AJC > Sports > Football Recruiting > Blog > Archives > 2007 > December
December 2007
Dogs, Tech among suitors for ECI’s Lanier
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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J.C. Lanier, a 6-foot-5, 320-pound junior defensive tackle for Class A champion Emanuel County Institute, has received scholarship offers from Clemson, Florida State, Georgia, Georgia Tech and South Carolina.
ECI coach Milan Turner said his prized lineman already has a couple of frontrunners.
“Georgia and Clemson are his top two,” Turner said.
Turner thinks it’s too soon to predict which position Lanier will play in college.
“I think he can play on either side of the ball,” he said. “Some coaches like him at nose guard; others see him on the offensive line.”
Lanier and junior teammate Washaun Ealey will make ECI a recruiting hotbed over the next 13 months.
Ealey, who recently set the single season mark for touchdowns scored by a running back, is still waiting on his first offer.
“There’s a lot of schools interested, but there’s nothing in writing,” Turner said on Sunday. “But everybody that sees him play likes him.”
Turner anticipates seeing several offers arrive for Ealey in January.
“I don’t think there’s any question, he can play for anybody,” Turner said. “I think something will happen in the next three or four weeks.”
Turner confirmed that Ealey continues to express interest in Georgia.
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Allen reaffirms UGA commitment
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Georgia-bound Dwayne Allen, a 6-foot-3 tight end for Terry Sanford High in Fayetteville, N.C., was busy packing his bags early Sunday afternoon for a trip to central Florida.
Allen has been invited to play in Saturday’s Under Armour All-America game on Saturday at Disney’s Wide World of Sports at Lake Buena Vista, Fla.
“It’s a great opportunity to go down there to play football and have fun,” Allen said. “And it kind of gives me a chance to see where I stand.”
Allen’s mother plans to join her son later in the week for Saturday’s event, which is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. It will be televised on ABC.
As for the continued rumors that Allen’s commitment to the Bulldogs is soft, Allen had this response on Sunday: “I am committed to Georgia.”
Allen, who has already visited Athens, did admit that he hopes to take as many as four official visits prior to national signing day in February.
Candidates for visits include Clemson, Miami, North Carolina, N.C. State and South Carolina.
Top three for Perry’s Hayward
Perry defensive back Casey Hayward has confirmed that his top three choices are North Carolina, Troy and Vanderbilt.
Hayward will visit each school in January, beginning with a trip to Troy on Jan. 11.
Troy and Vanderbilt have offered Hayward. “And North Carolina said they will offer soon,” he said.
On North Carolina: “I like the head coach [Butch Davis],” Hayward said. “He’s always had a winning tradition. The program is coming around.”
On Troy: “It’s close to home and they’re losing a lot of defensive backs,” he said. “If I go in, I should start.”
On Vanderbilt: “I like the coaches there,” he said. “They have two sophomores [in the secondary] who started this year. So they’re deep at that position. I like the academics there. I want to study sports management.”
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Four future Dogs to play in Disney game
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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The Georgia-related storylines will be plentiful during next weekend’s Under Armour All-America Game at Disney’s Wide World of Sports near Orlando, Fla.
The contest, which features many of the top class of 2008 football recruits from across the nation, will air live on Saturday Jan. 5 at 2 p.m. on ABC.
Participants who have committed to Georgia include:
Tight end Dwayne Allen of Terry Sanford High in Fayetteville, N.C.
Receiver A.J. Green of Summerville (S.C.) High.
Offensive lineman Ben Jones of Bibb County (Ala.) High.
Running back Carlton Thomas of Frostproof (Fla.) High.
Participants who played high school football in Georgia include:
Linebacker Daniel Franklin of Habersham Central, who committed to Oklahoma during his junior season.
Defensive tackle Omar Hunter of Class AA state champion Buford, who committed to Notre Dame during the summer.
Receiver Josh Jarboe of Cedar Grove, who is undecided but is considering scholarship offers from programs such as Florida, Georgia, Georgia Tech, LSU, Miami, Ohio State and Tennessee.
Cornerback Neiko Lipscomb of Tucker, who is undecided but has offers from schools such as Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, Michigan State, South Carolina, Virginia and Virginia Tech.
Cornerback Terrance Parks of Creekside, who committed to Florida State during the summer.
Safety Jamoris Slaughter of Tucker, who committed to Notre Dame earlier this year.
Defensive end Chase Thomas of Walton, who picked Stanford over Auburn, LSU, North Carolina and Tennessee earlier this month.
Defensive tackle Brandon Thompson of Thomasville, who is undecided but has frontrunners in Clemson, Georgia Tech, LSU, Ohio State and Tennessee.
Other notables include offensive linemen Antoine McClain of Anniston (Ala.) High and Zebrie Sanders of Northmont High in Clayton, Oh. who are considering Georgia. Ricky Barnum, a guard for Lake Gibson Senior High in Lakeland (Fla.) is still considering Georgia Tech.
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State well-represented in U.S. Army All-American Bowl
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Four recruits with ties to Georgia will participate in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl on Saturday Jan. 5 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Tex.
The contest, which showcases some of the nation’s top football talent in the class of 2008, will be televised live on NBC (Channel 11 in Atlanta) at 1 p.m.
Participants on the east squad include Jefferson County offensive lineman A.J. Harmon, who has committed to Clemson.
He will be joined on the east roster by Norcross receiver Brice Butler, who plans to sign with Southern Cal in February.
Georgia fans will get a preview of two future Bulldogs.
A pair of east teammates, Statesboro defensive lineman DeAngelo Tyson and Cardinal Gibbons (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) kicker Blair Walsh, are part of Georgia’s current recruiting class, which is ranked second-best in the nation by Scout.com and third overall by Rivals.com.
Matt Patchan, an offensive lineman from Armwood (Sefner, Fla.) High, may be forced to sit out the All-American Bowl. Rivals.com is reporting that the 6-foot-7, 265-pound tackle has mononucleosis.
Patchan, who earlier this year briefly considered a scholarship offer from Georgia, is expected to choose between Florida, LSU and Miami.
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Freeman picks Clemson
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Clemson claimed a Christmas gift during the current dead period when 6-foot-6, 270-pound offensive lineman Dalton Freeman of Pelion (S.C.) High committed to the Tigers, according to Scout.com.
Freeman, is scheduled to take his official visit to Clemson on Jan. 11. He has already visited Colorado, Florida State and Penn State.
Rated the ninth-best guard in the nation by Scout.com, Freeman turned down offers from the Buffaloes, Seminoles, Nittany Lions, South Carolina and Tennessee.
Permalink | | Categories: Clemson, FSU, South Carolina, Tennessee
Highly coveted recruits in Saturday’s All-Star Classic
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Kickoff for Saturday’s Georgia Athletic Coaches Association North/South All-Star Classic is set for 2 p.m. at Memorial Stadium in Columbus.
Jeff Herron of Camden County will coach the south squad, while former Morgan County coach Kenny Moore calls the shots on the north sideline.
Notables on the south roster include Banneker’s Steven Fowlkes (committed to Tennessee), Jarmon Forston of Carver, Columbus (Auburn), Nick McRae of Dublin (Georgia Tech), A.J. Harmon of Jefferson County (Clemson), Chaz Sutton of Jenkins (Florida), Franklin Green of Jenkins (Florida) and Sanders Commings (Georgia).
The north roster includes Chattahoochee’s Justin Smith (Arkansas), Jaybo Shaw of Flowery Branch (Georgia Tech), Christian Robinson of Greater Atlanta Christian (Georgia), Devonta Bolton of Norcross (Alabama), Derrick Bryant of Peachtree Ridge (LSU) and Tristan Strong of Grayson (Vanderbilt).
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Tennessee, Troy are top 2 for Reeves
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Tennessee and Troy are the frontrunners for Stone Mountain’s Charles Reeves Jr., an AJC Class AAAA all-state selection at receiver.
The 6-foot-1, 180-pound Reeves is scheduled to visit Troy on Jan. 12. He’s slated to take trips to Ole Miss and Tennessee later that month.
On Tennessee: “It’s a good atmosphere and has a family feeling,” Reeves said. “They make me feel comfortable when I go there.”
On Troy: “I like the fact they throw the ball a lot,” he said. “For now, I just want to go down there and visit.”
Reeves will participate in Saturday’s Georgia Athletic Coaches Association North/South All-Star Classic in Columbus. He will play on the north squad for former Morgan County coach Kenny Moore. Camden County’s Jeff Herron will coach the south team.
Etowah lineman commits to Western Michigan
Ryan Byrne, a 6-foot, 280-pound lineman for Etowah, has committed to Western Michigan.
Etowah coach Bill Stewart said the Broncos made a favorable impression on Byrne during a recent visit.
“He loved the coaches, and the atmosphere was great,” Stewart said. “And he liked the idea of playing in the MAC conference.”
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Wells no longer a Florida State lock
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Despite committing to Florida State in August, Gainesville defensive end Keith Wells said Thursday night he’s back in evaluation mode.
“I’m still verbally committed to Florida State, but at the same time I’m still taking visits to make sure Florida State is where I want to be,” Wells said.
“I’ve visited Ohio State and Auburn. I’ll visit Florida State in January, and possibly Tennessee and Notre Dame.”
The Fighting Irish haven’t yet extended a scholarship offer. But Wells believes he is only a visit away from receiving one from coach Charlie Weis’ staff.
“Notre Dame hasn’t offered, but [assistant] coach [Bill] Lewis wants to see some film of my season this year,” he said. “Hopefully, if my film is impressive they will offer.
“They may offer; they may not offer. I just want to get up there on my visit.”
Wells said he’s trying to keep an open mind when it comes to the academic scandal that rocked Tallahassee earlier this week.
“I think about it,” Wells admitted. “But it really doesn’t effect how I feel about Florida State because that’s only 20 or so individuals who decided to make that decision.
“I don’t think a school should be judged by a group of individuals who made a bad decision. But it does have me thinking ‘what is going on inside Florida State with what the recruits can’t see or the parents can’t see.’”
Wells, who says he will take five official visits prior to national signing day, said he gets mixed signals from his recruiting coach at FSU, Jody Allen, when they discuss him taking visits to other schools.
“I spoke to coach Allen after I visited Ohio State, and I don’t think they were too nervous then,” Wells said. “But I know before I took my visit to Ohio State he didn’t want me to go on any trip. I guess he was nervous then.
“We have three other defensive ends besides me committed, so I don’t think they’re too nervous. They just want to see what I’m going to do. I’ll make a final decision two weeks before signing day.”
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Etowah’s Williams set to become a Gamecock
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Defensive tackle Elliot Williams of Etowah has committed to South Carolina.
Etowah coach Bill Stewart said Williams was attracted to the Gamecocks for multiple reasons.
“First of all, it’s definitely an SEC program,” Stewart said. “He got to go watch the South Carolina-Florida game. It didn’t work out well for South Carolina that day, but I think he really liked the big picture.
“I think he feels like he’ll be treated well there and it will be a great place for him.”
The 6-foot-6, 280-pound Williams could end up on South Carolina’s offensive line.
“He definitely fits the mold of one of those big offensive tackles with those long arms, and that may be where he ends up,” Stewart said.
“I’m not certain, but I think they’re bringing him in as a defensive lineman.”
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Buford’s Hunter preparing to abandon Notre Dame?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Buford defensive lineman Omar Hunter is still set to sign a letter of intent with Notre Dame in February, at least for now.
Rumors are swirling that Hunter, rated as the second-best defensive lineman in the nation by Scout.com, is close to withdrawing his commitment to the Fighting Irish.
Jess Simpson, coach of the Class AA Buford Wolves, partially shot down that speculation earlier today.
“He has not de-committed to Notre Dame,” Simpson said around 1 p.m. “I know that for a fact.
“Now, the kid may begin considering other things. He may take a visit or two and just reevaluate things.”
Prior to committing to the Irish in early June, Hunter had taken visits to Florida, Florida State, LSU, Michigan, Notre Dame, Oklahoma and Southern Cal.
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Division I scouts eyeing recruits from Roswell
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Roswell’s football team fell short of repeating as state champions, but the Hornets may end up leading the state in the number of players who sign major-college scholarships.
Roswell has eight seniors who have either been offered or are being heavily scouted by Div. I schools, including linebacker Ebele Okakpu (committed to North Carolina), wide receiver Garrett Embry (Oregon) and tailback Alex Daniel (Northwestern).
“I’d rather lead the state in wins and state championships, but I’m proud of these guys,” Roswell coach Tim McFarlin said.
“As much as I’d like for our program to take credit, the credit goes to the kids. They’ve worked hard and earned everything, and our staff is happy to be a small part of it.”
McFarlin has been an assistant or coach of the Hornets for 28 years, and says this is - “by far” - the most seniors that will sign with major colleges, or colleges at any level. He said he knew this was a special group while observing them years ago in middle school.
“They were good and they pushed each other hard at such a young age, which made each other better. The common denominator was talent, but the main thing that binded this group together was an intense desire to win.
“It was a wonderful group, and they had a wonderful two-year run at Roswell High School.”
Here is a closer look at the recruiting situations of Roswell’s eightsome:
ALEX DANIEL, RB Daniel was the most recent senior to make a decision, committing to Northwestern after an official visit to the Big 10 campus last weekend. Said Daniel: “I thought it was a great town and there was a lot of things to do. The campus is only about 20 minutes from Chicago. I liked the team and the coaches. And they have great facilities.” Daniel picked the Wildcats over offers from East Carolina, Tulane, Ball State, and Utah. He rushed for 1,86 yards and 20 touchdowns, and proved his toughness last year by participating in the championship playoff run with a knee injury that later required surgery.
CURTIS HAZELTON, DE Hazelton was committed to Duke, but decided to open things back up after the Blue Devils fired coach Ted Roof. Duke’s administrators have said the offer stands, but defensive end opted to study additional options after meeting with McFarlin. “We don’t know what the situation is going to be at Duke, and when they hire a coach [Hazelton] may not be their first choice,” McFarlin said. “Duke is not entirely out of the picture, but we want it to be a win-win for both sides. We’ll just have to see what happens there. Meanwhile, Curtis is listening what other schools have to say.” Hazelton’s next best choice appears to be Central Florida, while his other offers are from Air Force, Navy, Furman and Elon. He had 82 tackles and 5 sacks.
EBELE OKAKPU, LB The speedy linebacker was one of Roswell’s most recruited players in school history, picking North Carolina over nearly 20 offers. South Carolina and Clemson have made overtures at Okakpu, but he has remained true to the Tar Heels. Okakpu had 151 tackles and 2 interceptions. “It’s hard not to like anything about Ebele, he can run and he can hit,” McFarlin said.
DUSTIN TALIAFERRO, QB McFarlin is baffled to why more colleges aren’t chasing after Taliaferro, who was All-State as a junior. He had another banner year as a senior, completing an astounding 59-percent of his passes (115 of 194) for 1,941 yards and 19 touchdowns with only five interceptions. Southern Miss appeared to be the leader for Taliaferro until the abrupt resignation of coach Jeff Bower, who was a former Roswell quarterback himself. While Southern Miss has said it will still honor the offer, Taliaferro has ruled out the school. He has offers from Furman, Elon, William & Mary, along with a trio of Ivy League schools in Penn, Columbia and Dartmouth. “Dustin is going to take his visits and select a school that challenges him athletically and academically,” McFarlin said. “It is amazing to look at all the qualifications of the Ivy League schools, and Dustin met them.” Said Taliaferro: “I’m just going to take my time and check out every school I can.”
GARRETT EMBRY, WR Possibly no other player increased his value more over the course of his senior season than Embry, who was an early commitment to Oregon. If Embry was undecided, he would probably be among the state’s top 15 most heavily recruited players after a breakout season. “I’m staying with Oregon,” Embry said. “I like it there, and I’ve gotten close to their coaches.” Embry is a big and fast target, finishing with 43 receptions for 853 yards and 8 touchdowns. He dominated down the playoff stretch. “He probably played as well in the second half of the season as any receiver I’ve seen here,” McFarlin said. “It just took time to develop chemistry with Dustin and they had it at the end of the season. [Embry] became the big-time playmaker we always knew he could be.”
ZACK WADDELL, LB The tough-nosed linebacker got his first Div. I offer this week from Louisiana-Monroe and more could follow. He also has generated interest from Air Force, Tennessee Tech, Georgia Southern, Furman and Murray State. Waddell finished as Roswell’s second-leading tackler with 114, along with 7 tackles for loss and 4 sacks.
JIM BROADWAY, K Kicker might be the toughest position to earn a scholarship, as colleges prefer that kickers and punters walk on the team initially. Broadway was offered by Navy’s staff before it moved over to Georgia Tech. “We’re hoping to hear good things from Georgia Tech, but they have to evaluate what they have in the program before making any offers,” McFarlin said. “They loved him at Navy, so we’re hoping they will love him now that they are at Georgia Tech.” Broadway could kick or punt in college. He converted 12 of 15 field goal attempts, with a long of 50 yards. He averaged 41.4 yards per punt.
P.J. BEIDEL, WR The sure-handed Beidel was the team’s leading receiver during the state championship season, but missed his entire senior year with a knee injury suffered over the summer. McFarlin feels strongly that Beidel has the skills to play at the next level, but that he will likely have to walk on to prove himself. He has a scholarship offer from Navy Prep School, and has been invited to walk on at Georgia Southern and Tennessee Tech.
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Jackson bolts for Bama
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Henry County wide receiver Chris Jackson backed out of his commitment to Georgia Tech Tuesday morning, announcing he’ll instead attend Alabama.
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Jackson rethinking Tech commitment
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Georgia Tech may be on the verge of losing its second commitment in the past 10 days.
Henry County’s Chris Jackson, rated a four-star receiver by Scout.com, plans to choose between Alabama and Tech at 10 a.m. on Tuesday.
Jackson, who originally committed to the Jackets nearly a year ago, admitted Monday evening that the Crimson Tide are now in the picture.
“It’s wide open,” Jackson said. “[My parents and I] are talking about it tonight. I’ll make my announcement [on Tuesday].”
Jackson’s interest in Alabama was sparked following the recent dismissal of former Tech coach Chan Gailey.
Gailey’s firing prompted Jackson to take an official visit to Tuscaloosa earlier this month. He took an official visit to Tech over the weekend.
Jackson told the recruiting blog last week that he planned to remain committed to the Jackets.
“Alabama did a great job of recruiting me, but I’m still committed to Tech 100 percent,” Jackson said on Dec. 9.
But Jackson backtracked late Monday by confirming that Tech’s coaching swap will have an impact on where he plays college football.
“It’s the whole coaching change at Tech, that’s what this is about,” said Jackson, who said last week he planned to enroll at Georgia Tech in January.
The 6-foot-1, 195-pound Jackson met new Tech coach Paul Johnson during an in-home visit a week ago.
“Coach Johnson is a good guy,” Jackson said. “We had an in-home visit on Monday [Dec. 10] and we watched some tape.”
Sean Renfree, a quarterback at Notre Dame Prep in Scottsdale, Ariz., withdrew his commitment from Tech on Dec. 8.
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Trawick chooses Mich. State
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Sprayberry safety Brynden Trawick has committed to Michigan State.
The 6-foot-2, 215-pounder chose the Spartans over Indiana and Purdue.
“The more schools you saw, the more you like each of them,” Trawick said. “It was a pretty hard decision, but I feel comfortable and my parents feel comfortable about it.”
Trawick is slated to play free safety for the Spartans.
“Michigan State has all the pieces in place to win a national championship,” he said. “That’s why I felt it was the best decision for me.”
Waller commits to Akron
Southwest DeKalb cornerback **Manley Waller will play college football at Akron.
Waller initially appeared to be headed to Ohio.
“Going to Akron, the chance of playing early is greater,” the 5-foot-9, 158-pound Waller said. “They are recruiting six defensive backs. And the class we have coming in is going to be the class that has a chance of playing.
“As for Ohio, my visit there didn’t go too well. I didn’t enjoy myself like I thought I would.”
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UCLA making late push for Sanders
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Georgia fans must be content to wait several more weeks to determine if the Bulldogs score a commitment from Zebrie Sanders of Northmont High in Clayton, Oh.
Rated a four-star recruit by Scout.com, a commitment to Georgia by the offensive lineman would put the finishing touches on what may be arguably the nation’s finest recruiting class.
The 6-foot-6, 273-pound Sanders has maintained for weeks that he will choose between Florida and Georgia.
But Sanders, who had hoped to commit in early January, will now wait to pick a college until after an upcoming official visit to either Florida State or UCLA.
Sanders recently scheduled a visit to Tallahassee on Jan. 12.
But he may wind up traveling to Los Angeles to visit UCLA instead.
“UCLA has always been in the picture,” Sanders said Sunday afternoon. “They haven’t really called me lately because of their coaching situation.
“But they were originally one of the teams I was interested in.”
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Flowery Branch QB is Johnson’s first commitment at Tech
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Georgia Tech picked up the first commitment of the Paul Johnson era on Friday when Flowery Branch quarterback Jaybo Shaw committed to the Jackets.
Shaw’s decision to sign with Tech in February comes less than a week after quarterback Sean Renfree of Notre Dame Prep in Scottsdale, Ariz. withdrew his commitment to the Jackets.
“Tech has been on me since the end of my junior year,” said the 6-foot-1, 185-pound Shaw, who originally committed to Middle Tennessee State in August. “[Former Georgia Tech coach Chan] Gailey offered me after the Georgia game. But then he got fired.
“I really didn’t know if the offer was still on the table with Johnson.”
Shaw finally discovered that he was still on Tech’s radar.
“I had an in-home with coach Johnson on Thursday,” Shaw said. “He said the offer is still there.
“So, I ended up making the hardest call of my life Friday morning when I called Middle Tennessee State [to de-commit]. Then I called coach Johnson after 3 o’clock on Friday and told him I’m a Jacket.”
Shaw is confident he will fit into Johnson’s triple-option offense.
“I like running the ball and I like to throw it,” he said. “That’s what coach Johnson likes his quarterback to do.”
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Walton’s Chase Thomas commits to Stanford
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Walton defensive lineman Chase Thomas committed to Stanford earlier today.
The 6-foot-4, 210-pound Thomas chose the Cardinal over Auburn, LSU, North Carolina and Tennessee.
Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh played a major role in Thomas’ decision.
“[It was] the enthusiasm of coach Harbaugh and his coaching staff, along with the opportunity for early playing time, as well as the opportunity to contribute towards propelling Stanford back to a top Pac 10 and national championship contender,” Walton said through a press release.
“Academics at Stanford are second to none, and I look forward to being part of a winning program at a university that excels at excellence.”
Thomas set a Walton school record this season with 17 sacks.
He is scheduled to participate in the ESPNU All American/Under Armor All Star Game on Jan. 5.
- Staff writer Michael Carvell contributed to this report
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Painter picks Va. Tech
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Vinston Painter, a guard for Maury High in Norfolk, Va., has committed to Virginia Tech.
Considered the fifth-best offensive guard in the nation by Scout.com, Painter chose the Hokies over Florida, Georgia, Miami and Penn State.
“I like just about everything at Virginia Tech,” Painter said. “They had a great season this year. It’s a great school with a great coaching staff.”
Painter admitted that playing football in his home state played into his commitment.
“I wouldn’t say it was a major reason I committed to Virginia Tech, but it did factor into my decision,” he said.
Painter had nothing negative to say about Georgia.
“I just decided to narrow it down and go from there,” he said.
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Will Tech offer to Mays’ Heard?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Mays receiver Corey Heard’s recruiting focus is centered on Georgia Tech, Kentucky and Illinois.
The 6-foot-2, 185-pounder has scholarship offers from the Illini and Wildcats. Mays felt he was close to an offer from the Jackets before Chan Gailey’s recent dismissal as Tech’s coach.
“I think they were going to offer,” Heard said. “They were recruiting me strongly. I’m hoping the new staff will offer.”
Heard received his offer from Illinois last week.
He plans to announce his commitment before the end of December.
Smith remains committed to Arkansas
Chattahoochee defensive end Justin Smith, one of two Georgia high school players committed to Arkansas, said Tuesday night he was “thrilled” with the opportunity to play for former Falcons coach Bobby Petrino.
“He was considered an offensive mastermind at Louisville, and took that program to [heights] no one thought was possible,” Smith said.
“If he can do that at Louisville, just wait and see what he can do at Arkansas. I’m sure he’ll have us competing for national championships as quickly as possible.”
Smith said he did not closely observe Petrino’s short term with the Falcons, but that it should not be held against him:
“[Petrino] lost Mike Vick, the most electrifying player in the NFL, before the season began and that just killed everything, no matter who was coach,” Smith said. “You just can’t judge Coach Petrino by what happened this past year. It was out of his control.”
Smith said he has yet to talk with any Arkansas representatives since Petrino’s announcement, and found out about the hiring from a text message while watching his school’s basketball team play on Tuesday night. Smith has never wavered on his commitment to Arkansas.
“I was disappointed to see [Houston Nutt] resign, but I still felt like Arkansas was the right place for me. It just shows you what a great school it is when they go and hire another great coach with [Petrino].
“I look forward to talking with Coach Petrino and discovering if he thinks I’m the type of player he wants on his team. I hope so, because he’s a proven winner and I want to be part of the great things he will do at Arkansas.”
Dacula defensive back Khiry Battle is the other state player who said he will sign with Arkansas.
- Staff writer Michael Carvell contributed to this report
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Athens lineman likes Clemson, Kentucky
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Clemson and Kentucky are the front-runners in the recruitment of 6-foot-5, 285-pound Clarke Central offensive tackle Trevino Woods.
The Wildcats may have a slight edge over Clemson.
“Kentucky is definitely a strong leader,” Clarke Central coach Leroy Ryals said. “He’s a good size athletic kid, who has actually only played football for two years. He has good footwork and is a real smart kid.
“It’ll be sometime in January when he commits, after he takes his visits.”
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Arkansas recruits react to Petrino’s hiring
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Troup offensive lineman John Oliver, who recently committed to Central Florida, turned down a scholarship offer from Arkansas.
Oliver said had he originally committed to the Razorbacks, he likely would be looking for another school today.
“If that was to happen to me, I wouldn’t be committed to Arkansas if I was an Arkansas commit,” said Oliver, when asked about the Razorbacks’ decision to hire Bobby Petrino, who bolted from the Atlanta Falcons after just 13 games.
“But I would give [Petrino] a chance to meet me and be around him before I did that,” he said.
Oliver believes Petrino’s personality never meshed with the players on the Falcons’ roster.
“I think Bobby Petrino had a good thing going on at Louisville, and then he came down to the Atlanta Falcons hoping to mature Michael Vick as a quarterback,” he said.
“Arkansas is a good fit for him. They’ve got a good group of quarterbacks and it was probably a good move for his family.
“But as far as the way he handled it, I might have done something differently.”
The 6-foot-6, 270-pounder said Wednesday evening he will politely tell Petrino no if the Hogs’ new coach tries to lure him away from coach George O’Leary’s Golden Knights.
“I’m comfortable with the coaching staff at Central Florida,” Oliver said. “And I gave them my word. When I give somebody my word, that’s it.”
Searcy commits to Troy
James Searcy, a 6-foot-4, 260-pound defensive lineman for Northgate in Newnan, chose to commit to Troy on Saturday.
Rated a three-star defensive end by Scout.com, Searcy also had scholarship offers from the SEC’s Arkansas, Mississippi State and South Carolina.
“It was between Troy and Mississippi State,” Searcy admitted. “I never scheduled a visit for Arkansas. I just didn’t think I’d like it there.”
Searcy, who was offered by former Arkansas coach Houston Nutt’s staff in March, believes new Razorback coach Bobby Petrino should have remained in Atlanta for at least one more season.
If he had committed to Arkansas, Searcy would give serious consideration to withdrawing his commitment to the Hogs.
“I probably would have visited a few other schools,” he said.
As for whether Petrino is in it for the long haul in Fayetteville, Searcy said the longevity of the coaching staff he plays under is important to him.
“Me and [Troy] coach [Larry] Blakeney talk all the time,” Searcy said. “I’d probably leave Troy if he left before I got there.”
Wright sticking with Arkansas
Tenarius Wright of Whitehaven High in Memphis, Tenn. is thrilled with Arkansas’ decision to hire former Atlanta Falcon coach Bobby Petrino.
The 6-foot-2, 220-pound linebacker was emphatic when asked Wednesday evening if he plans to honor his commitment to the Razorbacks.
“I think it was a great move for a college team to get an NFL coach,” Wright said. “He had a good reputation at Louisville. I’m looking forward to playing for him.”
Wright, who still plans to take official visits to Kentucky on Jan. 11, Arkansas on Jan. 18, Memphis on Jan. 25 and North Carolina during the weekend prior to signing day in February, admitted that his commitment to the Razorbacks would have been shaky if Arkansas had waited much longer to hire a coach.
“If it had been another two weeks, I probably would have seen something better,” Wright said. “He had to come now to recruit us.”
But Wright seemed unfazed over the prospect of Petrino’s employment being short-lived with Arkansas.
“I play football for football,” Wright said. “I never really was going to Arkansas over who the coach is. You can have the best coach and still not be able to perform on the field.”
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Richt visits Heard County
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Georgia coach Mark Richt and recruiting coordinator Rodney Garner spent two hours in Heard County on Monday signing autographs, posing for pictures and evaluating the health of running back Dontavius Jackson.
Jackson, who suffered a season-ending wrist injury in Heard County’s season opener in September, plans to enroll at Georgia in January. He is on pace to gain permission from his physician to participate in spring practice with the Bulldogs.
“Dontavius got his cast off and has started his rehabilitation,” Heard County coach Tim Barron said. “They don’t want him to do any squeezing right now.
“He goes back to the doctor on Dec. 28. They should be ready then to release him to be more aggressive with the therapy. And as soon as he gets to Georgia, they’ll really start doing more physical therapy.”
Barron said Jackson’s injury was diagnosed as a spiral fracture, where the ligament in the wrist tears away from the bone.
“Everything is probably healed up fine right now,” Barron said. “The Georgia coaches feel like he’ll be freed up and released to go through spring practice.”
Richt was a big hit with the folks in Franklin.
“People were excited to see him,” Barron said. “We’re a small town. So anytime a big name like that comes here, it’s good for the community.”
Adetona commits to Indiana
Gainesville receiver Tyler Adetona was very candid Tuesday night when asked why he withdrew his October commitment from Troy earlier this week, which opened the door for him to commit to Indiana late Monday.
“I felt pressured by Troy,” Adetona admitted. “I decided to go to Indiana over the weekend and really enjoyed it. I didn’t feel any pressure at all from the coaches up there.
“They wouldn’t even let me commit while I was there. They wanted me to go home, talk to my head coach [at Gainesville], then de-commit. They didn’t want to cause any hard feelings.”
Adetona, who teamed with Gerald Ford to give Gainesville one of the state’s most potent receiving corps this season, said he instantly fell in love with the Bloomington campus.
“It’s a great school, which is a big plus, they have a great football program and they take care of you,” Adetona said. “And what else can you ask for academically?
“It’s a beautiful place.”
Philpott pulls the trigger on a commitment
St. Pius kicker Chris Philpott has committed to Louisville.
The senior was perfect on 36 extra-point attempts this season and made 36 PATs and 12 of 16 of field goals. The 6-0, 185-pounder is a standout soccer player for the Golden Lions and played defensive back for the Class AAAA playoff team.
Philpott, who had offers from Air Force, Army and Navy, cancelled a visit to Virginia after committing to play for the Cardinals.
He is expected to follow Louisville all-conference kicker Art Carmody, the NCAA scoring leader for kickers.
“He knows he has big shoes to fill, but he is excited about it,” said Robert Philpott, Chris’ dad. “He has a chance to be the team’s kicker next season.”
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Big-name coaches visit Walton’s Thomas
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A pair of well-known names in the coaching fraternity paid visits recently to Walton defensive end Chase Thomas.
Tennessee head coach Phillip Fulmer stopped by the Thomas home on Dec. 2 after losing the Southeastern Conference championship game. They had chili.
“It was fun. It’s an honor to have a coach of his level at my house,” Thomas said. “I’m sure it would have been better if they won the game.”
Fulmer was the first coach to visit but not the last.
North Carolina head coach Butch Davis visited on Sunday with defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano. Thomas will visit the Chapel Hill campus on Jan. 11.
The talented senior has limited his college choices to four schools: Auburn, Tennessee, Stanford and UNC. It’s not a decision that he’s taking lightly.
“It’s not a four year decision. It’s a forty year decision,” Thomas said. “There’s a lot that goes into it. I thought I might have a chance to play at a smaller school, a Georgia Southern or something like that.
“This has just all been a blessing, and I just want to make a good choice.”
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Daniel commits to Northwestern
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Roswell running back Alex Daniel will play college football in the Big Ten for Northwestern.
Daniel chose the Wildcats over Ball State, East Carolina, Tulane and Utah.
“I went on my official visit there this weekend,” Daniel said Monday evening. “I thought it was a great town and there was a lot of things to do. The campus is only about 20 minutes from Chicago.
“I liked the team and the coaches. And they have great facilities.”
Daniel pulled the trigger on the commitment to Northwestern after conferring with his parents late Sunday.
“I won’t take any more visits,” said Daniel, who was scheduled to travel to East Carolina on the weekend of Jan. 11.
Well-wishers sought out Daniel after word of his commitment began spreading throughout Roswell’s campus on Monday.
“All of my friends are just proud of me,” he said. “I had a lot of people come up and congratulate me today.”
Daniel is now eager to sign his letter of intent in February.
“I enjoyed meeting all the coaches from all the other schools,” he said. “And they did a great job recruiting me.
“But it’s a pretty big relief to just get all this behind me.”
Sanders still committed to Ole Miss despite coaching change
Peachtree Ridge cornerback Brandon Sanders is optimistic Ole Miss made the correct move by hiring former Arkansas coach Houston Nutt to replace recently fired Rebels coach Ed Orgeron.
“Obviously, [Nutt] is a great coach,” Sanders said. “He definitely knows what he’s doing. I’m happy to hear that he’s the head coach.
“As of right now, I still plan on going [to Ole Miss]. I really haven’t heard from the new coaching staff yet. As soon as he gets his staff together, he’ll get out to his recruits.”
Following a 3-9 season, Sanders wasn’t caught off guard when Orgeron was fired.
“I really wan’t too surprised when I heard,” Sanders said. “I really did like coach Orgeron. He was a great guy and very genuine, as far as him wanting me to come to Ole Miss.
“When I heard he was fired, I thought ‘hopefully, we’ll get another good coach.’ But it was disappointing when I heard the news about coach Orgeron.”
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Tech loses quarterback recruit; Jackson still committed
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Georgia Tech’s decision to hire Navy coach Paul Johnson on Friday didn’t sit well with quarterback Sean Renfree of Notre Dame Prep School in Scottsdale, Ariz.
Considered the 16th-best quarterback in the nation by Scout.com, Renfree, who threw for more than 3,200 yards and 41 touchdowns this season, elected to back out of his commitment to Tech over the weekend, just hours after leading his team to a state championship victory on Friday night.
“Sean thinks Paul Johnson is a very good coach, who has a very good record,” Renfree’s father Kevin Renfree said Sunday night. “But Sean’s style is not suited to that [run-oriented] offense.
“If Sean stays healthy, he hopes to play beyond college. And being an option quarterback is not going to help him prepare for that next level.”
Kevin Renfree said his son was disappointed when Tech fired then-coach Chan Gailey two weeks ago.
“Sean liked coach Gailey a lot,” Renfree said. “There was a lot of chemistry. Sean connected with him.
“And with the Dec. 15 dead time approaching, when coaches can’t initiate contact with recruits until after the holidays, he felt he needed to de-commit now to look at other opportunities so he could set up visits in January.”
Arizona, Arizona State, Boise State, Northwestern and Tennessee are among the programs showing immediate interest in Renfree.
“And Sean just had contact with Nebraska on Saturday and Vanderbilt [on Sunday],” Kevin Renfree said.
Tech-bound Jackson meets Saban in Tuscaloosa
Henry County receiver Chris Jackson, who committed to Georgia Tech nearly a year ago, spent the weekend on a visit to Alabama.
But the best sales pitch from Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban failed to convince Jackson to switch his allegiance from the Jackets to Alabama.
“The visit went well,” Jackson said Sunday evening. “Alabama did a great job of recruiting me, but I’m still committed to Tech 100 percent.”
Jackson admitted that Tech’s recent decision to fire Gailey led him to schedule the visit to Tuscaloosa.
“It was all about the coaching change,” Jackson said. “They didn’t have a coach at the time I scheduled my visit last week. I get down there then find out Tech has just hired a new coach.”
Jackson hopes to meet Johnson early this week.
“I’m looking forward to meeting him,” said Jackson, who is scheduled to enroll at Tech in January. “Everybody tells me he’s a great coach and a great person to play for. I’m hoping to meet him on Monday or Tuesday.”
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Spurrier visits Callaway’s Byrd
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South Carolina and Louisville remain the favorites to gain a commitment from 6-foot-5, 255-pound lineman Ronald Byrd Jr. of Callaway.
The Gamecocks may have gained a slight edge on Thursday when South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier spent time visiting Byrd at the school located in Hogansville.
“There’s a lot of excitement at our school right now after a coach like Steve Spurrier shows up,” Callaway coach Pete Wiggins said. “It means a lot for our football program and the community. I got a lot of calls about his visit.
“Ronald has several offers right now, but he’s very interested in South Carolina and Louisville. Those two schools are certainly at the top of his list.”
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UGA coaches visit McClain
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Anniston (Ala.) offensive tackle Antoine McClain received visits from Alabama and Georgia coaches earlier this week.
The 6-foot-6, 315-pound McClain is considering scholarship offers from Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Georgia and Tennessee.
“He’s an athletic kid,” Anniston coach Alex Wilson said. “He’s quick and he can run.
“He can play guard, but I know he can play either of the tackle spots.”
Wilson said he’d be surprised if McClain commits before February.
“He said he’ll take all of his visits, so he probably won’t make a decision until signing day,” Wilson said.
Scout.com has rated McClain the eighth-best offensive tackle in the nation.
Realizing McClain’s life was about to become hectic, Wilson became determined in the spring to be more than a coach to his prized tackle.
“I told Antoine when I got hired back in May that it’s not my job to tell him and his mom where to go, but it is my job to give him assistance and advice,” Wilson said. “That pretty much is what I do.”
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Richt’s teammate recruited by Clemson
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Prince Avenue junior offensive tackle Matt Van Halanger is destined to appear on recruiting boards across the nation.
A teammate of Clemson-bound quarterback Jon Richt, the son of Georgia coach Mark Richt, the 6-foot-4, 255-pound Van Halanger is beginning to receive contact from Division I programs.
“I’m starting to get letters from schools like Baylor, Miami, Clemson and Arkansas,” said Van Halanger, who sees himself as a guard or center on the collegiate level.
“They send me letters every week after their games, telling me how they did. And the letters are also about their academics.”
Van Halanger lived in Tallahassee for 10 years before moving to Oconee County while in the fourth grade.
“I’m a Florida State fan, but they’re second to Georgia,” he said.
Van Halanger, who hopes to attend at least three college camps next summer, said he and Jon Richt, a senior, talk frequently about Clemson.
“He wants me to go to Clemson with him,” Van Halanger said. “He always gets excited when they contact me.
“I just want to get an offer early so it will take all the weight off.”
Habersham Central’s Anderson claims two new offers
Penn and Princeton have offered Habersham Central cornerback Josh Anderson.
“Penn University had an in-home visit with Josh last Saturday and told him that they wanted him,” Anderson’s father, Jim Anderson, said.
“And Princeton came by the school and spent an hour talking with him and confirmed they want him as well. He has official visits set up with both schools in January.
“And he’s still hearing from a number of other schools.”
Anderson recently received an invitation to play in a National All American game in Jackson, Miss. on Jan. 1.
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Etowah’s Williams leaning toward S. Carolina
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Etowah’s Elliot Williams continues to mull over a series of major college scholarship choices.
“He’s got offers from South Carolina, Maryland, Illinois and Auburn,” Etowah coach Bill Stewart said on Wednesday. “But he’s interested in South Carolina. That is kind of at the top of his list.”
The 6-foot-5, 270-pound Williams, who is scheduled to visit the Gamecocks in January, played on both sides of the line of scrimmage for the Eagles this season.
“He’ll either be a defensive lineman or an offensive tackle in college,” Stewart said. “I really don’t know where he will fall as far as that goes.
“He runs to the football. For a tall man, he’s got a good motor and can run.”
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Tennessee enters picture for Thompson
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Tennessee entering the picture for Thompson
Tennessee is making a late run at 6-foot-2, 290-pound defensive tackle Brandon Thompson of Thomasville.
Thompson confirmed Wednesday evening that he’s considering Clemson, Georgia Tech, LSU and the Volunteers.
He is scheduled to visit Clemson this weekend.
As for the Tech coaching change, Thompson claims it hasn’t harmed the Jackets’ chances of gaining his commitment.
“It doesn’t change my feelings about them,” he said.
Stockbridge’s King headed to Orlando
Stockbridge running back Vance King committed to Central Florida during a visit to the Orlando campus last weekend.
“First off, I really like the coaching staff and, of course, coach [George] O’Leary,” King said Wednesday evening. “But the most important thing is the academic support they have.
“And the weather, man. It was 87 degrees down there on [Sunday].”
The 6-foot-1, 195-pound King, who was also considering Purdue and Vanderbilt, headed to Orlando last weekend know he would likely commit to the Golden Knights during the visit.
“Yeah, I kind of had that in the back of my mind, but I wanted to see the facility before I committed,” he said.
King plans to enroll at CFU next summer.
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Dennard ready for the Dome and scouts
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Wilcox County defensive back Alphonzo Dennard will put his athleticism on display at 9 a.m. on Friday when the Patriots face Athens Academy in a Class A semifinal contest.
Dennard, who is considering Alabama, Clemson and Troy, has made a pledge to avoid getting caught up in the glamour associated with playing inside the Georgia Dome.
“I’ve just got to go out there and play my game,” he said. “I know there will be a lot of college coaches out there. But you’ve just got to go out there and be level-headed.”
Recruiting is currently on the backburner for Dennard.
“Right now, I’m just trying to get a state championship ring,” he said. “After the football season is over, I’ll worry about recruiting.”
Dennard has an official visit set up at Troy during the weekend of Jan. 11.
He is being recruited by Clemson and Troy as a receiver, while the Crimson Tide likes him as a defensive back.
Route names five
Stephenson cornerback Destin Route, who briefly committed to Marshall earlier this year, is now targeting a January commitment.
“I’m undecided right now,” Route said Tuesday evening. “My top five, in no particular order, is Georgia Southern, UAB, Memphis, Texas Southern and Tuskegee.
“And I’m still looking at Marshall. I’m sitting up visits right now.”
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Auburn, Stanford remain Thomas’ favorites
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Walton defensive end Chase Thomas and his Raider teammates will be beamed into the homes of television sets around the state Saturday evening in their Class AAAAA semifinal matchup with North Gwinnett in the Georgia Dome.
The blue chip player, who many felt would commit to Auburn last weekend when the Tigers played host to rival Alabama, is content to put recruiting aside temporarily as he focuses on moving closer to a state championship.
“The Auburn trip was a good visit,” Thomas said. “It was a great game and the atmosphere was crazy.
“But the coaches at Auburn are telling me to take my time. Right now, I’m just focusing on the season and not recruiting.”
Auburn and Stanford remain Thomas’ front-runners, though he hasn’t ruled out offers from North Carolina and Tennessee.
Wake Forest showing interest in Graham
South Paulding junior quarterback Chase Graham is starting to receive interest.
“I’ve had a few small schools look at me,” the 6-foot, 175-pound Graham said. “Wake Forest sent me a letter.”
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ECI junior Ealey eyeing UGA
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Emanuel County Institute junior running back Washaun Ealey will attempt to add to his single-season state record 51 touchdowns on Friday at noon in the Georgia Dome when the Bulldogs face Clinch County in a Class A semifinal matchup.
The 5-foot-11, 205-pound Ealey’s penchant for finding the end zone hasn’t gone unnoticed by college recruiters.
“He’s gotten mail from Georgia, Clemson, South Carolina, LSU, Florida, Florida State, North Carolina and West Virginia,” ECI coach Milan Turner said Monday evening.
“And he’s already visited Georgia, Clemson and Duke this year.”
Ealey has proved to be a back who can do it all for ECI.
“He’s a great blocker with great hands,” Turner said. “And he’s extremely strong. He’ll run over you. He’s got great vision and moves.”
Ealey, who has rushed for nearly 2,500 yards this season, may already be making plans to be part of Georgia’s 2009 recruiting class.
“He loves Georgia,” Turner said.
“After [current Georgia running back] Knowshon [Moreno], he wants it to be Washaun.”
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Simmons chooses S.C.
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Banneker safety Darrell Simmons committed to South Carolina during an official visit to the Columbia campus over the weekend.
“I enjoyed everything about the visit,” Simmons said Monday night. “I just really love the place.”
Simmons picked the Gamecocks over Alabama, Florida, Ohio State and Tennessee.
“I really like coach Steve Spurrier,” Simmons said. “He’s just a great guy overall.”
Salem’s Shields commits to Western Kentucky
Salem defensive back Corey Shields has committed to Western Kentucky.
The 6-foot-3, 185-pound Shields, who runs the 40 in 4.5 seconds, chose the Hilltoppers over Middle Tennessee State and UAB.
“Corey will be an impact player at Western Kentucky,” Salem coach Chad Estes said. “He has all the tools to be a good college football player.”
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Jarboe continues to search
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Cedar Grove receiver Josh Jarboe continues to remain interested in Georgia, Georgia Tech, Florida, LSU, Miami, Ohio State and Tennessee.
But with coaching changes underway and unclaimed scholarship opportunities becoming scarce at some schools, Jarboe hopes to make up his mind by the end of the year.
“I don’t have a front-runner yet,” Jarboe said. “I’ll decide in late December.”
Despite the recent departure of former Tech coach Chan Gailey, the Jackets still intrigue Jarboe.
“Some of the other coaches are still there,” he said. “[The coaching change] doesn’t matter. It’s still the same school.”
Time could be running out for Jarboe at Georgia, which may be down to two unclaimed scholarships to offer to the current recruiting class.
“Georgia is still an option,” Jarboe insisted.
His Cedar Grove teammate, Xavier Avery, has already committed to Georgia,
“We still talk about me going to Georgia,” Jarboe said.
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Sanders puts commitment on hold
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Zebrie Sanders, a 6-foot-6, 277-pound offensive tackle for Northmont High in Clayton, Oh., will not commit this week.
Sanders, who previously said his commitment would coincide with his birthday on Dec. 4, will now wait until January to choose between Georgia, Florida, LSU, South Carolina and Louisville.
“I want to take all of my official visits before I commit,” Sanders said Sunday afternoon. “I’ve already taken visits to Georgia, Florida and LSU. I still want to visit South Carolina or Louisville.”
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RB Ward leaning toward S.C.
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Mount Zion, Jonesboro running back Martin Ward, who briefly committed to Georgia earlier this year, is now expected to choose between Clemson, Louisville, North Carolina and South Carolina.
“I’m still trying to set up a visit to Louisville,” said Ward, who has already toured South Carolina.
Ward, who anticipates a January commitment, admitted that the Gamecocks have an advantage over the other programs.
When asked why he favors South Carolina, Ward offered a simple response: “the coaches.”
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