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The Daily OrangeFBALL RECRUIT | Linebacker Tucker listens to mother, chooses Syracuse over Virginia
By Heather Crowley
Posted: 4/25/07, 9:36 PM EST Section: Sports
Angela Tucker knew Romale was a special child from the first moment she saw him. He was her first of six children and therefore needed an exceptional name. More importantly, she said it had to be one that the world would never forget.
"I told him I gave him that name because that name is going to ring out all over the nation," Angela Tucker said. "I didn't know then how it was going to, but it will."
Romale Tucker didn't have that same outlook as a young child. But that would soon change.
Growing up, Tucker never thought he'd even go to college, never mind be a football recruit for Syracuse. Tucker is expected to compete at linebacker when he arrives at SU in the fall.
Tucker's most important choice of his life, which college to attend, would eventually be made based on another person's opinion - his mother's. Despite his verbal commitment and love for Virginia, he ultimately would turn his focus back to Syracuse because of Angela's urging.
"I liked Syracuse, and as far as the rest of the schools, I didn't really like them," Angela Tucker said. "I mean, he liked University of Virginia. But I felt that he would do the best at Syracuse."
"I want my mom to feel comfortable wherever I go," Romale Tucker said. "My mom is someone who is very special to me. I would take her word over mine any day."
With thoughts of Virginia swirling in his head, Tucker had an explosive final season at Ballou (D.C.) High School as he improved his tackle total from 46 to 92 from his junior year to senior year. Although it was an individual change, Tucker is quick to cite his teammates as the reason for the drastic jump.
"I became experienced with a lot of the guys on the team who worked hard," Tucker said. "By them working hard everyday, it motivated me to work harder."
Tucker used his mother's advice of staying with the right crowd to direct him with football. He took advantage of the playing with Marvin Austin, North Carolina recruit and the No. 1-ranked defensive tackle in the Class of 2007, according to Scout.com.
"I told him I gave him that name because that name is going to ring out all over the nation," Angela Tucker said. "I didn't know then how it was going to, but it will."
Romale Tucker didn't have that same outlook as a young child. But that would soon change.
Growing up, Tucker never thought he'd even go to college, never mind be a football recruit for Syracuse. Tucker is expected to compete at linebacker when he arrives at SU in the fall.
Tucker's most important choice of his life, which college to attend, would eventually be made based on another person's opinion - his mother's. Despite his verbal commitment and love for Virginia, he ultimately would turn his focus back to Syracuse because of Angela's urging.
"I liked Syracuse, and as far as the rest of the schools, I didn't really like them," Angela Tucker said. "I mean, he liked University of Virginia. But I felt that he would do the best at Syracuse."
"I want my mom to feel comfortable wherever I go," Romale Tucker said. "My mom is someone who is very special to me. I would take her word over mine any day."
With thoughts of Virginia swirling in his head, Tucker had an explosive final season at Ballou (D.C.) High School as he improved his tackle total from 46 to 92 from his junior year to senior year. Although it was an individual change, Tucker is quick to cite his teammates as the reason for the drastic jump.
"I became experienced with a lot of the guys on the team who worked hard," Tucker said. "By them working hard everyday, it motivated me to work harder."
Tucker used his mother's advice of staying with the right crowd to direct him with football. He took advantage of the playing with Marvin Austin, North Carolina recruit and the No. 1-ranked defensive tackle in the Class of 2007, according to Scout.com.
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