium.
"That's so exciting," he said. "That was a big factor ... that's sweet. Being on the first team we will get everything new."
Bartlett wants to major in Health and P.E. and hopes to one day be a strength and conditioning coach on the college level.
where former North Carolina head coach Carl Torbush is reviving the Buccaneers program.
The Bearden Bulldogs Class of 2014 offensive lineman recently became the first student/athlete to commit to the East Tennessee State football team.
"I want to get back on the football field and play," Bartlett said. "I'm ready to play tonight because I love it. I'd play right now for ETSU."
Bartlett was a two-year starter Bearden Coach Brad Taylor describes as having a "nasty streak" when the going gets tough on the gridiron. The 6-3, 262-pounder is expected to use his athleticism to play center for the Bucs when the program cranks up in the Fall of 2015.
"I think it's a great opportunity for Caleb," Taylor said. "He has a big body that can be developed at the next level. I'm very happy and proud of him."
Bartlett said he had offers from Chattanooga, UT-Martin, West Carolina, Liberty College and Eastern Kentucky.
His first game at ETSU will be Sept. 3, 2015 when the Bucs open with the Kennesaw State Owls at Kermit Tipton Stadium on the Science Hill High School campus. It will also be Kennesaw State's opening game of the Owls' football program.
ETSU has plans to build a new stadium, but a location hasn't been announced.
Bearden principle Dr. John Bartlett is happy his son decided on ETSU.
"He's just 17 now and I think he will be able to go in and fight for a starting position right away," Dr. Bartlett said. "ETSU is just far enough away that Caleb won't be at the back door all the time bringing his dirty laundry home."
Both father and son were impressed with Coach Torbush, who was the first All-State football player to ever play for Austin-East High and went on to be an All-American at Carson-Newman in baseball and football.
Torbush is in the Carson-Newman and Knoxville Sports Hall of Fame.
"I have followed his career and he has outstanding character," Dr. Bartlett said. "If you have to turn your son over to someone you want it to be a fine Christian man like him."
The younger Bartlett is happy to be a part of a new program and looking forward to one day playing in a new stadium.
"That's so exciting," he said. "That was a big factor ... that's sweet. Being on the first team we will get everything new."
Bartlett wants to major in Health and P.E. and hopes to one day be a strength and conditioning coach on the college level.