It doesn’t take long to figure out that Spencer Region thinks highly of his new offensive line coach.

Just sit down for a few minutes and listen to the Cullman High junior talk about his teacher, Bobby Wilkerson. He gives a gushing review.

“Coach Wilkerson means the world to me,” said Region, who has been selected as The Times Lineman of the Year. “Since I got here, he’s done nothing but help me. I know he’s in my corner working his tail off for me, so I try to do the same for him.”

Region transferred to Cullman from Brewer during the offseason, and with his arrival came a new project for Wilkerson … a very large project.

Actually, large may be a bit of an understatement. Words like massive and humongous would better describe the 6-foot-6, 350-pound Region.

Region is easily the biggest offensive lineman Cullman has had since Zac Tubbs and Justin Britt, and both of those guys went on to bigger and better things in the Southeastern Conference — Britt started at Alabama and Tubbs started for Arkansas.

Could Region be the next SEC lineman to come out of Cullman?

There’s a strong possibility.

After showing dramatic improvements in his technique during his first season with the Bearcats, Region — a First-Team All-State selection by the Alabama Sports Writers Association — is projected to be one of the state’s top offensive line prospects in the class of 2011.

The attention the Bearcats junior has received has been promising. Region already has a written offer from UAB, and he has received positive feedback from other major Division-I programs — including Alabama and Auburn.

“(Alabama offensive line) Coach (Joe) Pendry told me that I’m doing a good job, that I’ve improved my pad level and that I have the body to play at that level,” Region said. “He told me that I need to go to the camps in the offseason and that there’s a good chance that I could walk away with an offer.”

And if that offer doesn’t come?

“Already having something from UAB has taken a ton of pressure off my shoulders,” Region said. “I know that I’m going to have an opportunity to play college football. That’s what I want to do.”

Big things could be on the horizon for Region. He proved that he could be a valuable asset this season for Cullman.

With Region anchoring the offensive line, Cullman rolled up 4,807 yards of total offense, including 1,861 on the ground. The Bearcats also advanced to the Class 5A quarterfinals before falling to eventual state runner-up Russellville.

While landing a major Division-I scholarship is a priority for Region, getting Cullman to the top of Class 5A football is even more important.

“This season was a blast even though it didn’t end the way we would’ve liked,” Region said. “But after it was over, all the underclassmen said that we were going to bust our tails and get back to that point again next year. Our goal is to make another deep run in the playoffs. We’re working hard right now to make sure that happens.”

And to make sure Region is even more valuable to the Bearcats next season, the junior offensive lineman plans to hang on every word that comes out of Wilkerson’s mouth — the same way he did this past season.

“Coach Wilkerson has been great for me,” Region said. “He’s a great offensive line coach, but he’s more to me than just that. The way he’s helped me, it goes further than the stuff on the field. I used to run my mouth a lot, but Coach Wilkerson pulled me over and told me that’s not the type of stuff coaches want to see. He’s helped me with my attitude, work ethic and, of course, my technique.

“Plus, like I said before, I know he’s busting his tail to help me, just like Coach (Mark) Britton, Coach (Ty) Campbell and Coach (Kenny) Gleaton. They’ve really helped me out a lot. My coaches here, and my teammates, they mean a lot to me and I don’t want to let them down next year.”

• Justin Graves can be reached by phone at 734-2131, ext. 257 or by e-mail at jgraves@cullmantimes.com.