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DEL.ICIO.USMonday: Class of 2008 stars to watch
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 02/19/07 9:47 AM
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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.
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By GREG
February 19, 2007 11:28 AM | Link to this
AMERICAN COLLEGE FOOTBALL IS AWESOME MAN..ALL THESE KIDS WANT TO DO IS PLAY BALL WITH ALL THERE FIENDS!
By Chopdawg
February 19, 2007 11:44 AM | Link to this
Wow, here it is February 19 already—almost TWO WEEKS after National Signing Day!—and this is the first article I’ve read about 2008 recruiting. (Haven’t read anything about the 2008 football season, but who really cares about that?)
C’mon guys, let’s get with it, we’re talking about athletes who are already over halfway through their junior years in high school!…not like they’re still playing jayvee, or peewee, or something. After all, some of these men are likely to be playing major-college football by the 2009 season! After they sign with some University next February, they’ll enroll next September (that’s September 2008, not 2007—which I guess is really NEXT September—so they really don’t enroll until the September after next but still it’ll be here ‘fore you know it); then they redshirt a year, then of course they take the field the following year (the 2009 football season, that’s only 30 months from now, people).
All seriousness aside—and no offense to anyone—but please, give it a rest! Don’t wanna hear any more recruiting talk until next football season at the earliest. The recruits we just signed aren’t even in school yet, and we already gotta deal with NEXT YEAR’S recruiting?
By ConyersDawg
February 19, 2007 11:56 AM | Link to this
Chopdawg, recruiting goes on non stop and many people are interested in it. I personally love watching and following the careers of the next great football players.
Recruiting, practises, dawgclubs, and games. Call me an addict but I love it and follow all of it.
By DawgByte
February 19, 2007 12:09 PM | Link to this
If you’re sick of 2008 recruiting wait another week and a half when all you hear is wall-to-wall coverage of the ‘08 Presidential race. I’m already sick to death of it!!!
By GREG
February 19, 2007 12:14 PM | Link to this
KEEP GOING ON WITH ALL THAT AND ALL!FOOTBALL IS WHAT AMERICA IS BUILT ON!
By Wozzo the Wonder Dog
February 19, 2007 1:02 PM | Link to this
Have any of South Carolina’s 2008 recruits been arrested yet?
By Uncle Johns Dawg
February 19, 2007 1:04 PM | Link to this
I hope we don’t offer Chaz Sutton. What a jerk!!. UGA was “all right” “nothing special”.
By matt
February 19, 2007 1:27 PM | Link to this
Let’s pass on Sutton. He sounds like Fred”anywhere but over the middle” Gibson. He is a Prick and we do not want him.
By Dawgtime
February 19, 2007 2:10 PM | Link to this
It appears like the state of Georgia is loaded for next year. As I have said several times, UGA signed a solid class this year and the great class will be next year. Just watch A.J. Green and name a better HS receiver. He and Stafford will make for an unbelieveable combo. Richard Samuel will develop into one of the top 5 players in state. The only question is defense or offense. I was told that the TE that we have out of N.C. will develop into a star. He is new to the game of football. 6’4 230 and runs a true 4.7. The big Brand kid out of Douglas will be an awesome OL. He punishes kids on the DL. I hear the RB that we have committed in unbelievable quick. The best player in the state has to be Cornelius Washington. He will grow to be around 6’5 240 with true sub 4.6 speed. Yes, A.J. Harmon will be a future Dawg. Don’t forget about DeAngelo Tyson, the big DT out of Statesboro. He will follow his teammates to UGA. Smile Dawg fans, we are on the verge of the best class in years at UGA. Also, I would like to encourage the DAWGS to support our basketball team. Coach Felton is a great coach and he is turning the program into a top 25 program while maintaining high standards. Great job Coach Felton.
By buck strickland
February 19, 2007 2:15 PM | Link to this
Matt and Uncle Johns Dawg - if you are actually dawg fans go support another team. We don’t need fans that bad mouth high school kids.
By matt
February 19, 2007 2:50 PM | Link to this
Hey Buck - Did you read what the kid said about us? Do your research before you open your mouth. This high school kid was bad mouthing us!
By Buck Strickland
February 19, 2007 2:55 PM | Link to this
Doesn’t matter. He’s in high school. Grow up.
By Dawgtime
February 19, 2007 3:00 PM | Link to this
Buck you cannot let some of these clows bother you. They complain about recruiting coverage year round yet they click on a recruiting site. If you don’t want to read the article, don’t click on the icon. You always have idiots in every blog. In terms of recruiting, I predict the following have to be a top dozen wish list for UGA: 1. A.J. Green 6’4 200, the best HS WR in years. The number one player in the country per the Sporting News and Jaime Newberg. A future DAWG. 2. B.J. Brand 6’4 310, a big OG. This kid dominates in HS. A Future DAWG. 3. Dwayne Allen, 6’4 230 TE with true 4.7 speed. UNC and NC State wanted him badly. A future DAWG. A top 10 player in NC. 4. Richard Samuel 6’1 198 great speed and balance. Could be a great RB, S, CB, or LB. One of the top 100 players in America. A future DAWG. 5. Martin Ward 5’10 190, great speed and quickness. Watch how this kid can cut on a dime. He reminds me of Rodney Hampton with his ability to cut and run. A top 10 player in state. A future DAWG. 6. Cornelius Washington, 6’4 225 with sub 4.6 speed. This kid is scary good. He has to be a top 5 player in state and a top 100 in the country. Will dominate in college. Mo Lewis with much more quickness and speed. A future DAWG. 7. A.J. Harmon, the best lineman to come out of GA in years. 6’6 328. A man amoung boys. A top 100 player in the country. A top 10 player in the country per the Sporting News and Jaime Newberg. Will come down to UGA and Clem. UGA will sign this kid.
8. Tavarres King, the best WR in the state of Georgia as a junior. Blazing speed, quickness, and moves. Cannot be covered in one on one coverage. A top 10 player in state. One of the best in the country. All but committed to UGA. 9. Deangelo Tyson, 6’3 280, a big DT that dominates the line. Reminds me of Jeff Owens. This kid will be special. Has to be a top 10 player in state. Like UGA early. Will probably follow his teammates to UGA. 10. Dontavious Jackson, 5’11 200, 4.4 speed. Will grow into a great RB or S. Great speed/size combo. Being offered by all the big schools, but wants the offer from UGA. That says a great deal.
11. Toby Jackson, 6’4 250. Can be as good as he wants to be. Compared to Jonathan Sullivan at the same age. All the big schools wants him including UGA. This will be a dog fight. Has to be considered a top 10 player in state. 12. Terrance Parks, 6’1 200, great CB or S. Excellent size/speed combo for position. Likes UT, UF, and UGA early. This will be a dog fight for him.
By Carroll
February 19, 2007 3:01 PM | Link to this
I was there at CES yesterday and there was some heavy set chick that was trying her best to get her son a free ride to USC.I thought for a little bit I was at a game or something the way she kept cheering her son. He looked like a kid that was really strong but if I had to guess it would not have been natural. He looked like his growth had been stunted prematurely. I wish him well, and I hope that moms like her can accept that not all kids are top tier talent.Maybe there is a school closer to home like West Ga. Call my office and they will be glad to help.
By Carroll
February 19, 2007 3:02 PM | Link to this
I was there at CES yesterday and there was some heavy set chick that was trying her best to get her son a free ride to USC.I thought for a little bit I was at a game or something the way she kept cheering her son. He looked like a kid that was really strong but if I had to guess it would not have been natural. He looked like his growth had been stunted prematurely. I wish him well, and I hope that moms like her can accept that not all kids are top tier talent.Maybe there is a school closer to home like West Ga. Call my office and they will be glad to help.
By matt
February 19, 2007 3:08 PM | Link to this
Buck - hope this kid never kills anyone …you would let him off.
By Dawgtime
February 19, 2007 3:09 PM | Link to this
Carroll that is inappropriate. Why do idiots have to make a joke out of everything. You have poor tact, a lack of class, and a sick sense of humor. Just because you couldn’t get a date in school doesn’t mean that you should project your anger and frustrations into other situations. Join a the talk show circuit. This is not the site for such trash. Did you even play sports? I doubt it. It’s easy to be a clown via a computer. Get a life. If you don’t like recruiting, don’t enter the blog. No one is impressed with your immature approach to life. GET a life and a job.
By matt
February 19, 2007 3:11 PM | Link to this
Buck- I am in high school as well. I think you need to take back what you said to me.
By Dawgtime
February 19, 2007 3:12 PM | Link to this
And women are called gossip queens. When did a recruiting site become gossip central for DRAMA QUEENS? Stick to recruiting.
By buck strickland
February 19, 2007 3:30 PM | Link to this
That’s great news Matt! That means you are not an alum. Do us all a favor and go to another school where you can call future recruits all the names you want.
By matt
February 19, 2007 3:54 PM | Link to this
But i’m in high school buck. How can you talk to me like that? I actually like UGA unlike your boy there who was running us down.
By Buck Strickland is A F*
February 19, 2007 4:24 PM | Link to this
Buck
You are a Fing a*****. I wish I could meet your p*** a* in an alley.
By brandon
February 19, 2007 4:58 PM | Link to this
I see Vanderbilt beat Florida this past weekend and took their #1 ranking from them.
By DJISTHEGREATESTQBEVERTOPLAYINTHEHISTORYOFFOOTBALL
February 19, 2007 5:07 PM | Link to this
Scott Kennedy knows as much about football as my grandmother. Look at the 4.4s I mean you just had an article by a guy that said no HS player runs 4.4
Recruting experts….lol
By OddJob
February 19, 2007 7:28 PM | Link to this
Does anybody know of a site with all the info from the junior combine?
By Top Dawg
February 19, 2007 9:50 PM | Link to this
Hey “Chopdawg”: If you don’t want to read or hear anything more about recruiting, then why are you reading an article about 2008 recruiting and on a blog about same?
And “Greg”, it’s “their” friends, not “there” friends.
No offense to anyone though (or defense either).
GO DAWGS!!!
By gooberDawg
February 19, 2007 11:11 PM | Link to this
All you ugag fairies must jack off to these recruiting magazines and websites. You’re all a bunch of rumproasters.
By braves fan 202
February 19, 2007 11:30 PM | Link to this
Man im likin AJ Green, im excited. I am in high school now and hopefully while im at UGA i will have a great football team to root for. It is lookin that way. Keep up the good work richt, and GO DAWGS
By daa na na na na goooo gators
February 19, 2007 11:35 PM | Link to this
I ama florida grad and i work at the post office. Everyone who works above is a georgia grad and give me crap about 08 recruitin. They are dumb, they like dumb bulldog. Florida is good at everything, they will continue to be good at those things too. You puppy fans are dumb, see yall in jaxonville.
By How bout the dawgs
February 19, 2007 11:38 PM | Link to this
Wow you are a Florida grad, i wonder why your bosses are georgia grads,maybe because theyu went to Georgia. You make your whole scool look bad, what do georgia fans and florida fans have in common? They both applied to georgia.
By Braves fan 202
February 20, 2007 12:44 AM | Link to this
That was wierd
By Envious Dawg
February 20, 2007 1:58 AM | Link to this
Why does every blog boil down to talking trash about Florida?
It’s because we can’t beat them. If we could beat them regularly, we wouldn’t have to resort to immature nonsense to make us feel better about ourselves.
God, Dawg fans are complete losers.
By DawgBite
February 20, 2007 7:53 AM | Link to this
Haven’t you guys figured this one out yet. Most of these UF posters are GT fans in drag.
By yellowblood
February 20, 2007 9:44 AM | Link to this
As usual, Dawg fans are smoking wacky weed. Illusions of grandure unbounded. UGA - # 1 in recrutin and dreaming
By jonlanz
February 20, 2007 9:49 AM | Link to this
Just a bunch of b****** to hype up a web site. These recruiting gurus have no shame!
By godawg
February 20, 2007 10:12 AM | Link to this
Jeff, what can you tell us about recent 2008 UGA commit Bacarri Rambo. I can’t find out much except he played at Seminole County as QB and LB but UGA recruited him as an athlete to maybe play safety. Some numbers I found were 1,219 yards rushing on 107 carries (11.4 per carry) with 22 touchdowns, throwing 470 yds. and seven TD’s. I saw in a playoff game where he racked up 388 rushing yards and six touchdowns on just 13 carries. How big is he?
By charles
February 20, 2007 10:21 AM | Link to this
I in seminole county and i’m in contact with baccari daily.He is one of the greatest i have ever seen.he is 6’2 about 210lbs.you can see him on our website at www.schs football.net
By godawg
February 20, 2007 10:42 AM | Link to this
Thanks Charles. He sounds like an exciting player. Glad he’s gonna be a Bulldog.
By yellowblood
February 20, 2007 10:59 AM | Link to this
Will these UGA “projections” even graduate from high school ? Thats the drama. Not how well they play. Can they read ? Rambo ? Since Stafford is going to pass for 8 touchdowns a game why are running backs even needed ? Why not just give Stafford the Heisman now.
By Jeff D'Alessio
February 20, 2007 12:17 PM | Link to this
godawg,
Put something up on Rambo a little while ago. Here is link:
http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/shared-blogs/ajc/cfbrecruit/entries/2007/02/20/tuesdayrambol.html
By SWOLE
February 20, 2007 4:03 PM | Link to this
Combine results from Sunday: http://hsgeorgia.scout.com/3/KennedyCES2007.html
By yellowblood
February 20, 2007 5:51 PM | Link to this
The other AJC blog going on says Rambo has now decided he’s “uncertain” about UGA. Too bad for the “its all about recruitin,ain’t it ” crowd. Who do we talk about now ?
Surely there must be some ‘09 prospect.
By yellowblood
February 20, 2007 5:52 PM | Link to this
The other AJC blog going on says Rambo has now decided he’s “uncertain” about UGA. Too bad for the “its all about recruitin,ain’t it ” crowd. Who do we talk about now ?
Surely there must be some ‘09 prospect.
By Hal Bennett
February 24, 2007 10:42 PM | Link to this
If you guys — AND Jamie Newburg — spent any time over here in south Alabama, you might rate Julio Jones ahead of this Greene who has committed to Georgia. Julio Jones is a man among boys. I have never seen anything in high school that remotely comes close to him.
By Lady Dawg
February 25, 2007 5:32 PM | Link to this
People really need to grow up, Sutton is an eleventh grader and he felt that he had the opportunity to speak his mind so he did so…why is that such a big deal? and for the record he is not a ‘prick’ just a completely honest individual
By Dawayne Davis
March 2, 2007 1:29 PM | Link to this
What About Marcus Dowtin From FORK UNion Military Academy
By Dawayne Davis
March 2, 2007 1:32 PM | Link to this
What About Marcus Dowtin From FORK UNion Military Academy
By Orefootball07
March 3, 2007 2:23 AM | Link to this
JOE FREEMAN’S Wednesday, February 14, 2007
HIGH SCHOOL HUDDLE
Grant lands football transfer
The Generals added what could be a crucial component to a probable championship-contending team next season when junior running back Sam Buckingham transferred this semester to the Northeast Portland school from Lake Oswego.
Buckingham rushed for 543 yards and six touchdowns last season as a backup to senior Will Darkins, who last week signed a letter of intent with Oregon State. Buckingham, a 6-foot, 200-pound tailback, flashed big-game potential during a regular season meeting against Oregon City when Darkins did not play because of injury.
Buckingham rushed for a career-high 158 yards and three touchdowns, carrying Lake Oswego to a 35-7 victory. He also scored the winning touchdown on a 14-yard run against Grant in the quarterfinals of the OSAA playoffs.
“He’s a darn good player and a great kid and I wish him well,” said Lake Oswego coach Steve Coury, who confirmed that Buckingham has transferred to Grant for the spring semester.
His addition adds to an already talented team at Grant that could be the Class 6A preseason favorite next season. The Generals will graduate 12 seniors — including starting tailback Kasseem Osheroff — but return Oregon’s most dangerous quarterback (Andre Broadous) and best deep-threat receiver (Paul McCoy).
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