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DEL.ICIO.USWard waffling on UGA commitment? Tyson isn’t
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 05/15/07 7:56 PM
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Bob Ryan has decided to retire from Mount Zion High School, bit he still remains close to one player — running back Martin Ward.
And despite reports that Ward has started to waffle on his commitment to Georgia, Ryan said as far as he knows, “Martin is going to honor his commitment to Georgia.”
But that does not mean Ward has not started to look at other places. In fact, Ward expressed interest in Florida last month so a couple of weeks ago he and Ryan traveled to Gainesville to get a look at the school.
Ward’s interest in Florida may come from within the Mount Zion program.
“I don’t think my replacement wants him to go to Georgia,” Ryan said. “He’s a Florida guy.”
That replacement is former offensive coordinator Jarrett Laws, who Ryan hired out of the Tampa area.
Ward could not be reached for comment.
Tyson sticking with Georgia
Statesboro defensive tackle Deangelo Tyson has scholarship offers from Auburn, Georgia Tech, N.C. State, Tennessee, South Carolina and defending national champion Florida.
But the 6-foot-3, 297-pounder said he has no intention of backing out of the commitment he gave to Georgia in March.
“I still get letters [from the programs still recruiting him], and I usually open those letters,” Tyson admitted. “But I talk to [Georgia assistant] Coach [Rodney] Garner a lot through e-mail and on the phone.”
Tyson, who is contemplating graduating from Statesboro in December, has lived away from his parents and in a group house since the age of 11. Tyson said his living arrangement has been a confidence booster.
“I’ve got a lot of people who love and care for me and want me to succeed,” Tyson said.
Smiley high on Auburn, N.C. State
Auburn and N.C. State sit atop the wish list for Thomas County Central running back Debrale Smiley.
After rushing for 1,400 yards as a sophomore, the 6-foot, 229-pound Smiley ran for another 1,500 last season in coach Ed Pilcher’s offense.
“My goal is to be the best running back in the state,” said Smiley, who is awaiting his first scholarship offer.
Playing for a powerhouse football program that produced former Heisman Trophy winner Charlie Ward and former Georgia Tech back Joe Burns, Smiley isn’t lacking confidence.
“I know I’ve had some great ones in front of me,” said Smiley, who hopes to attend football camps at Auburn and Florida State this summer. “But I want to be better.”
Smiley’s biggest challenge this fall might be academics. When asked about his SAT score, he replied: “I’m working on it.”
Brown awaits Mississippi State offer
Mississippi State appears to be on the verge of extending a scholarship to Lovejoy receiver Ta’Juan Brown.
“I think they’ll offer,” said Brown, who will team with quarterback Kyle Lacy to give Lovejoy what should be one of the more prolific offenses in metro Atlanta.
When asked to critique his style of play, the 6-foot-2, 186-pound Brown said it’s all about exploiting the defense with his 4.49-second speed in the 40-yard dash.
“Just run great routes and get great separation,” Brown said.
Brown, who has also talked to Middle Tennessee State and Charleston Southern, likely won’t be in a rush to commit when the first offer arrives.
“I kind of want to commit early,” Brown said. “But my granddad won’t let me because he says don’t promise anybody anything. When I do consider an offer, I’ll have to sit down and talk with him first.”
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By Smitty
May 15, 2007 12:51 PM | Link to this
Oh silly me, I thought you were referencing Mike Tyson, and yes he is still a dog…….
By Zane
May 15, 2007 1:17 PM | Link to this
Good stuff, AJC. Keep it coming!
By mike
May 15, 2007 1:50 PM | Link to this
I know it is shocking but there are some people would rather play for CMR and UGA than CUM and UF. Lets be honest, as a parent with no loyalties to either school, after CMR and UM coming into your living room, who would you want to hand your son over to for the next 4-5 years?
By Average Joe
May 15, 2007 2:16 PM | Link to this
for the people that actually keep up with recruiting, your information is very old… headline makes me think that you have some new important information… Don’t tease me with headlines like that when you are only going to say “back in march… committed to the dawgs….”
Isn’t the recruiting section supposed to be “hot off the press”?
By JB
May 15, 2007 2:48 PM | Link to this
There are over 100 blue chip players of div. 1 caliber in Fla. every year and UF, FSU, and Miami can sign roughly 25 or so each. Plenty to go around. What I don’t like is UF, Auburn etc.coming in and picking off 5 or 6 of the very, very , very best in the state.Like I’ve said before on this blog, you keep those 3 0r 4 special kids at UGA every year that are leaving the state ( over 4 recruiting classes that’s 12 to 16 special players) and the dawgs are in the hunt EVERY YEAR for the national championship !
By shane
May 15, 2007 4:00 PM | Link to this
i am glad maybe one kid understands what it means to commit oneself to something.i am getting a little nervous with no new guys committing lately.i hope we begin to gather some momentum in recruiting.
By mel
May 15, 2007 4:15 PM | Link to this
Turn down a national title program like UF to play for an underachieving program in Athens? Very strange—-but in that case, he’s probably not ready for the level of competition at a top program like Florida’s.
By Mike Highsmith
May 15, 2007 5:06 PM | Link to this
Theres a smart-ss in every crowd and he usually wears orange and blue!!!!!!
By shane
May 15, 2007 5:11 PM | Link to this
mel,it is better to keep one’s silence and be thought a fool,than to speak and offer proof to the world.should you had known anything about the ncaa,you would know that schools are limited as to the number of scholarships they can offer.ergo-uf can’t sign everyone.also,kids want to go where they can get playing time,to hopefully get that nfl contract.uf has had a couple of good recruiting classes,you are going to lose some players because of that fact.try to deal with it like a man.i know it will be hard to act like a man,because you trash talkers never had the guts to put the pads on and play in the first place.unless you have some info,or an educated GUESS,why don’t you go to your own blog and irritate the fla.fans?
By Coach Bobby
May 15, 2007 5:20 PM | Link to this
Do these recruits understand that the “tickle piles” at Tech are in a class by themselves. Students, alumni and athletes all coming together in total harmony.
By Coach Bobby
May 15, 2007 5:21 PM | Link to this
Do these recruits understand that the “tickle piles” at Tech are in a class by themselves. Students, alumni and athletes all coming together in total harmony.
By shane
May 15, 2007 6:03 PM | Link to this
i wish someone would let me know if there is a blog anywhere that people actually talk football.all this trash talk doesn’t intrest me,at least you guys could come up with something new.i would like to know why we have had two recruits de-commit.serious replies please.no more fla.idiots please,i don’t mind intelligent talk with fla.fans.for now,i am outa here,beam me up scotty and transport to a real football blog.
By Scott
May 15, 2007 6:11 PM | Link to this
Depends on if your kid is a thug Mike. In that case you might want him to go play for CUM at UF so if he decides to fire his automatic weapons or throw kegs at other students he won’t miss any meaningful games. Hell, if he plays at a position CUM is not deep at he could probably murder someone in practice and still manage to only miss that Florida Int’l or whatever the patsy game is on UF’s schedule.
By Huskdawg
May 15, 2007 9:07 PM | Link to this
Mel, come on man. We welcome all passionate fans on this blog. But not stupid ones. Shane, you got it right. Now that UF has the NC, every stupid person with a computer that’s a fan of UF has come out. GTDC, I love your posts dude, you are pretty dam funny, and also respectful of DAWG fans. I wish more UF fans were like you, and I know you wish some of the idiot dumba$$ dawg fans were like some of us. Come on here and say what you want, but dam, you don’t have to be friggin hateful! Same goes to Gen and War, thank you for your passion and respect.
Now to recruitin, can u guys imagine what these 16 and 17 year olds go thru? I was a punter and tight end at a very small high school and played a year of Div II ball at a small college. I can’t imagine what these Blue Chippers out of high school go thru. I went to the same south ga high school as the hard hittin Thomas Davis went to. I can tell you that most guys from that area, if they’re highly recruited, are leaning towards either UGA, ALA or Aub. But see, these are south ga boys, who were not raised in Atlanta. It’s a different breed down there. I can say that if a kid from a south ga school, changes his mind after committing, that something is very wrong. The heart and integrity is there, for the most part.
By uf fan
May 15, 2007 10:08 PM | Link to this
to mike and every UGA fan
keep in mind we have ohh 3 national chapionships in 1 year and a couple of days…stick to your 1 national championship of 1980 and just pray that herschel has some eligiblity left…i was not even born when you guys won that championship..haha…and yes the orange and blue own you and soon the series will show that…we gave you a 25 game head start in the W column…haha how times have changed…we even gave you Zook to beat and you could not do that…Go Gators
By uf fan
May 15, 2007 10:10 PM | Link to this
to mike and every UGA fan
keep in mind we have ohh 3 national chapionships in 1 year and a couple of days…stick to your 1 national championship of 1980 and just pray that herschel has some eligiblity left…i was not even born when you guys won that championship..haha…and yes the orange and blue own you and soon the series will show that…we gave you a 25 game head start in the W column…haha how times have changed…we even gave you Zook to beat and you could not do that…Go Gators
By uf fan
May 15, 2007 10:10 PM | Link to this
to mike and every UGA fan
keep in mind we have ohh 3 national chapionships in 1 year and a couple of days…stick to your 1 national championship of 1980 and just pray that herschel has some eligiblity left…i was not even born when you guys won that championship..haha…and yes the orange and blue own you and soon the series will show that…we gave you a 25 game head start in the W column…haha how times have changed…we even gave you Zook to beat and you could not do that…Go Gators
By "GOOD" Dawg
May 15, 2007 10:47 PM | Link to this
I’ve been a Dawg fan almost 40 yrs. and the recruting issue has always been around. Other programs, being so close geographically, attract players from Georgia because of: talent; a player’s proximity to other schools(e.g.Charlie Ward),and,let’s face it, the strength of the other programs.We were great with Hershel Walker and many players went to UGA because they thought another NC was in sight.It’s the same with UF right now but any implication that CMR isn’t doing a good job of recruting is bull!!
We had a rough year in ‘06 but if anyone looks at the facts and figures, we could have been a 10-3 or even a 12-1 team(UT-we only trailed you 38-33 with about 10 minutes left in the game).Take away our place kicker’s injury, and we are at least 11-2.Also note that we lost to the “foul mouth” UF coach and his Gators by 7 pts.Compare that to the OSU game.
I’m excited about ‘07 so let’s stop complaining about those who got away and support those we have !!!
By MikkUGA
May 15, 2007 11:03 PM | Link to this
Georgia has alot more talent in this state this year than Florida has. If we lose Ward to UF, oh well. We still have Samuels and hopefully Dontavious Jackson. There is also a great abundance of talented WRs. UGA has 23 scholarships and with as much talent there is in this state they have to go out of state. You also have to realize UGA has been doing very well out of state…aka Stafford, Moreno, Weston, AJ Green, Gray, Aron White, Sturdivant, C. White, Ben Harden and Anderson. Thats just to name a few.
By huskdawg
May 15, 2007 11:06 PM | Link to this
UF Fan, it’s idiots like you that prove my point. You make me want to spit vile things your way. But it sounds like you’re a very young something. Most of us in here sound to be in the 30 to 60 range, so we have some kind of knowledge on life. What you don’t know is that we just haven’t typed vile things to our enemies, some of us have actually HAD to do it in real life. I read these blog because some of my friends on here have experienced life, and ACTUALLY know college football. So you know what…..Gen, War, Buck, Gdawg and everyone I left off. Just know that I gotcha back! I was a cop for a long time and know what it’s like to face your enemies. So……Uf fan, be proud to be a gator, cause I’m dam proud to be a DAWG!!!!
By MikkUGA
May 15, 2007 11:11 PM | Link to this
Take a look at how good UGA recruits North Carolina,South Carolina and Virginia. Lately we have also been doing good in New Jersey and Missouri.
By shane
May 16, 2007 12:43 AM | Link to this
mike,i don’t know if you actually have a son talented enough to be recruited to a major college or if you were simply puting forth a point of arguement.i will assume you were serious and say what i would do had i had been blessed with a son and he had that ability.first,make an honest assesment of your sons abilities.is he really suitable to a bcs school?if not,there are many small schools where he might be more comfortable.next,focus on education,chances are,he will not be a nfl draft pick.what are his intrest,will this university give him what he needs to be a success?then consider the asst. coaches,he will have day to day contact with them.as to urban and cmr,they are both excellent coaches,their record speaks for itself.one thing to think about,urban has moved twice in div.1a,i think cmr will be there for the long haul,don’t know about urban,maybe the nfl will call soon.check the rosters,i think a couple of upper classmen at his position ahead of him is good.let him redshirt his freshman year,get his feet on the ground,and NEVER trust a coach that promises him a starting position!
By shane
May 16, 2007 1:37 AM | Link to this
huskdawg,just read your blog,i probably know you,or your parents anyway.you are right about s.ga.,lots of talent here,thomas was lucky to be spotted.small schools just don’t get the respect they deserve.have you heard that the local kid playing b.ball at wake was transfering to ga.state?i wish the dogs could have gotten him.uga should have picked him up out of highschool,we are missing too much talent south of macon.
By uf fan
May 16, 2007 6:17 AM | Link to this
huskdawg
you proved why i do not like UGA and their fans…i stated nothing but truths in my commment and even gave acknowledgement to you guys leading the series by a substantial amount before a certain coach arrived at UF and giving you credit for your championship….did you watch the game from last year…you guys seem to do this every year but as i recall we won by 7 but before UGA even put points up on the board we missed 2 field goals and a punt return for TD was called back which would have put UF up 34-0…that would have made the score more OSU like…you lost by 7 to a team that had won the game at half time and was just holding onto win…see that is why UF wins championships because we pick at what went wrong in the game even after winning…you guys where happy to lose by 7 while we where not happy the score was not 34-14…this should explain where the 2 programs are going…and yes you should wake up because you have another coach who is a donnan…he only won with Donnans players and now it is getting tougher in recruiting for you guys as your instate rival seems to have caught up to you guys in that area….UF was ranked #1 by most this past season in recruiting and has no reason but to stay at the top for a long time with this coach….food for thought
By War Eagle
May 16, 2007 6:39 AM | Link to this
Observation: There are times when I go hunting information on SEC recruiting to see how we (AU) are doing relative to our competition (UA,UGA,LSU, etc.) I find that the information is mostly conjecture and speculation. There is however, one consistantcy that is annoying. There seems to be quite a bit of chatter from adolescent UFer’s (You may call them Florida supporters, I refer to them as UFer’s) This chatter comes across as rude, uninformed and pubescent. Yes, the UFer’s had a pretty good team last year. Auburn was a better team by 10 points over the UFer’s. (and UGA took AU to the shed)It just seems like the UFer’s are always angry and upset and having to lash out at someone or something. It’s sad really. I don’t have to look at the records to know that both UGA and AU most probably own the UFer’s in the head to head W/L column. My hope is that the responsible parents in florida will put some sort of child-locks on the computer so the angry children UFer’s will find something else to do.
By Nikki
May 16, 2007 7:16 AM | Link to this
If Ward is waffling it’s because the Dawgs are already loaded at the RB position. Ward wants a chance to play. No competition at Fla.
By MikkUGA
May 16, 2007 7:37 AM | Link to this
uf fan What you fail to see is that not including 2007 (where UGA had the #9 ranked class with a team full of OL recruits). UGA outrecruited UF 2 out of the previous 3 years. The year UF outrecruited UGA, UF had the #2 class and UGA had the #4 class. So do not let this last year go to your head. The fact is this next year UF will be playing without 9 defensive starters, still without a running game and a new starting QB. If I were you I would not be so eager to shove my foot in my mouth.
By kriddi
May 16, 2007 8:09 AM | Link to this
florida is losing nine defensive starters, has no running game, and has a qb who hasnt proved he can complete passes in a meaningful game. granted, florida won the national championship, but that offense was horrible until they met ohio state! and percy harvin is not the sec’s next great wide reciever!
By Buck Cochran in the NW
May 16, 2007 10:09 AM | Link to this
Is it the evaluation period or have some coaches turned this time of the year from evaluation into recruiting. CMR said this week that coaches are showing up at schools where they have already decided to “offer” not evaluate. That’s why, for the 1st time he’s been on the road. Isn’t it funny that Weis and CUM show up at the same school to “evaluate a prospect. Mark my words, we’ll hear more about this process in the future. Cheating is cheating but some coaches have found a way to do it legally. BTW, Quit hiring H.S. coaches from Fl.
By GA War Eagle
May 16, 2007 10:18 AM | Link to this
There’s no way UGA should have the pick of the state’s top talent as referenced above. Auburn is located so close to the western side, at least half of GA should be an Auburn “lock”. Frankly, most counties in the east are much more AU than UGA in fan leanings. However, we all should just put branches of our respective universities in Florida to claim that state as well :-)
I’m half kidding about the above. Athletes should go with the program that best fits them, where they can be most successful and a place that can win a championship. At this point, almost any SEC school qualifies (except the University of Tuscaloosa)
By GA War Eagle
May 16, 2007 10:18 AM | Link to this
There’s no way UGA should have the pick of the state’s top talent as referenced above. Auburn is located so close to the western side, at least half of GA should be an Auburn “lock”. Frankly, most counties in West GA are much more AU than UGA in fan leanings. However, we all should just put branches of our respective universities in Florida to claim that state as well :-)
I’m half kidding about the above. Athletes should go with the program that best fits them, where they can be most successful and a place that can win a championship. At this point, almost any SEC school qualifies (except the University of Tuscaloosa)
By dawgsonaplane
May 16, 2007 12:22 PM | Link to this
My god UF fans are pitiful. I know its bad to lump them all together, but you just have to. After growing up in Florida being a DAWG I can say first hand that they are unlike any other group of fans. Every school has some idiot fans but UF seems to have all idiot fans. ok ufers (very funny by the way), prove your idiocy by responding to this. You are lucky to play in the SEC. Your lack of class should put you in the ACC. Go to your own boards.
By dawgsonaplane
May 16, 2007 12:24 PM | Link to this
My god UF fans are pitiful. I know its bad to lump them all together, but you just have to. After growing up in Florida being a DAWG I can say first hand that they are unlike any other group of fans. Every school has some idiot fans but UF seems to have all idiot fans. ok ufers (very funny by the way), prove your idiocy by responding to this. You are lucky to play in the SEC. Your lack of class should put you in the ACC. Go to your own boards.
By dawgsonaplane
May 16, 2007 12:25 PM | Link to this
My god UF fans are pitiful. I know its bad to lump them all together, but you just have to. After growing up in Florida being a DAWG I can say first hand that they are unlike any other group of fans. Every school has some idiot fans but UF seems to have all idiot fans. ok ufers (very funny by the way), prove your idiocy by responding to this. You are lucky to play in the SEC. Your lack of class should put you in the ACC. Go to your own boards.
By DawgByte
May 16, 2007 12:33 PM | Link to this
Let’s put this into perspective:
Early commits are going to change their minds, waffle and review other offers. It’s human nature and does not reflect negatively on UGA, or any other program for that matter.
UGA will never get every 5 star player in state. Why? A variety of reasons; including the following:
a.) Grew up a fan of another program. b.) Have a desire to move out of state. c.) Depth chart. d.) School doesn’t have the major they’re interested in. e.) Haven’t established a chemistry with position coach. f.) Want to go to a school with friends and/or relatives. g.) Parents went to a school other than UGA. h.) Don’t like UGA. i.) Scheme doesn’t suit their skills. j.) Make a bad decision
Whatever the reason, we can’t bag them all - nobody can.
Regarding UF. Let’s be honest here. The Gators backed into the SEC title game and National Championship game. The breaks went their way. If the Arkansas player doesn’t field a punt that results in a UF TD, momentum would have continued on the side of the Razorbacks and they win that game. UF has some of the most arrogant, jean short wearing fools for fans of any school in the country. I don’t pay any attention to them. When SOS was there they were on top of the world (for a while), then Ron Zook showed up and they went down the toilet. CUM is a good coach, but nobody can sustain an elite program forever… so they’re primed to be knocked off their porch. The Dawgs will beat UF this year - mark my words!
By shane
May 16, 2007 2:35 PM | Link to this
dawgbyte,good post,you are right in your reasons for selecting schools,but you omitted one that applies here in swga.some kids want to play close to home.many come from families with limited means.their friends and family can be at auburn or fsu in an hour or two,instead of the long drive to athens.that is one reason ga.agreed to play the fla.game in jacksonville,it gives the south ga. fans easier access to the game.
By Mr. Hunker
May 16, 2007 2:37 PM | Link to this
Regarding Mr. UF Fan above and all his blabbing….
Somewhere on South Beach there’s a sad penis missing it’s normal resting spot.
By BooneDawg
May 17, 2007 3:49 AM | Link to this
Mel = loser
By BooneDawg
May 17, 2007 3:49 AM | Link to this
Mel = loser
By BooneDawg
May 17, 2007 3:50 AM | Link to this
Mel = loser
By BooneDawg
May 17, 2007 3:50 AM | Link to this
Mel = loser
By BooneDawg
May 17, 2007 3:50 AM | Link to this
Mel = loser
By BooneDawg
May 17, 2007 3:50 AM | Link to this
Mel = loser
By BooneDawg
May 17, 2007 3:50 AM | Link to this
Mel = loser
By BooneDawg
May 17, 2007 3:50 AM | Link to this
Mel = loser
By BooneDawg
May 17, 2007 3:50 AM | Link to this
Mel = loser