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Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Tech slips with North Cobb’s Roark; Smith remains undecided
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Georgia Tech is no longer a front-runner in the recruitment of North Cobb quarterback Matt Roark.
“I was still considering them up until coach [Chan] Gailey got fired,” Roark said Wednesday evening. “Now, I’m just waiting to see what happens there.
“Right now, I’m considering Illinois, Kentucky, Oregon and Wake Forest.”
Roark, who took an official visit to Oregon earlier this fall, will travel to Illinois on Dec. 8 and Kentucky one week later.
The 6-foot-6, 190-pound Roark figured last week that Gailey’s status as Tech’s head coach was hanging in the balance.
“It was kind of a surprise, but I had heard all last week that if Georgia Tech loses to Georgia he would be fired,” he said. “So I was kind of aware that it could happen.”
Academics will dictate Smith’s choice
For Mays defensive end Bernard Smith, academics will be a major factor in where he plays college football.
“I’m looking a majoring in sports medicine with a minor in business,” Smith said. “So I’m looking at Florida, Clemson, Virginia and schools like that.
“Now if I was to change my major, and remember at first I wanted to be an engineer, then Georgia Tech and Auburn would be the top two choices.”
Smith, who briefly committed to Ole Miss earlier this year, was scheduled to attend last weekend’s Florida-Florida State game.
Instead, he wound up at Bobby Dodd Stadium as a guest of Tech to watch the Jackets play rival Georgia. Smith was among the group of recruits Gailey spoke with prior to kickoff.
“I really didn’t see [the firing] coming,” Smith said. “It’s hard enough to go to a team that’s rebuilding, but it’s even harder with a team that’s rebuilding with a new coach.
“But Tech is still up there for me. First of all, it’s home. And I have a couple of friends who will be there.
“I’m still waiting until January to make my decision.”
Anderson waiting to see if Tech offers
A week ago, Habersham Central cornerback Josh Anderson believed a scholarship offer from Georgia Tech was within his grasp.
But following this week’s coaching change, Anderson is left wondering what might have been.
“I really don’t know if I was close or not to an offer,” he said. “But I do know [Gailey and his staff] liked me.
“I’m going to take my time and see what happens and if they’re still interested in me when the new coach comes onboard.”
Anderson, whose favorites are Furman, Penn, Princeton and Georgia Tech, had hoped to see the Gailey era with the Jackets continue for years to come.
“I was really disappointed to hear about him being fired, to be honest,” Anderson said. “He’s a great guy, a really good coach and a great person.
“It’s kind of unfortunate.”
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