RECRUITING

Three senior football players transfer back to Tech

Kyle Neddenriep
James Gilbert of Tech high steps through Cathedral defenders. Tech hosted Cathedral in high school football Friday October 11, 2013. Rob Goebel/The Star.

Three Tech football players have returned to the school after transferring to Lawrence Central in January.

James Gilbert, Eric Whitehead and Damon Cobb were denied eligibility by the Indiana High School Athletic Association, which determined the players had transferred for athletic reasons. In an appeal, Gilbert was allowed to play after the fourth game of the regular season.

In a message on Thursday morning, IHSAA commissioner Bobby Cox said Whitehead would have immediate eligibility at Tech. Gilbert and Cobb have yet to be ruled upon due to incomplete information on the transfer reports. Tech has been notified.

Whitehead, a senior defensive lineman, is committed to Virginia Tech. Gilbert, a senior running back who rushed for 765 yards last season, is committed to Ball State. Cobb is a senior defensive lineman.

"They are talented football players," Tech coach Tony Henderson said. "The thing is that we have a pretty good team now and we're playing well together. Hopefully we can get those guys back and into the mix."

Tech is 1-1 going into Friday's home game against Manual.