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Penn State bound
Dupree joins three other SMAC standouts
Friday, May 8, 2009
Senior Andre Dupree has been one of the reasons why the Eagles have developed a building block of success for the future of the program.
Not only is Dupree a strong athlete in throwing events on the track team, but with stout ability on the gridiron Dupree decided to sign with Penn State University on March 16 as a preferred walk-on of the football team.
"After going up there, I just wanted to go there after seeing it," said Dupree of Penn State, a member of the Big Ten conference. "I couldn't be more happier, it was a long process in trying to choose what school I was going to attend, but it was a relief and at the same time exciting."
Dupree at first thought about attending Hampton University in Virginia, however as he sent highlight tapes out to Penn State he met with legendary Nittany Lions coach Joe Paterno and assistant coach Larry Johnson, who showed interest and told him that he would have the opportunity of fighting for a spot on the team.
"We sat down and had a meeting and discussed academics and I thought about not only about football, but receiving a good education," Dupree said.
What the Penn State staff liked about Dupree was what he could possibly give the program offensively, primarily as a future fullback at 5-foot-11, 215 pounds.
"The atmosphere has real intense football games, so it's going to be real challenging. I like challenges," Dupree said.
During his career with the Eagles, Dupree was a captain of the team, a three-time All-SMAC and All-County track and field standout and also had the same rewards on the football field.
The senior certainly made his mark at the linebacker and running back positions, while helping the Eagles capture a share of their first-ever SMAC championship in the program last fall with a 8-3 overall mark. He had a total of 73 tackles this past season, but was slowed down for half the year with a pulled hamstring that he suffered in preseason.
"This season was a complete turnaround from last season," said Dupree, whose team finished with a 3-7 record in the 2007-08 campaign. "This year we had strong team bonding and [head] coach [Ken] Lane and the rest of the coaching staff was just awesome."
As he prepares for the summer program and begins intense workouts with the team in a slotted fullback spot he mentions the opportunity of playing with fellow SMAC friends in Westlake's Devon Smith and Lackey's Darrell Givens and Malcolm Willis, who all committed to Penn State also.
"My parents have always stressed the importance of education," said Dupree, who will be majoring in business marketing. "The goal will be working towards a spot on the team and staying focused a lot with keeping a high GPA."
"I think it's where he felt comfortable," said Lane on Dupree's final decision. "His family really focused on the academic side and did a lot of research on a big time school. Andre will do just fine; he is an extremely hard worker that will transition well not only on the field, but the classroom. He's got great character."
North Point athletic director A.K. Johnson knows that the recruiting process is not only special for the area, but with his younger brother Larry, a former McDonough track and football coach, makes football even bigger for the program.
"It's great that my brother gives the kids an opportunity to further their career athletically and academically," A.K. Johnson said. "Andre is a great student-athlete and is a well-rounded kid, so he will have the upper hand when he goes off the school."
