FAIRHOPE, Alabama — From forearms to forehands, Fairhope's Ian Thomas is trading sacks for serves. The former linebacker signed scholarship papers Monday to play tennis for Faulkner State Community College next year.

Before he picked up the pen to ink the Sun Chief offer, the Pirates' starting outside LB had put down his helmet and gear last fall and shook about five years of dust from his tennis racquet. Apparently it didn't take long to get back into the swing said FHS tennis coach J.R. Fulkerson, who also coached Thomas in football.

"As a player I couldn't ask for anybody better to be out there with," he said. "Great work ethic, put in a lot of extra work — you know he hadn't played in a while. But he worked hard, was in great shape already and was just a little raw. But came on strong since the early part of our season and after a while he looked like he hadn't missed a beat. He was first-team all-county and helped lead us to a 6-3 record, overall. We were the (6A) section runner-up and got the sportsmanship award at state. And Ian was a big part of that and stepped up as a leader for us. And I think his time in football helped him prepare for that role well. He earned that scholarship to Faulkner State and I think they got a heck of a player and a good person and I wish him and the Faulkner team well."

FSCC tennis coach Ritchie Dulaney said Thomas had the skill set and overall components she was looking for in a freshman, especially for a team losing a lot of more experienced players to graduation.

"Full of determination," she said. "Has the work ethic that will allow him to step in immediately for us. The men's program is going through something of a rebuilding year so we're looking for someone like Ian who can play and help us, as well as be a leader, on the court right away."

Thomas, a hard-hitting defender with several big-play interceptions, fumbles induced and recovered, sacks and tackles on his stat sheet, had pursued the football recruitment scene but decided college football was not for him. He played tennis competitively from ages 10 to 13. Then devoted all his time to the gridiron.

"Thought football was what I wanted to do, and focused on that," he said. "And it was pretty hard (to let football go) because I was involved in recruiting and all, but I think football just was not for me. I talked to coach Fulkerson last fall and he helped me a lot and encouraged me. So I'm really glad I came back to tennis. Changing

wasn't hard. A lot of the footwork is the same and quickness is important and I can run down a lot of shots, too."

Thomas, who considers his forehand his best stroke, is considering a major in computer science. Faulkner, he added was a great place to start.

"I went up there and tried out. Liked the coach, liked everyone there and I wanted to stay kind of close these first two years. Enjoyed it. Going to have a great time next year and looking forward to it."