Varnado to the SEC

Jarvis Varnado of Haywood Co. High School in Brownsville, Tenn., worked his way into the the No. 96 spot in the Rivals150 with his play during the spring evaluation period. One school in particular took notice and was the first to offer the 6-foot-9, 190-pound power forward. The early offer paid off as Varnado has decided to play in the SEC just when schools from around the country were beginning to recruit him.

"Jarvis just committed to Mississippi State," said Varnado's AAU coach Jeremy Shulman of the Mid-State Ballerz. "Tennessee, Memphis, Xavier and Colorado had also offered. Maryland and Georgia Tech also loved him when they saw him at the adidas Superstar Camp. In fact Coach Gary Williams was planning to come in and watch him workout."

Wake Forest and Kansas were also beginning to recruit Varnado just as his recruitment came to an end.

Varnado's connection to the Delk twins, who will play for Mississippi State this season and his play at the Kingwood Classic gave the Bulldogs the early and final edge in his recruitment.

"Mississippi State recruited him hard right from the beginning," said Shulman. "They loved what they saw at the Kingwood Classic, and then Jarvis came down to their elite camp and tore it up. He has continued to get better and then blew up at the adidas Superstar Camp."

Long and athletic, Varnado is a difference maker as a shot blocker. His offense is still a bit raw, but he has the skill package in place to become a skilled power forward. He can shoot the ball out to the three-point line, can put it on the floor and can score with his back to the basket. Improving his strength is the essential factor in developing his game.

"Jarvis has improved a lot just from this spring," said Shulman. "He is getting more confident and taking the ball to the basket stronger. He is hitting shots from the outside and blocking every shot in the lane.

"He has just an outstanding upside with his length. He is starting to dunk on people now when before he would shy away from contact. He has even grown an inch since April, and he might just grow a couple more inches."