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Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Avery denies UGA rumors; Jackson searches for ride to Athens
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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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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