RECRUITING: Sunday is decision day for state’s top prospect

The state’s No. 1 prospect, Branden Smith, will announce his college decision Sunday.

The defensive back from Booker T. Washington will choose between Georgia, Florida, Alabama and Florida State during the Under Armour All-America game, which kicks off at 8 p.m.

Georgia appears to be the school to beat, and Smith’s mother endorses the Bulldogs. However, Smith claims he switches between favorite schools every day and won’t know for sure until the game.

“Everybody has been giving me advice on why each school is the best for me, and I’ve been listening,” Smith said.

“Everything is still going through my mind. Whatever my heart tells me on Sunday, that’s the school I’m going to pick.

“The good thing is that I know I can’t go wrong with any of the four schools. They are all great schools.”

Tech recruit makes prediction

Jefferson County defensive end Chris Crenshaw likes to think big. He was one of seven Georgia Tech commitments who participated in Monday’s GACA North-South all-star classic.

What was his opinion of the other members of Tech’s recruiting class? “I was impressed with all my future teammates… . I really think we can take Tech to a national championship,” Crenshaw said.

The Jackets were represented in the game by commitments Crenshaw, Emanuel County Institute lineman J.C. Lanier, Fitzgerald safety Jemea Thomas, Newnan lineman Raymond Beno, Westside-Macon linebacker Julian Burnett and Flowery Branch defensive end Izaan Cross and fullback Daniel Drummond.

Lanier was asked which Tech recruit most surprised him.

“Daniel Drummond. I had heard he was a little guy who had speed,” Lanier said. “But he’s a big runner who is fast, strong and powerful. He was really difficult for people to tackle.”

Colleges charge toward QB Pease

Cairo senior quarterback Angelo Pease turned in one of the best senior seasons in state history: He threw for 19 touchdowns with only one interception while leading the Syrupmakers to the Class AAA championship.

Pease already had scholarship offers from Troy, UAB and Georgia Southern. Now he is waiting to hear back from Georgia Tech, South Florida, Clemson and Auburn.

“None of them have offered scholarships yet, but I think they are on the verge,” Pease said.

If things fall right, the 5-10, 190-pound Pease said he could be a package deal with his Cairo teammate, tailback Reginald Bryant, who has offers from Georgia Tech and South Florida, along with Louisville and N.C. State.

Another Geathers considers Georgia

Defensive lineman Kwame Geathers of Carvers Bay, S.C., announced that Georgia is one of his four finalists, according to GoGamecocks. The 6-foot-6, 310-pound Geathers said he will make official visits to South Carolina, Georgia, South Florida and North Carolina in January.

Georgia recruiting coordinator Rodney Garner is a close friend of his family, and older brother Robert Geathers played for the Bulldogs. However, another one of his brothers, Clifton Geathers, committed to Georgia but later signed with South Carolina, where he is a current member of the Gamecocks.

Vanderbilt moves in on tight end Jones

Heritage tight end Justin Jones, who backed off his commitment to Kentucky, has scheduled an official visit to Vanderbilt for Jan. 30.

He is also entertaining offers from South Carolina, UAB and East Carolina and has a dozen other schools showing serious interest.

The 6-8, 252-pound Jones played defensive end for the first time this past season. He finished with 22 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks.