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Prep Zone: High School Sports

Vanderbilt’s coaches make the tough call to Georgia recruits about Bennett

1:59 pm February 18, 2010, by Michael Carvell

Vanderbilt’s coaches tried contacting as many recruits as possible this morning about the death of McEachern running back Rajaan Bennett, who had signed earlier this month with the Commodores.
Fitzgerald wide receiver Trent Pruitt looked at his cell phone when it buzzed around 9 a.m., and the caller ID said it was Vanderbilt assistant Charlie Fisher.
“I didn’t know what to think, or why (Fisher) was calling me at that time,” Pruitt said. “Coach just said ‘It is a sad day for Vanderbilt football’ and then explained everything … but he really couldn’t put it into words.”
“The main reason (Fisher) was calling is because he wanted me to know before I heard about it on the news, so I wouldn’t be shocked and caught off guard.”
Pruitt and Bennett had talked a few times in passing, and we’re looking forward to being college teammates next year. Nine Georgia high school football players signed with Vanderbilt, and many of them communicated throughout the day on Thursday to deal with the tragedy.
“When we all signed the paperwork with Vanderbilt, we became brothers,” Pruitt said. “When you lose one of your brothers, it’s a sad night.
“We’re all praying for the family, but I don’t know what else to think. I guess it gives you motivation to live every day to fullest because you never know when your last day is coming.”
Pope offensive lineman Grant Ramsay has been instructed to call Vanderbilt assistant Ted Cain on Thursday evening.
Rajaan Bennett (McEachern HS)

Rajaan Bennett (McEachern HS)

Vanderbilt’s coaches tried contacting as many recruits as possible this morning about the death of McEachern running back Rajaan Bennett, who signed earlier this month with the Commodores.

Fitzgerald wide receiver Trent Pruitt looked at his cell phone when it buzzed around 9 a.m., and the caller ID said it was Vanderbilt assistant Charlie Fisher.

“I didn’t know what to think, or why (Fisher) was calling me at that time,” Pruitt said. “Coach just said ‘It is a sad day for Vanderbilt football’ and then explained everything … but he really couldn’t put it into words.”

“The main reason (Fisher) was calling is because he wanted me to know before I heard about it on the news, so I wouldn’t be shocked and caught off guard.”

Pruitt and Bennett had talked a few times in passing, and we’re looking forward to being college teammates next year. Nine Georgia high school football players signed with Vanderbilt, and many of them communicated throughout the day on Thursday to deal with the tragedy.

“When we all signed the paperwork with Vanderbilt, we became brothers,” Pruitt said. “When you lose one of your brothers, it’s a sad night.

“We’re all praying for the family, but I don’t know what else to think. I guess it gives you motivation to live every day to fullest because you never know when your last day is coming.”

Pope offensive lineman Grant Ramsay was instructed to call Vanderbilt assistant Ted Cain on Thursday evening.

Related stories on the death of McEachern running back Rajaan Bennett (click on each link)

VIDEO: Emotional Vanderbilt coach Bobby Johnson speaks about death of prized recruit

The special bond between RBs and their blockers: Vanderbilt OL recruit Grant Ramsey of Pope High on Bennett

Metro football coaches fondly remember Bennett, talk to own players about death

Vanderbilt’s coaches make the tough call to Georgia recruits about Bennett

Vanderbilt coach Bobby Johnson, Roswell WR Chris Boyd on Bennett

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One comment Add your comment

Dawg Trainer

February 18th, 2010
3:05 pm

And I feel bad for Vandy, too. They had a special kid on his way to Nashville. Now take the piece of dung that killed him and feed him to the hogs…don’t worry about proper burial.