AJC > Sports > Football Recruiting > Blog > Archives > 2007 > January > 04
Thursday, January 4, 2007
GAC quarterback Chapple waits for Division I-A offers
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Greater Atlanta Christian quarterback Lee Chapple has received offers from two Atlantic 10 schools which are Division I-AA — the University of Richmond and James Madison — but is not giving up hope that he’ll get a chance from a Division I-A school.
GAC coach Jimmy Chupp has said Chapple was on lists at the University of Georgia, but no offer has materialized.
“I’ve gotten a couple of phone calls from a couple Division I schools but nothing very big or ‘you’ll get an offer soon,’ ” Chapple told the AJC’s Carroll Rogers on Thursday afternoon. “I’m going to wait until the middle of January to see if any Division I schools really are interested. Depending on what happens then I’ll make my decision in mid-to-late January.”
Chapple has taken an official visit to Richmond and plans to visit James Madison on Jan. 12.
Chapple didn’t miss a start in three years at the helm for GAC. He passed for 4,901 yards and 49 touchdowns in his career and set a school-record with 1,904 yards passing this season while leading GAC to the Class AA quarterfinals.
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Getting to know: Georgia Tech-bound Jerrard Tarrant
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We went one-on-one with Carrollton cornerback Jerrard Tarrant, who in February plans to sign with Georgia Tech:
Nickname: J-4
Three words to describe me: Humble, athletic, educated
Something people don’t know about me: I used to work in chicken houses when I was a little boy.
Funniest recruiting experience: One day my father came to school to tell me something, but then he told me I’d lost my scholarship to Georgia Tech. A few seconds later, he told me he was just joking.
My style on the field reminds some of … Ronnie Lott and Devin Hester
What I drive: 1996 Ford Escort (my purple Bentley)
If I wasn’t going to Tech, I would have gone to … Vanderbilt
Three reasons I chose Tech: Their location, their coaching staff, their atmosphere around campus
Sports hero: Deion Sanders
College major: Architecture
Ten years from now, I will be … A college graduate and actively playing in the NFL
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Southern Miss enters race for Dacula speedster
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Southern Miss is showing interest in Dacula’s Cole Brodie, who is scheduled to take an official visit to Charleston Southern this weekend.
The 5-foot-10, 181-pound Brodie runs a legitimate 4.4 in the 40-yard dash, according to Dacula coach Kevin Maloof.
Brodie rushed for 856 yards and 12 touchdowns during his senior season despite nursing a nagging high ankle sprain for most of the season.
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Sandy Creek star visits Kentucky; set to check out UCF, Marshall, Indiana
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Sandy Creek defensive lineman Fred Jones, who had 17 tackles for loss and seven sacks as a senior, made an official visit to Kentucky over Christmas break. Jones has three visits left: Central Florida on Jan. 12, Marshall on Jan. 19 and Indiana on Jan. 26.
Teammate Shelly Anthony, a 6-foot-2, 270-pound offensive lineman, will visit Jacksonville State this weekend and has visits set up for Western Kentucky, Coastal Carolina and Eastern Kentucky.
Defensive back Chris James will visit Gardner-Webb and Tennessee-Chattanooga.
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Caleb King tries to make grade; Morgan Burnett talks recruiting
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It’s Thursday, Jan. 4, 34 days until national signing day, and have we got recruiting news for you (see right).
Carroll Rogers reports Thursday afternoon that top Georgia running back recruit Caleb King has yet to become academically eligible, but is preparing for another crack at the SAT.
Matt Winkeljohn caught up with Georgia Tech target Morgan Burnett in Fort Lauderdale Thursday afternoon. The North Clayton star says he’ll check out a few other top Southern schools before making a decision.
Jeff Hood found out that two of Georgia’s most highly regarded juniors, Jefferson County’s A.J. Harmon and Buford’s T.J. Pridemore, both have Georgia on their early lists of college options.
We’re hearing that Steve Spurrier is making a late push to land Jefferson County linebacker Tim Nelson, that Clinch County defensive tackle Eugene Kinlaw is leaning toward signing with Arkansas and that a few schools are trying to talk Charlton County star Devarro Greaves out of his commitment to Purdue.
We’ve got all that — and a whole lot more today, including Bill Sanders’ report on Nick Saban’s introduction as Alabama coach — as AJC staff writers make calls to recruits and coaches all day. The blog, which has a new, easier-to-navigate format today, will be updated at least every half-hour between now and 6 p.m. We hope to have at least 30 new news bursts throughout the day.
As always, we welcome your comments on the blog below and will chase any news you’d like us to. Just send an e-mail my way — jdalessio@ajc.com — and we’ll work the phones.
UGA-bound Caleb King hits books, prepares for SAT
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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The U.S. Army All-American Bowl high school all-star game will come and go Saturday in San Antonio without Caleb King.
The Georgia-bound Greater Atlanta Christian running back was selected to play in the game in the fall. But King broke his leg in a game for GAC in October and won’t risk re-injury by playing in this game.
King and GAC coach Jimmy Chupp, who were invited to attend festivities anyway, have elected not to attend, Chupp said.
“Since Caleb wasn’t going to play I didn’t see any reason for me to go,” said Chupp, who said this way King won’t miss any class work.
King, who committed to Georgia in November, has not yet qualified academically. He is preparing to retake the SAT. He’s been using his time to concentrate on his studies and working out, Chupp said.
“I don’t know if he’s been fully released [by doctors yet] but I know he doesn’t walk with a limp anymore,” Chupp said. “He’s been lifting [weights] again, getting back in shape and he’s been working hard academically.”
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Catching up with Morgan Burnett
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Morgan Burnett has only made one official recruiting visit, last month to Georgia Tech, but the North Clayton safety may make more. He’s not sure.
Burnett is in Fort Lauderdale, where he’ll play safety Thursday night in the Offense-Defense All-American Game sponsored by Rivals.com (7 p.m. on ESPNU).
Although Burnett recently said he’s no longer considering the University of Georgia, in part to get out of the shadow of his brother, former Bulldog Cap Burnett, he’s not locked onto Georgia Tech.
Asked if he’ll make any more official visits, he said, “I think I have visits set up with Tennessee, Florida and Auburn. I’ll have to check my schedule when I get home.”
Burnett, ranked the No. 19 safety in the nation by Scout.com, said he’s looking for “somewhere I feel comfortable, somewhere I feel like I’m at home.”
He lives in College Park, but has been somewhat at home in Fort Lauderdale while spending time with Cameron Newton, the Westlake quarterback who has committed to Florida.
Georgia Tech is on his mind, though, as he stays in touch with running backs Roddy Jones and Jonathan Dwyer, who’ve committed to the Jackets, and, “I stay in touch with [current running back] Tashard Choice.”
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Coffee teammates draw interest of recruiters
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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The latest on two college prospects from Coffee:
— Cornerback Quam Hancock has received an offer from West Georgia and is talking to Tennessee-Martin. Coffee coach Jerry Odom figured the phone would be ringing more often with inquiries on the 5-foot-9, 175-pound Hancock.
“It’s kind of surprising to me with the season he had,” Odom told the AJC’s Jeff Hood. “He had nine picks and is an unbelievable tackler. Plus he’s got good grades.”
— Ball State, Charleston Southern, Coastal Carolina and Wofford have made inquiries about 6-foot-2, 285-pound defensive lineman Brooks Barbaree. “Brooks has definitely got some things going for him,” Odom said. “He has a visit coming up to Coastal Carolina. He’s a great kid and a full-qualifier.”
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FSU’s Bowden raids West Virginia for assistant head coach
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Florida State has landed a new assistant coach just in time for the busiest part of the recruiting season.
Bobby Bowden on Thursday announced the hiring of West Virginia offensive line coach Rick Trickett as assistant head coach just as Seminoles assistant coach Kevin Steele was leaving to join Nick Saban’s new staff at Alabama.
“It was a tough decision because we’re going to have a heckuva football team here [at West Virginia] next season,” Trickett said on a conference call with reporters.
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Mississippi State running back arrested on forgery charges
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Just what Sylvester Croom doesn’t need for his program: bad publicity during the most critical juncture of the recruiting season. This just in from The Associated Press:
Mississippi State running back Arnil Stallworth has been arrested and charged in his hometown of Daphne, Ala., with a felony count of criminal possession of a forged instrument — a phony $100 bill.
Daphne Police Lt. Daniel Bell said Stallworth attempted to pass a fake $100 bill at a Checkers restaurant drive-thru on U.S. 98 in Daphne on Wednesday. Bell said the cashier was suspicious of the bill, but was assured it was real.
Stallworth was in the vehicle with two others, Bell told The Associated Press on Thursday.
When the cashier continued to question them, they drove away, leaving the $100 bill and their food order behind.
A police officer arrested Stallworth soon after he left the restaurant. He was taken to the Daphne jail and was to be transferred Thursday to the Baldwin County jail in Bay Minette to await a court hearing. Stallworth’s two companions were not arrested.
If convicted, Stallworth could be sentenced from two to 20 years in prison and fined up to $10,000. MSU coach Sylvester Croom told The Clarion-Ledger in Jackson, Miss., that he was alerted to Stallworth’s arrest late Wednesday and didn’t know enough details of the arrest to make a statement.
“But I’m not happy about him being in that situation at this point,” Croom said.
Stallworth ran 42 times for 137 yards and a touchdown for MSU last season, his true freshman year. He suffered a sprained knee against Kentucky and didn’t play in the team’s last three games.
During his senior season at Daphne, a traditional south Alabama power, Stallworth rushed for 2,018 yards and 21 touchdowns.
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Clinch County’s Gainey headed to junior college
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Clinch County running back Justin Gainey proved his mettle this season by leading the Panthers to the Class A title game, while earning AJC offensive player of the year honors in the process.
Clinch County coach Jim Dickerson said Gainey is headed to an undetermined junior college.
“Justin is a great kid and athlete,” Dickerson told the AJC’s Jeff Hood. “And I honestly felt like he could have been just as good at linebacker as he was at running back.”
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Georgetown leads pack for Westlake’s Harrison
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Westlake senior running back Mychal Harrison is leaning toward signing with Georgetown next month, he told the AJC’s Derrick Mahone.
Harrison has received offers from other Patriot League schools and Ball State and Miami of Ohio, but liked the academics at Georgetown.
He also said the opportunity to play early was big factor in his decision.
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Coaches calling about Dunwoody safety
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Dunwoody safety and two-year starter Justin Jenkins appears headed to Hofstra or Wingate.
But the phone continues to ring in Dunwoody coach James Teter’s office with inquiries about the 6-foot-1, 185-pound Jenkins.
“A ton of people are talking about him,” Teter told the AJC’s Jeff Hood. “He’s a 4.5[-second 40-yard dash] kid who led us in tackles this year.”
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Report: Tech among programs to offer Pennsylvania junior
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Aliquippa, Pa., tight end Jonathan Baldwin, also a top basketball prospect, told Rivals.com he has football scholarship offers from Georgia Tech, Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Pitt and West Virginia.
“My favorite football school is Michigan and basketball is Marquette,” he told Rivals. “I like Michigan because I went up there for their game against Michigan State and saw the facilities. I personally met Lloyd Carr and he let me know I had a scholarship. He’s a really nice coach. Along with that, I can say I like everything about them including what they have to offer me education-wise.”
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Mays all-stater to visit Wake, Marshall, Georgia Southern
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Mays all-state running back Cornelius Walker hasn’t received any scholarship offers, but he is in the process of setting up some recruiting trips this month.
Walker will visit Marshall, Wake Forest, Grambling and Georgia Southern.
He will be at Grambling on Jan. 27 and is close to finalizing the other trips.
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Updates on the nation’s top uncommitted stars who’ll make decisions Saturday
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The AJC’s Carter Strickland arrives late this afternoon in San Antonio, where he’ll file as much recruiting news we can gather from the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. Check back here all weekend for the latest.
We’ll be watching closely these players in particular, who are expected to make their decisions:
— Joseph Barksdale, defensive tackle, Detroit. Will choose between LSU, Michigan State and Ohio State.
— John Clay, running back, Racine, Wis. Down to Iowa and Wisconsin.
— Anthony Davis, offensive tackle, Piscataway, N.J. Will choose between top-ranked Ohio State and hometown favorite Rutgers. He’s the kind of prospect Scarlet Knights coach Greg Schiano has to land if Rutgers hopes to be a consistent Top 25 team.
— Luther Davis, defensive end, West Monroe, La. Down to LSU and Oklahoma.
— Chris Donald, linebacker, Huntingdon, Tenn. Most expect the AJC Super Southern 100 star to choose Tennessee over Notre Dame.
— Lorenzo Edwards, linebacker, Orlando. Georgia Tech likely out of the running for the Edgewater standout, who is expected to choose between Florida, Notre Dame and Michigan.
— Simi Fili, defensive tackle, Salt Lake City. Will choose between Oregon, Utah and Washington State.
— Robert Hughes, running back, Chicago. Will choose between Illinois, Notre Dame and Wisconsin. A commitment to Ron Zook would be a biggie for the Illini, who could finish with the Big Ten’s top-ranked class.
— Chris Little, offensive tackle, Jeffersonville. The Twiggs County all-stater told the AJC recently that he’s all but certain it will be Florida State. His other finalists: Notre Dame, Ohio State and Tennessee.
— Ben Martin, defensive end, Cincinnati. Will choose between Florida, Notre Dame, Ohio State and Tennessee.
— Matt Romine, offensive tackle, Piscataway, N.J. Rutgers out of the running for the hometown All-American, who will choose between Miami, Notre Dame and Oklahoma.
— Michael Williams, cornerback, Ventura, Calif. Down to Michigan and Notre Dame.
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Grades may force SEC prospect to take JUCO detour
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Jefferson County coach J.B. Arnold believes quarterback Dennis Thomas possesses SEC-caliber skills, but academics will likely leave the four-year starter at the Louisville-based school headed to a junior college.
“If I had to guess, [Georgia Military College] is where he’ll go,” Arnold told the AJC’s Jeff Hood.
The 6-foot-2, 220-pound Thomas rushed for 1,583 yards and passed for another 876.
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Ex-Dogs assistant Callaway in line to land Greene County lineman
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Greene County defensive lineman Chris Webb, an AJC all-state player, is leaning toward signing with UAB and its new coach, former Georgia offensive coordinator Neil Callaway.
But the 6-foot-1, 285-pound Webb, a two-year starter for the Tigers, is also receiving interest from Valdosta State and West Georgia.
“He really came on the screen for us this year,” Greene County coach Larry Milligan told the AJC’s Jeff Hood. “He was our second-leading tackler.”
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Campbell QB generates I-AA interest
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Campbell’s Dominick Tyler, the first-team all-Cobb quarterback, told the AJC’s Todd Holcomb that he will visit Union College, an NAIA school, on Jan. 20 but continues to be recruited by I-AA schools Jacksonville State, Jackson State and Albany State.
Tyler, who is 5-foot-6, likely would play wide receiver in college, something he’s not done since the seventh grade.
Tyler threw for 1,132 yards, pass for 503 and led Campbell to its first playoff victory since 1991 this season.
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Leading 5-AAAAA rusher enrolls in prep school
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Campbell running back Edward “Hoppo” Joseph, the leading rusher in Region 5-AAAAA, has enrolled in Harmony Community School, a prep school in Cincinnati, Campbell coach Kyle Hockman told the AJC’s Todd Holcomb.
Joseph, a first-team all-Cobb player, rushed for 1,420 yards and scored 14 touchdowns in 12 games. He was being recruited by South Carolina, Southern Miss and Indiana, Hockman said.
“It wasn’t grades; he was just short some English courses,” Hockman said. “He had some help from some D-I schools getting him in that spot, so hopefully that [signing with a Division I school next year] will be something he does.”
Joseph is 5 feet, 9 inches, 220 pounds.
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Colleges court three Stephenson standouts
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Here’s the latest on three Stephenson stars:
Neal Pogue, a 6-foot, 270-pound offensive and defensive lineman, is drawing interest from several Division I-AA programs. Pogue was a three-year starter under coach Ron Gartrell. “We’re hoping some larger schools will come along,” Gartrell told the AJC’s Jeff Hood. “But some of the big schools have backed off because of his height.”
Louisville has shown strong interest in cornerback Aaron Thomas, who has received an offer from Tennessee-Chattanooga. The 5-foot-11, 180-pound Thomas, who had five interceptions this season, has also had contact from Georgia Southern. “In my opinion, Aaron is a Division I player,” Gartrell said. “Louisville was on him real hard, but for some reason they have backed off.”
Linebacker Oluwadamilola Teniola, an AJC all-state honorable mention pick, is likely headed to Georgetown or Furman. The 5-foot-11, 205-pound Teniola may wind up playing college football on an academic scholarship. “He’s one of the smartest and hardest-working kids we’ve ever had,”
Gartrell said.
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Buford wide receiver leaning toward Furman
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Ball State, Furman and UAB are interested in 6-foot-5, 190-pound Buford wide receiver David Hendrix.
According to Buford coach Jess Simpson, Hendrix is leaning toward Furman.
“David was our play-maker who also started at free safety,” Simpson told the AJC’s Jeff Hood. “He’s a really good athlete who averaged over 20 yards per reception.”
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UGA invites South Forsyth fullback/linebacker to walk on
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South Forsyth’s Elliot Campbell has an offer from VMI and official visits scheduled with Western Carolina and Gardner-Webb. He also has been invited to walk on at Central Florida and Georgia.
“I’m not really sure what I want to do right now, I’ll just see how everything plays out,” Campbell told the AJC’s Michael Carvell.
The 6-foot-3, 215-pounder could generate interest from more colleges this month because of his versatility: He played fullback and linebacker at South Forsyth, and is being recruited at both positions by colleges.
“I actually like fullback the best, that’s my favorite,” Campbell said. “I like running the ball and blocking. I could potentially be a huge fullback at 240-250 pounds.”
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Charlton County star committed to Purdue, hearing from Illinois
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Charlton County linebacker/wide receiver Devarro Greaves’ commitment to Purdue remains solid, despite overtures from Illinois, Middle Tennessee State, Western Michigan and Coastal Carolina.
The 6-foot-3, 205-pound Greaves committed to the Boilermakers in mid-December.
“He’s an incredible kid with high character,” Charlton County coach Rich McWhorter told the AJC’s Jeff Hood. “He really pushes himself to improve everyday. I think he’ll be a real steal for Purdue.”
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Will it be Arkansas or junior college to Kinlaw?
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Clinch County’s Eugene Kinlaw has offers from Arkansas, Mississippi State and Georgia Military College.
But academics may ultimately limit the collegiate choices of the 6-foot-4, 285-pound defensive tackle.
Clinch County coach Jim Dickerson said his mammoth defensive tackle is leaning toward Arkansas, but the first priority is a test score.
“He’s leaning that way [toward Arkansas], but there’s nothing verbal,” Dickerson told the AJC’s Jeff Hood. “He may have to do the JUCO route due to his SAT score.”
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Report: Gamecocks lead Gators, Vols for Dunlap
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Scout.com reports that South Carolina has a slight lead over Florida and Tennessee in the recruiting battle for North Charleston, S.C., defensive end Carlos Dunlap, a member of the AJC’s Super Southern 100.
The 6-foot-6, 240-pound Dunlap, who has already taken an official visit to South Carolina, said he is impressed with the Gamecocks.
“I think they are doing some good things,” Dunlap told Scout.com. “They are on their way up. Coach Steve Spurrier is doing a good job and they are definitely improving. I like their defense and think I’d be able to play early.”
Dunlap is scheduled to visit Tennessee on Jan. 12 and Florida the following weekend.
Clemson, Georgia and Virginia Tech remain long shots to land Dunlap.
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Louisville to host Dunwoody’s Olsen
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Dunwoody outside linebacker Brandon Olsen plans to visit Louisville this month.
The 6-foot-2, 205-pound Olsen is receiving heavy interest from Appalachian State, Coastal Carolina, Elon and Hofstra.
Olsen, a three-year starter for the Wildcats, didn’t begin playing football until entering high school.
“He’s a late bloomer and is new to football,” Dunwoody coach James Teter told the AJC’s Jeff Hood. “But I think he can play at that next level.”
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Gamecocks make push for Jefferson County’s Nelson
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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South Carolina is beginning to showing late interest in Tim Nelson, a 6-foot-4, 250-pound middle linebacker for Jefferson County.
Nelson already has offers from Middle Tennessee State and Western Kentucky.
“Tim is getting a lot of interest now because he just qualified in December with his test score,” Jefferson County coach J.B. Arnold told the AJC’s Jeff Hood.
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Buford juniors attracting big-time interest
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Buford coach Jess Simpson has a pair of juniors on his roster who are being courted by Division I powers.
Defensive lineman Omar Hunter and linebacker T.J. Pridemore, the youngest son of former Atlanta Falcon Tom Pridemore, are already on the mind of college recruiters.
The 6-foot, 300-pound Hunter has offers from Auburn, LSU, Mississippi State and Duke.
Georgia has a strong interest in the 6-foot-2, 230-pound Pridemore, who has offers from Duke and Mississippi State.
Simpson thinks the trend of colleges recruiting juniors will continue.
“The blue-chip type kids are getting offered earlier and earlier,” Simpson said. “And I think schools really enjoy being the first on a kid if they really want him.”
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Georgia, Auburn, Clemson, Ole Miss, South Carolina offer Harmon
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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AJC all-state defensive lineman A.J. Harmon, a junior at Jefferson County, already has offers from Auburn, Clemson, Florida, Georgia, Ole Miss and South Carolina.
But Jefferson County coach J.B. Arnold doubts the recruiting frenzy for the 6-foot-5, 320-pound Harmon will create a major distraction in the small, east-central Georgia town of Louisville.
“Being a rural school, we don’t get a lot of media exposure here like the schools in Atlanta,” Arnold told the AJC’s Jeff Hood. “So I don’t ever worry about that. The hardest thing is to get exposure for him.”
If word of mouth counts, Arnold won’t have to lobby for very hard for additional offers for his star lineman.
“A.J. is the deal,” Arnold said. “He’s the best I’ve seen.”
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Northgate’s Davis set to visit Memphis
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Mike Davis, a 6-foot, 230-pound tailback from Northgate, plans to visit Memphis later this month. He is already considering offers from Central Florida and Southern Miss.
“I think he likes Memphis, but then again I think he really likes Central Florida too,” Northgate coach Bill Luckie told the AJC’s Jeff Hood. “I’d say those are his top two.”
Luckie envisions Davis as a successful running back on the collegiate level.
“The schools recruiting him are a one-back offense. And with his strength and size, he’s capable of running the ball 30 to 35 times per game.”
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Buckeyes, Gators try to win title, Heyward’s services
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How must it feel to have both teams in the BCS national championship game — Ohio State and Florida — vying for your services? Weird, perhaps?
“A little bit,” said Peachtree Ridge defensive tackle Cameron Heyward, who has narrowed his college choices to the two national championship contenders, as well as Georgia and LSU.
NCAA rules prohibit recruits from being on the sidelines at bowl games, so Heyward will be watching the game on TV — closely. “I have mixed feelings,” he said. “I can’t support just one team. … I’ll look at both teams, see how they get ready, and how the coaches handle adversity.”
Most people in that situation might like to see a close but high-scoring game. For a defender like Heyward, it’s probably more like a close, low-scoring game.
“I just want to see a lot of hard hitting,” Heyward told the AJC’s Carroll Rogers. “It all depends on who wants it more.”
When asked for a prediction on the game, Heyward delivered the line of the day, saying: “I don’t know. It’d be funny to see it end in a tie.”
Peachtree Ridge and Roswell just had to settle for a tie, and a co-championship, in the AAAAA state title game Dec. 16, thanks to GHSA rules. For the record, Monday night, Florida and Ohio State would play overtime.
Heyward has gotten a little pre-game insight from a friend of his on the Ohio State team — linebacker James Laurinaitis. The two got to know each other on Heyward’s visit to Ohio State earlier this fall. This is Laurinaitis who recently became the first sophomore to win the Bronko Nagurski Trophy as the top defensive player in the nation.
“He said it’s fun up there right now,” Heyward said. “[But they know] they have to handle their business.”
Heyward, the son of the late former Falcon all-pro Craig “Ironhead” Heyward, has taken visits to both Ohio State and Georgia. He said he doesn’t plan to make his decision until he visits Florida and LSU. He has a visit scheduled for LSU on Jan. 19 and said he plans to visit Florida either the week before or week after.
“They’re all great schools,” Heyward said. “I’m looking at coaches and how the environment is.”
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Tech target Peters has three trips lined up
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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As one of four players Georgia Tech is still recruiting for next month’s signing class, Jason Peters is in some ways unlike the others.
Like North Clayton High safety Morgan Burnett and Orlando Edgewater linebacker/safety Lorenzo Edwards, he has already made his official visit to Tech.
Unlike Edwards, who has made all of his official visits and will announce his college choice Saturday at the U.S. Army All-American game in San Antonio, Peters, a 6-foot-4, 255-pound defensive end from Baton Rouge (La.) Catholic, still has four visits to make. He has planned three, telling the AJC’s Matt Winkeljohn Wednesday afternoon that’s he’s going to Nebraska Jan. 12, Florida on Jan. 20 and LSU on Jan. 27.
Although his name has been linked to Notre Dame, Peters said he doesn’t have an official visit planned to South Bend, and he expects to make his decision soon after visiting LSU. “I’m not sure about Notre Dame,” he said.
Peters wants to major in biology, and has checked to make sure all of his schools have that program. Beyond that, and a quality football program, he said he’ll consider “the people I’ll be around daily, the coaches, students and the city in general.”
Peters, who has given up basketball at Catholic, has an uncle in Gainesville, Fla., where Florida is located.
Edwards is widely believed to have narrowed his choices to Florida, Notre Dame and perhaps Michigan, but has not called Tech coaches to eliminate the Yellow Jackets.
The fourth recruit on Tech’s radar, Oxnard, Calif., running back/linebacker/wide receiver/safety Malachi Lewis, is scheduled to make an official visit to Tech with his mother on Jan. 19.
Burnett is in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., where he’ll play Thursday in the Offense-Defense All-American Bowl sponsored by Rivals.com. He made his official visit to Tech last month, and as of right now does not plan any other official trips.
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Alabama-bound Hester: ‘Real relief’ to have coach
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Marist linebacker and Alabama commitment Jennings Hester applauded the Tide’s Wednesday hiring of former Miami Dolphins and LSU coach Nick Saban— and said it couldn’t have come too soon.
“It’s a real relief to finally figure out who it is,” Hester told the AJC’s Jeff Haws. “As much as I have respect for the whole staff there, it’s nice to move on to a very successful coach. The fans and the whole country is going to expect a lot out of us. It’s exciting to have that spotlight.”
Hester said he expects to talk to Saban at least once before his official visit on Jan. 12.
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Stanford covets Tift County defensive back
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Tift County defensive back Randy Parker is drawing interest from Stanford and Middle Tennessee State. The 5-foot-10, 170-pound Parker, a three-year starter for the Blue Devils, made his mark on both the field and classroom at Tift County.
“He’s an excellent student who scored very well on his SAT,” Tift County coach Jay Walls told the AJC’s Jeff Hood. “Randy has great speed and is a very smart player.”
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