AJC > Sports > Football Recruiting > Blog > Archives > 2007 > January > 26
Friday, January 26, 2007
Star recruit Arrelious Benn adjusts to life at Illinois
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
Champaign, Ill. — Arrelious Benn stood at the center of the University of Illinois campus and spun in a circle, scanning for Davenport Hall. He had trudged from one brick building to the next for almost 20 minutes now, snow blowing in his face. Teammates had told him Davenport Hall sat on the Quad, whatever that meant. Benn checked the time. His first college class started in five minutes.
The night before, Benn had sifted through an unpacked box of clothes and selected his outfit: jeans, a black Helly Hansen coat and the waffled long johns he’d bought to guard against the Midwestern cold. He woke up early that morning and studied a large campus map, planning his route to the Quad. About 35 minutes before his Composition 101 class began, he left the Illinois football complex. He hated being late.
Benn stopped a passerby on the Quad and asked where he could find Davenport Hall. He believed he followed the man’s directions — and ended up at the edge of a parking lot. Benn walked back toward the main campus, faster now, tugging at the straps of his red backpack, and stopped another student. “You ever heard of Davenport Hall?” he asked.
“Yeah,” the student said. “You’re standing right in front of it.”
When Benn, 18, decided to graduate a semester early from Dunbar High School in Washington D.C. and enroll at Illinois on a football scholarship in January, he essentially traded the most comfortable four months of his life for a long stretch of uncertainty and anxiety. He left behind a steady girlfriend, his mother and three younger brothers in Washington.
When he and his mother debated the decision to graduate early, Benn used the same logic that led more than 50 freshman football players to enroll this month at colleges across the country: A few extra months on campus would give Benn, a wide receiver, a better chance to contribute immediately on the football team, he said. He could make the transition to college without the chaos of football season in the fall.
But during his first few days in Champaign, Benn hardly could imagine a more overwhelming transition. On Jan. 16, his first day of class, his schedule demanded 90 minutes of weightlifting, an hour of informal football practice, three academic classes, an appointment with an academic adviser, a mandatory team dinner, a team meeting, two hours of study hall and an introduction to the team playbook. The beginning of his Division I football career meant the end of just about everything else.
In the weeks before he left for college, Benn had imagined decking out his new dorm room like a king’s suite, but he abandoned that vision when he walked into Room 375 for the first time. The wooden door opened to a small room with a brown tiled floor and whitewashed concrete walls. A three-foot walkway separated Benn’s bed from his roommate’s side of the room, which would have worked fine if not for the smell.
Eddie McGee, a freshman quarterback, lived on the other side of Room 375. In his rush to leave for winter break, he shoved his sweaty workout clothes, dirty Gatorade cups and half-eaten granola bars into a pile under his desk. On his first night in Champaign, Benn bought a can of Febreze air freshener and doused all of McGee’s stuff.
When Benn complained to teammates about McGee’s pile, they told him that his dorm room hardly mattered anyway. He’d hardly ever see it.
Even though he was at least a year younger than most of his teammates, Benn felt confident he could manage that schedule. Since high school, he had pursued his football career with dedication. He ate no red meat. He met regularly with a personal trainer. He made few close friends. When police arrested his older brother, Trulon Henry, in 2003 for robbing a grocery store, Benn only tightened his focus. He vowed to restore his family’s reputation by making better decisions, even as he drove 300 miles to a correctional facility in Glenville, W.Va., twice each month to visit his brother.
Benn decided early in his junior year that he wanted to leave for college in January, so he took an extra English class and enrolled in summer school. Before he left for Illinois, his mother, Denise, asked Benn if he wanted to come home for prom and graduation. “Nah, I don’t care about that,” Benn said. “I’ll probably be busy.”
Ron Zook, the Illinois football coach, told Benn he’d made a good decision by arriving in January. Zook led an inexperienced team to a 2-10 record in 2006, and some of his freshmen had struggled to adjust to the college football schedule. A freshman quarterback missed a crucial team meeting because he had promised a teacher he would visit her during office hours. Another first-year player, having never flown before, asked if he could forgo the team flight and instead take a train to a road game in New Jersey.
Benn “isn’t going to have those freshman hiccups,” Zook said. “By the time the season starts, he’ll basically be like a redshirt freshman. And when you think about it, what’s a kid doing spring semester in high school? As a coach, you’re worried about them getting in trouble, jacking around, things like that. Instead, he’s going to get bigger, stronger, a whole lot smarter. College is going to seem routine.”
By the time Benn slid into a soft blue chair at his 11 a.m. sociology lecture, he felt ready for a nap. Already, during his first day as a college student, he’d lifted weights, gulped down a protein shake, met with an assistant coach, attended his writing class, eaten a protein bar and rushed across the campus to make it to sociology. “It feels like nighttime,” Benn said as he walked into the classroom.
Benn never had felt insecure about anything related to football, and it drove him crazy that his new teammates understood the Illinois offense better than he did. Benn had outlined goals for a record-breaking freshman season: to start at wide receiver; to make a handful of game-changing plays; to lead the Big Ten in receiving.
At 6 feet 2 and 210 pounds, Benn had the bulging calves and shoulders of a tight end and the breakaway speed of a wide receiver. Some sports magazines had named him the best high school wide receiver in the country. He’d turned down scholarship offers to Southern California and Notre Dame, instead selecting a school that played its last bowl game after the 2001 season.
Benn picked Illinois because he believed Zook’s coaching staff recruited the best young talent in the country. Offensive coordinator Mike Locksley, a Ballou graduate, had lured nine players from the Washington area since arriving in 2005. The Illinois coaches considered Benn one of the best recruits in the program’s recent history, and they believed he could accelerate the team’s progression.
Only the playbook’s complexity, Benn believed, blocked that path.
At 4 p.m. on his first day of class, Benn left the meeting with his academic adviser and walked down the hall for what some of his teammates referred to as “football class.” Benn stepped into a small conference room. Chris Pazan, a graduate assistant coach, walked in and handed him a six-inch-thick blue binder that had been overstuffed with paper.
“Your playbook,” Pazan said. “Pretty soon, you’ll know it inside and out.”
Benn nodded and then gazed up at the walls of the conference room. On each square foot of wall space, coaches had diagrammed an offensive play using orange and blue magnets. About 170 plays covered all four walls, a sea of more than 2,000 magnets. In seven months, Benn would need to know the exact position of each one.
Pazan told Benn that, for now, they would meet in the conference room four times each week, for about 90 minutes each session, to study the offense. Benn wondered out loud if that would give him enough time. The Fighting Illini run a no-huddle, shotgun offense that aims to confuse defenses by moving quickly. On the field, Benn would have no time cushion for recollection.
“Can we meet more than that?” Benn asked. “I need to have this down.”
“We’ll do two-a-days soon,” Pazan said. “We’ll meet once in the morning and once at night.”
“Will there be quizzes?” Benn asked.
“Yeah,” Pazan said. “I’ll make tests for you.”
Just before 7 p.m., Benn entered a small theater in the basement of the football complex for a mandatory team meeting.
Benn switched chairs three times in the theater because he wasn’t sure if the wide receivers needed to sit together. Finally, he settled into an aisle seat and grabbed another protein bar from his backpack.
Zook walked to the microphone at the center of the stage, and Benn leaned forward. His eyelids sagged, but he needed to pay attention. He could sleep later. Maybe in the players’ lounge.
“We’ve got something special going on right now, men,” Zook said. “We’re cooking with gas. I hope you feel it. This thing is getting ready to take off. You know it. I know it.
“As you guys know, I like to break down the year into six phases. Obviously, this one right now is kind of an easy one. I hope you guys are enjoying it, because pretty soon things are going to heat up. Pretty soon, it’s going to get busy.”
Permalink | |
Experts: Georgia likely looking at top-15 class
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
Athens — Five-star linebacker/defensive end Allen Bailey decided not to go to Georgia before he even visited the Athens campus.
One-time Miami signee Orlando Franklin decided not to go to Georgia just after he checked out the school.
Hargrave Military Academy defensive lineman Miguel Chavis visited Georgia, had Georgia and the top of his list, was all set to announce he’d sign with Georgia … then, just like the other two, turned the other way. He committed last weekend to Clemson.
So here it is, the final stretch of the recruiting season, and the Bulldogs, in contrast to the strong finish of a year ago, have pulled up a little lame.
“I think any time you finish like Georgia did last year, with a Reshad Jones and a Knowshon Moreno, plus the late discovery of Geno Atkins and pulling Josh Davis from Ole Miss, there is a sense of momentum heading into signing day,” said JC Shurburtt, Southeast recruiting analyst for Rivals.com.
“This year, with Bailey now looking in another direction, the only guy left is [Cameron] Heyward. So yes, I think the enthusiasm is lacking somewhat.
“But I believe there will still be a lot of excited Dawg fans in the Butts-Mehre building on signing day.”
Sure there will because, experts predict, this is still at least a top-15 class. But with 23 commitments, it’s not the class some fans hoped it would be.
A little more than a month ago, Georgia was in the running for some of the state’s top talent in Bailey (down to Alabama, Florida, Miami), AJC player of the year Eric Berry of Creekside (committed to Tennessee), North Clayton’s Morgan Burnett (committed to Georgia Tech) and a possible top-five finish in the national class rankings, where fans have grown accustomed to seeing their Bulldogs.
Now …
“They should finish between 10 and 15,’” said Jamie Newberg, national recruiting analyst for Scout.com.
That number likely won’t fluctuate much — with or without a commitment from Heyward, a defensive tackle from Peachtree Ridge who’s visiting Athens this weekend.
“If UGA doesn’t get Heyward, it’s still going to be approaching the top 10 or in the top 10,” Shurburtt said. “Problem is, it will be fourth in the SEC East [behind Florida, Tennessee and South Carolina], which speaks volumes about the talent heading to that conference.”
Scout.com ranks Georgia behind five SEC teams — Florida, Tennessee, LSU, South Carolina and Auburn. But some of that has to do with which players committed when, Scout.com’s Scott Kennedy said.
“Recruiting is definitely a ‘What have you done for me lately?’ type of business,” Kennedy said. “So yes, unfortunately the guys that commit early get taken for granted, but that doesn’t matter in August when they report.”
What also may not matter come say Feb. 8 is the Bulldogs’ class of 2007. Fans have already started to look ahead to 2008. And Georgia, which has six commitments, looks poised to make it back into the top five around this time a year from now.
“I think for there to be a perception of a strong finish [in 2007], Cameron Heyward becomes somewhat important,” Shurburtt said. “But I don’t know if it’s such a big deal, because if you look ahead to 2008, the Bulldogs are off to a better start than anyone else in the country. Getting guys like [Cartersville Cass star] Richard Samuel and [Summerville, S.C., receiver] A.J. Green this early in the cycle tells us UGA is setting up for a monster class next cycle.”
Said Kennedy: “Come February 15th, all of the recruiting fans are already looking to see who is next anyway. And in this case, it might be another boring January for Georgia fans as they keep loading up with 2008 players.”
Permalink | |
Getting to know … Chamblee’s Nicolai Schwarzkopf
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
We went one-on-one with Chamblee tight end Nicolai Schwarzkopf, who says he’ll play his college football for Harvard …
Where he ranks: No. 67 nationally at his position, according to Scout.com
If not Harvard, I would have picked … Kentucky
Why Harvard? New facilities; great coaching staff; prestigious school
What I hope to accomplish there: Win the Ivy League championship every year; never lose to Yale; make a lot of money; make good friends
Three words to describe me: Ambitious, social, tall
My style on the field reminds some of … Jeremy Shockey
Permalink | |
Heard County junior lands first SEC offer
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
Heard County junior running back Dontavius Jackson already has a scholarship offer from Kentucky.
And the 5-foot-10, 200-pound Jackson, who averaged 10 yards per carry each time he carried the ball last season, is virtually assured of an offer from Georgia Tech.
As word continues to spread of Jackson’s ability, Heard County coach Tim Barron believes the recruiting battle over his prized back is about to heat up.
“It will be wild and crazy when this current recruiting class is signed [on Feb. 7],” Barron said. “Dontavius is real explosive and powerful. He has great feet and great vision.”
Barron said Jackson is already fully qualified, and he plans to graduate early and enroll in college in Jan. 2008.
“I don’t think he’ll commit early because he doesn’t have a true favorite,” Barron said. “And he’s not tied down to the Southeast.”
Permalink | |
No scholarships left for Rozier at Kentucky
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
Bleckley County running back Zeke Rozier, who takes the SAT on Saturday, will take his final visit on Feb. 2 when he travels to Georgia.
Rozier, who has scholarship offers from Georgia Southern and UAB, thought he was in the running for an offer from Kentucky.
But an apparent mixup last weekend while he was on an official visit to Lexington left Rozier without his first offer from an SEC school.
An assistant coaching change left the Wildcats red-faced and out of scholarships to offer another running back.
Rozier is waiting to see if academic casualties or decommitments leave him an opening to sign with Georgia or Kentucky.
“He’ll make a decision after his trip to Athens,” Bleckley County coach Sam Barrs said.
Permalink | |
NCAA: Stamper gets fifth year at Vandy
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
Vanderbilt offensive tackle Brian Stamper, a 2006 co-captain for the Commodores and former All-Southeastern Conference recipient, can return to the team next season, according to a NCAA ruling today.
The NCAA granted a waiver authorizing a medical redshirt to Stamper, a resident of Windermere, Fla.. He opened the 2006 campaign as a starter only to undergo season-ending back surgery. The upcoming season will be the fifth in a Vanderbilt uniform for Stamper, who earned a starting role at right tackle as a true freshman in 2003.
Vanderbilt Head Coach Bobby Johnson said he was pleased with the NCAA ruling. “I’m very happy with the decision, both for Brian and his family, and also for our program,” he said.
Prior to missing most of the 2006 season to the injury, Stamper was one of the Commodores’ top offensive line performers. A three-year starter, Stamper earned All-SEC recognition from league coaches following the Commodores’ 2005 campaign.
The ruling offers the possibility that Vanderbilt could return all five starters from the offensive line. The other returnees include senior left tackle Chris Williams, who earned All-SEC recognition from the coaches last year.
Permalink | |
SW DeKalb’s Council commits to Miami (Ohio)
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
Southwest DeKalb defensive end Morris Council won’t be heading to Ohio State this weekend for a visit, after all.
Instead, the 6-foot-4, 245-pounder committed to Miami (Ohio) on Thursday.
“I found about at our sports banquet Thursday night,” Southwest DeKalb coach Buck Godfrey told the AJC. “He actually called them earlier in the day and accepted the offer.”
Council had also been recruited by Florida A&M, Georgia Southern and Toledo. He had scheduled a trip to Columbus for this weekend but canceled after committing to Miami.
Permalink | |
Super Southern 100 star switches from LSU to Alabama
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
AJC Super Southern 100 defensive lineman Luther Davis (West Monroe, La.) has switched his commitment from LSU to Alabama, he told Rivals.com today.
“Coach [Nick] Saban was a huge reason for me switching because I believe in what he is trying to do and I know how great of a coach he can be,” David told Rivals. “I know he’s going to have Alabama in the national championship game in the next three years.”
Davis also told the Web site he hopes to convince other top prospects to consider the Crimson Tide.
“Now I’ve got to start recruiting,” he told Rivals. “I’m going to talk to Joe McKnight, Chad Jones, Rolando Melancon and Ahmad Paige.
“Really, anyone who can help us win. I’m going to talk to them all.
Permalink | |
Ole Miss lands Louisiana safety
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
Safety Colby Arceneaux of River Ridge (La.) John Curtis Christian has committed to Ole Miss, Scout.com reports today.
The 5-foot-9, 185-pounder also had offers from Nicholls State and Northwestern State. Arceneaux also plans to play for the Rebels’ baseball team.
“It’s a done deal,” his father, Brian Arceneaux, told Scout.com. “He is very excited, as is our whole family. … This is a dream come true for him. He’s been working hard for a long time to accomplish this and he’s very happy and proud.”
Permalink | |
Florida’s early enrollers try to acclimate, accelerate
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
Not so long ago, it was considered a rarity in college football, generally reserved for star quarterbacks: an athlete would complete his high school coursework early, then enroll in his chosen school to acclimate to college life and the team’s system.
But the decision to forgo the final semester of high school is gaining popularity, and Florida might have taken it to a new level nine.
“It’s becoming more and more of a trend,” said Jamie Newberg, national recruiting analyst for Scout.com. “Before we saw a lot of quarterbacks, now it’s becoming more popular [at other positions].”
Three quarterbacks, one running back, two wide receivers, two offensive linemen and one tight end comprise Florida’s early enrollees. Even coach Urban Meyer is pleasantly surprised at how many players chose to begin their careers in Gainesville this month.
“I can’t think of anybody in the country that has nine,” Meyer said. “That’s a tremendous boost. We have been very successful. And that tells you the kind of support they receive from the University of Florida. And it gives them a little bit of a juice, a little head start going into their freshman year.”
Actually, a big head start.
Quarterback Tim Tebow enrolled in January 2006. In his backup role to quarterback Chris Leak, Tebow played in all 14 games, was the team’s second-leading rusher (89 carries for 469 yards and eight TDs) and also was 22-for-33 passing for 358 yards and five touchdowns.
“It was huge for me,” said Tebow, 19. “Not only because I got to get into school and get adjusted to college life, but I got to build a relationship with the guys on the team, they got to know me and what kind of person I am. I got to be around Chris and learn from him. I got stronger and learned the system. It was just a big help. It made all the difference in how I was able to perform this year.”
How the Gators performed has made a significant difference in their recruiting effort. Florida has the No. 1-ranked class by Scout.com, bolstered by its win over Ohio State in the BCS national championship game.
“I would say prior to the BCS bowl games, I had the thought that it would kind of be a photo finish between Florida and USC,” Newberg said. “But Florida has captured pretty much unprecedented momentum since that game. They are running away with this thing. USC is still going to close well, but Florida is going to run away with it.”
The Gators have 24 commitments, including the early enrollees, and Meyer said he hoped to total 27 signings. Newberg said approximately 10 or 12 others still have Florida in the mix.
“It is so unbelievable, what’s going on,” Newberg said. “They are probably going to have to turn away kids others would kill for and Florida would normally be thrilled to have.”
After Florida’s national championship celebration, Meyer said he had formulated a slogan to pitch to recruits: “If there’s a better place, tell me, because I’m going to go with you. Because I can’t imagine a place better, especially right now.”
Apparently, a whole bunch of star athletes agree.
Permalink | |
Sooners land top lineman Stephenson
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
Blue Springs, Mo., offensive lineman Donald Stephenson, Scout.com’s sixth-ranked center prospect, committed to Oklahoma, he told the Web site.
The 6-foot-6, 275-pound Stephenson picked OU over Kansas, Michigan and Nebraska.
“Oklahoma is Oklahoma,” Stephenson told Scout. “It would be a privilege to play at OU. I know that a lot of guys want to play there, and I get a chance to do it.”
Permalink | |
Maryland adds Southern Cal transfer, two others
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The University of Maryland football program has added three student-athletes to its roster as Antwine Perez, a highly recruited defensive back, has transferred to Maryland from USC, punter Travis Baltz has come aboard as an early entry, and quarterback Jamarr Robinson has entered school after signing last season.
Perez and Baltz enrolled in classes Wednesday, while Robinson registered earlier this month. All three will be eligible for spring practice which begins March 27. Perez, who will sit out the 2007 season under NCAA transfer guidelines, will have three years of eligibility remaining beginning in 2008. Baltz and Robinson will each be true freshmen in the fall.
Perez was one of the most sought-after recruits in the nation last year. He was a 2005 Parade All-American and a first-team All-America choice by USA Today and EA Sports. Perez was also a Super Prep Elite 50 player and All-American following a standout career at Woodrow Wilson High School in Camden, N.J.
The 6-foot, 190-punder was the Gatorade New Jersey Player of the Year and a first-team all-state selection as a senior after posting 82 tackles, 10 deflections, seven interceptions, four forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries. Perez also threw for 1,700 yards with 14 TDs and ran for 195 yards with two TDs.
Perez played in seven games as a backup safety with the Trojans last season. After entering school in the spring of 2006, he saw action mostly on special teams, collecting three tackles on the season.
Baltz was a two-time all-state honoree for Anthony Wayne High School in Whitehouse, Ohio. He was an honorable mention All-Ohio Division II choice by the Associated Press as a junior and a senior. He averaged 42 yards per punt in 2005.
He recently attended the U.S. Army Combine in San Antonio, where he emerged as the No. 1 punter with an average of 45.9 yards per attempt. He also ranked third in kickoffs and tied for eighth in place-kicking at the combine which featured many of the top punter and place-kickers in the nation.
Robinson, who signed a national letter of intent last February, was a three-year starter, including the final two at quarterback, at Myers Park High School in Charlotte, N.C. The 6-foot, 175-pounder started at receiver as a sophomore.
As a senior in 2005, Robinson completed 94 of 202 passes for 1,618 yards and 10 TDs. He also rushed for 167 times for 865 yards and 13 touchdowns en route to first-team All-Southwestern 4A Conference honors. He was also a finalist for the Roman Gabriel Award as the top player in the Charlotte region in 2005.
Permalink | |
Rockdale’s Sheppard likes UAB, Appalachian State
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
Rockdale County cornerback/wide receiver Branden Shepperd plans to take an official visit to UAB on Feb. 2.
The 6-foot-1, 190-pound Sheppered is also receiving late interest from Applachian State.
But his first concern is conquering the SAT.
“He’s still trying to get that test score,” Rockdale County coach Lee Carter said. “Somebody might bring him in as a partial-qualifier, or we may have to JUCO him if a school will do that.”
Permalink | |
Auburn, Florida, UGA, Ohio State offer junior Parks
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
The recruiting frenzy that surrounded Tennessee-bound Eric Berry of Creekside has shifted to junior teammate Terrance Parks.
The 6-foot-2, 200-pound Parks, who made 45 tackles and intercepted three passes last season, is already entertaining offers from Auburn, Florida, Georgia and Ohio State.
“He’s a big cover guy, and people are looking for big corners,” Creekside coach Kevin Whitley said.
Whitley thinks the recruiting battle over Parks might equal or exceed the buzz Berry generated.
“Yes, and I think Eric is partially responsible for that,” Whitley said. “A lot of schools discovered Terrance when they came to see Eric.”
Permalink | |
Creekside’s Watkins says yes to UAB
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
Creekside’s Kevious Watkins, a 6-foot-4, 330-pound offensive lineman, will play college football at UAB.
“He went on a visit there last week and committed,” Creekside coach Kevin Whitley confirmed to the AJC.
Teammate Kevious Watkins, a defensive back, has visited Northeastern, Bowling Green and Wofford. He takes trips to Hampton this weekend and Elon the following week.
Creekside linebacker Danny Evans is being recruited by Army, Ball State and Morgan State.
AJC all-state offensive lineman Hannibal Ruiz of Creekside is mulling over offers from Clark Atlanta and Tusculum.
Permalink | |
Trustees back Broyles, Nutt despite team defections
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
Little Rock — Trustees for the University of Arkansas System say they still support Razorback athletic director Frank Broyles and football coach Houston Nutt.
Trustees met on Thursday, but the topic of the football program didn’t come up in the open portion of the meeting or in a closed personnel session, according to members of the board.
Board vice chairman Jim Lindsey, who played for the Razorbacks while Broyles was coach, said, “I support him all the way,” when asked whether Broyles continues to have his endorsement.
The Razorbacks are coming off a 10-4 season, with the losses all coming against teams that finished among the top seven in the final AP poll. But Nutt and Broyles have come under fire for the defection of offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn, who joined the staff at Tulsa, and for the transfer of freshman receiver Damian Williams. Quarterback Mitch Mustain was granted a release from his scholarship, though he remains a UA student for the spring semester.
Board chairman Stanley Reed said he still backs Broyles and Nutt.
“Do I personally support them (Broyles and Nutt)?” Reed said. “Yes.”
Reed said controversy is to be expected, but fans should still support the program.
“There are always issues in each different campus. We just want the people of Arkansas to come together to support our programs, to support our schools, and that’s all I want to say,” he said.
“I think time is on our side,” board member Mike Akin said. “Things will settle down and will work themselves out.”
Broyles was Arkansas coach from 1958-1976 and has been athletic director since 1973. He said he appreciates backing from the trustees.
“Of course I’m appreciative of their support, and I think that’s a very positive thing for our athletic program,” Broyles said. “As I am, I think they’re celebrating 10 wins and a division title with a 7-1 (SEC) record, the same as Florida had.”
Broyles said his aim is for the team to improve.
“We’re celebrating (the 2006 season), and we’re still building for next year with hopes of being improved. That’s all I’m concentrating on.”
Permalink | |
Friday: UGA courts Norcross star; Heyward in Athens
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
Just 12 more days until national signing day. Do you know where your favorite school’s top target is?
— Norcross’ Darius Hanks is spending the weekend at Alabama. The wide receiver is attracting late interest from both Georgia, where he’s scheduled to visit next weekend, and Nick Saban’s Crimson Tide. (For a full report on Hanks and others, check out our “latest news” section to the right).
— Peachtree Ridge defensive tackle Cameron Heyward is at Georgia, one of four schools left on his short list. The son of the late Craig “Ironhead” Heyward will choose soon between the Bulldogs, Florida, LSU and Ohio State.
— Oxnard, Calif., running back/receiver Malachi Lewis is due today at Arizona State. After his weekend visit, he plans to pick from a group of schools that includes Georgia Tech and Ole Miss.
— Caleb King, a Georgia commitment, and Zeke Rozier, a Georgia target, are hard at work getting ready for tomorrow’s SAT. Rozier has pushed back his official visit to Athens to Feb. 2, the same day the Bulldogs are due to host LaGrange’s D.J. Stafford.
— Baton Rouge, La., defensive end Jason Peters is making the short trip over to LSU. That’s the final visit he has planned; Peters has already been to Georgia Tech and Nebraska.
— AJC Super Southern 100 tailback Joe McKnight is also at LSU this weekend. The Tigers are still in the running for Louisiana’s Mr. Football, along with Southern Cal, Alabama and Ole Miss.
— Muskegon, Mich., wide receiver Ronald Johnson is due at Florida today, where he’ll be part of a big recruiting weekend for Urban Meyer’s Gators. Other special guests expected in Gainesville: John Brown, Jerimy Finch, Jerry Howard and Moses Jenkins.
— Tallahassee multi-position star Brandon Paul will check out Clemson, which is coming off a weekend to remember. Paul has already been to Auburn, Florida State and Tennessee, and still has a trip planned to Miami.
We’ll have plenty of updates throughout the day on those recruits and others. Georgia fans, be sure to check out Carter Strickland’s report on Israel Troupe, the Tift County receiver who sounds truly torn about whether he should play college football or pro baseball.
As always, if you have someone whose recruitment you’d like updated, drop me a line.
Georgia, Alabama make push for Norcross’ Hanks
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
Norcross wide receiver/defensive back Darius Hanks will take an official visit to Alabama this weekend. He is tentatively scheduled to visit Georgia on Feb. 2
The 6-foot-1, 170-pound Hanks, who has scholarship offers from Ball State, Bowling Green, East Carolina, Jacksonville State, Kent State, Miami of Ohio and UAB, picked up another last week when Houston offered.
Alabama and Georgia are now positioned to make a late run at Hanks, who caught 55 passes for 857 yards and eight touchdowns last season.
“[Alabama] called him after [coach Nick] Saban was hired,” Norcross coach Keith Maloof said. “They watched some video on Darius and really like what they saw.”
Saban met Hanks during an in-school visit at Norcross last week.
Maloof said Hanks is scheduled to Athens next weekend “as far as I know.”
Though Alabama and Georgia have yet to extend offers, Maloof figures they’re forthcoming.
“I would think they would both offer,” he said. “If they’re bringing a kid, they’re not going to waste their money and time.”
Permalink | |
