AJC > Sports > Tech > Blog > Archives > 2008 > April > 01 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USSay goodbye for good to DJ Donley
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Unless something strange happens, and that obviously is possible, I was wrong yesterday about D.J. Donley.
It looks like he’s gone, or will be in a couple months, to Purdue.
Strange thing about kids — and these are still kids we’re talking about when the subject matter is high school seniors, college freshmen and sophomores (not to mention some juniors and seniors — they can be fickle and unpredictable.
Hard for me to find fault in Donley’s logic for leaving, though.
I talked to his high school coach this morning (as numerous calls to DJ and his mother have failed in recent days), and Richard McWhorter said DJ chose Purdue for two reasons: they throw the ball a lot, and he thinks he can best develop as a wide receiver in that kind of setting; and he has friends there and will have more.
“If he transfers, he’s still going to have three years to play three,” McWhorter said. “It’s still early in the game. He was concerned with the receiver position [and the ability to develop] at Tech. He didn’t say anything negative about coach Johnson.”
I thought Donley might have been the most talented WR on the team last year. Do I think there is some sort of barrier between WRs who play for Paul Johnson and the NFL? No. But there’s absolutely no proof from his stops at Navy, Ga. Southern, etc. that he can grease a wideout’s path to the professional ranks, either.
At Purdue, if he performs as he did in practices last summer (or better), when 2009 rolls around, Mr. Donley will get quite a few chances to show his wares. Purdue threw the ball almost 600 times last year, and QB Curtis Painter has thrown for more than 11,000 career yards.
He’ll be gone by the time Donley is eligible, and coach Joe Tiller is retiring after this year (I think, or is it next year?), but they’ve already tabbed his successor from on the staff, and the Boilermakers are not going to stop throwing.
These kids always say when there is a coaching change that they didn’t pledge in the first place to coaches as much as the institution, but when you’re a pro prospect — and I don’t think it’s a leap so suggest that Donley qualifies as a pro prospect, though certainly not a lock — you have grounds after a dramatic change in coaching philosophy like Tech underwent to say (not that Donley himself has) that you didn’t pledge blindly to a school, either. There’s a mix of commitments.
Surely, some of you will argue that.
But perhaps not this: If you’re a Jacket fan, this is a big loss, one of the two or three most talented members of that very highly touted 2007 signing class is gone (barring a change of mind, which I’m allowing for … sort of).
QB Steven Threet didn’t make it to summer practice. He ended up at Michigan, where he no more fits Rich Rodriguez’s offense than I do. Strange how things work, isn’t it? Then again, had he stayed at Tech, he would no more fit the Jackets’ new offense than I would. It just goes to show ya, who knows?
Another would-be member of that class, Cedric Everson, also ended up in the Big 10. After Tech pulled his scholarship offer, he pledged to Michigan State. Then, he jumped to Iowa on signing day. Showed up at media day and said he didn’t want to redshirt because you can’t learn anything that way, and by mid-October, he flamed out of that program.
Anybody know where Ced is now?
Good for Tech, huh, that that one didn’t work out.
By extrapolation, does that make it good that basketball recruit Al-Farouq Aminu didn’t work out? Dunno all the details of the BB gun incident, but I know this. I hope none of my kids is ever involved in a BB gun event like that one. No gun incidents of any kind can be anything but bad news, save a kid hunting legally with adults.
On a side not, as for Jonathan Dwyer, whom I suggested yesterday might need to shed 10-12 pounds, OK, maybe not that much. Maybe (this was just theoretical based on a couple up-close sightings), he needs to shave less than that.
But I still think he’s too thick from mid-chest to the bottom of his rump, at least for a young man his age. No, I’m not saying in any way, shape or form that he is not abundantly talented. But comments by Paul Johnson have made it clear that coaches are looking for something more from Dwyer.
Finally, not that it’s here, there, or anywhere … two Charlton County High players are already on the roster at Purdue, and Donley and RB Ralph Bolden, who signed with the Boilermakers in February, will make four.
That will be four more players from one of Georgia’s very best small school programs on the Purdue roster than on the roster at Tech.
It just goes to show ya, ya never know.
Matt
Comments
By RAMBLE ON!
April 1, 2008 12:32 PM | Link to this
Hey Matt, RAMBLE ON!!! has been wrong before (I think), so don’t sweat it. Watch out for that road rage though!!!
See ya DJ, nice having you for your freshmen year, best of luck.
By Lee U
April 1, 2008 12:34 PM | Link to this
crap!
By GA Tech Insider
April 1, 2008 12:46 PM | Link to this
Well played, Matt.
By GA Tech Insider
April 1, 2008 12:50 PM | Link to this
I’m glad to see you are a good sport…
By George P
April 1, 2008 2:11 PM | Link to this
Everson was a mid year signee at Alcorn State. I guess we dodged a “character issue” bullet with that guy.
By Yellowblood
April 1, 2008 2:29 PM | Link to this
You were a punk who never embraced the Tickle Pile tradition. Good riddance!
By m
April 1, 2008 3:00 PM | Link to this
To put it bluntly, being willing to play for Chan Gailey, but not for Paul Johnson, is IDIOTIC. He apparently would have stayed under Chan and been wasted. Under Paul Johnson, he would have played for a winner…and probably ended up playing defense anyway. Good luck to DJ and THANK GOD and GREYHOUND THAT GAILEY IS GONE FOREVER.
By GT4EVER
April 1, 2008 3:18 PM | Link to this
Good Luck DJ! A middle of the pack Big 10 team, in a conference that is arguably the worst in college football.
By Yellow Jacket Fan
April 1, 2008 3:27 PM | Link to this
That Paul Johnson has never been a disciplinarian and he lets his football players run around and get drunk and do anything that they want to do. It makes him out to be the joke of a coach that he is and his teams are a bunch of thugs that do not know the meaning of responsibility. He should be fired at once.
Wait a minute, I got confused. Jaboe is a Tech recruit and Johnson is OUR coach. That crappy AJC is picking on our team again and they have NO business printing this kind of non news about college students just because they play football. All kids make mistakes sometimes and this just shows that the AJC favors UGA and is out to get Tech. THWTAJC
By jda
April 1, 2008 3:54 PM | Link to this
m, you’re getting better with your comments. It’s obvious from your frequent posts that you are passionate about Georgia Tech; however, we don’t need to be constantly reminded to “thank God and Greyhound that Gailey is gone forever.” I. too, am excited about having Paul Johnson on board; but in earthly affairs, God doesn’t have favorites. Otherwise, I agree with the points you raise in your comment.
By surfrider
April 1, 2008 5:58 PM | Link to this
Good blog. No question D. J. had potential but Tech will move on nicely as results are looking good on the field and in recruiting. One thing about the NFL is they like receivers who can catch but also who can block and play other aspects as well as more and more be team Players. I keep coming back to the wr’s Pepper Rodgers had that ended up being long term NFL careers if not mistaken. They were not big guys..Jimmy Robinson (Giants), Drew Hill (Rams), and Steve Raible ? (Seahawks). At the same time, this current option offense will throw and can throw much more than Pepper’s Wishbone days, which means a lot of excitement for the wr’s and slots.
By surfrider
April 1, 2008 5:58 PM | Link to this
Good blog. No question D. J. had potential but Tech will move on nicely as results are looking good on the field and in recruiting. One thing about the NFL is they like receivers who can catch but also who can block and play other aspects as well as more and more be team Players. I keep coming back to the wr’s Pepper Rodgers had that ended up being long term NFL careers if not mistaken. They were not big guys..Jimmy Robinson (Giants), Drew Hill (Rams), and Steve Raible ? (Seahawks). At the same time, this current option offense will throw and can throw much more than Pepper’s Wishbone days, which means a lot of excitement for the wr’s and slots.
By Tech Fans=JOKE
April 1, 2008 6:30 PM | Link to this
“results are looking good on the field”
One week of spring practice and Tech fans are already talking about “results”. Next time you call a Georgia fan delusional please let me know so I can laugh directly in your face.
By Matt Winkeljohn
April 1, 2008 8:15 PM | Link to this
A couple of observations from opposite ends of the spectrum:
If you can tell anything about this team based on what you’ve seen in spring practices so far (results looking good?), you’re a flippin’ wizard! Nobody, and I mean nobody, can make heads or tails based on what’s been seen so far. The coaches may have a slightly better idea now than 10 days ago as to who is going to play and who’s not, but if you think anybody — and I mean anybody — can tell if this team/offense/defense, etc., is going to be good, bad or ugly, you’re off the charts nuts.
Recruiting? How can you tell? Five players, all defense, one rated (although the real ratings — if such a thing comes to exist — won’t be out for months). A reminder: just getting players to commit early or not, does not mean recruiting is going well or is not. Timing is not everything; it’s almost nothing in recruiting. Besides, everybody is getting more and more early commits.
As for Pepper Rodgers sending WRs to the NFL, dude, that was roughly one-third of a century ago. Completely, and I mean completely, irrelevant. Other than former Falcons coach Dan Reeves, who once explained that the Falcons selected Jammi German in the third round rather than Hines Ward because the Falcons had at the time no idea that Ward would be such a fine blocker, I don’t think many NFL teams are drafting WRs because they can block their butts off. Like, none.
Other than that, good stuff.
Matt
P.S. Methinks this Donley think is not going to die a quick death, or fade to black. We’ll see if there’s more to come, but some things just don’t seem quite right.
By Matt Winkeljohn
April 1, 2008 8:15 PM | Link to this
A couple of observations from opposite ends of the spectrum:
If you can tell anything about this team based on what you’ve seen in spring practices so far (results looking good?), you’re a flippin’ wizard! Nobody, and I mean nobody, can make heads or tails based on what’s been seen so far. The coaches may have a slightly better idea now than 10 days ago as to who is going to play and who’s not, but if you think anybody — and I mean anybody — can tell if this team/offense/defense, etc., is going to be good, bad or ugly, you’re off the charts nuts.
Recruiting? How can you tell? Five players, all defense, one rated (although the real ratings — if such a thing comes to exist — won’t be out for months). A reminder: just getting players to commit early or not, does not mean recruiting is going well or is not. Timing is not everything; it’s almost nothing in recruiting. Besides, everybody is getting more and more early commits.
As for Pepper Rodgers sending WRs to the NFL, dude, that was roughly one-third of a century ago. Completely, and I mean completely, irrelevant. Other than former Falcons coach Dan Reeves, who once explained that the Falcons selected Jammi German in the third round rather than Hines Ward because the Falcons had at the time no idea that Ward would be such a fine blocker, I don’t think many NFL teams are drafting WRs because they can block their butts off. Like, none.
Other than that, good stuff.
Matt
P.S. Methinks this Donley thing is not going to die a quick death, or fade to black. We’ll see if there’s more to come, but some things just don’t seem quite right.
By NOVA Jacket
April 1, 2008 8:50 PM | Link to this
If D.J. wants to play on Sundays, it will most likely be on the defensive side of the ball. He would have been a great combo with Burnett had he stayed. Best of luck at Purdue.
By Stu
April 1, 2008 10:41 PM | Link to this
That was one of the better blogs I have read in a while. Thank you for not bashing a teenage kid that basically choose to do the same thing college coaches do after every football season and they are grown men I might add. i.e Rich Rodriguez, June Jones, Houston Nutt, Dennis Franchione to name a few. The NCAA needs to change that dumb rule they have about players having to sit out a year because they decided to transfer to another D-1 school. All the coaches I mentioned above are not sitting out next year and are getting paid big bucks.. What a shame that is, but that’s another story in itself. Purdue has been very good to kids from Folkston, starting with Joe Hagins in the 90’s, along with Pender, Greaves, Bolden, & Donley in the 2000’s. I am a die hard UGA fan, but I thank my lucky stars that Directv has the Big-10 network in HD!!
By michaelgee
April 1, 2008 11:21 PM | Link to this
Donley should have done some research: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LrEnmj4G84w
And yes, that is the same Mike Sewak, who is with CPJ at Tech now.
GSU’s running game is so prolific, nobody rembers the passing game. That wil be Paul Johnson’s Ace in the Hole.
By Mike
April 2, 2008 8:11 AM | Link to this
Kids will be kids, and there is little we can do about that. If the kid has a good heart, and seems to be doing things that make some sense (heck, tons of adults don’t fit that criteria), then just wish him well and let it go.
It is not like Chan’s offense, with “pro prospects” like DJ (or CJ for that matter) was lighting anybody up when they had the ball. I would much rather have good college players, who maybe are not so great pro prospects, and score 35 points a game with discipline, execution, and technique than have a sprinkling of pro prospects who only score 20 points a game.
By Confucious
April 2, 2008 9:13 AM | Link to this
Confucious say Donley is smarter than he look.
By confucious
April 2, 2008 9:56 AM | Link to this
Man with hole in pants feel cocky all day
By lovethegame
April 2, 2008 12:07 PM | Link to this
Matt, on your comment about Dwyer, how much do you think he weighs? Dwyer is 220! Last season Dwyer was 215. His backside & his thighs nothing but muscle that’s where most great running back get their strength & speed. Does the names Barry Saunders, Hershel Walker, Emmitt Smith come to mind ? Dwyer body looks alot like theirs when they were in college. Dwyer speed has not change if anything he is faster and strong. In the 40 Dwyer runs a 4.38 also Dwyer is one of the youngest player on the team. PJ is looking for Dwyer to step up and be a leader and as Dwyer becomes more comfortable with the NEW coaching staff and being put in the position that he being put in he Dwyer will do just that. Ever ate humble pie Matt, I know a great baker that will bake one especially for you. You can get it after the first game against Boston. Will that be a delivery or a pick up?
By StingerSplash
April 2, 2008 1:28 PM | Link to this
Donley may catch 85 passes a year at Purdue, and he would have probably topped at 35-40 a season at Tech — but his catch per average and his TDs total in PJ’s offense would have been as good if not better. Plus, he could have shown he physical and strong he can be as a blocker. Plus, at Purdue, his numbers can be dismissed as being a result of a “system”. It’s happened to QBs and WRs before, and it’ll happen again. Mr. Donley, I hate to tell you this, but if you’re good, the guys in the NFL will find you, no matter what or where you play.
By NASCAR Dave
April 2, 2008 1:57 PM | Link to this
HAHA - TOUGH LUCK NERDS!!!
GO DAWGS!!!
NUFF SAID.
By Ramblin Wrecker
April 2, 2008 2:14 PM | Link to this
I don’t have a problem with Donley transferring per se. I understand that Donley saw what Calvin Johnson did and thought he could be that too if he went to GT. The problem is that CJ wasn’t a product of anything Chan Gailey did, in fact Gailey was a hinderance (well, him and Reggie Ball). So coming into GT thinking you’d be in a platform to be a superstar wideout is a bit of a reach. CJ was a once in a lifetime talent. But that being said, Donley high tailed it because Gailey was fired and because triple option coach Paul Johnson was hired. I got news for Donley: Gailey didn’t let them throw the ball a lot either!!! He wouldn’t have led any conference in receiving with Gailey at the helm. But Donley transferred as if they were no longer playing football, but lacrosse or something. It’s still football and I’d be willing to bet a hard working kid like Donley would have more TD’s and yards receiving under CPJ than Chan, just because his option offense will create long pass play opportunities. And a big kid like Donley who was willing to block would have gotten his fair share.
I just wonder what happened to integrity? What happened to sticking with something and becoming great in spite of the situation. Donley could very well make it to the NFL, but he could wind up with a run-oriented team. Will he quit on them too? It justs says to me he isn’t the type to play the hand he’s dealt and win it anyway. He wants a redo. Too bad, he was talented.
By Matt Winkeljohn
April 2, 2008 2:26 PM | Link to this
Hey Lovethegame,
Take your humble pie and stuff it in your pie hole.
What are you talking about? I didn’t say the kid stinks, or has lost an ounce of ability. I said I think he’s too thick. That’s an opinion. I pointed out that coaches are looking for something more from him than they’re getting. That’s a fact, not an opinion, as made clear by comments by Paul Johnson that have been printed.
He didn’t slam the kid. Neither am I.
And I’ll say this: you’re doing him an inservice invoking the names of Barry Sanders, Herschel Walker and Emmitt Smith.
Yes, I’ve seen all three up close and person, Sanders and Smith several times, all in uniforms and clothes. Covered all of them in multiple games, spoke to them afterwards, and in the case of Sanders and Smith at functions beyond games.
No, Dwyer’s body type is not like any of theirs. He’s considerably taller than Sanders, taller than Smith, not as big in the chest/shoulders, etc. as Walker. None of them had the barrel midsection that Dwyer has, and I am not suggesting that means that Dwyer is in some way the worse for his body shape.
Yes, they all had butts, and great lower body strength. But why don’t you just thrown Bo Jackson, Marcus Allen, John Riggins and Larry Csonka in there? Your frame of reference is an injustice to the kid, and crazy.
I have not said that Dwyer is about to slide, or get worse. I’ve suggested that he could stand to lose a few pounds in my opinion.
Put that in your pie hole.
By lovethegame
April 2, 2008 5:20 PM | Link to this
Ha,Ha,Ha hey Matt I see you got that humble pie, DELIVER. I like you Matt Winkeljohn. Ha,Ha,HA.
By lovethegame
April 2, 2008 5:21 PM | Link to this
Ha,Ha,Ha hey Matt I see you got that humble pie, DELIVER. I like you Matt Winkeljohn. Ha,Ha,HA. I’ll put a hole in it when you stop writing. Ha, Ha!
By lovethegame
April 2, 2008 5:22 PM | Link to this
Ha,Ha,Ha hey Matt I see you got that humble pie, DELIVER. I like you Matt Winkeljohn. Ha,Ha,HA. I’ll put a hole in it when you stop writing. Ha, Ha! SO EACH WRITING! I love it!
By WFC
April 5, 2008 9:17 AM | Link to this
Not to worry. I wish that DJ had stayed at Tech but as any high school coach will tell you: wide receiver is the EASIEST position to fill with a competent player.