AJC > Sports > Football Recruiting > Blog > Archives > 2007 > January > 17
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Analyst: Time of the essence for Ga. Southern
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
How important is it for Georgia Southern to name Brian VanGorder’s replacement quickly, with national signing day just three weeks away?
We threw that one out to Scout.com recruiting analyst Scott Kennedy:
“I think it’s very important, because while the Division I-A schools make a big splash on signing day, the I-AA schools will still be fighting tooth and nail for players that won’t be going I-A.
“Also, Georgia Southern recruits a lot of players that get Division I-A [scholarship] offers, and they’re able to keep them closer to home. But with no coach, those same players would be a lot more likely to take a smaller I-A offer from out of state, like a MAC school.”
Permalink | |
Georgia Southern to act fast with coaching search
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
Georgia Southern expects to hire a new football coach within the next several days, its athletics director said today.
Some candidates, such as former Middle Tennessee State coach Andy McCollum, say they want to be considered. Others, such as Auburn assistant coach Hugh Nall, say they’re not interested in replacing Brian VanGorder as Eagles coach.
Two potential candidates who aren’t talking about the job — Valdosta State coach Chris Hatcher and Georgia Tech assistant Giff Smith — are likely atop Georgia Southern’s wish list.
Smith, Georgia Tech’s recruiting coordinator and a former All-America defensive end for the Eagles, is a beloved figure among the Georgia Southern community and spoke recently at Erk Russell’s memorial service.
Hatcher was reportedly called Tuesday night by Baker to gauge his interest and also would be a popular choice in Statesboro.
Then there’s McCollum, a Marietta native who is currently a scout with the NFL’s Tennessee Titans. He spent seven years at Middle Tennessee, overseeing the program’s move from Division I-AA to I-A, before being fired in 2005 after a fourth straight losing season.
“I have spent a lot of time in Georgia and know the high school coaches,” McCollum said. “I understand what Georgia Southern is all about and think it is the best program in Division I-AA because of the people who care so much about it.”
Hatcher didn’t return phone calls Wednesday and Smith said he wouldn’t talk about the job while he was busy recruiting for Tech.
VanGorder shocked Georgia Southern administrators and fans Tuesday when he said he was leaving to become Bobby Petrino’s linebackers coach with the Falcons.
VanGorder was in his Georgia Southern office Wednesday, according to a receptionist, but he didn’t return messages.
With national signing day less than three weeks away, it’s clear Baker wants to make a quick hire. He worked the phones Tuesday and Wednesday, gauging interest in the job.
“We’re going to move as quickly as humanly possible,” Baker said. “It’s important to move quickly because there are a lot of [recruiting] commitments out there that we want to follow through with. It could be done in the next few days.”
Baker said hiring someone with head coaching experience would be a plus, but it wasn’t a must.
Eagles receiver Jayson Foster said the only thing he wanted to see in a coach is someone who’d bring the Eagles back to the top of I-AA.
“I’m pretty confident Mr. Baker will get us a great coach,” Foster said. “Whatever kind of coach can do that, I’m for.”
Foster said VanGorder apologized to the players he recruited, but said that he had a desire to get back to the NFL.
“That’s part of the business,” Foster said. “I played for more than one coach in high school, so I’m used to it.”
— Staff writer Tony Barnhart contributed to this article.
Permalink | |
Curran tries to lure Heyward to Georgia
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
Brookwood linebacker Rennie Curran, a recruit turned recruiter, has one player at the top of his priority list for Georgia’s 2007 class — Peachtree Ridge defensive tackle Cameron Heyward.
“He is a defensive lineman and be up there blocking for me, keeping those offensive linemen off the linebackers,” Curran said.
Plus the two are friends.
“I’ve been calling him about once a month just to keep in touch and see where he wanted to go,” Curran said.
Heyward has not made up his mind and is not giving specifics about when he might.
Curran is not the only Georgia commitment putting Heyward at the top of his wish list. Clint Boling, an offensive lineman from Chattahoochee, also said if he could pick one player to commit to the Bulldogs, it would be Heyward.
“We went up against him in basketball,” Boling said. “He could jump a little higher but I probably put in more points.”
For the record, Peachtree Ridge did win — narrowly. The two teams also went against each other in football in 2005, but at that time Boling was only on defense and did not go up against Heyward.
Permalink | |
Bowden adds Amato to Seminoles staff
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
Tallahassee — Former N.C. State coach Chuck Amato is returning to Florida State as part of Bobby Bowden’s major overhaul of his staff.
Amato, who was fired by North Carolina State in November, spent 18 seasons with Bowden through the program’s peak years in the 1980s and ’90s. The 60-year-old Amato succeeds Kevin Steele as executive head coach and linebackers coach. Steele left to become Alabama’s defensive coordinator.
“Chuck will fill the last void we had in our staff and allow us not to miss a beat,” Bowden said Wednesday in a release from the school.
A former player at North Carolina State, Amato was fired a day after he completed his seventh season with the Wolfpack. He had a 49-37 record at N.C. State and led the team to five bowl games, but his squads were 25-31 in the Atlantic Coast Conference and never finished higher than fourth.
“I’m excited about being back on board at Florida State,” said Amato, who is not expected to sign his contract with Florida State until next week. “I know everybody there and we are so familiar with everything so I’m just very excited about that.”
Following a 7-6 season, Bowden replaced everyone on his offensive staff except for tight ends coach John Lilly, the team’s recruiting coordinator.
The staff changes began when Bowden’s youngest son, Jeff Bowden, resigned under pressure in mid-November as the team’s offensive coordinator.
Jimbo Fisher was hired last week as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach while former Seminoles stars Lawrence Dawsey and Dexter Carter were picked to coach receivers and running backs and veteran Rick Trickett came from West Virginia to handle the offensive line.
Permalink | |
New top 100 list out; Morgan Burnett hedging?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
Big recruiting week ahead, Georgia and Tech fans.
Bulldogs coaches, who met Tuesday with Hargrave Military Academy star Miguel Chavis, will host little-known Delray Beach, Fla., offensive lineman Orlando Franklin this weekend. Franklin could be the final piece to Georgia’s class of 2007. Or it could be Chavis. Or Cameron Heyward. Or Allen Bailey. Or maybe even Eugene Kinlaw.
We’ve got the latest news on all five UGA prospects (see “latest news” to right).
This is also the weekend Georgia Tech hosts one of its top two remaining prospects; Californian Malachi Lewis will visit the Flats with his mom. Meanwhile, there may be reason to worry about Morgan Burnett’s commitment to the Yellow Jackets. Check out Matt Winkeljohn’s Wednesday afternoon chat with the North Clayton star.
We’ve got Rivals.com’s new top 100 rankings (three future Bulldogs, two future Jackets), big coaching news (Chuck Amato to Florida State) and updates on dozens of Peach State prospects.
Keep the e-mails coming. If you have someone whose recruitment you’d like us to update, just say the word and we’ll do our best.
Ex-Dogs assistant Callaway to make $360,000 at UAB
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
Birmingham — New UAB football coach Neil Callaway will make $360,000 a year plus incentives for various achievements, including conference crowns and bowls.
The University of Alabama Board of Trustees Compensation Committee approved the five-year contract on Tuesday.
The deal includes incentives for postseason appearances, academic performance of the UAB players and ticket sales. The biggest incentives are $150,000 if Callaway leads his players to the BCS championship game, plus $50,000 if the Blazers win the game.
Other postseason incentives include $30,000 for a Conference USA East Division championship, $10,000 for a C-USA overall championship, $25,000 for a bowl appearance without a division title or C-USA championship and $10,000 for a bowl game win.
Permalink | |
Morgan Burnett: ‘Probably sticking’ to Tech
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
Morgan Burnett has talked with Chan Gailey about the Georgia Tech coach’s interviews with the Miami Dolphins, and the North Clayton senior safety plans to keep his commitment to the Yellow Jackets.
For now, at least.
Burnett, who committed to Tech last week, said Gailey “just told me about the whole situation” and suggested there should be some resolution, “sometime around Thursday.”
In the meantime, coaches from some of the other schools that recruited Burnett before he committed to Tech, chiefly Tennessee, have called again recently to recruit anew. He apparently is keeping those schools in mind.
“I just tell them right now I’m looking into it with my family,” Burnett said. “Right now, I’m sticking with Tech and I’m going to see what’s going to happen.”
Burnett, whose brother Cap Jr., played for Georgia, said there are no guarantees he’ll leave Tech if Gailey leaves, and none that he’ll stay.
“Not right now,” he said. “I’m looking to sit down with my family and talk about it. Right now, I’m just probably sticking to it and waiting to see what happens with the coaching staff.”
Permalink | |
Arkansas names Lee offensive coordinator
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
Fayetteville, Ark. — Dallas Cowboys assistant coach David Lee has left Bill Parcells’ staff to return to Arkansas as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.
Lee, who has been with the Cowboys since 2003, coached at Arkansas from 1984-88 under Ken Hatfield and in 2001-02 under Houston Nutt. In 1988, he left to coach Texas-El Paso and in 2002 he went to the Cowboys. He also worked for Hatfield at Rice from 1994-2000.
The Razorbacks’ previous offensive coordinator, Gus Malzahn, left this week to become assistant head coach at Tulsa. Malzahn was hired from Springdale High School a year ago while the Razorbacks were recruiting Mitch Mustain, the Parade magazine prep player of the year in 2005.
Mustain signed with Arkansas, but Nutt said the quarterback had asked for and received a release from his scholarship after Malzahn left. Mustain has not said where he will enroll.
Permalink | |
Walton junior lands first SEC offer
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
Walton’s Chase Thomas is only a junior, but has already been offered a scholarship by Mississippi State, according to his father.
The 6-foot-4, 210-pound Thomas played defensive end, linebacker, wide receiver and tight end this past season for the Raiders.
As a junior and sophomore, Thomas had a combined 27 tackles for losses, 20 sacks and three blocked punts.
Permalink | |
Rivals’ new top 100: 3 future Dogs, 2 future Jackets
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
Rivals.com released its final ranking of the top 100 seniors today. Highlights of state interest:
— Georgia has three top 100 players. Georgia Tech had two.
— Six Peach State prospects made Rivals’ rankings. Topping the charts: Tennessee-bound cornerback Eric Berry of Creekside, ranked third overall.
He was followed by Westlake quarterback Cameron Newton, a Florida recruit, at No. 28; Columbus Hardaway offensive lineman Antwane Greenlee, a Georgia recruit, at No. 65; Greater Atlanta Christian tailback Caleb King, a Georgia recruit, at No. 81; North Clayton safety Morgan Burnett, a Georgia Tech recruit, at No. 84; and uncommitted McIntosh County Academy defensive end Allen Bailey at No. 95.
— Out-of-staters of interest on Rivals’ list: Columbia (Mo.) Rock Bridge tight end Aron White, a Georgia recruit, at No. 38; and Coatesville (Pa.) High defensive end Derrick Morgan, a Georgia Tech recruit, at No. 76. That gives Georgia three top 100 Rivals prospects and Tech two.
Permalink | |
Small colleges courting Banneker’s Way
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
Albany State, Appalachian State, Western Carolina and West Georgia are among the colleges courting 6-foot-2, 220-pound defensive end Everette Way of Banneker.
“Everette is a solid player who is very consistent,” Banneker coach Benny Crane said. “You know exactly what you’re getting from him on every play.”
Permalink | |
Valdosta State checks out Washington Co. back
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
Washington County running back Rosco Walls, an AJC all-state selection, managed to rush for nearly 1,700 yards and 25 touchdowns despite missing the playoffs after suffering a high ankle sprain. Walls rushed for 2,100 yards as a junior.
Walls, who played in last month’s North-South all-star contest in Columbus, has been offered a scholarship by Middle Tennessee State. He is also receiving a lot of interest from Valdosta State.
Walls will likely play scatback on the next level.
“One of the reasons Valdosta State really likes him is because he can catch the ball out of the backfield,” Washington County coach Joel Ingram said.
Permalink | |
Avondale teammates catch recruiters’ eye
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
The latest on two college prospects at Avondale:
— A track star for most of his high school career, 6-foot-5, 210-pound Ryan Singleton elected to launch his football career last fall as a senior.
One season later, he’s generating college interest, from Shorter.
“Ryan is a defensive end with unbelievable upside,” Avondale coach Mark Adams said. “He’s scholarship-caliber in track, and he probably thought that was the way to go. The only thing he’s missing in football is that football-player savvy.”
— John Watson, a 6-foot-2, 220-pound fullback/linebacker, is being recruited by several Division I-AA programs, including West Georgia.
Watson’s transfer to Avondale last summer has slightly slowed his recruitment.
“We feel certain that he’ll be signed,” Adams said. “There is a ton of interest in John. But he is, for the most part, under everyone’s radar because he was a move-in at the start of his senior year.”
Permalink | |
Albany St., Valdosta St. court Early County’s Lee
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
Elbert Lee, a 5-foot-10, 175-pound cornerback for Early County, is being recruited by Albany State and Valdosta State.
Lee, who has been clocked in the 40-yard dash in 4.4 seconds, intercepted 10 passes last season for the Bobcats.
“He’s a real fast and is a good cover guy,” Early County coach Trey Woolf said. “He should play corner in college.”
Permalink | |
Coach: Apalachee QB Chambers ‘a steal’
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
Apalachee quarterback Korey Chambers, who runs the 40-yard dash in 4.46 seconds, is being recruited by Bucknell, Valdosta State, Campbell and Mars Hill.
The 6-foot, 185-pound Chambers threw for 1,700 yards and rushed for another 400 as a senior.
“Somebody will get a steal with this kid,” Apalachee coach Shane Davis said. “Korey is extremely strong. He throws the deep ball really well and plays with the mentality of a linebacker.”
Permalink | |
Brooks County trio garners interest
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
Charleston Southern, Eastern Kentucky, Western Kentucky and Wofford are each showing interest in a trio of players from Brooks County:
— * Japree Miles, a 6-foot-1, 190-pound defensive back. “Japree is a very physical kid that will probably play corner,” Brooks County coach *Ryan Branch said.
— Offensive lineman William Maxwell, who goes 6-3, 250. “We’ve probably had linemen as good as William, but nobody with his size,” Branch said.
— Earnest Seay, a 6-foot-1, 205-pound linebacker and tight end who was a four-year starter at the south Georgia school. “Earnest has been an all-region tight end for us,” Branch said. “We moved him to linebacker during his senior year.”
Permalink | |
Chattanooga lands Carrollton safety
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
Carrollton defensive back Jason Dothard has committed to Tennessee-Chattanooga following a visit to the Tennessee school this past weekend.
The 6-foot-1, 180-pound defensive back, a two-year starter for the Trojans, had been slated to also visit Georgia Southern and Coastal Carolina.
“I think Jason really liked the town and the fact they host the [Division I-AA] national championship game there,” Carrollton coach Rayvan Teague said. “And they will have three senior defensive backs next year, so he figures he’ll get to step in and play the following season.
“Plus, he was their top choice at safety.”
Permalink | |
Luella’s Haffly likes Division II Wingate
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
While he hasn’t gotten the love he expected from recruiters, Luella quarterback Cody Haffly said he is close to committing to Division II Wingate University.
He has an official visit scheduled for Saturday.
The 6-foot-2, 190 pounder threw for 5,000 yards and 38 touchdowns in his three years as a starter for the Lions, and is a three-year starter for the baseball team as a pitcher/third baseman.
Haffly has also drawn interest from Division I-AA Charleston Southern, but likes Wingate because the coaches will allow him to play baseball there as well.
Permalink | |
Burnett’s North Clayton teammate commits to UK
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
Though he was the most popular multiple-position player at North Clayton, Morgan Burnett wasn’t the only one.
Fellow senior Greg Wilson, who also played quarterback, receiver and safety, has committed to Kentucky, according to North Clayton coach Don Shockley.
Wilson is also a standout guard/forward on the Eagles basketball team, currently ranked in the Class AAAA top 10.
“It looks like they’ll have him at defensive back, but they like his size his speed, and his hands, so that could change,” said Shockley, who added that he will probably have a few other players make commitments in the next couple of weeks.
Permalink | |
Peddlebrook star headed to Grambling
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
Pebblebrook running back J.R. Spivey will make his official visit to Grambling this weekend, but his decision is made.
Spivey told Grambling interim head coach and offensive coordinator Sammie White last week that he played to sign with the school, Spivey’s father Raymond told the AJC’s Todd Holcomb today.
Spivey rushed for more than 1,700 yards and was named first-team all-Cobb by the Journal-Constitution. His great uncle, former NFL quarterback James Harris, played at Grambling in the 1960s.
Permalink | |
Updates on every Gwinnett County recruit
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
A school-by-school look at football recruiting in Gwinnett County.
BERKMAR
Mario Arnold (FS, 6-2, 185): Interest from several Division I-AA programs.
Will Clark (RB, 5-8, 160): Leaning toward Union College.
Jerry Gross (WR/DB, 6-1, 178): Offered by Georgia Military College.
Jeremy Maness (C, 6-2, 270): Strong interest from Tennessee-Chattanooga.
BROOKWOOD
Rennie Curran (LB, 5-11, 215): Committed to Georgia.
David Kelley (LB, 5-11, 215): Interest from LaGrange, Bridgewater.
Mitchell King (OT, 6-1 1/2, 295): Interest from West Virginia Wesleyan, LaGrange College.
Buddy Marietta (C, 6-1, 260): Interest from LaGrange College.
Joe Moore (LB, 5-11, 215): Interest from Air Force.
Patrick Moran (WR/DB, 5-10, 185): Plans to visit Central Connecticut State.
Greg Townshend (C, 5-11, 250): Interest from LaGrange College.
Josh Turner (OG, 6-3, 265): Has visited Western Carolina.
BUFORD
David Hendrix (WR, 6-5, 195): Committed to Furman.
Trey Hunsucker (LB, 6-3, 200): Colgate, Bucknell, Georgetown, Navy, Wofford, William and Mary interested.
Brandon McEachern (DE, 6-2, 225): Offers from Ball State, Tennessee Tech, Georgia Southern, UAB; strong interest from Tennessee-Chattanooga and Coastal Carolina.
CENTRAL GWINNETT
Collin Crawford (OL, 6-3, 300): Offer from Mars Hill.
Rolando Dyer (WR, 6-1, 165): Expected to attend Butler (Kan.) Community College.
Logan Hunt (QB, 6-0, 195): Offer from Presbyterian.
Josh Keeler (DB, 5-10, 175): Offer from Rhodes College in Memphis.
Jonathon Massaquoi (LB, 6-2, 216): Offer from Butler (Kan.) Community College.
Bryce Smith (LB, 6-1, 230): Offer from Samford, Coastal Carolina and Tennessee-Chattanooga.
Kris Swanson (OL, 6-2, 250): Offer from Presbyterian.
Devin Sabina (K, 5-11, 185): Offer from Virginia Union; Interested: Valdosta State, Memphis, Tennessee-Chattanooga.
COLLINS HILL
Bo Adebayo (DE, 6-3, 245): Offer from Middle Tenn.; considering College of the Canyons in Santa Clarita, Calif., and Dean Community College in Boston.
Kurt Diel (WR, 6-2, 185): Interest from Campbellsville and Birmingham-Southern.
Taylor Gale (DB, 5-11, 180): Offer from Bucknell.
T.J. Greenstone (DE, 6-3, 260): Committed to Vanderbilt.
T.J. Hurless (OL, 6-4, 300): Visited Tennessee-Chattanooga; Interest from Tennessee-Martin, Samford, Marshall
Craig Jackson (RB, 5-10, 175): Interest from Union College.
James Lewis (RB, 5-11, 190): Offer from Tennessee-Chattanooga; Will visit with Eastern Kentucky, Western Kentucky, Georgia Southern and Richmond.
Michael Young (DB, 5-7, 160): Interest from Davidson and Rhodes.
DACULA
Cole Brodie (RB, 5-11, 185): Has visited Southern Miss; interest from Liberty and Albany.
Michael Butler (TE, 6-4, 250): Will visit Liberty; has visited Navy, Virginia Tech, Georgetown and Colgate
Dexter Daffin (LB, 5-10, 200): Will visit Coastal Carolina on Saturday; Belhaven College (Miss.) and Southern Nazarene (Okla.) interested.
Cameron Kenney (WR, 5-9, 160): Looking at several junior colleges.
DULUTH
Greg Carson (DB, 5-11, 210): Offered by Tulane.
Jeremy Dixon (LB, 5-9, 180): Interest from Birmingham Southern.
J.D. Farrell (DB, 5-10, 190): Interest from LaGrange.
Andrew Higgins (OL, 6-3, 280): Committed to Tulane.
Broderick Simpson (DE, 6-1, 235): Offer from Eastern Kentucky.
Andre Williams (WR, 5-10, 180): Offered by Albany University.
GRAYSON
Conrad Obi (DE, 6-4, 250): Committed to Colorado.
Chris Cawthon (OL, 6-4, 320): Offered by Tennessee Chattanooga, Murray State, Hofstra, Albany State; will visit Florida International Friday and Murray State Jan. 26.
GREATER ATLANTA CHRISTIAN
Lee Chapple (QB, 6-2, 200): Offers from Richmond and James Madison.
T-Bob Hebert (C, 6-3, 260): Committed to LSU.
Caleb King (RB, 5-11, 208): Committed to Georgia.
Meko McCray (DB, 5-9, 180): Interest from Harvard, Princeton and Yale.
MEADOWCREEK
Cyhl Quarles (LB, 6-2, 202): Committed to Wake Forest.
**MILL CREEK
John Certusi (WR/DB, 5-11, 170): Interest from Shorter College, Rhodes College.
Chris Tarver (OL/LB, 6-0, 180): Interest from Shorter College, Rhodes College
NORCROSS
Brooks Cunningham (DE, 6-3, 220): Committed to Tulane.
Bryce Dykes (QB, 6-1, 175): Offers from Air Force, Austin Peay, Sanford, Elon, Bucknell, Colgate.
Leonard Foster (CB, 5-10, 175): Will visit Tennessee-Chattanooga, Tuskegee, Mars Hill, Virginia Union, West Georgia, North Greenville.
Darius Hanks (WR/DB, 6-1, 170): Offers from Kent State, Ball State, Bowling Green, Miami (OH), East Carolina, UAB, Jacksonville State.
Demetrius Hill (RB, 5-9, 170): Considering several junior colleges.
J.R. Jones (DE, 6-1, 305): Considering several junior colleges.
Kendall Parks (WR/DB, 6-2, 180): Will visit Mars Hill, Tennessee-Chattanooga and Union College
James Simien (LB, 6-1, 210): Offers from Navy, Air Force, Ball State, Eastern Kentucky, Western Kentucky; will visit Southern Miss this week.
Sam Snider (P, 5-11, 160): Considering walking on at Georgia Tech or Alabama.
Matt Tribble (LB, 6-0, 185): Offers from Hofstra, Austin Peay and Tuskegee.
NORTH GWINNETT
Ryan McDaniel (WR, 6-2, 175): Offers from West Georgia, Illinois State, Western Kentucky; visited Samford.
Jasper Williams (DE, 6-2, 210): Offers from Air Force, Austin Peay, W. Georgia, Citadel, Elon.
**PARKVIEW
Tremayne Graham (DB/WR, 5-10, 180): Has visited UMass, Tennessee-Chattahoochee; Richmond visit planned.
PEACHTREE RIDGE
Aaron Blue (DE, 6-3, 230): Offer from Virginia Military Institute.
Drew Butler (PK/P, 6-2, 195): Offer from Duke. Georgia (walk-on). Memphis, Wake Forest also interested.
Phillip Davis (DB, 5-9, 165): Committed to Navy.
Sidney Haynes (WR, 6-4, 200): Committed to Central Florida.
Cameron Heyward (DL, 6-6, 282): Narrowed list to Ohio State, Georgia, LSU, Florida.
Harold Trip (DL, 6-3, 235): Interest coming from numerous Division II schools.
SOUTH GWINNETT
Sean Christy (DE, 6-3, 225): Offer from Air Force.
Chris Grant (WR/DB, 5-11, 185): Will visit Union College.
Chris LaMar (DE, 6-2, 260): Awaiting an offer from Valdosta State.
WESLEYAN
Chris Alexander (DB, 6-1, 170): Interest from Maryville, Rhodes. West Virginia-Wesleyan.
Andy Merlino (WR/DB, 6-0, 180): Committed to Washington and Lee University.
Ed Van Winkle (OL/DL, 6-2, 240): Offer from Tennessee-Martin. Interest from Wofford, Citadel, West Virginia-Wesleyan.
Permalink | |
Dogs, Gators show interest in Bleckley Co. back
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
Georgia Southern and Middle Tennessee State have offered 6-foot, 197-pound running back Zeke Rozier of Bleckley County.
It’s too soon to tell how Tuesday’s sudden departure of Georgia Southern coach Brian VanGorder to the Falcons will impact where Rozier will play college football.
Rozier will visit Kentucky this weekend and coaches from Clemson are scheduled to arrive in Cochran today or Thursday to meet with Rozier.
“Georgia and Florida State are still in the hunt,” Bleckley County coach Sam Barrs said. “I got a call from Georgia [on Monday] and they are they’re interested in him.
“It’ll be the 11th hour before this is done.”
Permalink | |
Arkansas recruit tells Alabama, ‘No, thanks’
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
Brandon Lampkin, a 6-foot-5, 250-pound defensive lineman from Tucker, said his commitment to Arkansas is iron-clad despite recent calls from Alabama and Louisville.
“A few schools, such as Alabama and Louisville, are still calling,” Lampkin said. “But I’m still going to stay firm with Arkansas.
“When Alabama and Louisville called, I politely told them, ‘No thanks.’ “
Permalink | |
Cameron Newton adjusting to life at Florida
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
Westlake quarterback Cameron Newton is officially enrolled as a freshman at Florida. The 6-foo6-5, 225-pound Newton will participate in spring practice drills with the national champion Gators.
“We talk every day, and he’s really excited,” said his father, Cecil Newton. “He told me it’s kind of overwhelming to step out a high school environment and see guys like Chris Leak and interact with them, where two or three weeks ago he was watching them on TV.”
Newton’s roommate is fellow early enrollee Joe Haden, a wide receiver from Friendly High in Fort Washington, Md.
“Time management is one of Cameron’s biggest challenges,” Cecil Newton said. “He came from high school where you go from class to class during the day. Whereas, the campus at Florida is spread out and you’ve got to jump on a trolley to get to your next class.”
Permalink | |
Franklin, Chavis, Bailey, Heyward top UGA wish list
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
With signing day just three weeks from today, Georgia coaches have spread out far and wide to protect the commitments they have and maybe even grab a few more.
Here’s a quickie update on the seniors Georgia is still targeting:
— Delray Beach (Fla.) Atlantic offensive lineman Orlando Franklin. Could be the most intriguing player left on Georgia’s board largely because, well, he is large — 6-feet-6, 320 pounds, and there’s not much known about him.
Franklin was a 2006 Miami Hurricanes signee but never made it through the NCAA Clearinghouse. So the letter of intent he signed with the Hurricanes is void.
Franklin was rated a top 25 offensive tackle by Rivals.com coming out of high school last season. But, by the time Franklin enrolls, he will have been out of organized football for a year.
He has a visit scheduled to Athens this weekend. He’ll be at Florida State the weekend after that, then plans to check out Miami.
— Hargrave Military Academy defensive end Miguel Chavis. The Fayetteville, N.C., product has already visited Georgia. On Tuesday, UGA defensive line coach Rodney Garner dropped by to meet with Chavis, bringing along new UGA offensive line coach Stacy Searels.
“It was like seeing a family member,” Chavis told Rivals.com of his meeting with Garner. “He is a real cool guy and it was good to sit down and talk with him this afternoon.”
Chavis just returned from a trip to Maryland. He’ll check out Clemson this weekend. And more schools could get in the mix.
“Alabama called and offered me a scholarship and they are trying to get me down there for a visit on Jan. 26,” Chavis told Rivals. “Michigan came by today and they want me to come up there on that same weekend. Those schools are still in the mix, but I am more focused on two right now.”
— Peachtree Ridge defensive lineman Cameron Heyward. The son of the late, great Craig “Ironhead” Heyward just returned from a weekend visit to LSU. On Tuesday, he hosted coaches from Ohio State and Florida.
Heyward will visit Florida this weekend, before making an official trip to Georgia the following one.
He’ll close out his official visits with a trip to Ohio State the first weekend of February, then make his college choice.
“He’s just going to wait until he’s visited everywhere so he doesn’t rush into a decision,” said Heyward’s mother, Charlotte Heyward-Blackwell.
Heyward-Blackwell said the family was impressed with all they saw in Baton Rouge, including the facilities, the school’s academic support program and the forthrightness of the Tigers coaching staff, especially head coach Les Miles and defensive coordinator Bo Pelini.
“They answered some hard questions truthfully,” Charlotte Heyward-Blackwell said. “I like that.”
— Darien McIntosh County Academy linebacker/defensive end Allen Bailey. The top-ranked uncommitted senior in the state is still down to Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Miami.
The low-key Bailey visited Alabama this past weekend, rating his trip “all right.” He has already been to Florida and plans to stop by Georgia later this month.
No decision appears imminent.
— Clinch County defensive tackle Eugene Kinlaw. The sleeper of the group still has academic hurdles to clear and still doesn’t have a scholarship offer from the Bulldogs.
He has scheduled an official visit to Georgia for Jan. 26.
The 6-foot-2, 280-pound Kinlaw, who led the Panthers to last season’s Class A state championship game, is still in the process of becoming academically eligible, his coach said today.
“Several junior colleges called [on Tuesday],” Clinch County coach Jim Dickerson said. “We hope he qualifies, but at this point the junior colleges are lining up.”
Permalink | |
Kinlaw awaits UGA offer, hears from JUCOs
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
Clinch County defensive tackle Eugene Kinlaw is scheduled to visit Georgia on Jan. 26, though no scholarship offer has been extended.
The 6-foot-2, 280-pound Kinlaw, who led the Panthers to last season’s Class A state championship game, is still in the process of becoming academically eligible.
“Several junior colleges called [on Tuesday],” Clinch County coach Jim Dickerson said this morning. “We hope he qualifies, but at this point the junior colleges are lining up.”
Permalink | |
