MADISON- One of the most sought after high school players in the Tennessee Valley has verbally committed to Michigan. Tim “Deuce” Spurlock of Madison Academy, an All-State selection a season ago, had over 20 scholarship offers including one recent offer from Auburn.

The 6-foot-2, 220-pound defensive back is a 3-Star recruit who recently had a 21-tackle, three-sack game for the Mustangs in their 33-nothing shutout of powerhouse North Jackson. On the 4-1 season, he leads the team in tackles with 50 including 27 solo grapples. He proudly carries the nickname Deuce since he is a Tim Spurlock Jr. to his father.

“Tim has started the season playing extremely hard and making a lot of plays, but I truly believe his best football is still ahead of him,” said Bob Godsey head coach of Madison Academy. “He matures almost daily as a player and a leader.”

“I feel good about my decision as Michigan seems to be the best choice for me,” said Spurlock. “I feel it’s best for my education, I will play on the biggest stage in college football and I believe the experience at Michigan will benefit me greatly for life after football.”

Spurlock first played football in a flag division at age four. He switched over to youth football at age seven and soon migrated to the football program at Monrovia Middle School after his family moved to the local area 10 years ago. He was named MVP his two years with the Hawks and named to the All-County squad as an eighth grade student-athlete. He attended nearby Sparkman one year before making the move to the private school of Madison Academy where he’s leading the Mustangs’ charge through the 2021 season with hopes of making the post-season playoffs with a shot at a state championship.

His move to Madison Academy he and his family thought would be the best decision for his religious convictions, education and top-notch athletics. Spurlock feels the school presents a better atmosphere for his upbringing and more opportunities in an array of areas he would not otherwise be able to experience.

Spurlock is a student of the game as he watches film of his opponents every day to see where he can better attack the opposition. He leads the 2021 squad by example. He cherishes the idea he influences his teammates, especially the younger lads on the team. “I try and present to them so they can grasp what I do and do it correctly. I show them by my actions,” added Spurlock.

An education in communications is what Spurlock looks to study in college with dreams of becoming a television sportscaster, which in a way is something he has already experienced. While living in Arizona his family was friends with a local Ford car dealership and at age five he was asked to appear in a television commercial. With that experience the seed was planted for possible media stardom.

The dynamic personality Spurlock possess has carried over to his willingness to help others. When time allows, he visits homes in the neighborhood and mows their grass at no charge. During the summer months he’s been on the roads traveling to a multitude of football camps where his skills have been sharpened and refined and has been thrust before the watchful eyes of college scouts. His first offer from a higher education facility came after a camp just after his freshman year.

“I have received text messages and phone calls from lots of coaches as I’ve had 27 offers up to this point,” said Spurlock, who said he plans on playing for Madison Academy’s soccer team this spring after participating in track and field up until his junior year.

Offers have come from schools such as Auburn, Mississippi State, South Alabama, South Carolina and Pitt, but it was Michigan that seemed to prime the pump for the senior defensive back.

“I want to thank my coaches, especially my mentor, Vincent Sanders, who is a family friend and has taken me to several summer camps and works with me and my football skills,” he said.

Spurlock has suffered from asthma since a young boy and carries an inhaler to the sideline at each practice and game. With a bright future still ahead this football season and what is on the horizon at Michigan, there is no way the wind can be constricted from his sail on a trip to college football and possibly beyond.