By Pat Welter

Just because you’re from a small town, doesn’t mean you can’t be a big time recruit. Vance County High School’s Taeshawn Alston has embraced where he’s from.

“Just playing with the people I’ve been going to school with for a long time,” Alston said. “Elementary, pre-k, grew up together…being here my four years with them, it’s been wonderful.”

Alston is the Vipers do everything pass rusher.

“It’s pretty rare to have a kid with that type of talent,” Vance County head coach Aaron Elliott said.

And yes they use him on offense too.

“We try to get him the ball in space and if he can make one miss he can use that 4.4 forty that he runs to beat guys,” Elliott said. “Pretty fast to be as big as he is.”

Listed at 6’3, 234 lbs on his recruiting profile, Alston has always been big.

“Rec league I was like the biggest guy and we had a weight class,” Alston remembered. “I had the red mark on me and had to play line.”

By high school Alston fell in love with the game. Training specifically as a pass rusher has unlocked his talent.

“The way I move in that position, I’m a freak in that position,” Alston said.

Alston started getting recruited after attending camps his sophomore year. His “freak” ability caught the eye of schools like North Carolina, App State, and ECU, but it was South Carolina who earned his commitment.

“What made South Carolina the one was coach [Shane] Beamer,” Alston said. “He’s a very energetic guy and a cool person. They got something going at South Carolina.  The defensive coordinator, Coach [Clayton] White, we have a strong relationship, he’s a great guy too.”

“I feel like I fit in their defense,” Alston continued. “They’ve got me playing a hybrid position, linebacker slash edge, they’ve got me everywhere on the field.”

As excited as he is about what’s next, Alston isn’t overlooking the present. Vance County is coming off its first undefeated regular season. Alston is one of the team’s leaders dedicated to helping the team make the next step in the post season.

“Everybody on the field looks up to him,” Elliott said. “For him to be able to do things and be a leader and other people watch him and follow along.”

At practice Alston helps one new defensive lineman who is not wearing pads yet with his defensive stance. During an offensive period he helps another player understand what’s happening in a drill.

“I show [I’m a leader] by everyday coming out here and working hard,” Alston said. “Picking my teammates up, they do something wrong like ‘you’re alright, do it again.'”

Alston’s work ethic is a tribute to his late grandmother, Dorothy Hayes, whom Alston lost when he was seven years old.

“Ever since then I really didn’t know what to do,” Alston said. “I started playing sports and putting my all in it and was like ‘everything I do is for her’.”

She’d have a lot to be proud of. Alston won’t ever forget where he’s from.

“If I go in the SEC and compete I feel like people will come down here and look at us like some athletes,” Alston said. “We have some great athletes down here, so I feel like I can put this town on the map.”

Source: wralsportsfan.com