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By MARTIN KESTER - Delta Democrat Times
BENOIT — Lavarus Giles was always a step ahead on the football field. He remained in that position on Monday afternoon when he announced he will attend the University of Alabama in the fall.
"I have made this decision," Giles said, "with the help of my grandmother."
Last week, a report in the Clarion-Ledger quoted Rosa Lawrence saying Giles was headed to Oxford. But Giles said the reason he verbally committed to Ole Miss was purely based on distance.
"My grandmother thought (Alabama) was too far away," Giles said. "After she realized that it wasn't that far, I picked Alabama.
"The people there were really nice to me, and I just felt like it was home."
Crimson Tide fans should be happy to hear that sentiment. According to Ray Brooks head football coach Butch Inmon, they will be getting an unfinished work of art.
"He's got God-given talent and a huge upside," Inmon said. "A wealth of potential will be tapped, because we haven't coached him to any degree of what he's capable of."
In two years with the Tigers, Giles was used at different positions on both offense and defense. However, the 6-foot-1-inch, 210 pounder will suit up at running back in Tuscaloosa.
Now that the decision has been made, Giles will be able to get a good night's sleep.
"It's been real hard. It kept me up at night, I've had headaches and missed work," Giles said. "I'm glad it's over with."
Martin Kester can be reached at 662-378-0721 or at
martin@deltanewsroom.com.