AJC > Sports > Football Recruiting > Blog > Archives > 2007 > March
March 2007
Duluth’s Hunt awaits Fighting Irish offer
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Duluth coach Richard Gillespie expects running back Alex Hunt to receive his first scholarship offer soon.
And it could be a big one.
Notre Dame assistant coach Bill Lewis has requested Hunt’s transcript, and Gillespie predicts an offer from the Irish is forthcoming. Hunt owns a 3.3 grade point average.
“Notre Dame is his first choice,” Gillespie said. Duke, Auburn, Alabama and Vanderbilt have also shown interest in the 6-foot-1, 205-pound Hunt.
Meanwhile, Duluth sophomore quarterback Michael Box (6-3, 195) has heard from Wisconsin, Iowa, Georgia Tech, Duke and Vanderbilt.
Box moved into the starting lineup midway through the season and passed for 781 yards in just 4 1/2 games.
He’ll take an unofficial visit to Vanderbilt this weekend.
Getting to know … Georgia’s latest recruit
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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We went one-on-one with Fayette County junior cornerback Brandon Boykin, who on Saturday made it official and committed to Georgia:
Nickname: “Bam-Bam”
Committed to … Georgia
Three words to describe me: Leader, intelligent, versatile
Proudest high school accomplishment: Making the academic honor roll
What I hope to accomplish at the next level: Get my degree; become a top college player at my position; be good enough to lead my team and play in a top bowl game
My style on the field reminds some of … Deion Sanders, Michael Vick and Adam “Pac-Man” Jones
Did you know? I like to draw in my spare time.
Favorite flick: “Any Given Sunday”
What I drive: 2001 Toyota Celica
Future major: Journalism or business
Ten years from now, I will be … Graduated from college, have my own business and in the prime of my career at the next level.
Offers pouring in for Buford juniors
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Michigan, Tennessee and Oklahoma became the latest college football powers to vie for the services of Buford High defensive tackle Omar Hunter, an agile 6-foot, 300-pounder who anchors the Wolves defense.
All three schools have offered scholarships within the last few days, giving Hunter “at least 30 to 40” offers in hand to date.
Reigning national champion Florida, which offered earlier this spring, will get the chance to make a personal impression next weekend when Hunter heads to Gainesville to check out coach Urban Meyer and The Swamp.
Buford coach Jess Simpson called Hunter the school’s most sought-after prospect since Darius Walker.
Buford linebacker T.J. Pridemore, the 6-2, 230-pound son of former Falcons defensive back Tom Pridemore, received his latest offer from West Virginia this week.
An excellent student who boasts a 3.5 GPA, he’s already been offered by Ole Miss, Mississippi State and Duke, with South Carolina and Florida also having expessed strong interest.
Getting to know … Norcross junior Devonta Bolton
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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We went one-on-one with 6-foot-4 Norcross junior safety/wide receiver Devonta Bolton, who already has scholarship offers from Auburn and Mississippi State:
Three words to describe me: Respectful, humble, trustworthy
Three things I’m looking for in a college: Education; great fit for my football career; chance to be on my own
Proudest high school accomplishment: Being selected to Norcross’ leadership team
Did you know? I write poetry
Sports hero: My dad Norris Bolton
Favorite flick: “Friday Night Lights”
What I drive: 1995 Ford Thunderbird
Sports hero: My dad Norris Bolton
My style on the field reminds some of … Muhsin Muhammad
Ten years from now, I’ll be … Well-educated and successful
Ten questions with Georgia recruit Charles White
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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We went one-on-one with Blythewood, S.C., linebacker Charles White, who last month signed on to play college football at Georgia:
1. As a college freshman, I plan to … Come in and contribute in every way I can think of to the better of my team, the University of Georgia. My senior year in high school we won the state championship and every game but one. I want to now take it to the next level and win a national championship and go undefeated. So whatever it takes for us to do that is what I plan to do as a college freshman.
2. The craziest thing about the recruiting process was … This question comes up to me a lot, and I always answer it the same way even though I am sure my answer gets boring. I trained religiously for months and played my heart out on the field for years, and I went up to the Athens Nike camp with no expectation other than to compete with every ounce of energy in my body. And compete I did.
I walked off the field that day with my dad, called my mom, told her how I thought it went, and we started back on the three-hour drive to Columbia. I fell asleep in the back of the car and was cramping up a little bit on the ride back home, and then I received a text message that I had a schlarship to the University of Georgia. And I promise you there was not a happier young man anywhere in the world. What a blessing.
3. Since the recruiting madness ended, I’ve been … I committed last spring so the madness ended for me quite a while ago. But since the madness ended, I have won a state championship, made it to a bowl game and been named a finalist for a national award out in Beverly Hills. Other than those things, I have just been training and studying, trying to prepare myself to come in and contribute to the national championship hunt.
4. During the rest of my time in high school, my goals are … To simply live this time to the fullest. I will never get high school back. So I just strive to try and live it up. Also I want to prepare myself mentally, physically, and emotionally to flourish in college. And push for a national championship.
5. The one thing I’m most looking forward to when I arrive on campus is … It’s really a tie for two things. The first thing is the opportunity to contribute to the University of Georgia football program. As I watched each game this year as the team went into battle, it was hard for me because I knew their was nothing I could do except sit back and observe. Now I have the opportunity to throw my hat in the mix and contribute to the cause.
The second thing is to learn from the world-class coaching staff we have. I really pride myself on being a student of the game, but to do that you need to be under the instruction of teachers of the game. So I am looking forward to being on campus so I can learn every day.
6. The schools that made the hardest sell to try to get me to change my mind once I’d already committed were … After I committed, I really was blind to any other schools’ sales pitches. I was and am firmly convinced that the best thing for me, my life and my family is to be a Georgia Bulldawg.
7. My plans for all the recruiting letters I received from college coaches are … To save them for a rainy day, or maybe show my children them one day as testimony that if you keep God first and push for something with all your heart, dreams can come true. Anything is possible.
8. Academically at Georgia, I want to … Maintain a 4.0 GPA, major in psychology and also be named an Academic All-American.
9. At UGA, I plan to wear the number … 45. I wore that number previously in high school, and I like how the second number is larger than the first. It shows improvement. I feel like the longer I do something, the better at it I get so to me it feels like the number fits. Also two of my favorite athletes wore that number at one time — Michael Jordan and Pedro Martinez.
10. If you stop by my college dorm room, you’ll find … It’s going to look like a football office and a library. Football paraphernalia. DVD and VHS players to watch film on. Playbooks. Any type of football literature I can get ahold of. Of course, the books for each of my courses and also supplementary books.
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Sprayberry star catches recruiters’ eye
Sprayberry High safety Brynden Trawick continues to get heavy attention from Florida, Auburn and South Carolina, but schools want to see more of him before extending a scholarship offer, Rivals.com analyst JC Shurburtt reports to the blog.
“They want to see more game film,” he said.
The 6-foot-2, 206-pounder is an excellent athlete. He ran a 4.51-second 40-yard dash at the Atlanta NIKE Combine in February.
Another local athlete, Grady High’s DeMarcus Watts, also is waiting for his first offer. The 5-foot-11, 188-pounder ran an identical time to Trawick’s at the same combine and also had an impressive 4.34 pro shuttle time.
Watts says Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Maryland, Auburn and Indiana all have been sending letters.
Thursday: Raves for UGA recruit; Claytor ‘can’t wait’ for Tech
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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How big is Georgia landing a commitment Wednesday from Statesboro High junior DeAngelo Tyson?
This big …
“I think he’s probably the best defensive tackle prospect the state has produced in my six years of scouting Georgia,” Scout.com recruiting analyst Scott Kennedy told the AJC blog. “He has the ideal size, athleticism and drive that a coach could possibly want.”
We’re still a ways away from Scout and Rivals coming out with their top player rankings, but both Web sites project Tyson as a can’t-miss prospect.
The 6-foot-2, 275-pounder chose Georgia over Auburn, Florida and Florida State, among others.
“Georgia won’t be missing out on the state’s top prospect in the Class of 2008,” Rivals analyst JC Shurburtt e-mailed to the blog. “DeAngelo Tyson is a big-time SEC defensive line prospect with a blend of power and athleticism. Tyson is young for his grade, which gives him even more upside.
“Even as a rising junior last year at the Athens Nike Camp, he showed his dominance. This pick up just continues what I feel is the best class thus far in the current recruiting cycle.”
Tyson is the Bulldogs’ ninth commitment for the Class of 2008, and the third player from his high school to say yes to Mark Richt in the past year. Last month, Georgia signed highly regarded Statesboro teammates Justin Houston and John Knox.
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TECH’S CLAYTOR: ‘I CANNOT WAIT FOR COLLEGE’
We played 10 questions with Gainesville’s Nick Claytor, who last month signed on with Georgia Tech …
1. As a college freshman, I plan to … Meet new people, see the field and win games!
2. The craziest thing about the recruiting process was … How many people felt they were qualified to pass judgment on how talented a player was. For some people, I doubted if they had ever been through a two-a-day.
3. Since the recruiting madness ended, I’ve been … Working out for college and doing my school work.
4. My goals during the rest of my high school tenure are … To graduate!!!! I cannot wait for college!
5. The thing I’m most looking forward to when I arrive on campus is … Getting settled in the dorm and meeting all my teammates.
6. The schools that made the hardest sell to try to get me to change my mind once I’d already committed were … Florida State and Louisville.
7. My plans for my recruiting letters are … I’m keeping them so it will motivate my brother. He hopes to be better than me one day.
8. When it comes to academics at Tech, I hope to … Get my degree and my first semester i want to get at LEAST a 2.9. I get a nice gift from my mom if I achieve that.
9. In college, I plan to wear the number … Hopefully 75. It’s the number I’ve been wearing since park ball. It just feels right!
10. If you walk into my dorm room in college, you’ll see … Some Tech stuff on the walls, and some Gainesville High memorabilia. I’m rooming with Derrick Morgan, Roddy Jones and Kyle Jackson. I’m messy during the week, but I clean my room every Sunday. It’s become a habit.
Wednesday: Getting to know … Xavier Brewer
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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We went one-on-one with Jacksonville (Fla.) Bartram Trail cornerback Xavier Brewer, who already has scholarship offers from Clemson, Georgia Tech, Illinois, Miami and Mississippi State:
Nickname: “X-Man”
Three words to describe me: Fun, energetic, humorous
Three things I’m looking for in a school: Great academics, football and an overall comfortable environment
What I hope to accomplish in college: I hope to make it at a level beyond [college] … with a national championship ring
My style on the field reminds some of … Champ Bailey
The college campus I’ve liked the most so far is …Georgia Tech
What I drive: Dodge Durango — soon
My proudest high school accomplishment: Making varsity as a freshman
College major: Business
Sports hero: My big brother, who’s on the practice squad with the 49ers
Favorite flick: “Big Daddy”
In my iPod: All kinds of music
The funniest thing that’s happened to me on the recruiting trail so far: I texted something to the wrong coach
Ten years from now, I’ll be … Becoming an NFL legend
Tuesday: Getting to know … Buford’s Omar Hunter
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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We went one-on-one with Buford junior defensive tackle Omar Hunter, who already has scholarship offers from LSU, Auburn, Mississippi State, Virginia Tech, Clemson, Duke, Maryland and Ole Miss:
Nickname: “King O”
Three words to describe me: Funny, outgoing, smart.
Three things I’m looking for in a school: Education, friendly environment, football.
What I hope to accomplish in college: Be the best and obtain my degree.
My style on the field reminds some of … Omar Hunter.
The college campus I’ve liked the most so far is … Auburn.
What I drive: 1995 Jeep Cherokee.
My proudest high school accomplishment: When I receive my diploma.
College major: Business administration.
Sports heroes: Jerry Rice, Allen Iverson.
Favorite flick: “The Lion King.”
In my iPod: Jay-Z.
Most people don’t know … I can ball.
Ten years from now, I’ll be … Successful in whatever I’m doing.
Monday: Getting to know … Cedar Grove’s Xavier Avery
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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We went one-on-one with Cedar Grove junior running back Xavier Avery, who already has scholarship offers from Duke, LSU, Tulane and Virginia Tech:
Nickname: “X”
Three words to describe me: Hard-working, intelligent, explosive.
Three things I’m looking for in a school: Atmosphere, facilities, early playing time.
What I hope to accomplish in college: Earn a degree in mathematics, become a two-sport All-American, maintain a 3.5 GPA, attain professional status in football or baseball.
My style on the field reminds some of … LaDainian Tomlinson.
The college campuses I’ve liked the most so far are … Georgia Tech, Georgia, Auburn, Clemson.
What I drive: Infinity G-20.
My proudest high school accomplishment: Maintaining honor roll status.
College major: Mathematics.
My funniest recruiting experience so far: One of the guys from Scout.com hit me on my MySpace page.
Ten years from now, I’ll be … In the NFL or the major leagues, becoming a Hall of Famer.
UGA lands kicker; Gamecocks recruit Garcia arrested
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Georgia landed its eighth commitment for the Class of 2008 on Saturday, from Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) Cardinal Gibbons junior kicker Blair Walsh.
The junior was 21-for-24 on field goal tries inside 48 yards last season.
“It was one of the easiest decisions I ever had to make,” Walsh told Rivals.com following an unofficial weekend visit to Athens.
Gamecocks’ Garcia arrested … again
South Carolina’s highly touted quarterback recruit Stephen Garcia has been arrested again — this time on a charge of malicious injury to personal property.
Garcia, an AJC Super Southern 100 selection, was arrested about noon Saturday after a visiting professor reported that Garcia had used a key to scratch the man’s car parked near the university, Columbia police spokeswoman Sgt. Florence McCants said.
According to an arrest warrant, Adam Biggs told police he saw a man using a metal key to scratch the side of Biggs’ car. Biggs, a Claflin professor who is teaching at South Carolina this semester, said his 2007 Toyota Corolla was parked on the side of a street near campus. Biggs confronted the man and asked his name.
According to a police report, the man identified himself as Stephen Garcia. When Biggs threatened to call police, the man offered to pay $500 for the damage to the car, according to the police report.
When police contacted Garcia, “the suspect stated to the officers he was aware of the allegation, but denied causing any damage” to Biggs’ car.
In an earlier run-in with police, Garcia was arrested Feb. 17 and charged with drunkenness and failure to stop for a police officer. The 19-year-old recruit from Lutz, Fla., is not old enough to purchase alcohol. His court date was scheduled for March 7 in that case.
A telephone message left with Garcia’s lawyer Neal Lourie was not immediately returned Saturday. Garcia was scheduled to be arraigned in bond court later Saturday.
Garcia, who enrolled at South Carolina in January after graduating early from high school, was suspended from the football team for four days after his earlier arrest. South Carolina athletics department spokesman Steve Fink said Saturday he was unaware that Garcia had been arrested in the most recent case.
On Friday when news about the allegations first broke, head coach Steve Spurrier told The (Columbia) State that he believed “Stephen when he said he didn’t scrape the kid’s car.”
“I’m going under the assumption that he’s been falsely accused,” Spurrier said. “He didn’t even know the kid. I just don’t believe he’d do that.”
According to the arrest warrant, the damage to Biggs’ car was estimated at more than $800.
Friday: Getting to know … Richard Samuel, Cedric Chambers
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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We went one-on-one with Cartersville Cass running back/linebacker Richard Samuel, who has already made plans to sign with Georgia in February 2008, and Kendrick linebacker Cedric Chambers, who remains undecided:
RICHARD SAMUEL
Nickname: “Richie Rich”
My style on the field reminds some of … An 18-wheeler
A few words to describe me: Diligent, energetic
My proudest high school accomplishment: Making straight As
Three reasons I chose Georgia: Location, coaches, mother
What I hope to accomplish at Georgia: Receive a good education, obtain a degree (possibly a masters).
What I drive: 2001 Ford F-150
Sports hero: Tiki Barber
I hope to major in … Engineering
In my iPod: Kirk Franklin
Favorite flick: “Radio”
People don’t know … I’m very young
Ten years from now, I will be … Well-educated with a family. Maybe in the NFL.
CEDRIC CHAMBERS
Nickname: “Chevy C”
My style on the field reminds some of … Champ Bailey
Three words to describe me: Smart, athletic, confident
My proudest high school accomplishment: Having perfect attendance my whole life
Three things I’m looking for in a college: Academics; good athletic program; good campus environment
What I hope to accomplish in college: I hope to further my knowledge in the classroom as well as on the playing field.
The campus I’ve liked the most so far is … Georgia Tech
What I drive: 1998 Dodge Intrepid ES
Sports hero: Sean Taylor
I hope to major in … Business management/administration
In my iPod: Jody Breeze, Jeezy
Favorite flick: “Men of Honor”
People don’t know … I like to rap.
Ten years from now, I will be … In the NFL, with a degree in business.
BAYLOR MAKES PITCH TO ROSWELL STAR
Rivals.com analyst JC Shurburtt wrote to the blog this morning to let us know that Roswell wide receiver/safety Garrett Embry picked up his first scholarship offer today — from Baylor.
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