David Palmer: Jackson-Olin Two-Sport Star a Hot Property

Peggy Palmer almost ended her son’s football career before it even got started.
David Palmer joined the Jackson-Olin of Birmingham football team as a freshman, three years behind older brother Robert.
The newspapers couldn’t resist the temptation of pitting brother against brother from the standpoint of competition.
“I never thought we were competing against each other, but he thought we were competing,” Palmer said. “Robert said in the papers something about our competition, and our momma found out and was going to put us both off the team.
“So we just decided to go out there and play ball and stop competing with each other.”
His main competition now lies in which sport he wants to play. Palmer hopes to play both football and baseball on the collegiate level.
Palmer, a 5-foot-8, 170-pound speedster, says he models many of his baseball and football feats after Atlanta Falcons defensive back Deion Sanders, but tries to be unlike the flamboyant two-sport star in at least one characteristic.
“I like Deion a lot,” Palmer said. “He’s my idol. But I’m not a cocky person. I think Deion does what he does just to get some publicity.
“What I like about him is what he does on the field. I still haven’t dreamed of making it in pro baseball or football. I guess, if I make it, I make it.”
Then again, when Palmer first learned he was blessed with lightning speed (4.5 in the 40-yard-dash) and elusiveness, he never dreamed he would be in the position he’s in right now. Palmer is considered by many to be the top prospect in the state. He has already visited Pittsburgh and is still considering Alabama, Auburn, Florida State and Arkansas. He doesn’t plan on making any more visits because he’s currently playing on the Jackson-Olin basketball team. Palmer also doesn’t intend on committing to anyone before signing on Feb. 6.
Jackson-Olin’s other prospect, wide receiver Vincent Davis (6-2, 190), accompanied Palmer on the trip to Pittsburgh. Davis, who has 4.4 speed, is also reportedly considering Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Florida State, Arkansas and Nebraska.
Palmer’s numbers are definitely impressive. Jackson-Olin head coach Earl Cheatham used his speed demon in virtually every conceivable capacity. Palmer, playing quarterback, tailback, wide receiver and defensive back, rushed for 2,119 yards and 26 touchdowns, while passing for 1,600 yards and 16 touchdowns.
Palmer, who has carried the nickname “Poppa Cherry” since it was given to him by his grandmother in early childhood, says three factors will weigh heavily in his decision.
First, he wants to play wide receiver, not defensive back, which is where some recruiters have insisted on putting him because of his size.
“The coaching staff is really important to me,” Palmer said. “I want them to be nice, like all of my coaches so far have been.
“I also want to go somewhere where they throw a lot. Some schools want me at defensive back, but I want to play on the offensive side. I want to play receiver, return kicks, play running back, some mainly on toss sweeps, sort of like Notre Dame used the Rocket (Raghib Ismail).”
Secondly, Palmer is concerned about his education. He has a 2.9 grade point average and is waiting on his ACT score. He hopes to teach mathematics if his football or baseball career doesn’t work out professionally for him.
Finally, the school Palmer commits to must be willing to allow him to play both sports.
Palmer led Jackson-Olin to its best season ever in 1990, as the Mustangs reeled of seven straight wins in compiling a 9-2 record. The seven-game winning streak and nine victories are both school records.
Needless to say, Palmer’s total of 3,719 yards of offense was by far the most productive season for a Jackson-Olin player.
Those kinds of statistics can make life fairly harrowing for a teenager who just happens to have uncanny athletic ability. Peggy Palmer, who raised both of her sons by herself, says the pressure sometimes gets to be too much.
“It’s been getting kind of rough,” she said. “Everybody wants David to make his decision. They can’t make it for him. He’s got to do it on his own, in his own way.
“I feel all right about it. It’s awfully hard for him to decide, but I told him whatever school he picks is fine with me. I never thought he’d be like this. His uncle always told him he’d be a pro one day. It seems like he’s on his way.”