AJC > Sports > Football Recruiting > Blog > Archives > 2007 > February > 04
Sunday, February 4, 2007
Elder to Alabama, Hicks picks Florida, Corley chooses LSU
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Nick Saban has struck again.
A week after landing a commitment from Norcross wide receiver Darius Hanks, Alabama’s new coach got word Sunday that North Clayton defensive tackle Jeremy Elder picked the Crimson Tide.
Our Jeff Hood caught up with Elder to talk about his commitment, one of several biggies on Sunday. Among the others:
— Jacksonville linebacker Brandon Hicks became the latest Sunshine State standout to commit to Florida.
— AJC Super Southern 100 defensive end Sidell Corley of Mobile has said yes to LSU.
— Muskegon, Mich., five-star cornerback Ronald Johnson picked Southern Cal over Florida, Michigan and Michigan State.
— Dublin linebacker Thomas Barnes settled on N.C. State.
You’ll find full reports on those stories in the “latest news” section to the right, along with …
— Good news for Georgia fans from Tavarres King, the Habersham Central junior receiver who says the Bulldogs top his list.
— Matt Winkeljohn’s interviews with several Georgia Tech recruits, who describe the moment they knew they’d play for the Yellow Jackets.
— The latest drama from Columbus, where Antwane Greenlee appears to be reconsidering his Georgia commitment. Florida State is now back in the picture.
We’ll work the phones all day and let you know any commitment news as it happens. As always, if you have someone whose recruitment you’d like updated, drop me a line.
Georgia Tech recruits talk about ‘the moment’
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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We asked a few recruits to describe the moment they knew Georgia Tech was the school for them …
D.J. Donley
“The first time I went, for a junior date, I kind of fell in love with it because I liked how it’s family-oriented. Being in the city of Atlanta, I always wanted to move to the big city and be exposed because I’m from a small city.
“A lot of people had started committing to Tech, and I knew that was where I was going to go, but I was going to wait until closer to signing day. I woke up one day and told my mom I was going to do it, and told [Charlton County] coach [Richard] McWhorter, text-messaged Giff [Smith] and called coach [Chan] Gailey. It was a sense of relief, a lot of weight off my shoulders.”
Jason Peters
“I just came off a visit from LSU, and I was confirming my commitment [from a week earlier] all that weekend. While there, it kind of bothered me. I wasn’t comfortable with the decision, and I really re-hashed it in my mind, and I kept getting worse and worse and didn’t think it was the best choice for me.
“[Monday, Jan. 29] I contacted my parents and told them what I was thinking, then text-messaged [Tech assistant coach] Curtis Modkins [who’s recruited Peters], and called coach Gailey.
“I realized that when I went through so many uncertainties with LSU, and I decided to be with the people who have been the most honest with me all along. I looked at it like this: If I’m going to have to wake up every morning and go to work, I have to be able to enjoy it. I think Georgia Tech has the best people to help me do that.”
Tyler Melton
“When I went down to their camp last summer, I just loved the whole Atlanta scene, and my brother, Rock, lives there so it was a perfect scene for me. Most of my family is from the east coast. I knew as soon as I went. Probably about two weeks later I committed.”
Mario Butler
“At first I didn’t know what to expect, but once I got into the groove and visited schools [last] summer, Tech was my first and set the standard. I went around and [other schools] didn’t measure up.”
Logan Walls
*Actually, when I was at the GT camp last summer, Nick Claytor and I were there and hung out most of the day. We live sort of close together. I think in the next week, I committed. I told Nick’s mom, and she was like, ‘Nick, when you gonna commit?’”
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Jacksonville’s Hicks picks Gators over Hurricanes
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Another all-everything recruit has decided to play his college football at Florida.
Jacksonville Forrest linebacker Brandon Hicks told the Florida Times-Union today he picked Urban Meyer’s Gators over Miami.
“Me and my family talked about it, prayed about it, and it went back and forth for a long time,” Hicks told the newspaper. “At one point, I was really thinking it was going to be Miami, but everything about Florida seemed right.”
Hicks had six sacks and three interceptions as a senior.
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No. 2 cornerback headed to Southern Cal
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Muskegon, Mich., star Ronald Johnson, rated as the No. 2 cornerback in the nation by Scout.com, committed to Southern Cal on Sunday afternoon.
Johnson also had offers from Florida, Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Ohio State and Tennessee.
Muskegon coach Tony Annese said many folks in town were disappointed to learn Johnson chose to play college football on the West coast.
“I’m sure they hoped he would go to Michigan or Michigan State,” Annese said.
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Brandon Paul skips Miami visit
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Tallahassee Lincoln star Brandon Paul was a no-show for an official visit at Miami this weekend, according to Scout.com.
Regarded as one of the top defensive backs in Florida, Paul apparently will choose between Auburn, Clemson, FSU and Tennessee on Wednesday.
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Corley counting on 10-20 snaps a game at LSU next season
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Choosing LSU came down to a matter of timing for Sidell Corley, a 6-foot-4, 250-pound defensive end from McGill Toolen High in Mobile, Ala.
“The system at LSU was perfect for him,” said Corley’s father, Sidell Corley Sr. “They lost three defensive ends and that left a spot open for Sidell.
“Timing was everything. That’s basically what done it: opportunity and playing time.”
Corley Sr. said his son won’t be redshirted this fall.
“He’ll be in the No. 2 spot at defensive end,” Corley Sr. said. “He be in on 10 to 20 snaps per game.”
Corley Sr., who accompanied his son on his official visit to LSU this weekend, said the folks back home were shocked after learning of the decision.
“It was quite a surprise,” Corley Sr. admitted. “Everybody thought he was going to Alabama.”
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Dublin’s Barnes commits to N.C. State
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Dublin linebacker Thomas Barnes committed to N.C. State during an official visit to the Raleigh campus this weekend.
“I had a great time on my visit,” Barnes told Pack Pride. “Actually, I committed. The facilities and stadium really sold me, but I know the coaches will help me get better and I really feel like they’re a team that’s about to do something.
“We got to go to the basketball game and that was just amazing. I never thought they would beat Carolina in basketball. That was definitely a big win for the basketball team.”
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Collins Hill star leans toward Western Kentucky
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Collins Hill defensive end Bo Adebayo is leaning toward signing with Western Kentucky.
The 6-foot-3, 245-pound Adebayo returned home today from an official weekend visit to Western Kentucky and came away impressed with the construction he saw on campus.
“They’re rebuilding everything,” Adebayo said. “They’re getting a new stadium and a new weight room.”
Adebayo also holds an offer from Middle Tennessee.
“I’m thinking about [signing with] Western Kentucky,” he said. “I plan to call the coach on Monday night or Tuesday and let him know what I’m going to do.”
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Is Greenlee giving FSU a second look?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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For weeks Antwane Greenlee professed he was a “solid” Georgia commitment.
This week, things changed.
The offensive lineman from Columbus now tells Scout.com, “It’s coming down to the wire, and I am still committed to Georgia and I plan on signing with them, but Florida State’s new offensive line coach, Rick Trickett, has been really good to me.
“With Florida State’s depth chart they are talking about how I can have early playing time. I like Coach Trickett’s coaching style; he sends players to the NFL.”
Greenlee originally committed to Florida State, then flipped to Georgia.
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Getting to know … UGA recruit Scott Haverkamp
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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We went one-on-one with former Butler (Kan.) County Community College offensive lineman Scott Haverkamp, who signed last month with Georgia …
Where he ranks: The 63rd-best junior college prospect in America, according to Rivals.com
What I hope to accomplish in college: I would like our team to win an SEC championship and compete for a national title.
What I drive: 1999 Pontiac Grand Prix
Favorite flick: “Rocky IV”
In my iPod: A little bit of everything
Did you know? I was an all-state basketball player in high school
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North Clayton’s Elder commits to Alabama
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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North Clayton defensive tackle Jeremy Elder committed to Alabama this morning.
“Coach [Nick] Saban told me he wanted to offer me a full scholarship,” Elder said. “I told him ‘Yes, I’ll be glad to come here.’ I was really excited about that.”
Elder, who had been considering Georgia, hopes to see some playing time as a freshman in Tuscaloosa.
“They need some defensive linemen,” he said. “I think I’ll have a chance to play early.”
The 6-foot-3, 276-pound Elder is looking forward to playing for Saban.
“He’s a good coach with a lot of experience,” Elder said. “This is his chance to turn this program around and get it back to the top.”
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Auburn lands Louisiana’s defensive player of the year
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Lafayette, La., defensive end Wilfred Journet committed to Auburn today, Scout.com reports.
Journet was Louisiana’s 5A Defensive Player of the Year at Acadiana High. The 6-foot-3, 238-pounder had a 79-tackle senior season.
“I had a great time at Auburn,” Journet told Scout.com following his weekend visit. “I really like the players and the coaches. I feel like it is a really good fit for me.”
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Three Northgate stars make college choices
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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A trio of Northgate High seniors have made their college decisions:
— Andre Morris, QB/LB: Committed to the Air Force Academy to play for new head coach Troy Calhoun. Morris chose Air Force over Georgetown, Dartmouth and Princeton. He will join two other former Northgate players (Carson Bird and Rod Neal) at Air Force.
— Mike Davis, RB: Will sign Wednesday with Memphis. Davis chose Memphis over offers from Southern Miss, East Carolina, Mississippi State and Central Florida.
— T.J. Jackson, WR: Jackson, who averaged 23.8 yards per catch and hauled in seven touchdown passes for the Vikings, recently committed to Division I-AA Northeastern in Boston. Jackson chose the Huskies over Air Force and Navy.
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