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DEL.ICIO.USLSU-bound Hagans will listen to Tech or UGA; Dacula’s Battle to Arkansas
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 07/23/07 9:47 PM
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Northview defensive tackle Cordian Hagans, who was perhaps the state’s most heavily recruited player without offers from Georgia or Georgia Tech, committed to LSU late Sunday night.
Hagans made an unofficial visit to LSU during the weekend, and picked the Tigers over nearly 20 offers. Auburn, Virginia Tech, Boston College, North Carolina and South Carolina were among his finalists.
The 6-foot-5, 290-pounder grew up a Georgia fan, and was led to believe that the Bulldogs had offered a scholarship earlier this spring.
However, Georgia recruiting coordinator Rodney Garner, who is considered one of the nation’s top evaluators of high school talent, revoked the offer after watching Hagans in spring practice, according to Northview coach Don Savage.
Georgia Tech’s only communication to Hagans was through a few letters.
Hagans said Monday evening he would be willing to hear pitches from Tech and Georgia should they reverse course and offer him.
“I would definitely listen to what they have to say,” he said. “But I’m pretty locked in on LSU.”
Less than 24 hours after committing to the Tigers, Hagans said he has no regrets over choosing to play college football in Baton Rouge.
“I slept on it and I feel the same as when I first committed,” he said. “I really love LSU.”
Battle to become a Razorback
Dacula safety Khiry Battle, an aspiring attorney, made a solid case for his decision to play football for the University of Arkansas.
“The pre-law program and academic support program along with the football program were unique, and not offered by any of the other schools I had visited,” said Battle, who chose Arkansas over Central Florida, North Carolina State, Ole Miss, Mississippi State and Indiana among others.
Battle (5-foot-11, 203-pounds) visited the Fayetteville campus early last week and was convinced that it was the spot for him throughout the 11 1/2-hour car ride home.
He notified the Arkansas coaches on Thursday of his decision to become a Razorback.
Peachtree Ridge’s Bryant closes in on college choice
LSU pulled out all the stops for Peachtree Ridge cornerback Derrick Bryant’s weekend visit to Baton Rouge.
“It was a great experience,” said Bryant. “I liked every part of it. They showed me around campus, the stadium and I really like what they have to offer down there.
“They said they get 92,600 people in that stadium. I would go crazy. They said that it’s not like anywhere else in the country. Thursday night, people are already tailgating. Friday, the campus is packed. It’s crazy.”
Bryant’s visit included a tour of Baton Rouge, during which he bumped into former LSU star defensive back* LaRon Landry*, a first-round selection of the Washington Redskins in this year’s NFL draft.
“[Landry] talked to me about all the different things at LSU and what a great experience it is,” Bryant said.
Bryant says he plans on choosing between LSU, Auburn and Alabama in the upcoming week.
Peachtree Ridge’s Sanders says yes to Ole Miss
Peachtree Ridge defensive back Brandon Sanders has committed to Ole Miss. Sanders (6-2, 190) chose the Rebels over Middle Tennessee, Buffalo and Ball State.
Sanders made the commitment without taking a visit.
“I’m going to visit in September,” he said. “Most people think I’m crazy for not visiting first. But I’ve talked to a lot of people about Ole Miss and they’ve had nothing but great things to say.
“The past couple of months I had been praying about where to go. Ole Miss wasn’t my only option. But all my life, I’ve always loved the SEC.”
Sanders said he made the decision to commit on Saturday while on a trip with his father.
“We had a long conversation about it,” Sanders said. “He always knew Ole Miss was my tops. I just felt this was the school for me.”
Sanders is the second Peachtree Ridge defensive back to commit to a Division I program this summer, joining Virginia Tech-recruit Cameron Demps.
Four SEC offers for Northgate’s Searcy
Arkansas, Kentucky, Mississippi State and Ole Miss lead a contingent of colleges courting Northgate defensive end James Searcy.
“James is 6-foot-3, 270-pounds and he ran a 4.66 in the Nike Combine,” Northgate coach Bill Luckie said. “And he’s just on the verge of tapping his athletic ability.”
Luckie said Searcy, who also has scholarship offers from Troy, Illinois, Akron, Indiana and Oklahoma State, is a weight room junkie.
“He’s strong as an ox,” Luckie said. “He’s just non-stop in weight lifting. He loves lifting and loves to eat.”
Searcy, a defensive end recruit, said Monday evening that his current five favorites are Mississippi State, Central Florida, Troy, Oklahoma State and Arkansas.
“I might change my mind, but I’ll probably commit by December,” Searcy said.
A delay in making a decision will also give Florida State, Alabama and Georgia additional time to decide if they want to make an offer.
“He’s been to camps at Alabama and FSU, so he really likes them,” Luckie said. “I think he’s just kind of waiting to see if one of those schools pulls the trigger before he decides.”
Central Gwinnett’s Rodriguez heads north
Central Gwinnett safety Manuel Rodriguez has committed to Wittenberg University in Springfield, Oh.
The 5-foot-11, 185-pound Rodriguez chose the Tigers over offers from Cumberland, Shorter and LaGrange.
“[Wittenberg] has a good education support program and good tutors,” Rodriguez said. “And they wanted me more than the other schools. They contacted me more often. I felt like that was the school of my choice.”
Rodriguez said he felt relieved following his commitment.
“I was kind of stressed out over the whole process,” he said. “I should have committed a long time ago.”
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Comments
By trey
July 24, 2007 10:13 PM | Link to this
Does anyone know of any reason why UGA did not offer Hagans? Is there something that we dont know? Seems he may be an OL or DL prospect, is it because of position preference? Trey
By jacketguy
July 24, 2007 11:24 PM | Link to this
why tech will beat notre dame.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=xbMw4tOM1Io
By dawg in tha ham
July 25, 2007 10:19 AM | Link to this
Tech will not beat notre dame. Tech is not guaranteed to beat anyone with that useless team.
By Dawg in tha ham's Daddy
July 25, 2007 4:56 PM | Link to this
Shutup son. You are as stupid as you are ugly.