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DEL.ICIO.USWestside’s Commings, Cedar Grove’s Avery consider baseball
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 08/15/07 10:56 PM
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Westside Augusta wide receiver/defensive back Sanders Commings took in Georgia’s first practice of the season on Aug. 4.
Commings, who is considering scholarship offers from Georgia, Georgia Tech, Auburn, Florida and South Carolina, is scheduled to travel to Columbia on Saturday to visit the Gamecocks’ coaching staff.
“They want me to come up there and meet the baseball coach and coach [Steve] Spurrier,” said Commings, a baseball centerfielder. “I want to play both sports in college. I think I can be just as good in both.”
Commings hopes to gain approval from South Carolina to participate in both sports. He says he’s already been granted permission to be a two-sport athlete at Georgia and Georgia Tech.
“[Georgia baseball] coach [Dave] Perno has written me, but I haven’t met him yet,” Commings said.
Trip to San Diego a success for Avery
Cedar Grove’s Xavier Avery continues to downplay last week’s rumors, which had him committing to Georgia this week.
“I’m not getting ready to commit yet,” said Avery, who is considering offers from Georgia, Alabama, LSU, North Carolina, Stanford and Florida. “I’m still just laying back low on my decision.”
After scoring the winning run in Saturday’s Aflac All-American Baseball Classic in San Diego, Avery returned home the following day and prepared to join his Cedar Grove football teammates.
“I’ve been practicing since Monday,” Avery said. “It’s going to take a little while to get in football shape. I’m getting in shape, but it won’t happen overnight.”
Avery, who continues to express a desire to play baseball and football in college, likely won’t know which path he will follow until after next summer’s major league baseball draft.
“If I get drafted, like in the first round and they offer me $2 million, yeah, then I’ll play pro baseball,” he said. “But if they offer me something I can’t live on in the minor leagues, I’ll tell them I’ve to get my education.”
College scouts set to converge on Harrison
Harrison’s home game against Hiram on Saturday Sept. 8 could have an impact on where the Hoyas’ Kyle Madden plays college football.
“I’m under the impression that coaches interested in me will come to that game,” said Madden, who is being recruited as a tight end and defensive end. “North Carolina, Clemson, Vanderbilt, Southern Miss, South Florida, Miami (Ohio) and Furman said they will probably be there. And Tulane said they may come.”
Madden is already plotting his strategy to handle the pressure associated with playing in front of college recruiters.
“It will be hard, but I’ll just have to think that they’re not there and just go out and play my game,” Madden said. “A lot of the coaches have seen me play. They just want to see how I’ve improved over the year and see me play.
“I’ve been to North Carolina, Clemson, Vanderbilt and Michigan State and been around a lot of their coaches. But for some coaches, it’ll be the first time they’ve seen me in person.”
Madden’s sole offer to date is from Central Florida.
“I feel Central Florida is a very strong, up-and-coming program,” he said. “I went down to their facility a couple of months ago for junior day.
“They just built a brand new stadium and they have a great weight room. It’s a top-notch program. I think in a couple of years they will be a powerhouse.”
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Comments
By Rob
August 15, 2007 11:20 PM | Link to this
I am really hoping Kyle ends up at UCF, they run a very TE friendly offense and O’Leary loves to develop TEs. TEs at most programs are a 2nd tier postion, but O’Leary is old school and loves TEs. I think Kyle needs to go to a school which uses TE in alot of its packages and UCF fits that bill.
By Michael
August 16, 2007 12:23 AM | Link to this
I think if Avery signs with UGA it is going to be a waste of a scholly. He is almost a sure lock to go in the first round in the baseball draft.
By laneywAugusta
August 16, 2007 8:18 AM | Link to this
I wish these young men well, and Cummings from Augusta good luck represent Westside and Augusta well.
By Rob Base
August 16, 2007 10:04 AM | Link to this
I think Rob and O’Leary….they both like a TE…Tight End!!! Go ahead Rob, come outta the closet like O’Leary did at tech..i bet he was the one who started the tickle piles. Is it football season yet?? WOOHOO
By gt in sc
August 16, 2007 10:58 AM | Link to this
rob base; is a tickle pile similar to that picture of fat matt stafford spooning with his boyfriend while the hottie stood by and wondered what the he@# was going on? is it? well, is it? if so, i believe the mutts have the market on that particular activity. picture dont lie. poor fat matt; hes so not sure of his orientation yet.
By MOTDawg
August 16, 2007 12:02 PM | Link to this
Michael, it would not be a “waste” of a scholarship if (and probably when) Avery signs a baseball contract. If someone does not enroll, he does not count against the 25-per-year or 85-at-any-time limits. It would be like he did not qualify. And before any of you haters chime in with something such as “like half of UGA’s signees,” remember that we went 23 for 23 this year, 25/28 in 2006, 14/18 in 2005 (one qualified at MSU but not at UGA), 18/21 in 2004 (one qualified at ECU, another at Arkansas, but neither at UGA). Thats a pretty good track record
By Michael
August 16, 2007 1:02 PM | Link to this
What i was saying is that we could use the scholarship on someone who will enroll and contribute to the program. It doesn’t do us any good if he signs his LOI with UGA and then goes and probably will sign a MLB contract and never play a down for UGA. Can we get and update on Neiko Lipscomp the defensive back recruit from Tucker high school.
By james
August 16, 2007 3:49 PM | Link to this
You make so big deal with the 2 baseball players from the state of georgia and you forgotten to mention there was another player from the state and he even won the MVP from the baseball classic.the player - Tim Beckham, School - Griffin High. Don’t get me wrong the other players are very good.
By MOTDawg
August 16, 2007 4:29 PM | Link to this
If Avery plays baseball, then it doesn’t matter that he signed. Avery signing an LOI will not have any effect on another HS senior unless Avery decides he wants to play football no matter what. You don’t think the coaches will have factored his likely baseball career into things? A potential plus in signing him would be if his baseball career doesn’t work out. Obviously, nothing is set in stone, and players don’t always honor LOIs they signed several years before (Quincy Carter originally signed with Tech), but thats a relationship that you’ve already built (think Chris Weinke).
By Rob
August 17, 2007 4:11 PM | Link to this
To ROb Base: Sorry former TE and I want the FB positon to be used more in offensive playbooks and not for blocking. The Height and Wgt TEs bring give LBs fits covering them in short yardage situations and in the redzone. Sound like someone is just jeasous of Tight Ends and wishes he still had his… LOL
By Rob
August 17, 2007 4:12 PM | Link to this
To ROb Base: Sorry former TE and I want the TE positon to be used more in offensive playbooks and not for blocking. The Height and Wgt TEs bring give LBs fits covering them in short yardage situations and in the redzone. Sound like someone is just jeasous of Tight Ends and wishes he still had his… LOL
By GTTerrific
August 17, 2007 9:10 PM | Link to this
Looks like Kyle Madden has a big first game with a lot of D1 teams looking his way at TE and DE!
Kyle is also a standout catcher and first baseman. He’s being recuited by top programs for Baseball.
Great athlete whichever sport he decides to focus on!