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Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Thomas sets sights on the Iron Bowl; Jackson still eyeing UGA
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Walton’s Chase Thomas said Tuesday night he’ll likely use one of his five official visits this fall to attend this year’s version of Auburn and Alabama’s annual clash in the Iron Bowl.
The outside linebacker recruit has also penciled in the Stanford/Oregon contest on Sept. 22. He will travel to Baton Rouge two weeks later to watch LSU play defending national champion Florida.
Thomas, who plans to commit to Auburn, Georgia Tech, LSU or Stanford later this year, will also attend at least one of Tech’s home games.
Thomas on his final four:
Auburn - “It’s close to home and they have a great program. They’re in the SEC and the SEC is the best there is. They have great coaches and academics.”
Tech - “It’s really close to home and the academics are amazing. They’ve been really good and their defensive coordinator [Jon Tenuta] is one of the best.”
LSU - “A dominant program in the SEC. It’d be good to play for a powerhouse football team like LSU. Their coaches are among the best.”
Stanford - “I like the playing time opportunity a lot and the academics. I think I can get the best of both there. It would be a chance to go to an elite school and one of the best academic schools in the nation.”
Jackson continues to eye five offers
Heard County running back Dontavius Jackson remains steadfast in his desire to commit to Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, LSU or Penn State in October.
Jackson, who had hoped to visit Georgia on Saturday to attend practice, said the Dogs are at the top of his list should the opportunity arise for him to attend a workout.
“If I do go to a practice, it will probably be at Georgia,” he said.
Jackson is impressed with the Dogs’ current crop of commitments.
“They’ve got a great class right now, and it will get better,” Jackson predicted. “I want to be part of a great class. They’ll be around you your whole career and you’ll have a chance to win championships.”
Roark to attend UGA/South Carolina game
North Cobb quarterback Matt Roark is entertaining scholarship offers from Georgia Tech, Duke, Wake Forest, Kentucky, Oregon, Indiana, UAB, South Florida and Illinois.
After declining to declare a front-runner, the 6-foot-6, 195-pound athlete indicated Georgia would jump to the top of his list should the Dogs make an offer.
“They would probably be number one if they offered,” said Roark, who is scheduled to be in Athens on Sept. 8 when Georgia hosts South Carolina.
Roark also confirmed that a trip to Kentucky this fall will be one of his five official visits.
“I’m just looking for a good school that is academically stable and offers a lot of support for the athletes,” Roark said. “I want to mesh with all the people I will see everyday, including coaches, teachers and other students.”
Roark, who is being recruited primarily as a receiver, said he is content with that position.
“I prefer to play receiver because I think it will be easy for me to come in and play,” he said.
Simmons continues to favor Miami
Miami remains the front-runner for Banneker’s Darrell Simmons.
“It’s a school that I grew up watching,” Simmons said. “I used to always tell my parents I want to go there.”
Simmons, who also has offers from Alabama, Michigan, Ohio State and Tennessee, appears to be a visit away from committing to the Hurricanes.
“It’s that, and I don’t want to take it too fast,” he said. “I just want to make the right decision.”
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