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Monday, February 19, 2007
Monday: Class of 2008 stars to watch
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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The AJC asked a few recruiting experts to weigh in on the top prospects in the junior class. Below you’ll find Scout.com analyst Scott Kennedy’s list of the most physically impressive players at Sunday’s combine in Duluth and Rivals.com analyst JC Shurburtt’s early top five list of the top juniors in the Southeast:
Scott Kennedy’s top combine performers
A.J. Harmon of Jefferson County continues to show that he’s one of the best prospects in the country. He was at the facility when I got there, and I thought it was one of CES’ college trainees getting ready for the NFL combine. That’s not hard to believe when he measured in at 6-5.5 and 328 pounds yet is still agile enough to turn in a 4.75 short shuttle time.
Dontavious Jackson of Heard County has really grown since he was a the other guy in the backfield behind Carlos Brown. He was the feature back last year, and he’s just getting bigger and faster. Jackson checked in at 5-10.5 and was actually a little light at 196 because he had been sick. He ripped off back to back 4.44 fortys and pegged a 39.5 inch vertical.
Malcolm Beyah of Chamblee was one of our fastest participants as a sophomore, and he’s been training for this event. Beyah was 5-11 and 187 pounds and had the fastest time on the day with a 4.32 40.
This was our best event in the three year history, and it’s harder than ever to pick out just five but James Searcy turning in a 4.66 40 at 6-3.5 and 244 pounds deserves special mention. He is more than just a straight line guy though. His linebacker speed in a defensive end body extended to his shuttle time with a 4.50.
Fullback Tim McGill of East Coweta is a big athlete that is tests as well as he plays. McGill measured 6-0.5 and 228 pounds and had a 4.66 40 and a 33 inch vertical jump.
JC Shurburtt’s top juniors in the Southeast
1. A.J. Green, WR, Summerville (S.C.) (6-4, 190). Already committed to Georgia, but should draw offers from every major program in the Southeast and most in the country. Has been the top receiver in the state of South Carolina since his freshman year.
2. Julio Jones, WR, Foley (Ala.). Big reciever (6-3, 220) who can fly and has nearly a 40-inch vertical leap. Is the complete package when you throw in his explosiveness and hands. Should have every major program in the country after him before all is said and done.
3. DeAndre Brown, WR, Ocean Springs (Miss.). Another plus-sized receiver at 6-6, Brown can run, jump and catch. He’s a vertical threat as well as a guy that go up in traffic and get it.
4. T.J. Bryant, CB, Tallahassee (Fla.) Lincoln. Hard-nosed athlete can fly and is a threat in the kick return game as well as on defense. Should be the next headliner out of Lincoln High.
5. Patrick Johnson, CB, Pompano Beach (Fla.) Ely. Lock-down cornerback had seven interceptions during his junior year. He’s also a threat in the return game.
