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Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Experts: Georgia fans shouldn’t be worried
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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With Peachtree Ridge defensive tackle Cameron Heyward becoming the latest in-state star to pick a school other than Georgia, we asked two recruiting analysts whether it’s time for Bulldog Nation to be worried.
JC SHURBURTT, RIVALS.COM
“There is no reason for concern. Georgia filled its needs nicely this year. When you add three linemen like Jarius Wynn, Corvey Irvin and Vince Vance, who can step in and contribute, it’s a good year.
“Also, you have to keep in mind that the Bulldogs’ 2008 class is better than any at this point. The Atlanta metro area is growing rapidly and any time you have an expansion of population, then you have less people with strong roots in the state and thus the in-state school.
“[Eric] Berry and Heyward had no ties to UGA. With regards to [Allen] Bailey, he’s a Coastal Empire kid that made a decision to go out of state. That’s not as tough of a blow as it would be to lose a kid from Gwinnett County or from a place like Moultrie where there are tons of Dawgs. That’s not to say that there aren’t Dawgs in McIntosh County, but the coast is sort of a different type of place.”
SCOTT KENNEDY, SCOUT.COM
“I don’t know if concerned is the right word, but Georgia has been recruiting nationally more and more and going and getting guys like Knowshon Moreno and Logan Gray.
“Some things you can’t control — like having a Tennessee legacy [Berry] being the top prospect in the state. Heyward isn’t a guy that has a lot of roots in Georgia, and Bailey is a unique situation in that he’s from one of the islands.
“Georgia will still be right there in the top 10.”
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Can Cameron Heyward play two sports in Columbus?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Julius Peppers made it fashionable again at North Carolina.
Charlie Ward and, to a lesser extent, Brad Johnson, had done it with aplomb some years earlier at Florida State. More recently, Erron Kinney and Ronald Curry were among those enjoying varying degrees of success playing football and basketball at Florida and North Carolina, respectively.
Peachtree Ridge’s Cameron Heyward hopes to join that exclusive club of two-sport stars when enrolls at Ohio State this fall.
Heyward, an agile 6-foot-6, 282-pounder who stars in both sports for the Lions, committed to the Buckeyes for football this afternoon. He’s already spoken with OSU basketball coach Thad Matta about pulling double duty in the Big Ten.
“He said he’s all for it,” Heyward said. “They’ll be ready for me after football ends.”
Heyward’s size, quick hands and nimble feet have made him a force at power forward for the fifth-ranked Lions basketball team, but parlaying that into the college game won’t be easy.
Making things trickier still will be the not-so-small matter of remaining with the football team until the conclusion of its season, most likely in January when the basketball team is already a month into its season and into league play.
Moreover, nationally ranked Ohio State boasts a young team with a number of talented frontcourt players already and have signed a 7-1 forward and 6-9 center for next year.
Things should clear up somewhat, however, should freshman standout center Greg Oden declare for the upcoming NBA draft.
Still, Peachtree Ridge coach Gerald Arnold wasn’t about to count Heyward out from doing both sports.
“He has some intangibles,” Arnold said, “that most other kids don’t have. No. 1, he’s so coachable; No. 2, he’s such a hard worker. Now whether he’s a good enough shooter, I’ll let them decide. … If there’s anybody who might be able to do it, it would be Cameron.”
As a junior, Heyward averaged 12.7 point, a Gwinnett County-best 11.9 rebounds, 3.6 blocked shots and 2.1 steals per game to help power the Lions basketball team into the Class AAAAA state tournament for the first time in history.
He enters Friday night’s Region 7-AAAAA date against visiting North Gwinnett averaging 10.7 points, 7.7 rebounds while shooting just under 61 percent from the floor.
Peppers rates as perhaps the best two-sport star since Ward, the Seminoles’ Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback who also starred at guard for the school’s NCAA Tournament basketball team.
Now an All-Pro, Peppers was an All-ACC defensive end and a key reserve for the Tar Heels’ Final Four team of 2000.
— Staff writer Larry Hartstein contributed to this report
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Tampa’s Marve switches from Alabama to Miami
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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A week after landing a highly regarded recruit who’d committed to LSU, Nick Saban lost one to Miami.
Tampa Plant quarterback Robert Marve told Rivals.com he was switching his commitment from Alabama, where he said yes to since-fired coach Mike Shula, to the Hurricanes and new coach Randy Shannon.
“I want to be their main guy where they’re saying, ‘We expect this guy to be the guy that’s going to change the school, get us a championship,’ ” Marve said. “I understand I’ll have to work hard and give it all I’ve got.”
Marve is Rivals’ eighth-ranked quarterback prospect.
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Getting to know … Tech recruit Willie White
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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We went one-on-one with Camden County wide receiver Willie White, who next week says he’ll sign with Georgia Tech …
Nickname: “Slim Will”
Where he ranks: 38th-ranked “athlete” nationally, according to Rivals.com
What I looked for in a program: Early playing time; a great education; home-like environment
College major: Business
Hobby: Fishing. It takes a lot of things off your mind.
My style on the field reminds some of … Ed Reed
Did you know? I enjoy slow jams
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Richt on recruiting: ‘I’m doing somersaults’
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Georgia has watched as in state and out of state talent has gone elsewhere in the past couple of weeks: Eric Berry, Allen Bailey, Cameron Heyward and so on.
Those losses have not been lost on Mark Richt. But the Georgia coach thinks those who have been distraught over Georgia losing those players, may have forgotten about the 23 they got.
“People talk about having a strong finish, but you start with the 23 guys that we had committed and I’m jacked,” Richt said Wednesday after word got out that Peachtree Ridge’s Heyward had committed to Ohio State. “I’m doing somersaults. I’ve been doing somersaults for three months.
“If everything remains the same as it is right now, we filled our needs.”
Richt said the perception might be that Georgia slipped in the recruiting race because they wrapped up the majority of big players in it class early.
Those were some of the Bulldogs’ top targets, he said. And had they missed on players such as Caleb King and Trinton Sturdivant then Georgia may very well have plummeted in the rankings.
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Heyward: Georgia ‘just wasn’t the choice for me’
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Ohio State lost out to Florida in last month’s national championship game, but it was the Buckeyes who came away the winner in the Cameron Heyward sweepstakes.
The 6-foot-6, 282-pound Peachtree Ridge defensive tackle announced this afternoon that he plans top attend Ohio State, and play both football and basketball for the Big Ten school.
It’s a big blow for Georgia, one of four finalists for the son of late NFL star Craig “Ironhead” Heyward. In the past several weeks, Georgia has missed out on AJC player of the year Eric Berry of Creekside (Tennessee recruit) and Darien McIntosh County Academy defensive end Allen Bailey (down to Alabama, Florida, Miami).
“Georgia was definitely a possibility,” Peachtree Ridge’s all-state defensive tackle said Wednesday. “It was a great school and I appreciate them looking at me, but it just wasn’t the choice for me.”
Heyward also considered Florida and LSU.
He’d recently taken official visits to every one of his finalists but Ohio State. Heyward made an unofficial trip to check out the Buckeyes in November, for the Ohio State-Michigan game.
The Buckeyes left nothing to chance, however, putting on their version of a full-court press on Monday. They sent three assistant coaches — including co-defensive coordinators Jim Heacock and Luke Fickell — to meet with Heyward and his family at school and home.
Heyward, an all-state player and Gwinnett County defensive player of the year, is ranked as the state’s seventh-best prospect, according to Rivals.com. He recorded 116 tackles as a senior, including a team-high 16 sacks to help lead the Lions to a share of the Class AAAAA state championship.
Ohio State had always been the sentimental favorite for Heyward’s grandmother, who lives 2 1/2 hours away in Pittsburgh. Heyward’s mother, Charlotte Heyward-Blackwell, was raised in Pittsburgh and graduated from Pitt, where she first met Craig Heyward.
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Super 11 scorecard: Dawgs 3, Jackets 3, Buckeyes 1
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Cameron Heyward’s decision today to attend Ohio State means Georgia’s AJC Super 11 haul will likely finish at three, barring an unexpected commitment from LaGrange defensive end D.J. Stafford.
The school-by-school breakdown:
GEORGIA (3)
— Rennie Curran, LB, Brookwood
— Israel Troupe, WR, Tift County. The bad news: He’s torn between playing college football and pro baseball. Analysts project him as a high pick in the MLB draft.
— Caleb King, RB, Greater Atlanta Christian. Still needs to improve academics to become eligible as a freshman; took SAT last Saturday.
GEORGIA TECH (3)
— Josh Nesbitt, QB, Greene County
— Morgan Burnett, S, North Clayton
— Jonathan Dwyer, RB, Kell
OHIO STATE (1)
— Cameron Heyward, DT, Peachtree Ridge
OLE MISS (1)
— Ted Laurent, DT, McEachern
TENNESSEE (1)
— Eric Berry, CB, Creekside
UNDECIDED (2)
— Allen Bailey, DE, McIntosh County Academy. Eliminated Georgia last week; down to Alabama, Florida, Miami.
— D.J. Stafford, DE, LaGrange. Leaning toward signing with Kentucky, but will visit Georgia this weekend.
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Wednesday: Heyward picks Buckeyes; Rozier awaits offer
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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And the winner of the Cameron Heyward sweepstakes is …
Ohio State.
Peachtree Ridge’s Super 11 defensive tackle announced at an afternoon news conference he’d sign a week today with Jim Tressel’s Buckeyes. The son of the late Craig “Ironhead” Heyward picked Ohio State over Georgia, Florida and LSU.
We have more on this developing story in the “latest news” section to the right, where you’ll also find updates on …
— Bleckley County running back Zeke Rozier, who heads to Athens this weekend hoping to land a scholarship offer from Mark Richt.
— Clinch County defensive lineman Eugene Kinlaw, whose options include spending two seasons at Georgia Military College, then two at Georgia.
— One-time Florida recruit Sidell Corley, the Mobile defensive end who’ll check out LSU this weekend.
— The nation’s most highly regarded defensive prospect, Washington’s Marvin Austin, who has a final four of Florida State, North Carolina, Southern Cal and Tennessee.
That, plus the usual assortment of updates on Peach State stars and commitments throughout the day.
As always, if you’ve got someone whose recruitment you’d like us to update, drop me a note and we’ll work the phones.
Central Carrollton star likely bound for Dean
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Central Carrollton running back Justin Harrison is likely headed to Dean College in Massachusetts.
The 5-foot-10, 180-pound Harrison collected nearly 1,200 yards in rushing and receiving yardage last season.
“Justin is versatile,” Central Carrollton coach Randy Padgett said. “He’s a good blocker who can also line up at receiver.”
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Habersham Central linebacker likes Gardner-Webb
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Habersham Central outside linebacker Marty Patterson will likely sign with Gardner-Webb.
“He’s a pass-rushing defensive end who is also a force on special teams,” Habersham Central coach Gene Cathccart said. “He’s one of those hybrid players.”
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Option for Kinlaw: 2 years at GMC, 2 years at UGA
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Clinch County’s Eugene Kinlaw labeled his visit to Georgia last weekend a success. But it is apparent that academics will prevent the 6-foot-2, 280-pound defensive tackle from signing with the Bulldogs on Feb. 7.
“It was a wonderful visit,” Kinlaw said. “I got a chance to do a lot of stuff. I took a tour of the campus, got to know the players and got to meet the coaches.”
Kinlaw said Georgia coaches would like to see him spend two years in a junior program, before attempting to play for the Bulldogs in the fall of 2009.
“They were saying that I’m going to have to go to Georgia Military College,” Kinlaw said. “[GMC] is supposed to send a full scholarship.”
Kinlaw remains undecided as he heads to Troy University for an official visit this weekend.
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Rozier hoping to leave Athens with UGA offer
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Bleckley County running back Zeke Rozier heads to Athens for an official visit on Friday with one goal: leave town with a scholarship offer.
Georgia is high on the radar of the 6-foot, 197-pound Rozier, who has offers from Georgia Southern and Middle Tennessee State. He’s hoping for some reciprocity from the Bulldogs.
“It’s just a wait and see game,” Bleckley County coach Sam Barrs said.
Barrs said his prized player will take a post-national signing day visit to UAB next week — unless “Georgia makes Zeke an offer this weekend.”
The veteran coach hopes a trip to Birmingham next weekend won’t be necessary for Rozier.
“I’m hoping he’ll slip in the side door with Georgia,” Barrs said. “We’ll see.”
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Corley: ‘It’s heating up around here’
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Sidell Corley, a 6-foot-4, 250-pound defensive end for McGill-Toolen High in Mobile, will visit LSU this weekend.
Corley, who de-committed from Florida last week, will choose between LSU, Alabama, Auburn, Oklahoma and Tennessee during a press conference at his high school at 11 a.m. Monday.
Sidell Corley Sr. explained why his son backed off his commitment to the Gators.
“Florida is a great place,” Corley Sr. said. “But they’re just going in a different direction. They’re using smaller ends. We want to go where we fit in.”
Corley Sr. said his son greeted coaches from Alabama and Oklahoma on Tuesday while “Florida State was still texting and calling.” Corley Sr. will accompany his son to LSU, a 2 1/2 drive from Mobile, on Friday.
“It’s heating up around here,” Corley Sr. said.
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Austin’s final four: Seminoles, Vols, Tar Heels, Trojans
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Florida State, North Carolina, Southern Cal and Tennessee remain in contention for Marvin Austin of Ballou High in Washington, D.C.
The 6-foot-3, 300-pound Austin is regarding by many recruiting outlets as the top defensive tackle in the nation.
Austin, who will receive in-home visits from Southern Cal, Florida State and North Carolina coaches this week, will announce his decision at the ESPN Zone in Washington, D.C. on national signing day.
“I’m going to talk things over with my family,” Austin told Scout.com. “We’ll look at the whole picture then come up with a decision.”
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Buckeyes a sentimental favorite of Heyward
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Peachtree Ridge defensive tackle Cameron Heyward will hold a news conference at the school’s media center at 2:30 p.m. today to announce his college intentions.
Heyward, a 6-foot-6, 282-pound defensive tackle who helped lead the Lions to a share of the Class AAAAA state title this past fall, has said he wants to play both football and basketball at whichever school he chooses.
He’d narrowed his choices to Ohio State, Florida, Georgia and LSU. The son of late NFL star Craig “Ironhead” Heyward had recently taken official visits to Florida, Georgia and LSU, and was scheduled to visit Ohio State this weekend.
The Buckeyes, however, put on their version of a full-court press on Monday, dispatching three assistant coaches — including co-defensive coordinators Jim Heacock and Luke Fickell — to the school to meet with Heyward before meeting again with him and his family at their home later that evening.
Heyward is ranked as the state’s seventh-best prospect, according to rivals.com. He recorded 116 tackles as a senior, including a team-high 16 sacks.
Columbus was always a sentimental favorite for Heyward’s grandmother, who lives 2 1/2 hours away in Pittsburgh. Heyward’s mother, Charlotte Heyward-Blackwell, was raised in Pittsburgh and graduated from Pitt, where she first met Craig Heyward.
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