GALLATIN — When his football career comes to an end, Beech's Jeramy Laster Jr. may have a future on the dance floor.
The Buccaneers' star wide receiver had plenty of chances to bust out in celebration, as he recorded two touchdowns in Beech's 46-17 win over Gallatin (6-2) in Week 9 of the TSSAA football season. DK Williams added 184 rushing yards and three touchdowns for the Bucs (7-1), which head into a pair of Region 6-5A matchups to close the regular season.
While his stylish celebrations are quick to catch the eye, Laster's showmanship on the field has numerous Power Four programs vying for his commitment. Laster is the state's No. 11-ranked recruit in the Class of 2028 and No. 37 receiver nationally in the 247Sports Composite, with offers
from Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Indiana, Ole Miss and more.
"He's always upbeat. I don't know if I've ever seen him when he was in a bad mood," Beech coach Anthony Crabtree said. "He's always got some energy that he brings with him, no matter what you're doing."
Laster's ascent as one of the area's most prolific wideouts is beginning to mirror that of his cousin, Vanderbilt wide receiver Junior Sherrill. Laster grew up watching Sherrill play under Trent Dilfer at Lipscomb Academy and the two remain close as Sherrill has developed into one of Vandy's best receivers.
After Beech's Week 1 loss to Green Hill, it was Sherrill who managed to refocus his younger cousin, and since he's scarcely missed a beat.
"I watched him at Lipscomb and it just made me want to do what he was doing. We talk like every other day," Laster said. "(He told me) just keep my head on straight. Against Green Hill I had a big drop and he was like, 'Don't let it get to your head. Just move on.'"
Laster began playing wide receiver his freshman season. It was in the months following that Laster received his first collegiate offer from Eastern Kentucky, which nearly brought him to tears.
The college attention has become commonplace since though, with over two dozen programs having extended offers to the Bucs' four-star receiver. This season he's made gameday visits to Tennessee, Michigan and his cousin's home of Vanderbilt, with an additional visit to Knoxville planned for the Vols' game against Alabama on Oct. 17.
Through the recruiting red carpets rolled his way, he's been able to cut through the noise, with full focus on his eventual path to the field at the next level.
"My biggest thing is playing time. I want to get out there and prove what I can do," Laster said. "I want an opportunity, so that's the biggest thing for me."
Harrison Campbell covers high school sports for The Daily Herald and The Tennessean. Email him at hcampbell@usatodayco.com and follow him on X (formerly Twitter) @hccamp.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: How Beech's Jeramy Laster Jr. followed after cousin, Vanderbilt WR Junior Sherrill
