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June 2007
UGA lands 17th commitment; Love to visit Athens
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Two days ago, Mark Richt was expounding on how his new role — just head coach, no longer offensive coordinator — has helped him expand his role in recruiting.
The coach and Georgia seemed to drive that point home Friday as the Bulldogs picked up their 17th commitment of the 2008 class.
Marcus Dowtin, a linebacker from Virginia’s Fork Union Military Academy, is the latest to commit to Georgia, according to Scout.com.
Dowtin has been a two-way player at Fork Union. He rushed for more than 1,000 yards as a running back. At linebacker he had 90 plus tackles last season.
Dowtin has always been considered a linebacker at the next level. In fact, he had several ACC schools — Virginia Tech, Clemson and Maryland — recruiting him for that position as well. Michigan and Nebraska were also interested in Dowtin.
Dowtin excelled at the Georgia camp earlier this month. It was at that time he also fell for Georgia.
Love sets date with Dawgs
Star offensive tackle Tyler Love of Mountain Brook (Ala.) plans to visit Georgia on July 20.
The 6-foot-7, 285-pound Love, who is weighing scholarship offers from Alabama, Florida, Florida State, Georgia and Oklahoma, said he’s excited about his third trip to Athens.
“I’ve been there twice and I just love the atmosphere, the campus and the coaching staff,” Love said. “Coach Richt is one of my favorite coaches. His personality is amazing.
“He’s a good Christian man. I enjoy talking to him about things other than football.”
Love, who said he has no front-runner as of Thursday evening, participated in a day camp at Alabama last week.
“It was fun,” Love said. “It was more like a relaxed visit just to get a feel for the university. I hung out with the players and coaches, but mostly the players.”
Love said friends and relatives frequently attempt to sway him to commit to the in-state Crimson Tide.
“They all do,” he said. “It’s kind of hard being a player from Alabama and not play for Alabama. But sometimes you just have to explore your options.”
Demps claims four offers
Virginia Tech heads the list of schools with scholarship offers to Peachtree Ridge cornerback Cameron Demps.
The 5-foot-10, 172-pound Demps also has offers from Buffalo, Ole Miss and North Carolina.
Demps will visit South Florida and Florida in July.
“I don’t have an offer from Florida yet, but I think they’re close [to offering],” Demps said.
Demps placed the Hokies at the top of his recruiting list.
“It’s probably Virginia Tech right now, then North Carolina, Ole Miss and Buffalo,” he said.
Demps analyzes his current choices:
Virginia Tech - “Their campus is different. The buildings are way different. I really like the atmosphere. They always have a good team and, basically, the defense attracts me.”
North Carolina - “Their campus is really nice. I’ve talked to [coach] Butch Davis. I like him. He came from Miami. He just always seems to have good players.”
Ole Miss - “I like the stadium and it looks like a good environment. And they’ve got a good graduation rate. I’ve met their coach [Ed Orgeron]. I talked to him in person during spring break.”
Buffalo - “I really don’t know anything about them yet. I’m doing research on them. They’ve offered three of us defensive backs here at Peachtree Ridge.”
Tucker cornerback explains Irish commitment
In the end, it came down to Michigan, Notre Dame and LSU for Tucker cornerback Jamoris Slaughter.
When he made his selection on Tuesday, Slaughter, a longtime Wolverine fan, pulled a slight shocker by committing to the Irish.
“It was the best school for me,” Slaughter said. “I know they can help you out on and off the field and academically. They have good alumni support. And they wanted me to come in and play early.”
Notre Dame has told the 6-foot, 175-pound Slaughter, who has been clocked in the 40 at 4.4 seconds, he will play either free safety or cornerback.
“I really don’t have a preference,” he said. “I’ll play wherever they need me most.”
Slaughter said Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis’ father-like actions played a role in his decision to commit to the Irish.
“I really like him,” Slaughter said. “He cares about you a lot. He’s not worried just about football. He cares about your education. He wants to make sure you get to class.”
Slaughter surprised himself by choosing Notre Dame over his beloved Wolverines.
“I was never a big Irish fan,” Slaughter admitted. “I was always a big Michigan fan. I’ve been a Georgia fan too, but I mostly like Michigan.
“I just thought this was best for me.”
Stockbridge back has three offers
Stockbridge running back Rashaad White has scholarship offers from Georgia Southern, Navy and Miami, Ohio.
“I’ve just been working hard this summer,” White said. “I hope to get a couple new offers over the next two months.”
White participated in the recent Nike camp at Georgia.
“You get a lot of exposures at these camps,” White said. “A lot of coaches see you. I think they’re worthwhile.”
Farley adds new offer
Grady linebacker Darryl Farley claimed an offer from Middle Tennessee State earlier this week.
“They’re on my radar,” Farley said.
He already had offers from Marshall, Ole Miss, Ohio and Tulane.
A pair of Division I programs who have yet to offer are staying in touch with Farley.
“Louisville and Northwestern always text me,” he said.
Clemson and Michigan offer Bolton; Wells names six
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Clemson extended a scholarship offer to Norcross safety/wide receiver Devonta Bolton Tuesday evening.
Less than 24 hours later, Michigan followed suit.
“They [both] text messaged me and asked me to call them,” Bolton said.
Bolton, who already had offers from Georgia, Florida, Auburn, Kentucky, Georgia Tech, Louisville and South Carolina, said the Tigers and Wolverines have opposite agendas for him.
“Michigan sees me as a strong outside linebacker who can stop the run and drop back in cover,” the 6-foot-4, 222-pound Bolton said.
“Clemson likes me on offense because of my agility, speed and height. I’m usually a mismatch with cornerbacks and linebackers.”
Bolton said he hasn’t ruled out playing football at Georgia or Georgia Tech.
“I love everything about Georgia,” Bolton said. “I love the facilities, program and the coaches. I love the whole environment.”
“And Georgia Tech would be a great place to get my degree and live downtown. They have one of the top schools in my degree, business management.”
Bolton, who plans to visit Florida on July 20, said the Gators’ recent national title won’t sway his decision.
“Winning seasons can fluctuate,” Bolton said. “Florida is a first-class type program, having won a national championship. But that won’t effect my decision at all because you never know who will win the next national championship.”
National powers court Wells
Gainesville defensive end Keith Wells said Wednesday evening he’ll likely play football for Auburn, Florida, Florida State, Georgia Tech, North Carolina or Ohio State.
The 6-foot-5, 222-pound Wells had been scheduled to visit Notre Dame this week, but the trip was cancelled at the last moment.
The odds are against Wells being able to fit a visit to South Bend into his summer schedule.
“Honestly, I won’t be able to make it to Notre Dame to one of their summer camps,” said Wells, who has approximately 20 scholarship offers. “And as far as taking a visit, that will probably be impossible because we’ve got so much going on team-wise.”
Wells, who is being recruited as an outside linebacker by Auburn, Alabama and Notre Dame and a defensive end by all other schools, figures he will commit no later than October.
Wells critiques his contenders:
On Auburn - “I haven’t been there yet, but I plan on taking an unofficial visit there soon. I hear they have a great campus, but it’s not in the best area. It’s in the middle of nowhere. They do have a legacy of winning in football.”
On Florida - “As far as an all-around school with a great campus, academics, coaching and all of those things, Florida is probably my top all-around school because they have top points in almost everything, not just football.”
On Florida State - “I’ve never been there, but from what I hear the facilities are great. They have a legacy of winning and a lot of big name players have come out of FSU.”
On Georgia Tech - “The feel when I get on that campus is a feeling like everything and everybody is so close. It’s a great atmosphere. And I’m from Atlanta and very familiar with the city.”
On North Carolina - “Their coaching really stands out more than anything. They have [coach] Butch Davis and arguably the best defensive line coach in the nation in John Blake. They have a big business school, and that’s what I want to major in. The campus is beautiful and nice.”
On Ohio State - “I haven’t been up there to see it, but a lot of people are telling me their facility and campus is amazing. I want to see it for myself. Football and academics are two important things at Ohio State, and so is basketball.”
Wells plans to visit Florida, Florida State, Auburn and Ohio State in July.
Options brewing for Coffee’s Brand
Coffee County coach Jerry Odom supports offensive lineman B.J. Brand’s recent decision to decommit to Georgia.
“I don’t think the kid has really been anywhere else,” Odom said. “The only place he had visited was Georgia.”
Brand heeded his coach’s advice. He attended a camp at South Carolina earlier this month and plans to visit Florida and Florida State in late July.
“In my opinion, I still think Georgia is still probably the front-runner,” Odom said.
Georgia, South Carolina, Florida State, N.C. State, Clemson, Louisville and Maryland have each made offers to Brand.
Odom warned Brand, who is projected to play guard, that Georgia could run out of scholarships at his position.
“Like I told B.J., there’s always a chance they can fill up,” Odom said. “’If you’re shopping, they’re shopping. As long as you understand how this thing works, you’ll be ok.’”
According to Odom, Brand, who has limited high school playing experience, should develop into a solid college football player.
“He’s still raw, he’s not a finished product, and he’s got some work to do technique-wise,” Odom said. “But he’s got good work ethics.”
Bolden narrows list to five
Florida, Georgia Tech, South Carolina, Purdue and Wake Forest remain in the running to earn a commitment from Charlton County running back Ralph Bolden.
In addition to being an outstanding athlete, Bolden excels in the classroom.
“That’s one thing that makes him so recruitable; he’s such a good student,” Charlton County coach Rich McWhorter said. “He’s a very instinctive running back with a lot of burst.
“He’s a pull-away type. He has good vision and is a real natural at the running back position. He’s a pretty good defender also, but I think he’s got such a gift at running back.”
Though Florida is just 98 miles from Folkston, McWhorter doesn’t think that necessarily gives the Gators the upper hand.
“That would be close to home, but he’s also interested in Purdue,” McWhorter said. “When he knows, he’ll commit. I think he’s just really got a tough decision.”
Slaughter to Notre Dame; Parks high on Tide
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Tucker defensive back Jamoris Slaughter has committed to Notre Dame, Scout.com reported Wednesday.
The 6-foot-1, 180-pound Slaughter chose the Irish over LSU, Michigan, Georgia and Alabama.
Slaughter is rated as the 16th-best safety in the nation by Scout.com.
Parks enjoys Alabama visit
With scholarship offers from powers such as Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, Auburn, Florida State and Miami, Creekside cornerback Terrance Parks is spending a portion of his summer participating in camps and taking unofficial visits to college campuses throughout the nation.
As recently as 10 days ago, Alabama appeared to have little chance of gaining a commitment from the 6-foot-3, 187-pound Parks.
But that scenario changed following Parks’ participation in a camp in Tuscaloosa last week.
“It was real nice over there,” Parks said. “Alabama moved way up on my list. I really like them. I wasn’t feeling Alabama at first.”
Parks admitted that part of the Tide’s appeal is first-year coach Nick Saban.
“I really like coach Saban’s personality,” Parks said. “I’d definitely like to play for a coach like him because he brings out the best in you.”
Parks, who will visit Florida State on July 15, said Auburn and Tennessee have made favorable impressions on him.
But Parks indicated his recruitment by Georgia has been somewhat lukewarm.
“I like Georgia, but I’m not feeling too much with them right now,” Parks said. “They haven’t been communicating with me as much as other schools.”
Hunt set to become a Hoosier
Duluth coach Richard Gillespie had a feeling his prized running back Alex Hunt’s front-runner was Wisconsin. But on Tuesday, Hunt caught his coach off guard by committing to Indiana.
“They’re getting a great kid and strong running back who, at 6-foot-1, 210-pounds, has breakaway speed,” Gillespie said. “If he breaks away, he’s gone.”
In addition to the Hoosiers and Badgers, Hunt had offers from Air Force, Coastal Carolina and Ole Miss. And according to Gillespie, Georgia, Auburn and Clemson had just started showing interest.
“I’m kind of surprised that he went with Indiana,” Gillespie said. “I thought he was leaning toward Wisconsin. [Indiana] must have liked what they saw.”
Carver Columbus WR gaining offers
Less than two weeks after Carver’s DeRon Furr committed to Auburn, the recruiting focus at the Columbus school has shifted to 6-foot-3, 220-pound wide receiver Jarmon Fortson.
Carver Columbus coach Dell McGee said it’s obvious to him why Fortson has offers from LSU, Alabama, Auburn, Indiana, Kentucky and Louisville.
“He’s the total package at receiver with size, hands and his routes,” McGee said. “He understands coverages. He has a high football IQ. He just understands the game.”
McGee said Fortson has a front-runner. But the third-year coach honored his pledge to remain silent.
“He does [have a front-runner] but he doesn’t want me to say right now,” McGee said.
McGee believes Fortson will intentionally delay making a commitment.
“I just think he wants to weigh his options and make the best possible decision he can make,” McGee said.
Clarke Central RB has two offers
Clarke Central running back Darrieon Robinson, the younger brother of Houston Texan cornerback, Dunta Robinson, has scholarship offers from Troy and Louisiana Tech.
On pace to become a four-year starter for the Gladiators, the 5-foot-9, 175-pound Darrieon Robinson rushed for 1,210 yards on 158 carries as a junior.
“He’s got two offers, but there’s a lot of other people like West Virginia and Louisville looking at him,” Clarke Central coach Leroy Ryals confirmed.
The Hammer’s kid commits to BC; Tyson on UGA
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Northview quarterback Justin Tuggle had plenty of reasons to commit to Boston College on Monday.
“I chose Boston College because I really like the coaching staff, the quarterback situation, the campus and the academics,” said Tuggle, the son of former Atlanta Falcon linebacker Jessie Tuggle.
“It was just the right fit. I feel like it’s a perfect fit. It feels like a home away from home.”
Tuggle said BC’s quarterback depth chart played an integral role in his decision.
“[Current quarterback] Matt Ryan leaves after this year,” Tuggle said. “The year I come in they’ll have a senior and two other guys (including Tuggle) they sign.
“I like the chance of being able to compete for the job. That intrigued me to go to that school.”
Tuggle, who also had offers from Mississippi State and Indiana, said his dad is supportive of his commitment.
“He liked the idea,” Tuggle said. “It’s a little far from home, but he said he can jump on a plane and fly up there for my games. He was thrilled and is kind of happy the process is over with.”
Tyson remains firm with UGA
One look was all it took for Statesboro’s Deangelo Tyson.
The 6-foot-3, 302-pound Tyson’s sole on-campus college visit came earlier this year when he attended spring practice at Georgia.
Several days later, the player rated as the top defensive tackle in the nation by Scout.com committed to the Bulldogs.
More than three months later, Tyson isn’t about to switch his allegiance.
“I’m still positive,” Tyson said Monday evening. “I don’t plan on changing my decision. I liked the coaches and the surroundings. It’s going to be a great place to play football.”
Tyson, who chose the Bulldogs over scholarship offers from Auburn, Florida, Florida State, Georgia Tech and Ole Miss, resides at the Joseph’s home for boys in Statesboro.
The massive lineman is often quick to show his humble side.
Asked how he responds when reminded he is one of the premier college football players in the nation, Tyson said: “I just smile and say ‘thank you.’”
Stephens’ Poole set to become a Vol
Stephens County running back Tauren Poole’s commitment to Tennessee has gone from soft verbal to solid.
“I feel comfortable with the coaches at Tennessee,” Poole said. “And I’ve talked to some of the players. I know it’s kind of early, but I feel good about my decision. So I went ahead and did it.”
Poole, who had been contemplating offers from Auburn, Clemson and South Carolina, gave in to temptation when he attended a camp in Columbia last weekend. He rated the experience as fair.
“Yeah, I visited South Carolina on Saturday,” Poole said. “It was good. I got to talk to one of the coaches. Overall, it was just ok.”
Poole said he became sold on the Volunteers after attending a game in Knoxville last fall.
“It was awesome,” Poole said. “It’s a college town. I really like it because the fans were so outrageous.”
Life can be tough at times for the Tennessee-bound Poole, who lives less than 30 minutes from Clemson.
“There are some Clemson fans here [in Toccoa], so you catch a lot of heat,” Poole said.
Poole, who plans to graduate in December, has set a personal goal of rushing for 2,000 yards during his senior season with the Indians.
“It takes the pressure off [to commit], but the pressure just keeps coming,” Poole said. “They’re still trying to persuade me to change my mind. I guess this is just part of the recruiting process.”
Troup’s Oliver set for Sunshine State visits
With offers from Arkansas, Akron and South Florida, one would figure the Razorbacks from the mighty SEC would be the early favorite to earn a commitment from Troup offensive lineman* John Oliver*.
But that’s simply not the case for the 6-foot-6, 270-pound Oliver.
“The SEC is powerhouse football,” Oliver said. “But I don’t know what it is about the Big East. Schools like South Florida and Louisville are coming on strong.
“They’re building programs that are coming on. And I’d like to be part of that.”
Oliver will attend a one-day camp at Jacksonville State on July 14, just two weeks prior to visiting South Florida and Central Florida.
“I realize most guys aren’t going to make it to the NFL,” said Oliver, who remains undecided on where he will play college football.
“You’ve got to be the best in the world to make it there. I just want to get a good education, have a little fun and get a respected degree.”
Ridge RB not a Gamecock yet
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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A Saturday internet report indicated Peachtree Ridge’s Brandon Davis had committed to South Carolina early that day.
But according to first-year Peachtree Ridge coach Bill Ballard, his star running back is keeping his options open.
“There’s nothing really going on,” said Ballard, who previously coached at Tucker. “Brandon will wait a little bit, then see what he’s going to do.
“He’s got offers from South Carolina, Purdue, Northwestern, Maryland, Ole Miss and South Florida. Overall, he’s got probably 15 to 20 offers right now.”
Ballard made the coaching transition from Tucker to Peachtree Ridge in March. The timing allowed the veteran coach to conduct spring practice with the Lions.
Davis was quick to make a favorable impression on his new coach.
“Brandon has got great vision,” said Ballard, who believes Davis will commit later this summer. “He’s got a very quick burst. And he catches the ball real well out of the backfield.
“He’s got a lot of talent and is very smart. I think he’s going to make a great back for somebody.”
Brown says yes to Virginia
Northeast Macon wide receiver Javaris Brown committed to Virginia on Friday.
Brown wasted little time reacting to his first scholarship offer.
“He went up there [to Virginia] on Thursday and liked what he saw,” Northeast coach Bruce Mullen said. “So he went ahead and committed.”
Mullen said the Cavaliers have landed a productive receiver.
“He’s just an outstanding football player,” Mullen said. “He’s been starting for us since he was a freshman. He puts up great numbers every year.”
Mullen said Brown attended several camps, including one at Georgia. So he was caught off guard when Brown committed so quickly.
“Yes, I was kind of surprised,” Mullen admitted.
Kentucky covets Clarke Central lineman
Clarke Central coach Leroy Ryals has a strict rule when it comes to his players making a commitment.
“I won’t let my kids commit until they know for sure they want to go to a certain school,” Ryals said.
And in the case of 6-foot-5, 290-pound offensive lineman Trevino Woods, Ryals isn’t prepared just yet to place his seal of approval on Woods’ desire to commit to Kentucky.
“Let’s just say Kentucky is a strong leader,” Ryals said. “Trevino hasn’t even been up there yet for a visit. He couldn’t even find [Lexington] on a map.”
Woods’ planned trip to Kentucky for a camp last week has been postponed until later this summer.
In the interim, other schools are suddenly becoming interested in Woods, who began playing football last season as a junior.
“I saw him walking the halls and finally got him out,” Ryals said.
Ryals labeled Woods a project player.
“He’s got just one offer, but he’s got a lot of people recruiting him,” Ryals said. “He’s got a lot of upside and he’s very athletic.
“He’s a kid that you bring in and redshirt. You just can’t find the size and agility in kids that he has.”
Carrollton’s Craig collects second offer
South Florida and Eastern Kentucky have made offers to Carrollton defensive tackle Nick Craig. Additional offers are likely forthcoming.
“In spring practice, Georgia Tech, Troy, Alabama, Georgia, Wake Forest and Vanderbilt came through to watch him in person,” Carrollton coach Rayvan Teague said. “I’d say he’s being recruited very heavily.”
Craig is on pace to become the first player in Carrollton history to start every game during a four-year career. Establishing this mark has been in the back of Craig’s mind for three years.
“They were telling me about this my freshman year,” Craig said. “I thought ‘wow, how awesome would this be?’ It’ll be one of the biggest honors I can get. It’s just amazing.”
So it should come as no surprise that Craig longs for an opportunity to get plenty of playing time in college during his freshman season.
“I want to go somewhere where they need a defensive lineman and I’ll have a chance to start,” he said.
The 6-foot-2, 278-pound Craig, who has been clocked at under 5 seconds in the 40-yard dash, said it would suit him just fine if the Trojans were allowed to begin practice this week.
“Just knowing that I’ve already got two offers is great,” Craig said. “I’m ready to put the pads on.”
Brown awaits official word from USC
Lovejoy wide receiver Ta’Jaun Brown received news via text message from his South Carolina recruiting coach over the weekend.
“They’re offering me, but the next step is to look at my grades,” said Brown, who expects his GPA and college entrance score to be sufficient to meet South Carolina’s requirements.
In the meantime, Brown plans to market himself to other programs.
“I plan on making copies of my highlight films and sending them to places like Akron, South Carolina State and Georgia Southern,” Brown said.
Brown is optimistic the offer from the Gamecocks will become official within days. But he’s also concerned about the high number of receivers (six) signed by South Carolina in their class of 2007.
Brown may be in a dilemma if the call he is expecting comes shortly after his transcript from Lovejoy arrives in Columbia.
“There’s a very high chance I will commit [to South Carolina],” Brown admitted. “But the one thing that’s holding me back is the number of receivers they’ve brought in.”
Tech courts Chamblee’s Uzzi; Update on Banneker’s Simmons
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Georgia Tech is recruiting Chamblee High lineman Omoregie Uzzi, but he hasn’t faced the Yellow Jackets’ super hard sales pitch yet.
For now, Tech coaches are biding their time, and their wildcard is laying low.
Incoming freshman running back Roddy Jones was a teammate of Uzzi’s at Chamblee High. He’s playing a patient game with his friend - so far.
“He’s telling me to just relax, and try to take visits, try to get as much information as I can,” Uzzi said.
Several southeastern schools are in the chase for Uzzi, who said Thursday he is 6-feet-5, 305 pounds. Georgia, Auburn, Clemson, North Carolina, Virginia and Alabama are among the interested.
He’s been to Athens a few times, visited Tech a few weeks ago, and said, “I’m probably going to go again, too, and I may be going to Alabama soon but I’m not sure.”
Although he would rather play defensive line in college, “everybody is telling me I may play guard. I’ve never played offensive guard. This coming season will be my first on the offensive line.”
Uzzi said Tech has recruited him chiefly as a defensive lineman, but he thinks he might end up on the side of the ball where there is a greater need in college. All of his campus visits so far have, of course, been unofficial.
Don’t look for this process to drag into autumn.
“I’m not sure if I’m going to take any official visits next fall because I might make my decision by the end of summer,” he said. “Georgia Tech isn’t very far away and Roddy is going there, but I have a few family friends that go to UGA and I like the program there.”
Banneker’s Simmons looking to move past arrest
Banneker coach Benny Crane believes his star safety, Darrell Simmons, will be acquitted of charges related to a burglary in Forest Park late last month.
“Everything is going to be fine,” Crane said. “He kind of got caught up in a car afterwards. He had no involvement with that.
“I’m hoping he will be exonerated soon and the truth will come out,” Crane said.
With scholarship offers from powers such as Florida, Michigan, Alabama, Auburn, Miami, Georgia, LSU, Tennessee and Ohio State, the 6-foot-2, 205-pound Simmons is one of the most sought after defensive backs in the country.
To Crane’s knowledge, each offer remains intact.
“No one has called to say ‘we’re withdrawing the offer,” Crane said.
Colleges are, however, eager to learn Simmons’ fate in court.
“They want to know as soon as possible,” said Crane, who is unaware of Simmons’ court date. “This thing is so fragile. He may be in trouble to a certain degree as far as having to go and earn back the trust from them.
“But we’re doing what we’re supposed to do on this end. He’s handling his business.”
Simmons is currently attending summer school, in hopes of graduating in December.
Once the burglary issue is resolved, Crane is confident a Division I program will land a stellar player.
“He is such an explosive athlete,” Crane said. “He stared at both quarterback and safety for us last year. He’s incredibly gifted.
“When you turn on the film and see this kid, the footage speaks for itself.”
UNC the latest offer for Jarboe
North Carolina is the latest school to offer Cedar Grove wide receiver Josh Jarboe.
The 6-foot-3, 195-pound said he’s looking forward to attending camp at LSU next month.
“Right now, I’ve got twenty-something offers,” Jarboe said. “I don’t have any front-runners. I like everybody.”
Don’t expect Jarboe, whose offers are from programs such as Georgia, Georgia Tech, Florida, LSU, Miami, Ohio State and Tennessee, to commit in the near future.
“It’ll be later on,” he said.
Wells preps for visits
Fresh off a visit to Florida, Gainesville defensive end Keith Wells is packing his bags in anticipation of one-day camps at Notre Dame and Ohio State this weekend.
Two years ago, Wells was playing basketball in Cornelia for Habersham Central. Following a transfer to Gainesville at the start of his junior season, he is suddenly rated as one of the nation’s top defensive end prospects.
“Keith had played basketball all of his life and I think suddenly his desire has changed,” Gainesville coach Bruce Miller said.
The 6-foot-5, 207-pound Wells, who played both football and basketball at Gainesville last season, is suddenly on everyone’s radar.
Florida, Florida State, Georgia Tech, North Carolina, Ohio State and Tennessee headline his list of offers.
Following additional development, Miller is confident Wells will evolve into a special player on the college level.
“I think they’re getting a project,” he said. “He only started six games for us last year. He looks the part and runs extremely well for his size. I think his best football is ahead of him.”
Fowlkes’ stock continues to rise
Banneker defensive end Steven Fowlkes enjoyed the atmosphere at Clemson during a visit last weekend.
Meanwhile, a planned trip to Ohio State this weekend has been postponed.
Fowlkes currently holds offers from Clemson, North Carolina, Louisville, Ole Miss, Tennessee, Mississippi State, Purdue, Indiana, South Carolina and Alabama.
Banneker coach Benny Crane thinks the Tigers and Tar Heels have a slight advantage over the competition.
“He’s pretty much wide open,” Crane said. “But he’s high on Clemson and he likes North Carolina.”
Crane said Fowlkes his trying to convince college coaches that his 6-foot-6, 215-pound frame should be utilized at wide receiver.
“What he’s trying to do is get into a position to earn someone’s confidence as a receiver,” Crane said. “Everybody likes his size and athleticism at defensive end, which is where he did well for us last season despite missing four or five games due to injury.
“I think he would like to play receiver, but the defensive end position came so natural to him.”
Crane said he’s aware of at least one prerequisite for the program that signs Fowlkes.
“He wants to play for a team that has the best chance to play for a conference title,” Crane said.
Three offers for Bohannon
Willie Bohannon, a 6-foot-3, 240-pound defensive end for Mattie T. Blount (Ala.), has offers from Alabama, Kentucky and Lafayette, La.
He will participate in a one-day camp in Tuscaloosa on Saturday.
Bohannon is well aware of new Alabama coach Nick Saban’s reputation of maintaining an upbeat tempo during camps.
“It really won’t be any different for me because we already practice like that [at Mattie T. Blount],” Bohannon said.
Bohannon, who is leaning toward the Crimson Tide, said he gained interested in Alabama following Saban’s hiring earlier this year.
“I really didn’t have any interest in Alabama until Saban came onboard,” Bohannon said. “I just like my chances and the possibility of going to the NFL playing under him.
“It’s the school, coach Saban and the defense he runs.”
Norcross’ Butler down to 10
Georgia has made the first cut of the nation-wide recruiting battle for Norcross star wide receiver Brice Butler, who narrowed his list of college choices to 10 Thursday.
Butler said he’ll decide between Southern Cal, Florida State, Notre Dame, LSU, Arizona State, Florida, Penn State, Oregon, Oregon State and Georgia.
“I wanted to cut down my list because I’m planning on committing in July,” Butler, who has more than 40 scholarship offers, told the blog. “I want to get it over with so I can focus on the season and winning a state championship.”
He receives approximately 15 letters from colleges and more than 20 text messages each day.
The 6-foot-1, 175-pound son of former Falcons defensive back Bobby Butler has visited each of the schools on his list, except Oregon and Oregon State.
He plans to visit the Ducks and Beavers later this month, before ending his search.
Before this spring, Brice Butler had never traveled further west than Louisiana. Now, he seems to have become quite fond of West Coast’s climate.
“The climate out there is crazy,” said Butler of his visit to USC. “There’s no humidity. When it’s 90 degrees here, it’s kind of sweltering. There, it’s nice.”
USC’s Pete Carroll, Florida’s Urban Meyer and Alabama’s Nick Saban were among the numerous coaches that visited Norcross’ spring practice to check out Butler.
Saban’s Crimson Tide did not make the list.
When asked if USC was the favorite to land Butler, Norcross coach Keith Maloof said, “I try to stay out of it, so I don’t have to lie to anyone.”
Georgia still in Butler hunt; Sylvester down to six
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Georgia has made the first cut of the nation-wide recruiting battle for Norcross star wide receiver Brice Butler, who narrowed his list of college choices to 10 Thursday.
Butler said he’ll decide between Southern Cal, Florida State, Notre Dame, LSU, Arizona State, Florida, Penn State, Oregon, Oregon State and Georgia.
“I wanted to cut down my list because I’m planning on committing in July,” Butler, who has more than 40 scholarship offers, told the blog. “I want to get it over with so I can focus on the season and winning a state championship.”
He receives approximately 15 letters from colleges and more than 20 text messages each day.
The 6-foot-1, 175-pound son of former Falcons defensive back Bobby Butler has visited each of the schools on his list, except Oregon and Oregon State.
He plans to visit the Ducks and Beavers later this month, before ending his search.
Before this spring, Brice Butler had never traveled further west than Louisiana. Now, he seems to have become quite fond of West Coast’s climate.
“The climate out there is crazy,” said Butler of his visit to USC. “There’s no humidity. When it’s 90 degrees here, it’s kind of sweltering. There, it’s nice.”
USC’s Pete Carroll, Florida’s Urban Meyer and Alabama’s Nick Saban were among the numerous coaches that visited Norcross’ spring practice to check out Butler.
Saban’s Crimson Tide did not make the list.
When asked if USC was the favorite to land Butler, Norcross coach Keith Maloof said, “I try to stay out of it, so I don’t have to lie to anyone.”
Sylvester trims list to six
Union Grove linebacker Steven Sylvester has trimmed his list to Alabama, Georgia, Georgia Tech, North Carolina, N.C. State or South Carolina.
The 6-foot-2, 220-pound Sylvester has visited each campus, with the exception of N.C. State and South Carolina. He plans to travel to Raleigh and Columbia later this summer.
He’s also set a self-imposed deadline to commit.
“I plan on getting it out of the way in July so I can focus on football,” Sylvester said.
Sylvester assesses the contenders:
On Alabama: “I really click with their coaching staff,” Sylvester said. “[Coach] Nick Saban deals with the defense and that’s what I’ll be playing.”
On Georgia: “I like Georgia because they’re close to home,” Sylvester said. And coach Mark Richt is a great guy. They have a good tradition there, too.”
On Georgia Tech: “Just like Georgia, I like Georgia Tech because they’re close to home,” Sylvester said. “And with Calvin Johnson going so high in the draft, pro scouts are going to be coming back to Tech for years to come.”
On North Carolina: “I like basically their whole program,” Sylvester said. “I got a chance to go up there and spend time with the linebackers coach. It hasn’t been too good up there, but things are moving up now.”
On N.C. State: “I haven’t been there or met the head coach,” Sylvester said. “But I’ve talked to the recruiting coach and they just seem to be going in the right direction.”
On South Carolina: “I really like coach [Steve] Spurrier,” Sylvester said. “I got a chance to meet him once. He’s seems like a nice guy. He knows his football.”
Buford’s Pridemore leans on dad’s wisdom
Buford linebacker T.J. Pridemore has scholarship offers from Georgia Tech, Duke, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Tennessee, Central Florida, South Carolina, N.C. State, South Florida, West Virginia and Maryland.
The 6-foot-2, 230-pound Pridemore, who has no clear front-runner, is looking to his dad, former Atlanta Falcon Tom Pridemore, for answers during the process of choosing a college.
“Most of the advice he’s given me has been from his experience,” T.J. Pridemore said. “He really just tells me to look at what I want out of each school before I eliminate them.
“And he hasn’t pushed me toward any school. He wants it to be my decision.”
A graduate of West Virginia, Tom Pridemore has been hesitant to steer his son toward the Mountaineers.
“Surprisingly, he hasn’t [pointed me toward West Virginia],” T.J. Pridemore said. “And I think it’s a surprise for everybody that he hasn’t pushed me.
“I do think he’d be pleased if I go there. But he doesn’t want to make the decision for me.”
Taking a cue from his dad’s wisdom, Pridemore said there’s no reason to commit in June.
“I’m not in any big hurry to commit right now,” Pridemore said. “If I’m not 100 percent sure at the start of the season [at Buford], then I’ll just take a few more visits.”
Love focuses on five offers
Mountain Brook (Ala.) offensive lineman Tyler Love took in the sights and sounds at Alabama on Tuesday. He plans to do the same on Saturday when he travels to Tallahassee to visit Florida State.
Though he’s narrowed his choices to five offers, the towering 6-foot-7, 285-pound tackle said he’ll likely wait until the fall to commit.
Love analyzes his five candidates:
On Alabama: “Tuesday [in Tuscaloosa] was good,” Love said. “It was kind of low key. I talked to players and walked through the campus. I got to watch the camp that was taking place. And I love coach Saban. He’s a great coach. He knows how to win, which is very important to me.”
On Florida: “I love the coaches and how they run things down there,” Love said. “I like the environment and the relationship the coaches have with the players. And it’s a great place to get an education.”
On Florida State: “They’ve got one of the greatest coaches ever [in Bobby Bowden],” Love said. “That impresses me a lot. I like their coaching staff overall. And they send great players to the NFL.”
On Georgia: “I love coach Richt,” Love said. “And I like the fact he’s a great Christian man. There’s just a bunch of good guys over there. And I like the campus too. I plan on visiting there in July.”
On Oklahoma: “They’ve won I don’t know how many games and gone to a lot of BCS bowls,” Love said. “And they send a lot of players to the NFL.”
Jones commits to Dogs; UGA makes Okakpu offer
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Mark Richt kept trying to find a hole in Ben Jones’ game last week.
Time after time, the Georgia coach would send defensive linemen Jones’ way. Time after time, Jones turned them away.
It was then Richt knew he couldn’t turn this 6-foot-3, 300-pound center from Bibb County, Ala., away. The coach offered Jones a scholarship. Jones accepted that offer Wednesday.
“I knew that was where I fit the best,” Jones told the blog. “I just felt at home. I liked the coaches and really had a good connection while I was over there.”
Jones, the Bulldogs’ 16th commitment, was on the outside looking on for many months as this recruiting process went on. He went to a Scout.com camp in Atlanta in the month of May with just one offer — from Troy. Richt was at that camp watching his son, Clemson recruit Jon Richt.
He also took notice of Jones. So did everybody else.
Jones started to be courted by several of the bigger-name programs around the Southeast. But Georgia remained his favorite because that is where his father went to school.
“It’s where I wanted to go the whole time,” Jones said.
Okakpu lands Bulldogs offer
Georgia coaches have always liked Roswell linebacker Ebele Okakpu but wanted to evaluate the 6-foot-2, 205-pounder at camp before deciding whether to offer a scholarship.
Bulldogs coach Mark Richt decided he’d seen enough convincing evidence at a recent 7-on-7 passing league in Athens and offered Okakpu on the spot.
“Coach Richt just pulled me aside and said they didn’t need to see anymore, they definitely wanted me and were offering,” Okakpu told the blog. “I was surprised with the offer, because they haven’t been blowing up my cell phone with text messages like all the other schools.
“UGA is definitely one of my favorites: They are close to home and compete for national championships.”
Okakpu has nearly 20 Division I-A offers, including ones from Miami, Virginia Tech and North Carolina. He is being recruited by UGA at outside linebacker, which is the same position most of the colleges project him to play.
“Georgia loved Ebele since the first day they saw him on film, but he was on the bubble with [an offer] because they wanted to see him in person,” Roswell coach Tim McFarlin said. “When they saw how fast and quick he was that day, it was an easy decision for him.”
Okakpu is the most heavily recruited of eight senior prospects on Roswell, the defending Class AAAAA co-state champions. McFarlin praised Okakpu for the way he has handled the recruiting process.
“When Coach Richt offered, he was thrilled, but he didn’t come back to the team bragging about it,” McFarlin said. “Ebele is very low key about recruiting. His focus is winning another state championship, and he knows all the recruiting stuff will take care of itself.”
Alabama courts Creekside star
Terrance Parks of Creekside will put the finishing touches on a three-day camp on Wednesday at Alabama.
Creekside coach Kevin Whitley accompanied his 6-foot-3, 195-pound cornerback to Tuscaloosa this week.
Whitley said this week’s pace has been fairly hectic under new Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban.
“This one here is probably a little more up-tempo,” Whitley said via telephone from Tuscaloosa late Tuesday. “Coach Saban is really a high tempo guy, so everybody is really getting with it.”
If Parks, who has scholarship offers from programs such as Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Miami and Tennessee, has a favorite, he isn’t tipping his hand to Whitley.
“As far as I know, he’s still wide open,” Whitley said. “He’s going to be a real good player. He’s what colleges are looking for. He’s a big corner that can run.”
Norcross WR Butler’s trip to Oregon delayed
Norcross wide receiver Brice Butler will not take an official visit to Oregon this week as he had previously planned.
“I was supposed to go to Oregon on Thursday, but it didn’t work out,” Butler said. “I had a [scheduling] conflict. I’ll probably try to visit there later.”
Butler, who has nearly 40 offers from schools such as Georgia, Southern Cal, Florida and Tennessee, said he plans to separate the pretenders from the contenders soon.
“I haven’t narrowed my list, but I’ll probably narrow it next week,” Butler said. “I think it will be a top 10 list.”
The 6-foot-3, 190-pound Butler said he especially enjoyed being recruited by a member of the Pac 10.
“I really like Arizona State,” Butler said. “They have a new coaching staff out there that made a good impression on me.”
Butler said he’s fairly certain Georgia will survive his first round of cuts.
“I think Georgia will be in my top 10,” Butler predicted. “[Georgia] coach Mark Richt and my dad used to go to different high schools at the same time in the same district in Florida. So I’ve known coach Richt for a while.”
Butler doesn’t plan to attend camps this summer.
“I’ve already got the offers I want, so I don’t need to go,” Butler said.
Baseball dominates the summer for Cedar Grove RB
Cedar Grove’s Xavier Avery may be a wanted man on the gridiron, but his heart has pulled him to the baseball diamond this summer.
Avery, who has been playing summer league baseball for a team based in Marietta, recently returned home from a tournament in Ohio.
The 6-foot, 190-pound running back said it’s unlikey he will participate in a football camp this summer.
Georgia, Georgia Tech, Stanford, LSU, Alabama, North Carolina, South Carolina and Florida are all in the running to gain a football commitment from Avery, who wants to be a two-sport college athlete.
“I want to play baseball and football wherever I go,” said Avery, who is expected to be drafted in next summer’s Major League baseball draft. “I’ve told every college the same thing. So far, I haven’t heard one of them tell me I can’t play both.”
Miami linebacker evaluating his list of candidates
With offers from nearly every major college football power in the country, Miami linebacker Etienne Sabino is busy analyzing his choices.
“I’m not close to committing yet,” Sabino said. “But I am in the process of evaluating.
“I look at the campus and the coaches. I look at how it was when I was there and whether I felt comfortable. And I look at the depth charts.”
Sabino still plans on graduating from Dr. Michael M. Krop High in December and enrolling in college the following month. By doing so, he will be eligible to participate in spring workouts in 2008.
“I think that gives me a plus,” Sabino said. “I’ll get to learn the system and get ahead of the other incoming freshman.”
Roswell’s Embry makes the most of West coast visit
It’s not often you see a Georgia player making an unofficial visit to a California college, but that’s what Roswell free safety Garrett Embry (6-foot-3, 212-pounds) did to take advantage of a unique situation. Embry, who has eight offers led by Baylor and Marshall, has been staying in limited contact with coaches from Cal-Berkley.
When Embry revealed he was flying to Sacramento last Thursday for his cousin’s high school graduation, he was invited by Cal to meet with the coaches and take a tour of the school. Embry said he liked what he saw over the two-day trip to the Pac 10 school:
“It reminds me a lot of Roswell with being a smaller town, and it’s near the beach,” Embry said. “They have a great tradition of football. They didn’t offer me a scholarship when I was there, but they told me that I was a finalist. They have two offers out at [safety] and it depends on what they do.”
Embry, a rising senior on the Class AAAAA defending co-state champions, has his other offers from Central Florida, Air Force, Middle Tennessee State, Buffalo, Akron, and Miami of Ohio. He also has serious interest from Georgia, Georgia Tech, Alabama, Purdue, and Boston College, among others.
Every school is recruiting Embry at free safety or defensive back except for Baylor, which likes him at wide receiver.
Rivals unveils top 50 in Georgia
Eric Berry signed with Tennessee. Tray Blackmon landed at Auburn. Antonio Henton left for Ohio State.
In recent years, one top-ranked recruit after another has left Georgia to play college football.
This year, expect that trend to end.
Tuesday, Rivals.com released its new list of the top 50 prospects in the Peach State. Topping the list: Statesboro defensive tackle and Georgia commitment DeAngelo Tyson. No. 2: Cartersville Cass running back Richard Samuel, another UGA commitment.
“Georgia is off to the best start in the Southeastern Conference and the foundation of this group is in-state talent,” Rivals analyst JC Shurburtt tells the blog. “It also helps to re-establish the Bulldogs dominance in the state of Georgia after the last recruiting cycle, which saw the Dawgs lose six of the eight top 10 prospects it offered.”
This time around, five of the top 11 seniors-to-be in the state — and eight of the top 20 — have committed to Mark Richt’s Bulldogs, according to Rivals’ list. Only two top 25 Peach State prospects have committed somewhere other than Georgia: Jefferson County lineman A.J. Harmon (No. 3, to Clemson) and Buford defensive tackle Omar Hunter (No. 16, to Notre Dame).
A look at Rivals’ top 50:
DeAngelo Tyson, DT, Statesboro : Committed to Georgia
Richard Samuel, RB, Cartersville Cass: Committed to Georgia
A.J. Harmon, OG, Jefferson County: Committed to Clemson
Dontavius Jackson, RB, Heard County : Top five: Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, LSU, Penn State
Tavarres King, WR, Habersham Central: Committed to Georgia
Brice Butler, WR, Norcross: Long list of options includes both Oregon and Oregon State, which he’s visiting this week.
Cornelius Washington, DE, Burke County: Committed to Georgia
Jamoris Slaughter, S, Tucker: Has a top three of LSU, Michigan, Notre Dame
Brandon Thompson, DT , Thomasville : Georgia reportedly in the lead.
Cordy Glenn, OT, Riverdale: Big offers: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisville, LSU, South Carolina, Virginia
Toby Jackson, DT, Griffin: Committed to Georgia
Keith Wells, DE, Gainesville: High on Georgia Tech’s wish list, but Yellow Jackets will have to beat out Florida, Notre Dame Ohio State.
Josh Jarboe, WR, Cedar Grove: “I really like LSU. And then I’d go with Oklahoma, Florida, North Carolina and Georgia.”
Christian Robinson, LB, Greater Atlanta Christian: Committed to Georgia
Martin Ward, RB, Mount Zion: Undecided after pulling back on early commitment to Georgia; Dogs still in the mix.
Omar Hunter, DT, Buford: Committed to Notre Dame
Ebele Okakpu, LB, Roswell: Landed recent offer from Miami. “It’s an honor that Miami wants me,” he said. “I’ve dreamed about playing for them since I was a little kid, ” Okakpu said. “Miami will be tough to beat, but I’m going to take my time and check out all my options.”
Chase Thomas, DE, Walton: Auburn, Florida, LSU among offers
Baccari Rambo, S, Seminole County: Committed to Georgia
Brandon Boykin, CB, Fayette County : Committed to Georgia
Darvin Adams, WR, Harrison: Rivals: Auburn, Tennessee the co-leaders, with Georgia and Georgia Tech also in the hunt.
Omoregie Uzzi, OG, Chamblee: Interested in Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, Georgia Tech
Devonta Bolton, WR, Norcross: Wide open and wanted, with offers from Alabama, Auburn, Boston College, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi State and South Carolina. High on Georgia, telling the blog recently, “Coach Richt has got a great program. He’s a religious man who believes in a strong foundation. He’s going to win some games.”
B.J. Brand, OG, Coffee: Undecided after withdrawing early commitment to Georgia. Still interested in Bulldogs, along with Florida, Maryland and South Carolina.
Steven Sylvester, LB, Union Grove: Has top five of Alabama, Georgia, Georgia Tech, North Carolina and South Carolina
Terrence Parks, S, Creekside: Undecided
Derrick Bryant, CB, Peachtree Ridge: Alabama, Auburn, LSU top his wish list
Tauren Poole, RB, Stephens County: Committed to Tennessee
Cordian Hagans, DT, Northview: Undecided
Neiko Lipscomb, CB, Tucker: Undecided
Xavier Avery, ATH, Cedar Grove: Georgia, Georgia Tech both in the mix.
Deron Furr, QB, Columbus Carver: Committed to Auburn
Brandon Davis, RB , Peachtree Ridge: Undecided
Justin Tuggle, QB, Northview: Mississippi State and Indiana have made offers to the son of former Falcons star Jessie Tuggle. “I like those offers, but I’m still waiting to see what else comes in,” Tuggle said.
Steven Fowlkes, DE, Banneker: Undecided
Jamon Forston, WR, Columbus Carver: Undecided
T.J. Pridemore, LB, Buford: Son of former Falcons defensive back Tom Pridemore has a top four of Georgia Tech, West Virginia, Tennessee and Duke.
Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Wilcox County: Undecided
Ralph Bolden, ATH, Charlton County: Undecided
Matt Daniels, S, Fayette County: Committed to Duke
Sanders Commings, ATH, Westside: Undecided
Vance King, ATH, Stockbridge: Undecided
Daniel Franklin, LB, Habersham Central: Committed to Oklahoma
Chaz Sutton, DE, Jenkins: Undecided
Franklin Green, RB, Jenkins: Undecided
Khiry Battle, S, Dacula: Undecided
Nigel Nicholas, TE , Ridgeland: Committed to Duke
Brynden Trawick, S, Sprayberry: Undecided
Jaybo Shaw, QB, Flowery Branch: Undecided
Garrett Embry, S, Roswell: Undecided
Updates on the top 50 recruits in Georgia
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
Eric Berry signed with Tennessee. Tray Blackmon landed at Auburn. Antonio Henton left for Ohio State.
In recent years, one top-ranked recruit after another has left Georgia to play college football.
This year, expect that trend to end.
Tuesday, Rivals.com released its new list of the top 50 prospects in the Peach State. Topping the list: Statesboro defensive tackle and Georgia commitment DeAngelo Tyson. No. 2: Cartersville Cass running back Richard Samuel, another UGA commitment.
“Georgia is off to the best start in the Southeastern Conference and the foundation of this group is in-state talent,” Rivals analyst JC Shurburtt tells the blog. “It also helps to re-establish the Bulldogs dominance in the state of Georgia after the last recruiting cycle, which saw the Dawgs lose six of the eight top 10 prospects it offered.”
This time around, five of the top 11 seniors-to-be in the state — and eight of the top 20 — have committed to Mark Richt’s Bulldogs, according to Rivals’ list. Only two top 25 Peach State prospects have committed somewhere other than Georgia: Jefferson County lineman A.J. Harmon (No. 3, to Clemson) and Buford defensive tackle Omar Hunter (No. 16, to Notre Dame).
A look at Rivals’ top 50:
DeAngelo Tyson, DT, Statesboro : Committed to Georgia
Richard Samuel, RB, Cartersville Cass: Committed to Georgia
A.J. Harmon, OG, Jefferson County: Committed to Clemson
Dontavius Jackson, RB, Heard County : Top five: Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, LSU, Penn State
Tavarres King, WR, Habersham Central: Committed to Georgia
Brice Butler, WR, Norcross: Long list of options includes both Oregon and Oregon State, which he’s visiting this week.
Cornelius Washington, DE, Burke County: Committed to Georgia
Jamoris Slaughter, S, Tucker: Has a top three of LSU, Michigan, Notre Dame
Brandon Thompson, DT , Thomasville : Georgia reportedly in the lead.
Cordy Glenn, OT, Riverdale: Big offers: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisville, LSU, South Carolina, Virginia
Toby Jackson, DT, Griffin: Committed to Georgia
Keith Wells, DE, Gainesville: High on Georgia Tech’s wish list, but Yellow Jackets will have to beat out Florida, Notre Dame Ohio State.
Josh Jarboe, WR, Cedar Grove: “I really like LSU. And then I’d go with Oklahoma, Florida, North Carolina and Georgia.”
Christian Robinson, LB, Greater Atlanta Christian: Committed to Georgia
Martin Ward, RB, Mount Zion: Undecided after pulling back on early commitment to Georgia; Dogs still in the mix.
Omar Hunter, DT, Buford: Committed to Notre Dame
Ebele Okakpu, LB, Roswell: Landed recent offer from Miami. “It’s an honor that Miami wants me,” he said. “I’ve dreamed about playing for them since I was a little kid, ” Okakpu said. “Miami will be tough to beat, but I’m going to take my time and check out all my options.”
Chase Thomas, DE, Walton: Auburn, Florida, LSU among offers
Baccari Rambo, S, Seminole County: Committed to Georgia
Brandon Boykin, CB, Fayette County : Committed to Georgia
Darvin Adams, WR, Harrison: Rivals: Auburn, Tennessee the co-leaders, with Georgia and Georgia Tech also in the hunt.
Omoregie Uzzi, OG, Chamblee: Interested in Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, Georgia Tech
Devonta Bolton, WR, Norcross: Wide open and wanted, with offers from Alabama, Auburn, Boston College, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi State and South Carolina. High on Georgia, telling the blog recently, “Coach Richt has got a great program. He’s a religious man who believes in a strong foundation. He’s going to win some games.”
B.J. Brand, OG, Coffee: Undecided after withdrawing early commitment to Georgia. Still interested in Bulldogs, along with Florida, Maryland and South Carolina.
Steven Sylvester, LB, Union Grove: Has top five of Alabama, Georgia, Georgia Tech, North Carolina and South Carolina
Terrence Parks, S, Creekside: Undecided
Derrick Bryant, CB, Peachtree Ridge: Alabama, Auburn, LSU top his wish list
Tauren Poole, RB, Stephens County: Committed to Tennessee
Cordian Hagans, DT, Northview: Undecided
Neiko Lipscomb, CB, Tucker: Undecided
Xavier Avery, ATH, Cedar Grove: Georgia, Georgia Tech both in the mix.
Deron Furr, QB, Columbus Carver: Committed to Auburn
Brandon Davis, RB , Peachtree Ridge: Undecided
Justin Tuggle, QB, Northview: Mississippi State and Indiana have made offers to the son of former Falcons star Jessie Tuggle. “I like those offers, but I’m still waiting to see what else comes in,” Tuggle said.
Steven Fowlkes, DE, Banneker: Undecided
Jamon Forston, WR, Columbus Carver: Undecided
T.J. Pridemore, LB, Buford: Son of former Falcons defensive back Tom Pridemore has a top four of Georgia Tech, West Virginia, Tennessee and Duke.
Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Wilcox County: Undecided
Ralph Bolden, ATH, Charlton County: Undecided
Matt Daniels, S, Fayette County: Committed to Duke
Sanders Commings, ATH, Westside: Undecided
Vance King, ATH, Stockbridge: Undecided
Daniel Franklin, LB, Habersham Central: Committed to Oklahoma
Chaz Sutton, DE, Jenkins: Undecided
Franklin Green, RB, Jenkins: Undecided
Khiry Battle, S, Dacula: Undecided
Nigel Nicholas, TE , Ridgeland: Committed to Duke
Brynden Trawick, S, Sprayberry: Undecided
Jaybo Shaw, QB, Flowery Branch: Undecided
Garrett Embry, S, Roswell: Undecided
Central Florida finally contacts Madden with the good news
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Kyle Madden of Harrison landed his first scholarship offer on Monday in a most unorthodox manner.
Coaches from Central Florida began questioning Madden’s interest in their offer late last week when voice mail messages were never returned.
But Madden, who received written notification of the offer in the mail on Monday, had a valid reason for not responding to the messages.
“I had lost my cell phone in Puerto Rico,” Madden said. “My dad informed me [on Monday] and I immediately called the coach. He said ‘we wondered why you hadn’t returned the calls.’
“I told them I’m extremely flattered by their offer and that I’m going to make my decision before the start of my senior season.”
The 6-foot-3, 235-pound Madden, who is being recruited at both tight end and defensive end, said he’s toured Central Florida’s campus in Orlando.
“I went there for junior day and was impressed with their coaches and facilities,” he said.
Madden attended a camp at North Carolina on Saturday and Sunday. He plans to participate in a camp at Michigan State later this week.
“It went really good at North Carolina,” Madden said. “I got a one-on-one tour of the campus with their tight ends coach.”
North Cobb’s Britain claims his eighth offer
Ball State has jumped on the Matt Britain recruiting bandwagon.
The offensive lineman for North Cobb now has offers from Ole Miss, Middle Tennessee State, UAB, Troy, Ohio, Central Florida, Western Michigan and Ball State.
Britain said he has a front-runner, though he has yet to rule out any offer.
“Ole Miss is in the SEC and that’s the offer from a BCS school I have,” Britain said. “The SEC is the best conference.
“I’ve got eight offers. I’m just trying to weigh each of them. I can envision myself for playing for any of those schools.”
Britain, who recently visited Ball State, Wake Forest, Duke, Ole Miss and Middle Tennessee State, plans to go on an unofficial visit to Central Florida this weekend.
“[Central Florida] is recruiting me hard and keeping in touch,” Britain said.
Flowery Branch’s Shaw grabs offer from Middle Tennessee State
Middle Tennessee State has offered Flowery Branch quarterback Jaybo Shaw. The 6-foot, 185-pound Shaw already had scholarship offers from Air Force and Jacksonville State.
Shaw plans to attend a camp at South Florida later this week. He will participate in camps at Georgia and Georgia Tech later this month and another at Alabama in July.
He said coaches from each of those programs communicate with him on a regular basis.
“Actually, they’ve contacted me a lot and sent a lot of text messages,” Shaw said. “They want to get me on campus so the head coach can see me and watch me throw.”
If left up to Shaw, he’d like to receive offers from a couple of SEC powers.
“If I had to say, it’d be either Georgia or Alabama,” he said. “I’ve been to their junior days and those two stuck out the most.”
Offer forthcoming from Troy for Douglas County running back
Troy plans to make an offer to Douglas County running back LaVonte Page later this month.
“My first visit to Troy will be a camp in late June,” Page confirmed. “That’s when I’m supposed to get the offer.
“They liked my tape. They want the head coach to see me before they offer me.”
It will be the first offer for Page, who claims he won’t commit on the spot.
“I’ll still wait and see what other options I have before I decide,” Page said.
Central Gwinnett loaded with potential major college prospects
Central Gwinnett coach Dennis Roland believes his defense contains at least five college prospects.
Yet, only one, mammoth nose tackle Dewayne Cherrington, has received a scholarship offer.
Roland isn’t worried, though, and says it’s only a matter of time before college recruiters take notice of his defensive standouts.
As head coach at North Gwinnett in 2004, Roland had four players earn Division I scholarships: South Carolina’s Jared Cook, Air Force’s Brandon Reeves and Kentucky’s E.J. Adams and Ross Bogue.
None of those players received offers before their senior seasons.
“Everybody wants to be a part of that first wave [of players to receive offers],” said Roland, “but I just tell them to be patient and concentrate on improving every day.”
While the trend in recruiting is to get verbal commitments from juniors, Georgia Tech recruiting coordinator Giff Smith tries to leave a couple of scholarship offers open for players that blossom during their senior years, especially instate prospects.
Roland says defensive ends Michael Longo and Josh Aiken-Phillips and linebackers Zalton Brooks and Jarvis Williams are just that type of players, ones that will see their recruiting interest increase throughout the season.
“Those guys are kind of sleepers,” said Roland.
Even Cherrington, the Knights’ most highly touted recruit, is flying a little bit under the radar. The 6-2, 375-pounder currently has offers from New Mexico State and Alabama-Birmingham.
“He had a good spring and a good semester academically,” said Roland. “He’s concentrating on getting in good shape.”
Three future Dogs in top 100; Brookwood star to Clemson
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
Three future Georgia Bulldogs made Scout.com’s new rankings of the top 100 recruits in the class of 2008.
Topping the list, released Monday: Summerville, S.C., wide receiver A.J. Green, the nation’s most highly rated committed recruit at No. 6.
Statesboro defensive tackle DeAngelo Tyson, also a UGA commitment, is No. 17 on Scout.com’s list.
Cartersville Cass running back and UGA recruit Richard Samuel checks in at No. 89.
Other nuggets:
— The only schools other than UGA to land a top 10 recruit: Southern Cal (offensive tackle Matt Kall, No. 7) and Miami (cornerback Patrick Johnson, No. 9).
— Georgia and Oklahoma are the only schools with commitments from two top-20 prospects.
— Other Peach State players to make Scout.com’s top 100: Norcross wide receiver Brice Butler (No. 36) and Cedar Grove wide receiver Josh Jarboe (No. 78).
— Scout.com’s No. 1 overall prospect — Wichita, Kan., linebacker Arthur Brown — is considering Florida, Florida State, Kansas State, Miami, Michigan, Oklahoma and Southern Cal.
Brookwood’s Zimmerman commits to Clemson
Brookwood punter Dawson Zimmerman was in the heart of Tar Heel land when he decided his future lied with the Clemson Tigers.
A few hours before he was scheduled to kick at North Carolina’s camp, Zimmerman was touring the university campus with his parents, when he received a text message from Clemson assistant coach Ron West.
Ten minutes later, he committed to Clemson.
“They were my first choice all along,” said Zimmerman, who also had received interest from Wake Forest, Virginia, Maryland and Harvard.
Last year, in his first season as Brookwood’s full-time punter and kickoff specialist, Zimmerman averaged 41 yards per punt, including a 74-yard boot that broke current Denver Broncos kicker Jason Elam’s school record.
Eleven of his punts came to rest inside the 20-yard line. Eighty-six percent of his kickoffs were touchbacks.
“He’s got a talented leg,” said Brookwood coach Mark Crews, “and he’s only been kicking for three years.”
Zimmerman gave up soccer to concentrate on basketball in eighth grade. He eventually traded in his high tops for football cleats and began working with noted kicking coach Mike McCabe.
During his junior season, Zimmerman made the journey to Prattville, Ala., to work out with McCabe every other weekend.
“Coach McCabe really helped me develop my fundamentals and made me a better kicker,” Zimmerman said.
Heading into his senior season at Brookwood, Zimmerman is focusing on improving his hang time.
“I average anywhere from 4.5-4.9 seconds,” he said. “I’d like to become consistently around 4.9.”
Harmon explains why he chose Clemson over Georgia
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Two days after committing to Clemson, Jefferson County defensive lineman A.J. Harmon is confident he made the correct decision.
Some Georgia fans, however, appear to be thinking otherwise.
The 6-foot-5, 328-pound Harmon, who had narrowed his choices to Clemson and Georgia, said he is at peace with his decision to commit to the Tigers over the weekend.
Still, he expects there to be some backlash from the Bulldog nation.
“I know there will be a lot of pressure on me because my friends around here [in Louisville] are diehard Georgia fans,” Harmon said. “But I’ve got to do what’s best for me and my family.
“And I just feel more comfortable at Clemson.”
Harmon said his phone hasn’t been ringing off the hook with well-wishers just yet.
“My friends haven’t called me, so I’m guessing they must be mad,” he said. “But my teammates [at Jefferson County] are supporting me.”
Harmon said he’s had a love affair with Clemson for nearly four years.
“I’ve been a Clemson fan since the eighth grade,” he said. “I can’t wait to run down the hill and rub the rock.”
Harmon said he hopes to personally explain his decision to Georgia coach Mark Richt.
“I don’t have anything against Georgia because I love coach Richt,” Harmon said. “I’ll try to get in touch with coach Richt and talk to him. If Clemson wasn’t here today, I’d be a Georgia Bulldog right now.”
Harmon admitted that the Tigers’ depth chart at defensive tackle impacted his decision.
“I can start as a true freshman at Clemson,” Harmon said.
Mays wide receiver Heard impressive at Georgia combine
Corey Heard of Mays created quite a buzz at the Georgia combine on Friday after he was timed at 4.29 seconds in the 40-yard dash.
Heard, who claims he had never been clocked in the 40 prior to Friday, seemed shocked after being made aware of his time.
“When you run the 40, they normally don’t even tell you your time,” Heard said. “But the guy just looked at me and said ‘4.29.’ I didn’t think I could really do that.”
Heard, who has offers from Stanford, Kentucky and Georgia Tech, says the Yellow Jackets remain his front-runner.
But he’s hopeful North Carolina will make a run at him.
“They’re telling me they want me to come up there,” Heard said. “I want to get up there and visit.”
And then there were three in the running for Chamblee’s Loftley
Chamblee defensive end Taylor Loftley said Sunday evening he has narrowed his choices to Duke, South Carolina and Vanderbilt.
On the Blue Devils: “I like Duke because of the academics,” Loftley said. “And I think this is a football program on the rise.”
On the Gamecocks: “It’s just the coaching staff and tradition,” Loftley said. “I think South Carolina has the talent to win the SEC title. And playing for [coach] Steve Spurrier would be big. He’s a legend.”
On the Commodores: “I like Vanderbilt because of academics,” Loftley said. “And I think their football team is good and getting better.”
Loftley also holds offers from Ohio, Middle Tennessee State, Central Florida, Stanford and UAB.
Like father, like son: Ros commits to UGA
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Bryce Ros woke up Sunday a changed man.
All the indecision he had dealt with in recruiting was gone. All the questions were answered. Ros, a tight end from Kennesaw Mountain High, had made up his mind he was going to play college football at Georgia.
“I thought to myself, ‘What am I waiting for?’ ” Ros said. “So I committed.”
And just the perfect day to do it, too. Ros is the son of Frank Ros, the captain of the 1980 Georgia national championship team. On top of that, Sunday just happened to be Father’s Day, so you would think Bryce’s decision would be the perfect present for his father.
“Actually, I told my mom first,” Ros said. “I was just kind of messing with my dad.”
Ros is the 15th commitment for Georgia. He had been recruited by several SEC and ACC schools. Ros is projected to play tight end, but he has played defensive end in high school and could move to that position as well.
Georgia could receive its 16th commitment at the end of the week. Ben Jones, an offensive lineman from Bibb County, Ala., was offered over the weekend. Jones, whose father also went to Georgia and said the Bulldogs are a leader, will make a decision by as early as Friday.
Jones gets UGA offer; Harmon picks Clemson
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After tossing around defensive linemen all Saturday morning at Georgia’s prospect camp, Ben Jones got that much-anticipated tap on the shoulder.
“Coach Richt wants to see you,” a UGA assistant told the Bibb County, Ala., offensive lineman.
Minutes later, Jones had his first major scholarship offer.
Mark Richt’s message to the 6-foot-2, 306-pound center?
“He told me he didn’t want me,” Jones told the blog Saturday. “He told me he NEEDED me there.”
Jones said he plans to visit Alabama next weekend, then reach a decision “in the next week or two.”
Interest in Jones has picked up since he dominated last month’s Scout.com combine at Georgia Tech. He went to having two offers (from Troy and Air Force) to choosing between the Bulldogs and Nick Saban’s Crimson Tide.
Efforts like Saturday’s didn’t hurt Jones, who has climbed to No. 10 in Rivals.com’s national center rankings.
“I had a really good camp,” Jones said. “The [UGA] coaches really liked my energy and aggressiveness.”
Of his interest in Georgia, Jones said Saturday, “I really like the coaches a lot. Other [college] coaches have all talked very highly about them. I like the facilities and the atmosphere overall.”
With national signing day still seven-plus months away, the Bulldogs already have 14 commitments, but just one from an offensive lineman (Jonathan Owens of Blountsville, Ala.)
Several top uncommitted line prospects still list the Bulldogs as an option, including Tyler Love of Mountain Brook, Ala., and Matt Patchan of Seffner, Fla.
Another top line prospect — Jefferson County star A.J. Harmon — crossed the Bulldogs off his list Friday when he committed to Clemson. Harmon, ranked by Scout.com as the No. 20 overall prospect in the Southeast, also considered Auburn, Florida, Florida State, North Carolina and Tennessee.
Harmon is Rivals.com’s top-ranked offensive guard in the class of 2008 but would prefer to play on the defensive line in college.
“I just knew it was the right situation for me,” Harmon told Tigerillustrated.com of his Clemson commitment. “Basically the top three reasons I committed is because it’s a small hometown like mine, I’m getting to play the three-technique, and I know it’s just the right fit.”
North Gwinnett’s Pritchard commits to Central Florida
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North Gwinnett defensive end Robert Pritchard will play for Central Florida starting next year, Bulldogs coach Bob Sphire said Friday afternoon.
Pritchard, a 6-foot-4, 220-pounder who played a key role on a stingy North defense as a junior, chose coach George O’Leary’s Knights over Memphis and Virginia.
“He made a couple of visits down there and he just fell in love with the staff, with the facilities and the whole campus,” Sphire said of Pritchard. “He felt like he was ready to pull the trigger.”
Pritchard plans to make his commitment a binding one when he signs a letter-of-intent during February’s national signing day.
Central Gwinnett recruiting update
Central Gwinnett coach Dennis Roland believes his defense contains at least five college prospects. Yet, only one, mammoth nose tackle Dewayne Cherrington, has received a scholarship offer.
Roland isn’t worried, though, and says it’s only a matter of time before college recruiters take notice of his defensive standouts.
As head coach at North Gwinnett in 2004, Roland had four players earn Division I scholarships: South Carolina’s Jared Cook, Air Force’s Brandon Reeves and Kentucky’s E.J. Adams and Ross Bogue.
None of those players received offers before their senior seasons.
“Everybody wants to be a part of that first wave [of players to receive offers],” Roland said. “But I just tell them to be patient and concentrate on improving every day.”
While the trend in recruiting is to get verbal commitments from juniors, Georgia Tech recruiting coordinator Giff Smith tries to leave a couple of scholarship offers open for players that blossom during their senior years, especially in-state prospects.
Roland says defensive ends Michael Longo and Josh Aiken-Phillips and linebackers * Zalton Brooks* and Jarvis Williams are just that type of players, ones that will see their recruiting interest increase throughout the season.
“Those guys are kind of sleepers,” Roland said.
Even Cherrington, the Knights’ most highly touted recruit, is flying a little bit under the radar. The 6-2, 375-pounder has offers from New Mexico State and Alabama-Birmingham.
“He had a good spring and a good semester academically,” Roland said. “He’s concentrating on getting in good shape.”
Gwinnett athletes recognized by Rivals.com
Eight Gwinnett county athletes were recognized in Rivals.com’s recently released national position rankings.
Greater Atlanta Christian’s * Christian Robinson* was the highest rated player from Gwinnett. The Georgia signee was ranked as the 10th best outside linebacker.
Norcross boasts two of the top receivers in the nation in Brice Butler and * Devonta Bolton*. Butler came in at No. 12, and Bolton at No. 61 at their position.
Buford defensive tackle Omar Hunter (No. 21), a Notre Dame commitment, and linebacker T.J. Pridemore (No. 25) also made the rankings.
Peachtree Ridge running back Brandon Davis (No. 43) joined defensive back Derrick Bryant (No. 23) on the rankings in their respective positions.
Dacula safety Khiry Battle came in at No. 42.
Kell’s Hicks a wanted man
Kell quarterback Nick Hicks has offers from Air Force, Buffalo and Newberry, along with heavy interest from Southern Miss, Furman, Middle Tennessee State, Marshall and Elon.
The 6-1, 190-pounder had some tough luck last year, getting injured in the season-opener.
It ruined his chance to display his talents in front of dozens of scouts that showed up for practices and games to watch his teammate, All-America tailback Jonathan Dwyer, who signed with Georgia Tech. Hicks missed the first fives games, but returned for the last four to throw for 800 yards and 8 touchdowns.
Offers continue to arrive for Sprayberry multi-purpose athlete
Sprayberry’s Brynden Trawick, who plays safety and quarterback, has 8 early offers and counting: They are from Boston College, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Indiana, Marshall, Louisiana Tech, Middle Tennessee State and Connecticut.
Scouts rave about the 6-3, 215-pounder’s overall athleticism, as he was a three-sport standout at the east Cobb school, also playing basketball and track.
He won the Region 6-AAAAA championship in the triple jump, and finished third in the long jump. He also has attracted the attention of more than 20 other schools, including Ohio State and Alabama.
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Class of 2008 thin under center
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Matt Barkley has a big arm, fleet feet and poise in the pocket, good enough to get him near the top of any college football recruiting list.
That’s just where Barkley will be … in two years. The Mater Dei, Calif., quarterback prospect is about to enter his junior year of high school. But he is already a sought-after commodity.
“He already has [scholarship] offers from Southern Cal and Florida State. [Phillip] Fulmer has offered him from Tennessee,” said Jeremy Crabtree, a national recruiting analyst for Rivals.com. “It’s the middle of June before you have even played your junior year and you have those offers. That is pretty significant.”
And the month to come will only become hotter for Barkley and other top 2009 quarterback prospects like AJ McCarron of Mobile. That’s because there just aren’t many rising seniors who have all of the aforementioned qualities.
There are only five quarterbacks that make most recruiting services’ lists of the top 100 national prospects in the class of 2008.
In past years, that number has been closer to 10. Rivals.com only went 25 deep in its position analysis this year because of the lack of depth at quarterback, Crabtree said. What’s more, around the Southeast, there just isn’t the depth there has been at football’s most inspected position.
“I am going through this top 10 list at every position and I have so many linebackers that I put them into three different categories,” Scout.com analyst Scott Kennedy said while compiling that list for ajc.com. “But I had to stretch to get to 10 quarterbacks.
“It goes in cycles. In the class of 2004, there were about eight or nine quarterbacks signed out of [the state of] Georgia. I don’t think there the state has had that many signed combined since.”
The University of Georgia has not signed one Peach State quarterback in that the time. The Bulldogs’ last four signees at that spot have been from Mississippi (Blake Barnes), North Carolina (Joe Cox), Texas (Matthew Stafford) and Missouri (Logan Gray).
“It’s always a high priority position,” said JC Shurburtt, a recruiting analyst for Rivals.com. “And if there is one year where you maybe don’t get a quarterback because there just isn’t one out there, that puts more pressure on the next year.”
That’s why coaches like Alabama’s Nick Saban and Florida State offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher have beaten a path to McCarron’s door, even though he is still a raw commodity.
It’s also why fans could see many of these young quarterbacks in the high school class of 2009 commit very early.
“I wouldn’t be surprised with all the attention and offers that are out there if you saw somebody commit, not before the end of the summer, but before the end of the next football season,” Shurburtt said.
PRIMETIME PASSERS
Rivals.com’s list of the top 100 recruits in the class of 2008 includes just five quarterbacks:
— Terrelle Pryor, No. 1 overall prospect, Jeanette, Pa. (Undecided)
— E.J. Manuel, No. 18 overall, Virginia Beach, Va. (Undecided)
— Blaine Gabbert, No. 45, Ballwin, Mo. (Committed to Nebraska)
— Andrew Luck, No. 59, Houston (Undecided)
— Dayne Crist, No. 63, Sherman Oaks, Calif. (Committed to Notre Dame)
Carver Columbus’ Furr commits to Auburn
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After nearly committing to Auburn during a visit on Sunday, Carver Columbus quarterback DeRon Furr made it official at 9 a.m. today when he phoned Auburn assistant coach Hugh Nall with the good news.
“I asked coach Nall if he had jersey No. 17 ready for me,” Furr said. “Coach Nall said ‘yeah, are you ready to become an Auburn Tiger?’”
“I told him ‘yes sir.’”
Furr said he made the decision to commit to the Tigers late Thursday.
“I was sitting down yesterday and thinking about who was recruiting me hard,” Furr said. “And there was nobody who was recruiting me as hard as Auburn and telling me the things I want to hear.”
Furr said his family is elated with his decision.
“They really like it,” he said. “They said I made a good choice.”
Tuggle gains another offer
Justin Tuggle, son of former Atlanta Falcon Jessie Tuggle, has picked up a scholarship offer from Ohio.
The Northview quarterback already had offers from Indiana and Mississippi State.
“I’m interested in Ohio,” Tuggle said. “But I’ll just keep trying to check out which school is right for me.”
Tuggle has visited Mississippi State’s campus twice. He hopes to travel to Indiana before August.
Camps have consumed much of Tuggle’s summer.
“I’ve already been to camps at Ole Miss and Auburn,” he said. “And I’m going to Memphis this weekend. I may go to ones at Maryland and N.C. State.”
Tuggle said his dad is maintaining close tabs on his recruitment.
“He’s very excited about it,” Tuggle said. “He’s trying to play a father’s role and make sure I get put in the right situation and go to a place that’s like home.
“He’d love it if I play close to home. But he’s leaving it up to me.”
Offers continue to roll in for Roswell RB
North Carolina, Mississippi State, South Florida and Virginia Tech are among the 15 offers currently held by Roswell running back Ebele Okakpu.
Okakpu said his first offer, which came from Vanderbilt, remains his most memorable.
“I was really excited over the first offer because after playing my junior season I just wanted one offer,” Okakpu said. “After a couple of offers, you still kind of jump up and down, but it’s not as exciting as the first one was.”
Okakpu said he realizes the expectations will be lofty for the defending Class AAAAA co-champions.
“There’s a lot of pressure because after a great season last year everyone expects us to repeat,” Okakpu said. “Like my coach [Tim McFarlin] says ‘we’re not the same team as last year. This is a different group of seniors.’”
Okakpu said he still has mixed feelings about last year’s title game, which ended in a tie.
“If we had gone into overtime and lost, I would have really been angry,” he said. “At the time, I was furious there was no overtime.”
Top Florida prospect likes UGA
Cory Liuget of Hialeah (Fla.) sounds more like a radio station disc jockey than one of Florida’s most coveted recruits.
“I’m still working on putting together my top 40 list,” Liuget said.
For clarification, that’s scholarship offers, not a musical playlist.
Liuget, who arrived in Illinois on Thursday to participate in a camp, said he was enjoyed his recent visit to Georgia.
“They have a really nice facility,” the defensive end said. “Georgia will be in the top 10 this year or next season.”
Liuget’s stay in Athens included quality time with Georgia defensive coordinator Willie Martinez.
“He’s a great guy,” Liuget said. “He loves the game and is enthusiastic about it. I just like the way he carries himself. It gives me good vibes.”
Two offers for Hart County’s Curry
Duke and Central Michigan have offered Kurvin Curry of Hart County.
The Blue Devils were the first to offer the 5-foot-11, 190-pound quarterback.
“It came during my junior season,” Curry said. “I was surprised.”
Curry attended a camp at Duke on Saturday.
“I’ve actually been there twice,” Curry said. I like how the builds have a look as if it’s from overseas.”
Curry was in camp at Wake Forest on Sunday and Vanderbilt one week earlier. He said each camp is nearly identical.
“It’s about the same thing,” Curry said. “You get there and run the 40, vertical shuttles and positions drills. Then you go one-on-one.”
Curry would like to receive an offer from Georgia Tech.
“I hope Georgia Tech will offer because they been showing me early love,” he said. “During the school year, they would text message me just to check in.”
Roswell QB lands first offer
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After watching his Roswell football teammates rack up scholarship offers over the last two months, All-State quarterback Dustin Taliaferro finally got his first one this week, and it came from a surprise school.
Tulane, which Taliaferro said he hadn’t had much communication with since earlier this spring, was the first to extend a scholarship to the 6-foot-3, 200-pound senior on the defending Class AAAAA co-champions.
“I was pretty excited, your first offer is always special,” Taliaferro said. “I hadn’t been hearing much lately from Tulane, so it was pretty unexpected. It was a great surprise.”
Taliaferro said he got a message to call Tulane’s coaching staff, and when he reached them, they said they “liked what they saw on film. They also liked that I was a quarterback on a winning team because they want a winning quarterback.”
Taliaferro said he also has “serious interest” from Duke, Wake Forest, and Vanderbilt, among other schools. Taliaferro, who has a 4.0 GPA, said he plans to attend Duke’s prospect camp on Saturday.
“I’m not worried about Dustin and recruiting,” Roswell coach Tim McFarlin said. “Just like one of our coaches said the other day: ‘Someone is going to hit the lottery with him.’ He’s such a unique kid with a tremendous upside.”
Taliaferro threw for 2,060 yards and 18 touchdowns last season. He said he has been told by most scouts that quarterbacks are recruited differently than all other positions: Because they are considered the “face” of a college program, coaches prefer to spend an extended time with quarterbacks to determine their character and examine their throwing mechanics.
“I was never frustrated because my teammates were getting offers and I wasn’t,” Taliaferro said. “First of all, I was happy for all of them. I always knew good things would happen for me sooner or later. I’ve just got to continue working hard and all the recruiting stuff will take care of itself.”
Georgia Tech leads in the scramble for Mays receiver
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Corey Heard, a wide receiver for Mays, has received a scholarship offer from Georgia Tech.
Heard, a 3.5 GPA student who already had offers from Kentucky and Stanford, is content to play the waiting game.
“I’d love to go to Georgia Tech,” Heard said. “I just don’t know yet. It’s a tough decision.”
Heard, who says he will study architecture if he signs with Tech, is curious to see if North Carolina jumps on his recruiting bandwagon.
“North Carolina is looking at me,” Heard said. “I know I can go there and play right away.
“Georgia Tech is my front-runner. But I’m still waiting to see what North Carolina does.”
Carver Columbus quarterback nearly says yes to Auburn
DeRon Furr came oh so close to pulling the trigger.
The 6-foot-2, 205-pound quarterback seriously considered giving a commitment to Auburn during an on-campus visit on Sunday. Instead, Furr elected to put a decision on hold.
“I almost committed on Sunday, but something told me to wait a little longer and be patient,” said Furr, who also has offers from Duke, Tulane, Troy and The Citadel.
But Furr made it clear the Tigers are in the lead to land his signature in February.
“Auburn is my front-runner,” he said. “I feel real welcome there and I related to the coaches real well. I also like the campus and the academics.”
Furr also likes the fact his home in Columbus is a short drive to Auburn.
“That’s real big,” Furr said.
Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville was a big hit with Furr, who wants to play quarterback on the collegiate level.
“Me and my mom talked to [Tuberville],” Furr said. “He just wants me to come there and be the best player and athlete I can be.
“As soon as I come in, they said the job will be wide open and they’d want me to compete then.”
Lovejoy’s Brown dazzles at South Carolina camp
Lovejoy wide receiver Ta’Jaun Brown turned in a favorable performance under the watchful eyes of South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier and his staff during a camp in Columbia on Saturday.
Now the 6-foot-1, 186-pound receiver hopes his effort translates into an offer.
“The South Carolina coaches were impressed with me,” Brown said. “But they said they are taking their time on who they offer because they are only going to offer three receivers.”
Brown said he had an opportunity to meet Spurrier.
“He’s a real coach,” Brown said. “He doesn’t promise you anything. He’s a real cool, laid back coach.
“I’d like to play for him. But seeing that they’ve already got so many receivers, I still want to take my time right now. I don’t what to rush anything. I want to go where I’m comfortable.”
Brown said he is receiving considerable attention from South Carolina, Mississippi State, Akron, Eastern Kentucky, Middle Tennessee State and South Carolina State. He is confident his first offer will arrive any day.
“I’m just waiting and anxious to get my first offer,” Brown said. “I’ve always wanted to be the number one receiver in the nation. I’ve wanted that since my first year in high school. I’ve just got to keep working hard.”
Stephenson’s Route on the path to Marshall
Destin Route, a 5-foot-8, 155-pound cornerback at Stephenson, has given a soft verbal commitment to Marshall.
“I talked to the coach at Marshall, and they can’t actual let him [commit] until they get a copy of his transcripts and test scores,” Stephenson coach Ron Gartrell said. “Hopefully, that’s the only thing they’re waiting for.”
Route intercepted four passes and blocked five kicks, including three punts last season.
“He’s a very explosive young many with excellent speed,” Gartrell said.
His older brother, Israel Route, is a Stephenson graduate who played college football at Tulane. He is currently attempting to land a spot on the Detroit Lions’ roster.
Bowers still solid with Clemson
The scholarship offers continue to pour in for 6-foot-6, 250-pound Daquan Bowers of Bamberg Ehrhardt (S.C).
But the mammoth defensive tackle, rated as the No. 2 overall player in the state of South Carolina by scout.com, says he intends to stick with his commitment to Clemson.
Ohio State, Notre Dame, LSU, N.C. State, Tennessee, Vanderbilt and Southern Cal have all courted Bowers.
“A lot of them came by the school in the spring wanting to know if I’ve changed my mind,” Bowers said. “They wanted to let me know their offer is still on the table.
“I told them I appreciate it, but I’m a firm commit with Clemson. These are great opportunities, but I can’t accept them.”
Bowers, who is in Clemson this week for a three-day camp, said he never felt pressured by relatives or friends to remain close to home.
“My family left the decision to me to make sure that’s where I want to go,” Bowers said. “And I think the fans are real happy with my decision.”
Georgia still in the hunt for Norcross’ Bolton
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Don’t expect a haphazard commitment from Norcross safety/wide receiver Devonta Bolton, who is determined to exercise due diligence on each of his scholarship offers.
“It’s been a great adventure so far with me and my family deciding where I want to go,” said Bolton, who has offers from programs such as Georgia, Alabama, Auburn, Boston College, Kentucky, Mississippi State and South Carolina.
“I really don’t have any top schools that are above the other ones. I want to look at all of them.”
Bolton, who attend this spring’s A-Day game at Alabama, said the campuses at Tuscaloosa, Auburn, Gainesville and Auburn were equally impressive.
Georgia coach Mark Richt made a favorable impression on the 6-foot-2, 220-pound Bolton during a recent visit.
“Coach Richt has got a great program,” Bolton said. “He’s a religious man who believes in a strong foundation. He’s going to win some games.”
Kendrick standout visits Georgia Tech
Kendrick cornerback Cedric Chambers has his heart set on playing college football at Georgia Tech.
The 5-foot-10, 178-pound Chambers hope the Yellow Jackets have a similar mindset.
Chambers attended a one-day camp at Tech on Saturday.
“We really went through all the basic drills and everything,” Chambers said.
Chambers, who also visited Tech during junior day in February, met Yellow Jacket coach Chan Gailey.
“I really like him,” Chambers said. “He walked around during the drills and gave instructions. He’s willing to teach if you don’t know how and allow you to get better at what you do.”
Chambers is also waiting on a potential offer from Vanderbilt.
“I was supposed to go to a camp at Vandy last week, but I didn’t make it,” he said. “The coaches there told me they need to look at more tape and they still might offer me a scholarship.”
Chambers, who has a 3.3 GPA and scored a 20 on the ACT, is attempting to graduate in December.
McCutcheon chooses Marshall
Stephenson wide receiver Cory McCutcheon (6-foot-4, 190-pounds) has accepted an offer from Marshall.
According to Stephenson coach Ron Gartrell, the Thundering Herd is receiving a versatile player.
“Cory can run, jump and do it all,” Gartrell said. “He’s an above-average athlete blessed with a lot of talent.”
The veteran coach said one of McCutcheon’s memorable moments occurred during the season opener two years ago.
“His biggest game was his sophomore year when he had six catches for 148 yards and two touchdowns against Brookwood in the Corky Kelly. I think that projected him as a recruit.”
Lincoln County star transferring from Virginia Tech to Vanderbilt
After engineering Lincoln County to the past two Class A championships, quarterback Brandon Barden graduated in December and enrolled in classes at Virginia Tech the following month.
Despite participating in spring practice with the Hokies, the 6-foot-5, 219-pound Barden experienced a change of heart and elected to transfer.
After receiving a release from his scholarship from Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer, Barden signed with Vanderbilt on Tuesday.
“Vanderbilt was in the running all along,” said Barden’s mother Becky Barden, who is the principal at Lincoln County. “He was always torn between Virginia Tech and Vandy.
“And when the shooting occurred at Virginia Tech, he was glad Vanderbilt still had something available. But all along it had been a tug of war between the two schools.”
Becky Barden praised Beamer for his prompt reaction to his son’s request to be released from his scholarship.
“He was very nice about it with an immediate reply,” she said. “He said it was fine.”
Brandon Barden is eagerly awaiting a ruling from the NCAA to determine if he will be eligible to play this fall or be forced to sit out a season following his transfer.
According to Becky Barden, there is no clear-cut precedence.
“They told us there is no blanket answer in cases like this,” she said. “We’re just waiting to hear from the NCAA to see if he has to sit out.
“If he’s eligible, he’ll start classes in July. Otherwise, he’ll enroll in the fall.”
Q&A with Georgia football recruit No. 14
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Jonathan Owens of Susan Moore High in Blountsville, Ala. committed to Georgia on Friday. The 6-foot-5, 300-pound offensive lineman also had offers from Georgia Tech, Troy and UAB. He spoke with Journal-Constitution staff writer Jeff Hood about his decision to commit to UGA.
Q: How much thought did you give to committing to Georgia Tech?
A: I could have went with Georgia Tech, but I just didn’t feel like that’s where I needed to go.
Q: Did it come down to Tech being an engineering school, facilities, coaches or a campus located in the middle of a large city?
A: It was a little bit of everything. I just didn’t see myself fitting in there.
Q: How would you describe your future college coach, Mark Richt?
A: He’s just a great guy. He’s real easy to talk to. I think he’s a great coach who is very approachable.
Q: Was the opportunity to play for Richt the reason you decided to commit to Georgia?
A: A pretty good bit, but not all of it.
Q: Where do you think you will fit in at Georgia?
A: I want to play and be the best there is. I’ll play wherever they put me. Right now, it looks like it will be at center or guard.
Q: What did you do during your visits to Georgia?
A: I went last weekend. I also went to a scrimmage, so I’ve been twice. The last time we visited we got to take a tour of all of the facilities, the weight room and football field. We went around Athens and I got to talk to a lot of people.
Q: Do you think you’ll catch grief from Auburn and Alabama fans for leaving the state for college?
A: Probably, but I don’t really care.
Q: How did Georgia discover you?
A: It was probably Coach [Rodney] Garner, who saw me play in one of our playoff games last year.
Q: Will your schedule allow you to attend many UGA games this fall?
A: Oh yeah, definitely. I plan on going to most every home game.
Tech lands receiver; Miami linebacker high on Dogs, Jackets
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Georgia Tech picked up the fourth commitment of its 2008 football recruiting class Monday, when Hawkinsville High’s Kamaron Riley told coach Chan Gailey he wants to play for the Yellow Jackets.
The 6-foot-1 1/2, 185-pound Riley caught 43 passes for 707 yards and eight touchdowns as a wide receiver last season for Hawkinsville, where the senior-to-be also plays defensive back.
Tech has recruited Riley with the idea of playing him on defense.
He was at Tech’s football camp Saturday, where he ran the 40-yard-dash in 4.5 seconds and had a vertical leap of 36 inches.
Riley also had scholarship offers from Indiana, Vanderbilt and Marshall, but chose to stay closer to home.
“Every time I came up there to visit, they made me feel like I was at home,” said Riley, who was recruited chiefly by defensive line coach/recruiting coordinator Giff Smith.
“And in talking to some of the players who signed last year, they all said the coaches were truthful with them.”
Henry County wide receiver Chris Jackson, Orlando running back Embry Peeples and Dublin offensive lineman Nick McRae previously committed to Tech.
Miami linebacker likes Georgia, Georgia Tech
Etienne Sabino, a 6-foot-3, 230-pound linebacker for Dr. Michael M. Krop High in Miami, toured the campuses of Georgia and Georgia last week.
“It went good,” Sabino said. “I really liked Georgia Tech. I liked Georgia too. I was impressed with the coaches.”
Sabino appears to be sold on the character of Georgia coach Mark Richt.
“He was a good guy,” Sabino said. “He’s a family guy. And he made it clear to me that he’s not going anywhere anytime soon. He wants to stay at Georgia.”
Georgia Tech coach Chan Gailey told Sabino not to expect 90,000 fans to occupy Bobby Dodd Stadium on game days.
“They were actually in camp [on Saturday] when I got a chance to go to [Gailey’s] office,” Sabino said. “He told me if I’m looking for a big college atmosphere, Georgia Tech is not the place for me. He was very honest with me.”
Sabino, who has scholarship offers from programs such as Georgia, Georgia Tech, Florida, Miami, North Carolina, Notre Dame and Southern Cal, said its too soon to eliminate any school from consideration.
“I don’t even have a top 5,” said Sabino, who is on track to graduate in December. “But Georgia and Georgia Tech are teams that I’m interested in.”
Stephenson cornerback headed to Louisville
Stephenson’s Ahmed Abdul-Shakoor has accepted an offer from Louisville.
The 5-foot-11, 195-pound cornerback was also being recruited by Georgia Tech, Alabama, Clemson and Virginia Tech.
“He’s a very talented young man with a lot of skills,” Stephenson coach Ron Gartrell said. “He was great work ethics and is a great student. I think they picked up a very good player.”
Abdul-Shakoor played football at Clarkston through his junior season prior to transferring to Stephenson earlier this year.
Ohio and Central Florida offer Roswell’s Hazelton
Roswell defensive end Curtis Hazelton has secured offers from Ohio and Central Florida.
Hazelton said the first offer came from Central Florida late last month.
“I was just happy to get that first one out there,” Hazelton said. “Hopefully, I’ll get a lot more.”
The 6-foot-3, 230-pound Hazelton spent last weekend in Nashville, Tenn. at a summer camp at Vanderbilt.
“I liked it a lot at Vanderbilt,” Hazelton said. “I liked the coaches a lot. The coaches told me they’d let me know [about an offer] later this week.”
Offers continue to roll in for Roswell’s Daniel
Tailback Alex Daniel was asked if he was sitting down by Roswell coach Tim McFarlin before he was informed recently that Arkansas had extended an offer.
Along with the SEC power, Daniel’s seven offers include Central Florida, San Diego State, East Carolina, Air Force, Ball State and Tulane.
“The college love Alex’s toughness, they love that he played in three playoff games, including the state championship, with a serious knee injury,” McFarlin said.
“They love how he runs hard every play and never takes a down off. I really think [Arkansas] is just the beginning of big things to come for him.”
Daniel (5-foot-11, 200-pound) is being primarily recruited at tailback, but has also left open the option of playing defensive back, where he started as a freshman and sophomore.
Last year, Daniel rushed for 1,462 yards and 13 touchdowns on 283 carries. McFarlin says Daniel reminds him of former Roswell tailback Randell Bell, who signed with New Mexico State after spending last year in prep school. McFarlin has previously said Bell was the “best running back” he’d ever coached in 27 years at the north Fulton school.
Jackson, Jarboe put Bulldogs on short lists
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Georgia remains in contention to land a commitment from Heard County running back Dontavius Jackson.
According to Jackson, Alabama, Clemson, LSU, Penn State and Georgia are among his five finalists after this weekend.
Jackson, who rushed for more than 2,200 yards and scored 26 touchdowns last season, wouldn’t declare an outright leader among the group.
“They’re all probably about the same right now,” said Jackson, who anticipates making a commitment in September or October.
The 5-foot-10, 196-pound back visited Athens last week.
“I met pretty much all the coaches at Georgia,” Jackson said. “Coach [Mark] Richt is a great guy. He broke down their situation at running back. I think I’d fit real good there.”
Jackson was equally impressed following visits to Alabama and Clemson earlier this year.
“Alabama has a great fan base and coaches,” he said. “And Clemson has a good running-style offense and great academics.”
Jackson cautioned against discounting his interest in Penn State.
“I’ve got family in Pennsylvania,” he said. “Plus, they’ve got Coach [Joe] Paterno.”
Jackson, who plans to spend the next two months working out in Franklin, has little interest in attending camps this summer.
He figures there is little to prove since he already has the offers he covets.
“Why go to a camp? Most college coaches have already seen me play,” Jackson said.
Jarboe waits for Vols to offer
With scholarship offers from Georgia, Georgia Tech, Florida, LSU, Auburn, Ohio State, Alabama, Oklahoma, Miami, North Carolina, Virginia Tech and Florida State, Cedar Grove’s Josh Jarboe is one of the nation’s most coveted wide receivers.
Jarboe claims he’s in no hurry to trim his list.
In the interim, he would like to hear from Tennessee. To date, the Volunteers have failed to extend an offer.
“I’m not leaning; I’m still wide open,” Jarboe said. “But I would like to talk to Tennessee.”
What are the odds of Jarboe playing college football close to home?
“Georgia and Georgia Tech are in my home state, so that’s why they have a little advantage,” Jarboe said. “But Georgia isn’t known for throwing the ball much. And Georgia Tech just started.”
After reiterating that no school has been ruled out, Jarboe agreed to provide his current top five.
“I really like LSU,” he said. “And then I’d go with Oklahoma, Florida, North Carolina and Georgia.”
Peachtree Ridge’s Demps goes camping
Following the completion of a one-day camp at South Carolina on Saturday, Peachtree Ridge’s Cameron Demps arrived in Gainesville the following day to take part in a camp at Florida.
The 5-foot-9, 165-pound cornerback also attended camps at North Carolina and Auburn earlier this month.
Demps said the names and faces may be different from campus to campus, but the format remains the same.
“They pretty much run the same drills and go one-on-one,” he said.
Demps currently has offers from Auburn, Florida, LSU, North Carolina, Virginia Tech and Ole Miss.
“It’s all wide open right now,” Demps said of his recruitment.
Four offers and counting for Farley
Grady linebacker Darryl Farley is confident two new offers are around the corner.
“I think Louisville and Northwestern will make offers,” predicted Farley, who has already been offered by Marshall, Ole Miss, Ohio and Tulane.
Farley, who plans to study engineering or accounting, said he’s in no hurry to commit.
“I’m just waiting until the start of the season,” he said.
Palmetto State star hears hometown pleas
Jaron Brown, a 6-foot-2, 185-pound wide receiver from Cheraw (S.C.), is sporting seven Division I scholarship offers.
South Carolina, Clemson, Kentucky, West Virginia, Vanderbilt, Duke and Tennessee are each officially in the running to sign Brown.
“Right now, I have no front runner,” Brown said. “It’s wide open.”
But friends and relatives are urging him to stay close to home and commit to Clemson or South Carolina.
“I hear it all the time,” Brown said. “Cheraw is a small town full of a lot of Gamecock and Clemson fans.”
Three offers for Troup lineman
Troup offensive lineman John Oliver recently added offers from Akron and South Florida to his portfolio. He already holds an offer from Arkansas.
The 6-foot-6, 270-pound Oliver said his participation at a racent Scout.com one-day camp at Georgia Tech proved beneficial for multiple reasons.
“I think that camp gave me some exposure,” Oliver said. “And I got to see my competition right now and what might be some of my teammates in the future. I think the camp helped people get to see what I can do.”
Oliver likes the idea of playing for the Tampa Bay-based Bulls program.
“I’m really interested in South Florida,” Oliver said. “They play at Auburn in week 2. I figure I might go to that game.”
Oliver plans to attend camps at Georgia, Furman and Jacksonville State this summer.
Linemen Harmon, Jones, Love on Bulldogs’ radar
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Georgia and Clemson remain the frontrunners to land a commitment from Jefferson County lineman A.J. Harmon.
The 6-foot-5, 325-pound Harmon has 15 scholarship offers, including one from South Carolina.
Harmon was in Columbia on Thursday to participate in a one-day camp with the Gamecocks.
“It went good,” Harmon said. “I feel like I did real well.”
Harmon is scheduled to attend a one-day camp at Auburn and a three-day camp at Clemson later this month.
“And I want to attend camp this summer at Florida and Georgia,” he said.
Harmon is hopeful an offer will be forthcoming from LSU “because I’m a big fan of [former LSU basketball player] Shaquille O’Neal.
But Harmon made it clear that his favorites remain Clemson and Georgia.
“I went to game at Clemson, and it was just crazy when they ran down that hill in all that orange,” Harmon said.
Current Georgia offensive lineman and former Jefferson County standout Fernando Velasco is one of Harmon’s longtime friends.
“I look up to him,” Harmon said. “He’s like my brother.”
Alabama lineman: UGA is ‘dream school’
It didn’t take long for news of the dazzling performance turned in by Bibb County (Ala.) offensive lineman Ben Jones at a recent Scout.com combine to spread within the college coaching ranks.
“I ended up getting phone calls from Georgia, Georgia Tech, North Carolina and Tulane,” Jones said. “I definitely picked up some more interest following that camp.”
The 6-foot-3, 300-pound Jones has offers from Air Force and Troy. Offers from SEC and ACC powers may be forthcoming.
“I’m going to a camp at Clemson on Sunday [June 10] and Monday,” Jones said. “And I’ll be at Georgia on June 15th and 16th.”
Coaches from both programs are eager to evaluate Jones.
“They’re all telling me the same thing,” Jones said when asked to evaluate Clemson’s and Georgia’s interest. “They want to see me in camp to compare to their other recruits.”
Should Georgia make an offer, the Bulldogs will likely become Jones’ immediate frontrunner.
“I’d be extremely interested,” said Jones, who has relatives that reside in Thomasville. “Georgia is my dream school. That’s the school I always pull for. And my dad graduated from Georgia.”
Spurrier lands QB recruit
Steve Spurrier may have landed his quarterback of the future Saturday when Reid McCollum committed to South Carolina.
The 6-foot-4 McCollum is a teammate of Georgia wide receiver recruit A.J. Green’s at Summerville (S.C.) High.
Scout.com reported that McCollum broke the news to Spurrier following an impressive performance at Saturday’s one-day camp in Columbia.
“Spurrier just told me that he really likes the way that I throw the ball, and he wanted me to be a Gamecock,” McCollum told Scout. “He said I didn’t have to commit right now, but I told him, ‘This is where I want to play,’ so I committed right there on the spot.
“He was really excited when I told him that. I’m happy to be a Gamecock, and I’m definitely firm in my commitment.”
Will lineman show Georgia the Love?
Tyler Love of Mountain Brook, Ala. is one of the most coveted offensive linemen in the country. The 6-foot-7, 285-pound Love has plans to visit at least two SEC powers in the near future.
“I’m going to Florida on June 15th for an official visit,” Love said. “And I plan on coming to Georgia sometime in the next two weeks.”
Love, who confirmed receipt of more than 30 scholarship offers from powers such as Alabama, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Miami, Tennessee and Southern Cal, has plans to come up with a list of contenders.
“I’ll narrow it down to five in the next week,” he said.
So what is the mammoth lineman looking for in a college?
“Playing is definitely important,” Love said. “But an education is even more important.”
Wildcats showing interest in Bohannon
Kentucky made an offer to Blount (Ala.) defensive end Willie Bohannon earlier this week. The 6-foot-2, 225-pound Blount already had offers from Alabama and Louisiana-Lafayette.
“I really like Kentucky a lot,” Bohannon said. “I’ll take a visit there.”
Bohannon seems interested in Louisiana-Lafayette primarily out of respect, while he appears to have cooled somewhat toward the Crimson Tide.
“Louisiana-Lafayette has been watching me since my 10th grade season,” he said. “As soon as they talked to me, they offered.”
“One of the folks who has committed to Alabama is Ivan Matchett [of Mobile, Ala.]. He’s a good friend of mine. But I’m still thinking about not going to the [upcoming] Alabama camp.”
But Bohannon hasn’t slammed the door shut on the Tide.
“They’re still communicating with me,” said Bohannon, who plans to attend camps at South Miss and Florida State this summer.
Auburn set to reel in Bass?
Northside Warner Robins wide receiver Nick Bass heads to camp this weekend in Auburn with offers from Indiana, Tennessee and Vanderbilt in his his recruiting portfolio.
Bass was noncommittal when asked if he sees Auburn jumping on his bandwagon.
“Right now, I’m just not sure,” Bass said. “We’ll see.”
In the interim, the Volunteers are his frontrunner.
“I’m interested in Tennessee because they’re in the SEC,” said Bass, who is in talks with coaches at South Carolina about attending a camp in Columbia this summer.
Owens 14th to commit to UGA
Another day, another class of 2008 star telling Mark Richt he’s coming to Georgia.
The Bulldogs landed commitment No. 14 Friday, from Blountsville (Ala.) Susan Moore High offensive lineman Jonathan Owens.
“I just love everything about him,” Owens told Rivals.com. “He has great morals, he is a family man and he cares more than just football. He really cares for his players and wants to make them better men for after football.”
The 6-foot-5, 280-pound Owens also had a scholarship offer from Georgia Tech.
He’s the first offensive lineman to commit in a class that is stocked with defensive linemen and highly rated wide receivers.
UGA, Tech recruits get baseball call
Georgia wide receiver recruit Israel Troupe was selected in the 31st round of baseball’s amateur draft by the Colorado Rockies.
Troupe, a 6-foot-1, 200-pound former Tift County star, said before the draft that he’d consider turning pro in baseball if he was selected high enough.
Before his name was called Friday, 941 others were selected.
In other baseball draft news involving college football recruits:
— Former Chamblee High star Roddy Jones, a Georgia Tech tailback signee, was taken with the 1,186th selection by the Chicago White Sox. Jones is a center field prospect in baseball.
— AJC Super Southern 100 wide receiver Chad Jones of Baton Rouge, La., was selected with the 411th pick by the Chicago White Sox. Jones also starred as a center fielder at Southern Lab.
UGA signees Cuff, Knox in limbo
February signees Vance Cuff, Logan Gray and John Knox didn’t show up in Athens with the rest of Georgia’s freshmen this week.
Gray, a quarterback, is recovering from mononucleosis at home in Missouri; Cuff and Knox, both defensive backs, are still awaiting grades.
Georgia typically has a signee or two who go to Virginia’s Hargrave Military Academy for at least a semester to get their academics in order.
“There is time,” Bulldogs coach Mark Richt said. “Really, you have until the end of the summer.”
While losing Knox, which appears likely, would hurt UGA’s depth, the loss of Cuff might be a bigger blow. Georgia needs cornerback help after the unexpected departure of star junior Paul Oliver.
Cuff’s status is being held up by the NCAA clearinghouse. The Moultrie Observer reported that the clearinghouse has denied two core classes that Colquitt County High officials expected would be among the 14 required by the NCAA for eligibility.
The school has appealed the clearinghouse’s ruling, Colquitt County coach Tim Cokely told The Observer.
“It makes no sense,” Cokely told the newspaper.
Okakpu lands Miami offer
The University of Miami is the latest school to offer a scholarship to Roswell linebacker Ebele Okakpu, the most heavily recruited player from the defending Class AAAAA co-state champions.
The 6-foot-2, 210-pounder has a total of 12 offers, with others coming from North Carolina, Louisville, South Carolina, Ole Miss, Purdue, Vanderbilt, South Florida, Minnesota, Indiana, Marshall and Troy. But it’s the interest from the Hurricanes that has everybody talking.
“It’s an honor that Miami wants me, I’ve dreamed about playing for them since I was a little kid,” Okakpu said. “Miami will be tough to beat, but I’m going to take my time and check out all my options.”
Roswell coach Tim McFarlin said Okakpu has attracted the attention of many of the nation’s top colleges because of his height and speed. Okakpu is projected to play outside linebacker in college, where scouts feel he is fast enough to guard both wide receivers and tight ends in pass coverage, along with being able to come up and make the big hit on a run play.
“He reminds a lot of recruiters of the Brookwood linebacker [Rennie Curran] who signed with Georgia last year,” McFarlin said. “Ebele is a speed guy who makes big plays.”
UGA lands No. 14; Rockies take Troupe; Okakpu to UM?
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Another day, another class of 2008 star telling Mark Richt he’s coming to Georgia.
The Bulldogs landed commitment No. 14 Friday, from Blountsville (Ala.) Susan Moore High offensive lineman Jonathan Owens.
“I just love everything about him,” Owens told Rivals.com. “He has great morals, he is a family man and he cares more than just football. He really cares for his players and wants to make them better men for after football.”
The 6-foot-5, 280-pound Owens also had a scholarship offer from Georgia Tech.
He’s the first offensive lineman to commit in a class that is stocked with defensive linemen and highly rated wide receivers.
UGA, Tech recruits get baseball call
Georgia wide receiver recruit Israel Troupe was selected in the 31st round of baseball’s amateur draft by the Colorado Rockies.
Troupe, a 6-foot-1, 200-pound former Tift County star, said before the draft that he’d consider turning pro in baseball if he was selected high enough.
Before his name was called Friday, 941 others were selected.
In other baseball draft news involving college football recruits:
— Former Chamblee High star Roddy Jones, a Georgia Tech tailback signee, was taken with the 1,186th selection by the Chicago White Sox. Jones is a center field prospect in baseball.
— AJC Super Southern 100 wide receiver Chad Jones of Baton Rouge, La., was selected with the 411th pick by the Chicago White Sox. Jones also starred as a center fielder at Southern Lab.
UGA signees Cuff, Knox in limbo
February signees Vance Cuff, Logan Gray and John Knox didn’t show up in Athens with the rest of Georgia’s freshmen this week.
Gray, a quarterback, is recovering from mononucleosis at home in Missouri; Cuff and Knox, both defensive backs, are still awaiting grades.
Georgia typically has a signee or two who go to Virginia’s Hargrave Military Academy for at least a semester to get their academics in order.
“There is time,” Bulldogs coach Mark Richt said. “Really, you have until the end of the summer.”
While losing Knox, which appears likely, would hurt UGA’s depth, the loss of Cuff might be a bigger blow. Georgia needs cornerback help after the unexpected departure of star junior Paul Oliver.
Cuff’s status is being held up by the NCAA clearinghouse. The Moultrie Observer reported that the clearinghouse has denied two core classes that Colquitt County High officials expected would be among the 14 required by the NCAA for eligibility.
The school has appealed the clearinghouse’s ruling, Colquitt County coach Tim Cokely told The Observer.
“It makes no sense,” Cokely told the newspaper.
In other UGA recruiting news …
— Tyler Love, a star lineman from Mountain Brook, Ala., said he plans another visit to Athens soon. He plans to spend this weekend at Florida.
— Etienne Sabino, a linebacker from Miami, checked out Athens on Wednesday, the same day the Bulldogs landed a commitment from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., defensive end Jeremy Longo.
Okakpu lands Miami offer
The University of Miami is the latest school to offer a scholarship to Roswell linebacker Ebele Okakpu, the most heavily recruited player from the defending Class AAAAA co-state champions.
The 6-foot-2, 210-pounder has a total of 12 offers, with others coming from North Carolina, Louisville, South Carolina, Ole Miss, Purdue, Vanderbilt, South Florida, Minnesota, Indiana, Marshall and Troy. But it’s the interest from the Hurricanes that has everybody talking.
“It’s an honor that Miami wants me, I’ve dreamed about playing for them since I was a little kid,” Okakpu said. “Miami will be tough to beat, but I’m going to take my time and check out all my options.”
Roswell coach **Tim McFarlin said Okakpu has attracted the attention of many of the nation’s top colleges because of his height and speed. Okakpu is projected to play outside linebacker in college, where scouts feel he is fast enough to guard both wide receivers and tight ends in pass coverage, along with being able to come up and make the big hit on a run play.
“He reminds a lot of recruiters of the Brookwood linebacker [Rennie Curran] who signed with Georgia last year,” McFarlin said. “Ebele is a speed guy who makes big plays.”
Britain weighs offers; White waits for Tar Heels
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North Cobb offensive lineman Matt Britain has scholarship offers from Ole Miss, Middle Tennessee State, UAB, Troy, Ohio, Central Florida and Western Michigan.
Britain will attend one-day camps at Ball State on Friday and Wake Forest on Sunday.
He is lobbying for an offer from Vanderbilt.
“I was at a camp at Vanderbilt on Sunday,” Britain said. “I’m hoping they will offer. I’ll just continue to work hard in the weight room.”
Even if the Commodores deliver, Britain insists he won’t be in a rush to make a commitment.
“I’m just trying to wait and see,” Britain said. “I’ll keep an open look on everything and make a last minute decision.”
White waits for Tar Heels
North Carolina is atop the wish list of Stockbridge running back Rashaad White.
“Recruiting is going well,” White said. “I’ve got offers from Eastern Kentucky, Eastern Carolina, Navy and Georgia Southern so far. And I’ve got North Carolina, Clemson, South Carolina and Purdue looking at me.
“But the school that I’m really looking at it is North Carolina. That’s where I’d like to go.”
Why is White sold on the Tar Heels?
“I’ve take a couple of visits to North Carolina,” he said. “I just like the atmosphere. And they’ve got a great academic program.”
White is confident he is still in the running for an offer from Carolina.
“They’re still watching film and observing,” White said.
Kopacka ready to hit road
Blessed Trinity tight end Ben Kopacka is packing his bags for upcoming visits to Wake Forest and Central Florida.
Kopacka has an offer from Air Force.
“And I’m supposed to hear from Central Florida, Arkansas, Wake Forest, Ole Miss and Georgia Tech soon,” he said.
Kopacka is cherishing the recruiting process.
“It’s great just to able to take a tour of the facilities,” he said. “And it’s great to know [the coaches] are there for you.”
Healthy Smith hopeful for offers
South Forsyth linebacker Tyler Smith believes he has successfully recovered from an injury that sidelined him last season.
“I didn’t get to play my junior year because of a torn ACL,” said Smith, who suffered the tear at a basketball camp. “I was out the whole season with that. But I did spring practice and everything seems fine.”
Smith is eagerly awaiting his first offer.
“I’ve been on a couple of visits, but no offers so far,” he said.
Fort Lauderdale’s Longo 13th to commit to UGA
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With eight months to go until national signing day, Georgia’s recruiting work is more than half finished.
Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) Cardinal Gibbons defensive end Jeremy Longo on Wednesday became the 13th rising senior to commit to Bulldogs coach Mark Richt.
The 6-foot-5, 225-pound Longo said he picked UGA over Wisconsin, Alabama and LSU.
“If I didn’t find the right school, I wasn’t going to commit [early]. But I found the right school,” Longo said Wednesday night while on his way to the Atlanta airport following his two-day tour of Athens.
Longo is the second Cardinal Gibbons star to pick the Bulldogs for the class of 2008, joining teammate Blair Walsh, a kicker. Longo said Walsh’s commitment didn’t impact his decision.
What did?
“The coaching staff, the atmosphere, the facilities,” he said. “And Athens is a great town.”
UGA now has commitments from four defensive linemen: Longo, Toby Jackson, an end from Griffin; DeAngelo Tyson, a tackle from Statesboro; and Cornelius Washington, an end from Burke County.
Colleges court metro Atlanta stars
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Mays wide receiver Corey Heard has landed scholarship offers from Stanford and Kentucky.
Heard, who boasts a 3.5 GPA, said he is leaning toward signing with UK. He seemed puzzled over the interest he is generated from California-based Stanford.
“I don’t know,” Heard said of his offer from the Cardinal. “They found me, though.”
Heard, who will run AAU track this summer, said he favors Kentucky because of the Wildcats’ penchant to put the ball in the air.
“I feel like I have good speed, hands and I like to run the deep route,” Heard said.
Rhodes lands Navy offer
Navy has made an offer to Columbia running back Taurean Rhodes.
“And I’ve talked to coaches from Troy, UAB and North Carolina,” the 5-foot-9, 198-pound Rhodes confirmed.
Daniel: ‘No favorites right now’
Roswell running back Alex Daniel picked up offers last week from San Diego State and East Carolina. He already had offers from Arkansas, Tulane, Central Florida, Air Force and Ball State.
“No favorites right now,” Daniel said. “I’m interested in everybody’s that offered me and a few more schools.”
Daniel attended a one-day camp at Colorado on Friday.
“[The camp] went real good,” Daniel said. “We did a lot of one-on-ones. They had a dunking competition and a lot of fun stuff.”
Daniel is still waiting to hear if Colorado will offer.
“They told me I’m the No. 3 player on their board right now,” Daniel said. “They said they’d watch my film and be in touch me.”
Air Force, Tulane court Howard
Air Force and Tulane have offered scholarships to Blessed Trinity offensive lineman Harris Howard.
“We’ll see where it goes,” the 6-foot-4, 280-pound Howard said. “I’m going to a couple of camps over the summer.
“Right now, I just want to kind of keep my options open and see what happens over the summer. An early commitment is something I’m definitely looking to do. But as far as an actual time frame, it will be a discussion with my family.”
Harris said he’s still uncertain if he will play guard or tackle in college.
“Most schools are recruiting me at guard, but a couple of ACC schools want me to play tackle there,” he said. “It really just depends on the school.”
38 offers for Sunshine State star
At last count, Hialeah, Fla., defensive end Corey Liguet had collected a whopping 38 offers from programs such as LSU, Ohio State and Florida.
“Over the summer I’ll narrow it down to 20,” Liguet projected. “And then once [February’s national signing day] gets closer, I’ll narrow it down to 10. And then once I get to the final day comes around, I’ll narrow it down to three.”
Liguet said he has absolutely no interest in committing early.
“I’ll never have my high school senior year back,” he said. “So I just want to enjoy it and don’t want to make a commitment early and leave all my options open.”
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Hunter to Notre Dame, Jackson to Georgia
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The lure of Touchdown Jesus and everything else Notre Dame proved enough to eventually win over Omar Hunter.
The blue-chip Buford defensive tackle cited the Irish’s rich football tradition as one of the main reasons behind his decision to commit to coach Charlie Weis’ staff on Monday afternoon.
Hunter had narrowed his list of potential schools to Notre Dame and Michigan after taking unofficial visits to both along with his family last week.
Ultimately, however, the tradition in South Bend won out.
“I think it was really tough on him,” said Wolves coach Jess Simpson, who had labeled Hunter the school’s most high-profile prospect since Darius Walker. “He liked both places. In the end, though, all the things that go with Notre Dame just edged them over Michigan.”
Hunter, an agile 6-foot, 300-pounder with excellent explosiveness, plans to make his commitment a binding one during next February’s national signing day.
He’s expected to soon be fully recovered from a broken leg he recently suffered during the first day of Buford’s spring practice and ready when the fall practices.
Hunter had received scholarship offers from virtually every major program in the Southeast before recently trimming his list to Notre Dame, Michigan, Florida, Tennessee and Auburn.
Weis personally visited Buford in early May to better make his sales pitch.
Hunter will become the school’s second player to play at Notre Dame, following Walker, who starred at tailback for three years before leaving school early this spring in a bid for the NFL.
Tech enters Pridemore hunt
Buford linebacker T.J. Pridemore also appears closer to a college decision.
The son of former Falcons defensive back Tom Pridemore recently picked up an offer from Georgia Tech, with the Yellow Jackets, West Virginia, Tennessee and Duke ranking in his top four, Simpson said.
Bulldogs land Toby Jackson
Georgia has landed its 12th commitment over the weekend — and it’s a biggie.
Griffin defensive end Toby Jackson said he’d sign with the Bulldogs, picking Mark Richt’s program over Alabama, Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Ole Miss and Tennessee.
The 6-foot-4, 244-pound Jackson is ranked by Scout.com as the 50th-best prospect in the Southeast.
Three offers for Adetona
Gainesville wide receiver Tyler Adetona has scholarship offers from Middle Tennessee, Marshall and Indiana.
“But I know a lot of schools like Clemson, Wake Forest, Georgia Tech, Georgia and LSU are still waiting on my SAT scores,” Adentona said.
The 6-foot-2, 182-pound Adentona has his heart set on quarterback at the next level, though some programs are looking to play him on the defensive side of the ball.
“A lot of schools are recruiting me and telling me I should play corner or safety,” Adentona said. “They want me to come up and see my defensive back skills. But I want to catch balls.
“I feel like I have good speed. And I’m stronger than most wideouts. To look at me, you might not think much. But I push up 280 [pounds] on the bench press and I just run over defensive backs.”
Tennessee linebacker waits for Dogs, Vols
Whitehaven, Tenn., linebacker Tenarius Wright confirmed the receipt of offers from Miami, Arkansas, Indiana and Mississippi State.
“And Georgia and Tennessee are taking a hard look at me,” Wright said.
Wright, who lives in Memphis but is originally from Arkansas, already has his eye on depth charts.
“I’ve got schools that I like because of their reputation but I’m really looking for a team that needs me to step into their program to contribute to the team,” Wright said. “I want to be able to step up and help out with the team.”
Troy makes pitch to Calhoun star
Adam Urbano, a 5-foot-9, 183-pound running back from Calhoun, has an offer from Troy.
“And UAB is talking about offering,” Urbano said. “Recruiting has been fun. I’ve got to go to a lot of camps and meet a lot of people and new coaches. It’s been great so far.”
Johnson solid to Tennessee
Tennessee’s commitment from Hickory (N.C.) linebacker Andy Johnson remains firm.
“It’s pretty solid right now,” the 6-foot-3, 240-pound Johnson said. “I love the recruiting class they just signed. And I have a lot of family up there. And I’ve always been intrigued by Tennessee, so that’s kind of the first team.”
Johnson is still holding offers from North Carolina, Tennessee, South Carolina and Alabama.
Alabama defensive end on hold
Willie Bohannon, a defensive end for Blount (Ala.), continues to take a wait-and-see attitude with Alabama. The Crimson Tide offered Bohannon earlier this year.
But the 6-foot-2, 225-pound Bohannon appears willing to gauge interest from other programs before saying yes to Tide coach Nick Saban.
“A lot of other schools have said they were going to offer me, but I’m not sure,” Bohannon said. “They have been undecided about it because I play defensive end and they want to see me at linebacker. And I’ve never played that position.”
Bulls enter Furr sweepstakes
South Florida made an offer to Carver Columbus quarterback DeRon Furr last week.
The Bulls join Auburn, Tulane, Duke, Marshall, Georgia Southern, Kentucky, South Carolina and Indiana in the race to gain a commitment from the 6-foot-3, 220-pound Furr.
“I don’t have a favorite yet,” Furr said. “I’m treating everybody the same.”
Interest picks up in Flowery Branch QB Recruiting activity appears to be picking up for Flowery Branch quarterback Jaybo Shaw, who has an offer from Air Force.
“Alabama, Clemson, Georgia Tech and Florida State have all been by my school and said they want me at a one-day camp this summer,” Shaw said. “Maybe it will come down to an offer. They want me on campus so the head coaches can see me.”
Shaw is sold on the importance of summer college football camps.
“Since my sophomore year, I’ve been going to camps,” he said. “I think it really showcases my talent.”
Shaw has modest interest in Air Force but is willing to wait past a self-imposed deadline to commit.
“I’d like to make my decision before the season,” Shaw said. “But if not, I’m going to take all of my official visits where I want to go.”
Griffin’s Jackson picks UGA
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Georgia picked up its 12th football commitment for the class of 2008 when Griffin High defensive end Toby Jackson picked the Bulldogs during the weekend.
Jackson, a 6-foot-4, 244-pounder, visited Georgia on Saturday. Jackson was ranked among Rivals.com’s top 250 prospects.
Banneker star faces charges; UGA adds 11th junior
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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A South Fulton County high school football star being courted by perennial power is one of four teenagers charged with a smash-and-grab burglary at a Forest Park rental center.
Darrell Simmons, 17, a rising senior who played safety and quarterback at Banneker, and the other youths are also suspects in two dozen similar robberies in metro Atlanta, said Clayton County Deputy Chief Tim Robinson.
The teenagers were arrested early Wednesday morning after throwing a rock through the window of the Rent-A-Center on Jonesboro Road, Robinson said. Police had several centers under surveillance following three rental center break-ins that same night in the county.
Also charged were Clinton Watkins, 19, and Burton Ligon, 18, both of Riverdale, and Zakevian Rowell, 19, of College Park. They are being held without bond in the Clayton County Jail on commercial burglary charges, jail records show.
Robinson said some stolen property was found inside the home of Ligon and Watkins.
Forest Park police Maj. Chris Matson said Thursday that two other youths were also charged with being a party to a crime. Robinson said a Clayton magistrate threw out those charges and the two were released from jail. However, Robinson said other charges may be brought against the two as the multi-jurisdictional investigation continues.
Georgia, Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Tennessee, Michigan and Clemson are among the colleges that have expressed interest in Simmons.
Charlotte’s Pugh picks Bulldogs
Makiri Pugh didn’t pull any surprises.
Instead he just pulled a Georgia cap onto his head.
The Charlotte Independence High cornerback became the Bulldogs’ 11th commitment for 2008 when he announced at a Friday news conference that he will sign with Georgia in February.
“I am coming from programs [Maryland’s DeMatha Catholic and Independence] where I have always won, and that is what I want to continue to do at Georgia,” Pugh said. “I know in going to Georgia, it is going to continue to be in SEC championships, continue to be in big BCS games and contend for BCS national championships.
“That was something I wanted to be a part of.”
Pugh also saw something more than just a winning program with Georgia. He talked with Independence alums and current Georgia players Joe Cox and Mohamed Massaquoi and started to understand better what Georgia was about.
“You look at Joe’s situation, and he says he is going to stay at Georgia and stay with that program even though the spot he is in [as the No. 2 quarterback],” Pugh said. “That really says something about the way they treat people and how much of a family it is.”
Pugh, who first visited Georgia last month, is headed back to campus today for a junior day.
He picked the Bulldogs over Georgia Tech, Clemson and Virginia.
Charlotte cornerback becomes 11th to pick Georgia
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
Makiri Pugh didn’t pull any surprises.
Instead he just pulled a Georgia cap onto his head.
The Charlotte Independence High cornerback became the Bulldogs’ 11th commitment for 2008 when he announced at a Friday news conference that he will sign with Georgia in February.
“I am coming from programs [Maryland’s DeMatha Catholic and Independence] where I have always won, and that is what I want to continue to do at Georgia,” Pugh said. “I know in going to Georgia, it is going to continue to be in SEC championships, continue to be in big BCS games and contend for BCS national championships.
“That was something I wanted to be a part of.”
Pugh also saw something more than just a winning program with Georgia. He talked with Independence alums and current Georgia players Joe Cox and Mohamed Massaquoi and started to understand better what Georgia was about.
“You look at Joe’s situation, and he says he is going to stay at Georgia and stay with that program even though the spot he is in [as the No. 2 quarterback],” Pugh said. “That really says something about the way they treat people and how much of a family it is.”
Pugh, who first visited Georgia last month, is headed back to campus today for a junior day.
He picked the Bulldogs over Georgia Tech, Clemson and Virginia.
