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Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Marist’s Taylor to commit to Tech; Uzzi to visit UGA
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Marist safety Cooper Taylor said Wednesday evening he plans to commit to Georgia Tech later this week.
“By the end of the week,” Taylor confirmed. “Practice starts [on Wednesday at Marist]. I want to do it before then.”
Taylor, whose father Jim Bob Taylor is a former Georgia Tech quarterback, had narrowed his choices to the Yellow Jackets and Virginia.
“I like the close to home with Tech,” Cooper Taylor said. “And at Georgia Tech, you’ve got [defensive coordinator] coach [Jon] Tenuta, who is a great coach to play for.
“I also like Virginia’s campus that’s not in the middle of the city. But Virginia has five safeties already committed, so there’s no reason to put myself in that position.”
The 6-foot-4, 180-pound Taylor indicated he’s a couple of phone calls away from completing his commitment with Tech.
“I’ve got to talk to the coaches again and make sure I’ve got everything finalized, grades are good and all that,” Taylor said.
He says it’s too soon to know if he will be redshirted during his freshman season.
“Nothing yet there,” Taylor said. “They’ll just see how my body fills out.”
Uzzi to visit the Classic City on Thursday
Holding scholarship offers from Georgia, Georgia Tech, Virginia, Alabama, Clemson, Auburn, Maryland, Vanderbilt, Duke and Ole Miss, Chamblee lineman Omoregie Uzzi figured he’d have a commitment in place well before fall football practice begins.
But unless Georgia coach Mark Richt can pull off a major recruiting coup in Athens on Thursday, Uzzi will be an uncommitted 6-foot-4, 310-pound rising senior when practice gets underway next week at Chamblee.
“I was trying to commit before camp, but I don’t think it’s going to work out that way,” Uzzi said during DeKalb County media day at Clarkston on Wednesday.
Uzzi, who attended a camp at UGA earlier this year, will visit Georgia on Thursday in hopes of gaining some individual attention from the Bulldog coaching staff.
“The last time I went there it was with a group of people,” he said. “I just want to spend time with the coaches.”
Uzzi believes his character is one of the primary reasons he is a Division I prospect.
“They know I’m a good person and they like that about me,” he said. “I’m trying to do the right thing all the time.”
“And I’m a big guy that moves pretty well.”
Stephenson’s Route changing directions?
Stephenson cornerback Destin Route appears to be on the verge of backing out of his commitment with Marshall.
“I’m leaning toward Memphis,” Route said late Wednesday. “I like Memphis a lot. I’m trying to get in touch with them.
“And I’ve got another couple of options like Southern Miss.”
Route admitted that he hasn’t communicated with the Marshall coaching staff recently. He went on to say he’s been in touch with a recruiting coach at Memphis to make the Tigers aware of his interest.
“I plan on going to some of the games at Memphis this fall,” Route said.
“I’m not decommitting with Marshall yet. Let’s just say I’m a soft verbal.”
Offers for Southwest DeKalb’s Waller
UAB leads Ohio, Bowling Green, Central Michigan and Akron in the race to land a commitment from Southwest DeKalb defensive back Manley Waller.
“I want to go to UAB,” Waller said. “But I’ll wait until the first or second game of the season to see if more offers come. That’s when I have a big match up with one of the top receivers.
“After that, hopefully more offers will come if I have a good game.”
The Panthers are scheduled to host Cedar Grove and star wide receiver Josh Jarboe on Sept. 1.
Waller already has a connection with a member of the UAB coaching staff.
“One of their coaches used to coach at Southwest DeKalb,” Waller said. “He’s now the running backs coach at UAB.
“When I talk to their coaching staff, they’re all just real down to earth. I get along with them real good. And UAB isn’t too far from home.”
Legendary Southwest DeKalb coach Buck Godfrey is expected to roam the sidelines this season following off-season surgery.
“He’s tough, but when you get to know him he’s real laid back,” Waller said. “And he’s going to put his best players on the field.”
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