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DEL.ICIO.USDivision I scouts eyeing recruits from Roswell
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 12/18/07
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.
Comments
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By Doug
December 19, 2007 7:46 AM | Link to this
I am constantly amazed by the number of Georgia kids who go out of state, heck out of the south with scholarships. It says a lot that Oregon would come across country to recruit a kid from Roswell GA.
By ken
December 19, 2007 5:33 PM | Link to this
It says a lot about Georgia’s talent level. The sad part of it is there is not another IA school in the state that can offer IA scholarships to these young people. I’m sure many athletes would like the opportunity to stay in Georgia and participate in front of their parents and friends, at the IA level.
The states surrounding Georgia have several teams each in IA and regularly sign top notch talent from Georgia, solely due to the fact Ga. Tech and The University Georgia can only offer so many Scholarships each year. I hope in the in the near future, the Board of Regents will encourage and assist Ga. Southern in a bid to move up from IAA to IA, so more Georgia athletes can stay in Georgia and play IA football. Georgia Southern is already at the 1A level in every sport except football.
By ken
December 19, 2007 5:36 PM | Link to this
It says a lot about Georgia’s talent level. The sad part of it is there is not another IA school in the state that can offer IA scholarships to these young people. I’m sure many athletes would like the opportunity to stay in Georgia and participate in front of their parents and friends, at the IA level.
The states surrounding Georgia have several teams each in IA and regularly sign top notch talent from Georgia, solely due to the fact Ga. Tech and The University Georgia can only offer so many Scholarships each year. I hope in the in the near future, the Board of Regents will encourage and assist Ga. Southern in a bid to move up from IAA to IA, so more Georgia athletes can stay in Georgia and play IA football. Georgia Southern is already at the 1A level in every sport except football.
By AtlantaUCFfan
December 19, 2007 8:18 PM | Link to this
Hopefully Hazelton will at visit UCF, I really would love to see some Atlanta recruits at my Alumni school. Their new stadium is beautiful and they have done alot of additions to school in last few years. PLEASE Hazelton at least visit UCF and see if they fit what you want in a school.. I would love to continue to root for you after you graduate from Roswell
By nuff Said
December 20, 2007 8:08 AM | Link to this
Rumor has it that the up-coming 10th grade class is as good or better than this group. It appears that Roswell will reload for another run for the State Championship in the next couple of years? Good Luck to this class of seniors, you had a very good run the last two seasons.