Tech in fight for S. Paulding corner

Sometimes, the early leader closes escrow and lands the big recruit. That’s what happened at Alabama, where the Crimson Tide captured top cornerback DeMarcus Milliner’s heart and never let go.

Georgia Tech would love to be able to follow the same playbook in the hunt for South Paulding cornerback Ryan Ayers. But the Yellow Jackets may find the task a little bit more difficult.

Tech was the early leader for Ayers, who made his first visit to North Avenue. But once Georgia and Auburn got the 5-foot-10, 175-pound rising senior on their campuses, the Ayers sweepstakes got a lot more complicated.

As a result, Ayers says his mind is “completely open.” That’s not something that should alarm Yellow Jackets fans, but if Tech is going to bring Ayers in, it’s going to have to be ready for some stout competition. Alabama and South Carolina are also among the scholarship-offering suitors that now number nearly 20.

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Georgia and several of its SEC brethren like what they see in junior college cornerback Dequan Minzie.

“Alabama, Auburn, Mississippi State and Georgia have all offered me a scholarship,” the 6-foot, 195-pound Minzie told scout.com. “Georgia is a verbal offer, but I know I have one from them because their coach has come down and I have talked to him a few times.”

Tennessee and Ole Miss are other SEC schools who have offered Minzie. Count Oklahoma State and Clemson in, too. Nevertheless, the leader in his book is Southern Miss.

Minzie is originally from Carver-Columbus, but detoured to Copiah-Lincoln Community College in Wesson, Miss., for academic reasons.

Looking for love

Stephenson linebacker Tyrone Cornileus says he hopes to make a commitment by the end of June. To whom he will commit, however, remains the question.

Georgia Tech is high on his list, though Miami is the leader in a group that includes Alabama, Auburn, Michigan and South Carolina. All told, he has 17 scholarship offers.

Cornileus was vague about what it would take for Tech to overtake the Hurricanes. “Pretty much just make me feel very loved,” the answer he gave CaneSport.com, leaves itself open to many interpretations.

Etc.

South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier made an impression on Centennial’s 6-5, 275-pound offensive tackle David Yankey. “He just seemed like a cool guy and he’s a legendary coach,” Yankey told GamecockCentral.com. … Florida has two fewer linebackers named John, and while both are heading to the Volunteer State, only one is becoming an actual Volunteer. John Brown said he’d sign with Tennessee after a stop at Northeast Mississippi Junior College, while John Jones is latching on at Tennessee State. … Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin may be known for making the brashest entrance on the SEC scene in many moons, but Auburn’s Gene Chizik may get credit for the most creative. The backlash from Auburn’s “Big Cat Weekend” —- other than a few secondary violations —- is that coaches are having to answer to the parents of recruits who weren’t among the select 24 invited. … Henry County receiver Markeith Ambles paid a visit to UCLA during a trip out west that was expected to include Cal and Oregon. All three schools have offered scholarships to the 6-2, 182-pound rising senior.