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DEL.ICIO.USAvery denies UGA rumors; Jackson searches for ride to Athens
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 08/08/07 11:05 PM
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Cedar Grove running back Xavier Avery, who is in San Diego this week to participate in Saturday’s Aflac All-American Baseball Classic, disputed internet reports that he will commit to Georgia early next week.
“I haven’t committed anywhere yet,” Avery said by phone Wednesday evening. “Right now, I’m still deciding where I want to go.
“My dad doesn’t want me to commit. He wants me to weigh my options.”
Avery, who could be a high pick in next summer’s major league baseball draft, wants to play football and baseball in college.
He admitted that Georgia is one of the programs he is considering.
“Georgia is at the top of my list,” Avery said. “But I’m also considering Alabama, LSU, North Carolina, Stanford and Florida.”
Avery attempted to explain why his name is being linked to a commitment with the Bulldogs.
“I guess everybody knows I like Georgia a lot,” he said. “That’s probably why.”
Jackson hopes to attend practice at Georgia on Saturday
The only thing standing between Heard County running back Dontavius Jackson and a visit to Georgia’s practice on Saturday is a set of wheels.
“I’m trying to plan a way to get up to Georgia on Saturday,” Jackson said late Wednesday. “I’m trying to get my cousin to take me.”
Jackson, considered by many to be the top uncommitted player in the state, reaffirmed his plans to choose between Georgia, Clemson, Alabama, LSU and Penn State by October.
If Jackson is able to land a ride to Athens on Saturday, he’ll make the Georgia coaching staff aware that he plans to attend.
“Pretty much, you just call and tell them you’re coming to practice,” Jackson said.
Jackson already has an agenda, should he make the trek to Athens this weekend.
“I’ll watch the running backs to see how they do things,” he said.
Okakpu explains his commitment to North Carolina
Roswell running back Ebele Okakpu hinted last week he was considering a commitment to North Carolina.
The tip came to fruition on Saturday when he committed to the Tar Heel coaching staff during a visit to Chapel Hill.
“I had already visited North Carolina, so I didn’t take the campus tour again,” Okakpu said. “I went up to coach [Butch] Davis’ office. After I got finished talking to him, I went to the coaches’ meeting area and told coach [John] Blake and coach [Tommy] Thigpen that I wanted to play football there.
“They kind of just told everybody else.”
Okakpu admitted Wednesday evening that he considered Clemson and Virginia Tech before choosing the Tar Heels.
“I just like the coaches and the whole place up there at North Carolina,” Okakpu said. “I liked it more than the other places I went.”
Okakpu is confident Davis can put football on the map at a school best known for basketball.
“Look what he did with Miami,” Okakpu said. “I think he can bring that to North Carolina.”
Georgia Southern offer for Adetona
Georgia Southern joins Indiana, Marshall, Middle Tennessee State, Ball State, Buffalo and Troy as programs with scholarship offers to Gainesville’s Tyler Adetona.
The 6-foot-1, 203-pound receiver had originally planned to make a commitment by this week.
Instead, he’ll wait until after the fourth game of the season when Gainesville plays rival North Hall.
“I’m still hearing from schools like N.C. State, Central Florida and Tennessee,” Adetona said. “I feel Tennessee will come around.
“And Minnesota and Louisville sent me a big package about their programs. Time will only tell about those schools.”
Adetona said he’s picked up some speed, despite adding a few pounds to his frame. He was recently clocked in the 40-yard dash at 4.48 seconds.
“I’ve gained weight, but I’m faster,” he said.
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Comments
By Dawgtime
August 9, 2007 7:57 AM | Link to this
To the recruiting fans, stop all this senseless sarcasm and hate mongering. I love recruiting as much as anyone, but the information being posted is frankly ignorant trash. Don’t forget that we are talking about teenagers making one of the toughest decisions of their lives. If you feel the need to belittle a person that you do not know, then you need to seek professional help. It’s easy to be big and bad hiding behind the anonymity of a computer. To be honest, the foolish responses are boring and pathetic. They simply reveal an inner hatred for oneself and a low self esteem and image. Why else would you feel a sense power from making comments like that? I will talk recruiting with anyone, but I will not indulge in useless ramblings. If all you live for is to make sarcastic and belittling comments, then find a mirror to talk with. No one cares. Most of these clowns couldn’t gain admission to SW Central Georgia State. They have lived a miserable existence and hope for others to fall in their quagmire of pity. If you have nothing to say about recruiting then find another site. These high school kids do not need wannabes talking trash about them when they are doing the right things in life. Some of these kids are overcoming extreme obstacles and should be praised; not condemned. Yes, I am a huge UGA fan, but just because a kid selects another school does not mean that he is a lesser person. We do live in America. Some of these people have communist views of domination. GO DAWGS.
By Mike
August 9, 2007 8:28 AM | Link to this
Comments by Dawgtime best I have read in years.
By terry
August 9, 2007 8:56 AM | Link to this
Amen, Dawg. And thanks to the AJC for providing these free daily updates. Jeff Hood is my second read every morning now.
By dawggoner
August 9, 2007 1:01 PM | Link to this
Any high school athlete who thinks he’s going to put North Carolina football in the black is deluded.
By Glenn
August 9, 2007 1:03 PM | Link to this
Dawgtime, thank you for a breath of fresh air on these posts.
Unfortunately, it reminds me of an old adage: “Never wrestle with a pig. You both get dirty and the pigs like it”.
In other words, while a vast majority of us agree with you 100%, those who make these personal attacks and obscene references are only looking for a response, regardless of whether it is in support of their stupidity or against it.
The best suggestion to everyone involved in these blogs for the right reasons is to totally ignore theme and have a great debate in spite of them. If they stop getting the reactions they obviously need, maybe they’ll go somewhere else.
By Eminem
August 9, 2007 1:48 PM | Link to this
Dawgtime, I agree with what you wrote. I am sick of reading about these Ga. Tech vs. UGA post on here. Im glad the AJC reports the recruiting on these propsects. This gives us the opportunity to follow these recruits, especially the standouts in the your local community, take in some high school games. And to see the progression and development of the players in college. As a former college football player, its an honor to continue your career and if you have a full scholarship, take advantage and get a degree out of it. Conversation about prospects should be the only things posted on here. I hope Tyler Adetona goes to Indiana, its his biggest offer and the exposure on ESPN is guranteed, since the Big Ten is on ESPN and ESPN2 every saturday at noon. I encourage guys to go on all your visit. When I came out in 2001, we took our visits, camp season wasnt as big as it now. Coaches were still evaluating well into the season.
By firstcav46
August 9, 2007 2:01 PM | Link to this
Just remember this about recruiting — at least 50 percent of these recruits, blue-chips or not — will never make it. Just some perspective as everybody gets excited about who goes where.
By Buzzfan®
August 9, 2007 3:09 PM | Link to this
Well-said, ‘time!
By Rob
August 10, 2007 4:12 PM | Link to this
A great football coach can put a program on the “football map.” Afterall look what Mark Richt did for UGA! UGA’s program was “sucking wind” before the signing of this coach whom I believe is one of the best in the game. Mack Brown got things going in the right direction when he was head coach at UNC. Now the Tarheel program has faltered a bit since Mack’s departure BUT we now have Butch Davis. Coach Davis has already breathed more life into the program than any coach since Mack. So to say that any athlete who thinks the Tarheel program will get back onto the winning side is delusional…..you need to look at the coach, his philosophies and what he brings to the table. For the Tarheel program, that coach is here and believe you me…..we are ready and will make a serious statement as UNC moves forward.
By JustMe
August 10, 2007 5:19 PM | Link to this
UNC is one of a number of ACC schools that are right on the edge of making it big. Davis might be just the thing to inject what’s need to push UNC over the edge. It’d be great to see the Tar Heels in the top 10 again.
By JustMe
August 10, 2007 5:21 PM | Link to this
UNC is one of a number of ACC schools that are right on the edge of making it big. Davis might be just the thing to inject what’s need to push UNC over the edge. It’d be great to see the Tar Heels in the top 10 again.
By JustMe
August 10, 2007 5:23 PM | Link to this
UNC is one of a number of ACC schools that are right on the edge of making it big. Davis might be just the thing to inject what’s need to push UNC over the edge. It’d be great to see the Tar Heels in the top 10 again.
By uncznfl
August 11, 2007 1:04 PM | Link to this
I got your page from Tar Heel Daily. I chuckled at some of the comments made. Why would a kid not want to go go to UNC? I don’t knock any other program (except maybe the Dookies). If a kid wants to get a 1st class education, for the time after football has ended, then UNC is one of the places to be. It has been said and it is true UNC is one big family and family looks after its own. There are may players that can attest to this. So leave Okakpu alone he says he felt confortable with the school and the coaches and that is what is important.