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DEL.ICIO.USHarmon, Daniels, Commings in Athens; Okakpu to UNC
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 08/04/07 3:25 PM
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Several recruits turned out for Georgia’s first practice Saturday afternoon, most notably Jefferson County two-way lineman A.J. Harmon.
Harmon, a consensus national top-100 recruit, spurned the Bulldogs earlier this summer, committing to Clemson.
Also in attendance Saturday were safety Matt Daniels of Fayette County and multi-position athlete Sanders Commings of Augusta.
Okakpu picks Tar Heels
Roswell linebacker Ebele Okakpu committed to North Carolina Saturday after Tar Heels coach Butch Davis impressed him with his humility.
“What put them over the top was his attitude,” Okakpu said. “He’s a very humble person. He already has money, but he wants to coach for the kids. I guess he just loves coaching college football.”
The commitment came as no surprise to Roswell coach Tim McFarlin, who said, “He went up there [Friday] and told me before he left that he was probably going to do it. He followed through.”
Okakpu, a 6-foot-2, 205-pound rising senior, was the Hornets’ leading tackler and one of the reasons why they reached the Class AAAAA championship, which they shared with Peachtree Ridge.
On his first visit to Chapel Hill a month ago, Okakpu met with some assistants but Davis wasn’t around. The second visit was about meeting Davis face to face, and once Okakpu accomplished that, he chose the Tar Heels over Georgia and Clemson.
Okakpu also considered Virginia Tech, but the Hokies faded once he stepped foot in Chapel Hill.
“He decided not to take his visit to Virginia Tech,” McFarlin said. “He went to Clemson and Chapel Hill on the same weekend and when he went to Chapel Hill he really liked it.”
Said Okakpu, “When I went up the first time, it just felt right.”
Butler to USC; Bolton to Alabama
The decisions are in for a pair of Norcross High School star receivers.
An hour after Devonta Bolton announced Saturday he’d play college football at Alabama, teammate Brice Butler said at a 3 p.m. news conference he was heading to Southern Cal.
Bolton picked the Crimson Tide over Auburn, Boston College, Florida and Georgia.
Butler picked the Trojans over Arizona State, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Notre Dame, Oregon, Oregon State and Penn State.
Butler, ranked by Scout.com as the nation’s sixth-best receiver, spurned Florida State, the school where his father, Bobby Butler, starred before embarking on a 12-year NFL career.
Butler said he knew one month after visiting USC that it was the school for him. The weather, the coaches and the program’s recent success under Pete Carroll swayed the star receiver.
“I just felt this was the place to go,” Butler said. “When I went to USC, I just felt at home. That was my last visit, and that was it.”
Butler lined up the hats of LSU, Notre Dame and Florida State on the table at the Paul Duke House before making his announcement.
He’s a warm weather guy so that ruled out Notre Dame, he said, flipping over the Fighting Irish cap.
LSU wasn’t for him. He flipped that lid, too.
It looked like he’d become a Seminole, which would have delighted his dad, but he grabbed that hat, and flipped it, too, unveiling a USC hat underneath.
Butler and his dad shared a long embrace as more than 150 supporters applauded.
USC has a rich history of wide receivers, including Keyshawn Johnson, a former No. 1 overall pick, but Carroll told Butler he could play right away, the recruit said.
“He saw my highlight tapes and he thinks I can play my freshman year,” Butler said. Bobby Butler, a first-round pick of the Falcons in 1981, said he has tried to “brainwash” his son.
“Since he’s been born, it’s been Florida State, Florida State,” Bobby Butler said.
But FSU wasn’t high on his son’s list until the end.
“We had to allow Brice to make this decision,” Bobby Butler said.
The father said, as much as it hurts, that he’s in agreement with his son’s decision.
The Butlers evaluated each team’s head coach, position coach, offensive coordinator and academic support, and USC was the choice.
“USC felt at home for him. He felt comfortable,” Bobby Butler said.
The Butlers like the Trojans’ pro-style offense and Norcross receiver said, “I will fit in with the team.”
Butler ran a 4.35-second 40-yard dash this spring, but he plans on working on his speeed, his route-running and his hands between now and next year.
Norcross coach Keith Maloof has watched Butler develop since he was in middle school. He’s worked hard at Norcross and on his own with trainers to become a polished receiver. Last season he led the Blue Devils with nine touchdowns while playing opposite Darius Hanks, now at Alabama.
“[USC] is getting obviously the top receiver in the nation,” Maloof said. “The thing all the coaches are saying about him is that he’s the best route-runner in the nation, on top of having great hands.”
His teammate, Bolton, is Rivals.com’s 61st-ranked receiver nationally and 23rd-best prospect in Georgia.
Bolton said it was a long process and so many of the schools were equal. As he got closer to his decision, it came down to a choice between Alabama and Florida. Sold on the academics and the care and warmth the school showed, Bolton rolled with The Tide.
Sitting at a table at the Paul Duke House, the soft-spoken Bolton talked about how he labored over the decision, which he reached about two weeks ago. He reached in a bag and said, “I choose the University of Alabama,” breaking out into a huge grin.
“They went the extra step, the extra mile,” Bolton said.
Bolton, who plays wide receiver and safety, said he is going to the school as an athlete. Coaches have told him he could play wide receiver or an H-back position or play safety if they need him on defense.
Butler and Bolton became the 14th and 15th Gwinnett County stars to commit to Division I-A colleges.
Should UGA fans be worried?
How concerned should Georgia fans be after Norcross’ Butler and Bolton opted Saturday to go elsewhere to play their college football?
Not very, three recruiting analysts tell the blog.
“They shouldn’t be,” Rivals.com editor Bobby Burton said. “The state is loaded with high-quality receivers this year. If this were two quality defensive tackles, that’s a different story.”
“I think Georgia fans should focus on the fact that they have two outstanding receivers already on the commit list,” Scout.com’s Scott Kennedy said Saturday. “You can’t sign them all.”
“I don’t know if UGA fans should be down in the dumps at all,” Rivals.com’s Jeremy Crabtree added. “Both are high-quality players and both would have been welcome additions, but Georgia already has both A.J. Green and Tavarres King on board, and both are special players.
“They’re also still involved with some other high-quality receivers, guys like DeAndre Brown out of Mississippi, Chris Tolliver out of Louisiana, Joe Adams in Arkansas and Joshua Jarboe from Ellenwood. You never want to see high-quality in-state kids leave, but when it comes to receivers there never seems to be a shortage of kids interested in the Dogs.”
News and notes
— Gainesville defensive end Keith Wells plans to choose between Auburn, Florida and Florida State on Thursday.
— Banneker safety Darrell Simmons is leaning toward Miami but says he’s also considering Alabama, Florida, Michigan, Ohio State and Tennessee.
— “I like [Georgia] Tech a lot,” said Miami Krop linebacker Etienne Sabino, who calls himself “a city kid” and claims to be a big fan of Yellow Jackets defensive coordinator Jon Tenuta.
— Stephens County running back Tauren Poole has committed to Tennessee but isn’t ruling out South Carolina. Tech could also enter the mix.
— Chamblee lineman Taylor Loftley has narrowed his options to Duke, South Carolina and Vanderbilt.
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Comments
By AJC=JOKE
August 4, 2007 6:01 PM | Link to this
“Should UGA fans be worried?”
Should the AJC make this the headline of every single story it does on Georgia football? I say yes. It will save you some time.
By Sue
August 4, 2007 6:25 PM | Link to this
It’s a valid question. Three top recruits we were in the mix for picked other schools. Idiots please stay away from this board.
By weatherdog
August 4, 2007 6:42 PM | Link to this
We are in the “mix” for hundreds of kids. We can sign 25 or so players. Guess what—-we can not sign all of them. Sure, those are 3 very good players, but very few thought we would get a committment from any of those. It is no big deal. Our class so far looks great and there are several more important guys we really are in the hunt for. Let’s not over dramatize these commits one way or the other. GO DAWGS!
By weatherdog
August 4, 2007 6:44 PM | Link to this
We are in the “mix” for hundreds of kids. We can sign 25 or so players. Guess what—-we can not sign all of them. Sure, those are 3 very good players, but very few thought we would get a committment from any of those. It is no big deal. Our class so far looks great and there are several more important guys we really are in the hunt for. Let’s not over dramatize these commits one way or the other. GO DAWGS!
By JustMe
August 4, 2007 7:20 PM | Link to this
Yes, ugay is in the mix for many kids. The problem is that the ones that end up at ugay seem to be headed for jail. That alone would be enough for any bright kid to aviod Athens.
By Clint
August 4, 2007 7:30 PM | Link to this
No, UGA should not worry. We stopped recruiting Bolton about two weeks ago. We were never really in on Butler after offering him just this spring. Okapku hurts a little, but it was expected that he was going to UNC.
By IceDawg
August 4, 2007 7:50 PM | Link to this
Bolten was never thought to be going to UGA. Okakpu and Butler hurt some - mainly Butler b/c he is one of the state’s best players. I would have liked to see him go to Tech or UGA. However, it’s hard to argue w/the weather and success of USC.
By AJ GREEN WEARS #1
August 4, 2007 8:00 PM | Link to this
Butler did not want to be embarrassed by me. Heisman Trophy baby!
By Hazim
August 4, 2007 9:32 PM | Link to this
Bobby Burton says there is lots of talent in GA. Why are we not getting any of them? All of these big time recruits are looking out of state before they consider us. We offer all of them, but Gailey/Smith need to change their strategy or something. I think we should be worried!!
By James
August 4, 2007 9:42 PM | Link to this
Good ole Tech fans- I love your 3rd grade shots- i.e. ugay. Boy, that really hurts. Your maturity level is that of my 8 yr old. UGA shouldn’t worry. We already have one of the best classes in the nation, and we can’t sign them all. Who can blame these kids…we are very deep at receiver w/ a 5 star and 4 star already verbally committed.
By Pago Pago
August 4, 2007 11:38 PM | Link to this
Pretty funny, hardly of these guys talk about what they want to study and learn in college….
By fayncDAWG
August 5, 2007 8:43 AM | Link to this
UNC is good for two things: 1) If you plan on being in the NBA someday 2) If you don’t plan on playing football on Sunday!
By GT Bob
August 5, 2007 9:15 AM | Link to this
I believe we are losing all these recruits because of the Tickle Pile controversy!!!
By SECCoachnDallas
August 5, 2007 9:19 AM | Link to this
WATCH OUT, SPURRIER WILL GET ANOTHER COMMITTMENT FOR SCum. THE LAW OF AVERAGES IS IN HIS FAVOR. MY SUGGESTION IS FOR SOS TO GET SOME MORE QUARTER BACKS. HE IS NOT HAVING MUCH SUCCESS WITH 2 CURRENTLY ON THE ROSTER.FROM THEIR PAST ACTIONS THEY BOTH MIGHT NOT MAKE IT THROUGH THE SEASON.
By Heelfan
August 5, 2007 10:17 AM | Link to this
*UNC is good for two things: 1) If you plan on being in the NBA someday 2) If you don’t plan on playing football on Sunday! *
Yeah, the Heels only had 4 alumni in the Pro Bowl last year, 3 of which were starters.
By CapeCodDawg
August 5, 2007 11:55 AM | Link to this
You always hate to see top talent leave the state. We could’ve used Butler.But if your not seriously considered,then your not,there’s nothing you can do….EXCEPT WIN!!!! We get a National Championship and UGA will be the next “USC/ND” in terms of recruiting. GO DAWGS
By GaTHeel
August 5, 2007 12:18 PM | Link to this
fayncDAWG, You need to check out the facts. UNC in the past decade has put as many..if not more…players in the NFL as uGa. We are labeled a basketball school for good reason. But now that Butch Davis is in town, you’re going to find out we’re capable of excellence in both. We’ll have Ga. players starting this season, and Ebele Okakpu is just the tip of the iceberg. Ga. footballers with eyes on the NFL will learn Butch Davis is the man to punch their ticket.
By MOTDawg
August 5, 2007 12:37 PM | Link to this
GaTHeel: Georgia has 50 active NFL players, while UNC has 27. While it may not be exactly the same time frame you are talking about, I can’t imagine that the trend would be that much different. Here are the links:
UNC: http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/college?letter=n
UGA: http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/college?letter=g
And yes, they count this year’s rookies.
By Nick Saban
August 5, 2007 1:13 PM | Link to this
I just wanted everyone to know how pleased we are to have Bolton commit to Bama. I found it very appropriate that he pulled the Bama hat out of a trash bag during his announcement. I’m as trashy as they come. Just waiting for my next big paycheck before I bounce out of T-town.
Follow the $$ to the promised land my friends.
Love, Slick Nick
By Tar Heel
August 6, 2007 9:43 AM | Link to this
Yep, Butch Davis nor UNC has ever put many guys in the NFL
…Geez, could you appear any more ignorant even if you wear a sign??
By capstone1
August 9, 2007 12:30 AM | Link to this
I would worry, the #1 WR(and #1 player in the nation) is Alabama’s Julio Jones. Saban knows talent. Look at the #1 NFL draft pick Jamarcus Russell, from Mobile. He will take from any state if they are good. He took him to LSU… Blind and deaf bulldogs abound…RTR
By capstone1
August 9, 2007 12:31 AM | Link to this
I would worry, the #1 WR(and #1 player in the nation) is Alabama’s Julio Jones. Saban knows talent. Look at the #1 NFL draft pick Jamarcus Russell, from Mobile. He will take from any state if they are good. He took him to LSU… Blind and deaf bulldogs abound…RTR