AJC > Sports > Football Recruiting > Blog > Archives > 2007 > February > 02
Friday, February 2, 2007
Ex-Dogs assistant lands another one for UAB
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
Tri-Cities lineman Terence Edge will play football for former Georgia assistant coach Neil Callaway at UAB.
Meeting Callaway at a summer camp last year in Athens had a lasting impact on the 6-foot-3, 275-pound Edge.
“Terence is very excited,” Tri-Cities coach Morris Starr said. “He remembers Coach Callaway from camp last summer at Georgia.
“And Terence is looking forward to playing Division I college football.”
Permalink | |
Clarke Central’s Faust names two finalists
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
Clarke Central outside linebacker/strong safety Dominique Faust is visiting Louisiana Tech this weekend.
The 6-foot-1, 195-pound Faust has narrowed his choices to Louisiana Tech and Kent State.
“Dominique is a kid with a lot of high energy,” Clarke Central coach Leroy Ryals said. “He runs well and is very versatile.”
Permalink | |
Griffin’s Rainey commits to Western Kentucky
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
Griffin all-state running back Bobby Rainey has committed to Western Kentucky.
The 5-foot-8, 180-pound Rainey said Western Kentucky felt like home.
“The environment there sort of feels like Griffin,” said Rainey, who had also considered Tennessee-Chattanooga, Eastern Carolina and Georgia Southern. “And I like their academic program too.”
Rainey hopes to make an immediate impact.
“They said I’ll have a chance to play as a freshman,” said Rainey, who is projected to play running back and on special teams for the Hilltoppers.
Permalink | |
Peterson says yes to Tech; Stafford calls off UGA trip
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
Georgia Tech put a cherry on top of its star-studded recruiting class Saturday when Tampa Jesuit cornerback Michael Peterson said yes to Chan Gailey & Co.
Peterson, a one-time Boston College commitment, is the nation’s 40th-best cornerback, according to Rivals.com.
You’ll find Matt Winkeljohn’s report on this story in the “latest news” section to the right, along with items on …
— LaGrange defensive end D.J. Stafford, who called off a weekend trip to Athens but says he’s still thinking about signing with Georgia.
— Mark Bradley’s look back at how Herschel Walker forever changed recruiting as we used to know it.
— Junior college transfer Scott Haverkamp’s long, strange trip to Georgia.
— A look at the role Union Grove linebacker Kyle Jackson — a.k.a. “The Ambassador” — has played in bringing together Tech’s class of 2007.
— All of the weekend’s big news, including Jon Richt saying yes to Clemson and the latest on North Clayton’s Jeremy Elder .
That, plus a whole lot more throughout the weekend, the final one before national signing day.
As always, if you have someone whose recruitment you’d like us to update, drop me a line and we’ll see what we can find out.
Jeremy Elder: ‘I can see myself signing with Alabama’
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
North Clayton defensive lineman Jeremy Elder told the AJC this afternoon he has narrowed his choices to Alabama, Arkansas and Georgia.
But from all appearances, he will sign with Alabama or Georgia.
The 6-foot-3, 276-pound Elder heads to Tuscaloosa, Ala., today for an official visit with the Crimson Tide. He had originally planned a trip to Arkansas this weekend.
After flying under the radar of Division I powers for several months, Elder has suddenly become a hot commodity. Elder credits the North Clayton coaching staff and teammate Morgan Burnett, who plans to sign with Georgia Tech on Wednesday.
“Every time schools came to recruit Morgan, our coaches would tell them ,’Hey, you need to take a look at this defensive end we have over here,’ ” Elder said.
Elder, who has never been to Tuscaloosa, said his primary focus this weekend will center on getting to know Alabama coach Nick Saban and his staff.
“As long as I get along with the coaches over there, I can see myself signing with Alabama,” Elder said.
Elder came away impressed with last weekend’s visit to Athens.
“Georgia has a good coaching staff and a really good academic program,” he said.
Elder said he plans to announce where he will play college football on Monday, though he didn’t rule out a weekend announcement if he decides to sign with the Crimson Tide.
Permalink | |
Campbell teammates sticking together at VMI
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
Two players from Smyrna’s Campbell High committed this week, and another is close, coach Kyle Hockman said.
Offensive lineman Steven Hite will sign with Virginia Military, which will keep him a teammate of defensive lineman Sam Palmer, who committed to the Division I-AA school last week.
Justin Kraemer, the all-Cobb first-team punter, committed Wednesday to Tennessee Tech. Chris Lewis-Harris, an all-state defensive back, is choosing between UT-Chattanooga and Hofstra.
The fact that Hite (6-4, 255) and Palmer (6-0, 270), both two-year starters, are headed to VMI together is a coincidence, Hockman said.
”They’re excited that they’re going together, but it wasn’t anything that was planned,” he said. ”It was a fit. VMI needed linemen. I think they’ll both end up playing quite a bit as true freshmen.
“A lot of coaches [from other I-AA schools] said they’re better than the ones they’re playing.”
Permalink | |
Michael Peterson: ‘It’s Tech and Clemson’
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
Georgia Tech’s push to fill its recruiting class appears to be going well as cornerback Michael Peterson sounded impressed by the school today while on campus.
Peterson, who played at Tampa Jesuit High, originally committed to Boston College, but decided recently to re-open his recruitment in part because of coaching changes at BC. He traveled to Tech Thursday, and was to leave Saturday morning — most likely having made a decision.
“I’ll decide Saturday morning,” he told the AJC. “It was [between] Clemson and Boston College and Georgia Tech.”
And now? “It’s Tech and Clemson,” Peterson said before adding that he may not visit Clemson.
Peterson will attend Tech’s basketball game Saturday, where he’ll be joined by Yellow Jackets recruits Steven Threet, Derrick Morgan, Kyle Jackson and Nick Claytor.
Peterson wants to major in business management, and said his decision goes beyond football. “All of the schools are pretty competitive academically and on the football field so really I’m just checking out the social part of it and seeing if I could live here for the next three or four years.”
Peterson’s father, Pete, told Scout.com chances are very good his son will choose Georgia Tech.
The 5-foot-11, 195-pound Peterson would become the 20th player expected to sign a letter of intent Wednesday with the Jackets, in essence filling a spot created last week when Tech and Detroit cornerback Cedric Everson parted ways.
Tech coach Chan Gailey said last summer that the Jackets were likely to sign 16-18 players this month, but the numbers has grown for a variety of reasons.
Junior wide receiver Calvin Johnson left school early to enter the NFL draft, tight ends Michael Matthews and Wayne Riles graduated early and reserve offensive lineman LeShawn Newberry transferred to Lindenwood College — an NAIA school in St. Charles, Missouri — to open scholarships.
Gailey said this week that any unused scholarships will be spread among current walk-on players.
Permalink | |
Milton kicker to walk on at Virginia Tech
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
Milton kicker Tim Pisano has decided to walk on at Virginia Tech.
The Hokies brought up Pisano on an official visit a couple of weeks ago and told him he would have the opportunity to earn a scholarship. Pisano also made an official visit to Harvard, and had strong interest from Georgia and Michigan.
“Virginia Tech brought in [Pisano] on a visit, and that really showed him how serious they were about him,” Milton coach Scott Walker said.
This past season, Pisano was 27 of 27 on PATs and converted on 14 of 19 field goals, with a long of 47 yards. Pisano was best known for splitting the uprights on three kickoffs during the season.
Milton has three lineman signing on Wednesday: Emory Attig (Eastern Kentucky), John Minella (Elon) and Joey Bachrodt (West Georgia).
Permalink | |
Walton junior lands offer from Duke
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
A Duke recruiter stopped by Walton this week, and the result was the second major-college offer for junior Chase Thomas.
The 6-foot-4, 210-pound Thomas was first offered by Mississippi State.
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 | |
Updated: Clemson ‘a pretty intelligent decision’ for Jon Richt
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
Clemson has taken a recruit right out from under Georgia coach Mark Richt’s nose. And everybody is happy about it.
That’s because the recruit is Jon Richt, Mark’s oldest son, and Georgia really was never an option.
“He’s been pretty adamant all along about not playing for his dad,” Prince Avenue coach Richard Ricketts said. “Just knowing the fans, it being the University of Georgia and him being the coach’s son.
“I think it was a pretty intelligent decision for him to make.”
Jon, a quarterback, had other options. Florida State considered him and as of late Maryland, Alabama, Oklahoma State and Colorado have all been in the mix.
“Clemson was the first school that offered him and I think that meant a lot to him in the end,” Ricketts said. “He really liked Brad Scott, coach [Rob] Spence and coach [Tommy] Bowden.”
Bowden offered Richt a scholarship after a Clemson summer camp in 2006. The Richts and Bowdens have a lot of history together. Mark worked for Tommy’s father, Bobby at Florida State for decade.
While Clemson and Georgia recently renewed their rivalry, the two will not play each other until 2013. Jon, even with a redshirt season, will have exhausted his eligibility by that point.
On the field, 6-foot-2, 205-pound Jon has proven to be a solid quarterback at Prince Avenue, Ricketts said.
“He is a coach’s kid, so he is an intelligent player and has got a gun for an arm,” he said. “And he has a lot of room to grow.”
Richt threw for more than 1,600 yards for Prince Avenue.
“It’s going to be an adjustment for him going from single A to that level,” Ricketts said. “But there is no doubt he can handle it.”
Permalink | |
Getting to know … Clinch County’s Eugene Kinlaw
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
We went one-on-one with Clinch County defensive end Eugene Kinlaw, who last weekend visited Georgia …
— Where he ranks: 46th-best senior in Georgia, regardless of position, according to Rivals.com
— College options: Likely headed to a prep school or junior college before signing with a Division I-A school. Georgia’s interested.
—Three words to describe me: Fun, outgoing, strong
—What I drive: 1975 Impala
—In my iPod: Pastor Troy
—Favorite flick: “The Temptations”
—Did you know? I like to fish
—What I hope to accomplish in college: Graduate
Permalink | |
Bowden, Seminoles playing catch-up in recruiting
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
Bobby Bowden knew what would happen on the competitive recruiting trails as it became clear he would be overhauling his staff like never before.
“We naturally got behind,” the FSU coach said recently. “But I felt like the most important thing was to get a great staff.”
With Jimbo Fisher (offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach), Rick Trickett (line), Lawrence Dawsey (receivers), Dexter Carter (backs) and Chuck Amato (linebackers) joining holdovers Mickey Andrews (defensive coordinator/secondary), Odell Haggins, (defensive tackles), Jody Allen (defensive ends) and John Lilly (tight ends/recruiting coordinator), Bowden gives his new staff five stars.
“Its (strength) speaks for itself,” he said.
The first test comes Wednesday, national signing day. The Seminoles had only six scholarship seniors, so the coaches knew they were likely to sign only 15 to 18 players. Filling holes, especially on offense, with quality prospects would be far more vital than stocking the shelves with quantity.
The Seminoles have had a dearth of offensive linemen, and the graduations of tackle Mario Henderson and tackle/guard Cory Niblock doesn’t help. They hope to sign about six.
A game-breaking speedster at receiver was missing last season, but Ahmad Paige (Sterlington, La.), Deonte Thompson (Belle Glades) or Markish Jones (Spartanburg, S.C.) could provide that.
A speedy tailback such as a Noel Devine (North Fort Myers) or Robert Elliott (Okolona, Miss.), an Ole Miss oral commitment FSU hopes to turn, is another goal.
“You have to have talent,” said Fisher, previously at LSU. “As coaches, we sit here and say, ‘We’re magical.’ But the best part of coaching is recruiting and going out there and getting guys who have the physical abilities to do the things you’re asking them to do.”
But FSU fell behind on the top offensive prospects as it struggled on the field and Bowden spent precious time recruiting coaches.
“We did lose some ground, but there are a lot of boys out there. And in this state, you can’t get them all,” Bowden said. “You just hope you get the right ones.”
Some of those “right ones” have taken notice of the changes. Paige committed but backed off as FSU’s record slid into mediocrity and its staff fell into uncertainty. In recent weeks, Fisher and Dawsey have visited him.
“Jimbo has a pretty good track record, and I’m sure that would be appealing to him,” said Dale Ashley, Paige’s high school coach.
And Fisher has tried to make a push with Thompson, who visited LSU’s campus in the fall. And Jones, a Clemson commitment, recently visited Tallahassee.
“(People) have been very receptive,” Fisher said.
Trickett, meanwhile, has continued to woo some of the players he was after while at West Virginia, namely Anthony Grosso, who has orally committed to FSU, and center/guard Rodney Hudson, a West Virginia commitment who switched to FSU.
“Jimbo Fisher was a huge get for them,” said Tom Lemming, a national recruiting analyst for College Sports TV. “I think he’s the best coach they’ve brought in in years. He can really turn the program around. But it’s more likely you’ll see the results next year. It’s just a little bit too late for this year.”
Jamie Newburg, the national recruiting analyst for Scout.com, thinks the payoff is long term as well. But FSU might get an immediate boost, he said.
“The one thing I’ve learned in covering recruiting for 15 years,” he said, “is you never count out Bobby Bowden. They’re going to get some players to fall their way and will close better than what most people think.”
Starting behind, Bowden will tell you, doesn’t mean that’s where you’re necessarily going to end.
Permalink | |
Greenlee cancels in-home visit with FSU’s Bowden
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
Georgia fans no longer have to worry about Bobby Bowden coming in at the last minute and snatching one of the Bulldogs’ prized recruits.
Columbus offensive lineman Antwane Greenlee told Rivals.com today that he canceled his scheduled in-home visit with Florida State’s legendary coach.
“I called them up earlier in the week and just told the them that I feel Georgia is the best fit for me,” Greenlee, a lifelong Seminoles fan, told Rivals today. “I talked to their recruiting coordinator Jody Allen and he was real understanding and supportive. That gives me a real respect for him.
“He said he is a Greenlee fan and he would watch me play for Georgia. He said I would have a spot at FSU if I decided not to sign with Georgia. Coach Allen said he respected my decision and I appreciated that.”
Permalink | |
Peach County coach leaving for Georgia Southern
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
Rance Gillespie, who led Peach County to state football championships in 2005 and 2006, confirmed today that he is the new offensive coordinator at Georgia Southern, where he is the fifth assistant announced on the staff of new coach Chris Hatcher.
”I just wanted to continue to grow in this profession, and college football is just a different side of the coaching profession, and I want to see what it’s about,” Gillespie, 37, said Friday by phone from Georgia Southern.
Gillespie was 65-16 at Peach County from 2000 to 2006, and the state championships were the school’s first and second in history. He was 5-15 in two seasons at Banks County. Other than a brief stint as a graduate assistant at Gardner-Webb, Gillespie said this was be his first college job. A Rabun County native, Gillespie was a walk-on linebacker at the University of Georgia, graduating in 1991.
Gillespie believed his replacement could be found on his former staff. A leading candidate figures to be defensive coordinator Chad Campbell, the brother of Hawkinsville head coach Lee Campbell.
Gillespie said he didn’t expect Peach County to miss a beat without him. The team has won four straight region championships.
“Peach County is a quality place and a football-hungry community,” he said. “That program and that community will always have a solid football team.”
Permalink | |
Score another one for Nick Saban, Alabama
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
Houston cornerback Tarence Farmer has committed to Alabama, Scout.com reports.
Farmer, the Web site’s 82nd-ranked corner, didn’t even have the Crimson Tide on his list until Nick Saban was hired as coach.
“I committed to Alabama because of Nick Saban,” Farmer told Scout. “I know about his past with college football teams, and I think Alabama is going to turn out to be a good program.”
“I am making the visit this weekend. I have never been there, but from what I hear it’s a very nice place.”
Permalink | |
West Coast’s top cornerback says yes to Michigan
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
Long Beach (Calif.) Poly star Donovan Warren has committed to Michigan, Scout.com reports.
It’s a big catch for Lloyd Carr & Co.; Warren is the nation’s fourth-ranked cornerback, according to Scout.
Warren also considered Cal, Southern Cal and UCLA.
Permalink | |
Tar Heels land in-state defensive end
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
Pinetops, N.C., defensive end Linwan Euwell has committed to North Carolina, Scout.com reports.
The 6-foot-2, 210-pounder ranks 67th nationally at his position, according to Scout.com.
Euwell was named to The Associated Press’ all-state team after a 78-tackle, 11-sack senior season.
Permalink | |
Can LSU, Tennessee catch Florida in class rankings?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
With national signing day five days away, Urban Meyer’s Florida Gators are a solid No. 1 in the class rankings.
Question is, can anyone catch them? We threw that one out to Rivals.com analyst JC Shurburtt.
“It’s going to be difficult for anyone to catch Florida at this point,” Shurburtt said. “LSU, however, is a team to watch. The Tigers currently are fifth, but have five-star prospects Joe McKnight, Chad Jones and Terrence Toliver, along wth four-star Stefoin Francois, still on the board.
“Tennessee is another option if they pull a surprise, say a Sidell Corley and a Dwight Jones, and Florida has a few unforeseen de-commits.”
Permalink | |
Bynes eliminates Gamecocks; down to Auburn, Louisville
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
AJC Super Southern 100 linebacker Josh Bynes has trimmed his list to Auburn and Louisville, he told Scout.com.
The Lauderdale Lakes, Fla., star had also been considering Steve Spurrier’s South Carolina Gamecocks.
“I’m planning to get it down to one this weekend, possibly as early as Friday,” Bynes told InsideTheVille.com. “Louisville and Auburn are the two schools I just feel most at home. I felt very comfortable at both schools when I took my visit.”
Permalink | |
Fitzgerald’s Fleming to check out Jacksonville State
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
Fitzgerald’s Travis Fleming will take an official visit to Jacksonville State this weekend, then attempt to take a trip to Troy University on Monday.
An AJC all-state offensive lineman, the 6-foot-3, 275-pound Fleming has offers from Chattanooga, Georgia Southern, Jacksonville State and Troy.
Fleming said he plans to choose between the four programs by Wednesday. When asked if he’s leaning toward a certain school, he replied: “They’re all about even.”
Fleming suffered a slight knee injury during the North-South all-star game in Columbus in late December. After wearing a knee brace for three weeks, Fleming received approval from his physician last week to begin running and practicing with the Fitzgerald basketball team.
Permalink | |
Dittmer to walk on at Georgia
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
Cartersville punter/placekicker Trent Dittmer plans to walk on at Georgia.
“He’s a three-year starter who can punt or kick,” Cartersville coach Frank Barden said. “It’s just a shot he wants to take.”
Georgia already has a commitment from Peachtree Ridge punter Drew Butler.
Permalink | |
D.J. Stafford wishy-washy on Athens visit
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
LaGrange defensive end D.J. Stafford sounded less than enthusiastic Thursday evening when asked if he will travel to Athens this weekend for his official visit to Georgia.
“I’m not sure,” said Stafford, who has a “soft” commitment with Kentucky. “I’ll know [Friday] morning. It all depends on the weather.”
If the roads between LaGrange and Athens are clear on Friday, as predicted, Stafford said “it’s a big possibility” he will make the journey.
When asked if he was forced to choose between Georgia and Kentucky, he replied: “I’m not sure.”
Permalink | |
Cartersville’s Clyburn to walk on at Tech
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
Cartersville wide receiver R.B. Clyburn will be a preferred walk-on at Georgia Tech.
The 6-foot-5, 195-pound Clyburn caught 33 passes for 581 yards and seven touchdowns last season.
“He had some other offers, but really his academics are so good he wanted to go to Georgia Tech,” Cartersville coach Frank Barden said.
“He started playing football as a junior. But I think in two years at Georgia Tech, he’ll be on scholarship and playing for them.”
Permalink | |
