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Thursday, January 3, 2008
Florida set to offer Mays’ Smith?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Mays defensive end Bernard Smith says his top three college choices are Florida, Western Kentucky and Virginia Tech.
Smith has visits lined up to Florida (Jan. 11) and Western Kentucky (Jan. 18).
He has a scholarship offer from Western Kentucky. Other schools are waiting to offer until his ACT scores arrive next week.
“The day before I leave for Florida, I’ll know if they are going to offer,” Smith said. “Everybody is waiting on my ACT scores, including Auburn, Clemson and Kentucky.”
If the Gators offer, Smith said it’s not a sure thing that he will commit to last year’s national champion.
“If they offer, I’ll still take all my visits and see what’s my best option,” he said. “Just because a school has a great team doesn’t mean it’s a great school.
“I want to go there and take in a basketball game so I can see what the fan support is like. You get to mingle with some of the students and I’ll ask questions.
“I’ll be paying attention to the students to see what they think of the school. I already know the coaches are going to hit me with their best selling lines.”
Florida and Virginia Tech are recruiting Smith at defensive end. Western Kentucky likes Smith at outside linebacker.
Permalink | Comments (42) | Categories: Florida, Other schools
Uzzi joins Army All-American lineup
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Add Chamblee two-way lineman Omoregie Uzzi to the list of Georgia prospects participating in this weekend’s U.S. Army All-American Bowl high school game in San Antonio.
Uzzi was added to the roster earlier this week after another player pulled out of the game due to injury, according to Chamblee head coach Jim Showfety.
“He’s there [in San Antonio], and he’s really excited about participating,” Showfety said.
Uzzi (6-foot-4, 305 pounds), an AJC Super Southern 100 pick at offensive tackle, also played on the defensive front for Chamblee. He spearheaded the Bulldogs’ potent wing-T rushing attack, which averaged close to 300 yards per game and propelled Chamblee to a 12-2 record and to the Class AAA semifinals. He is being recruited by a number of schools, but has not made a commitment.
Uzzi joins the East squad, which includes Jefferson County offensive lineman A.J. Harmon (who has committed to Clemson), Norcross receiver Brice Butler (Southern Cal), and Statesboro defensive lineman DeAngelo Tyson (Georgia).
The U.S. Army All-American Bowl will feature some of the nation’s top players from the class of 2008, and will be televised Saturday at 1 p.m. on NBC.
Permalink | Comments (7) | Categories: Other schools
Offensive-Defense All-American Bowl preview
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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The second annual Offense-Defense All-American Bowl, which features top high school players from across the nation, kicks off at 8 p.m. on Friday in the Orange Bowl in Miami. The game will be televised live on Fox College Sports.
Players on the east squad who have committed to Georgia include linebacker Marcus Dowtin of Fork Union Military Academy, defensive back Brandon Boykin of Fayette County, safety Makiri Pugh of Independence (N.C.) High and Cordy Glenn of Riverdale.
Players from the state of Georgia on the east roster include Justin Tuggle of Northview (committed to Boston College), linebacker Keith Wells of Gainesville (committed to Florida State) and Travis Dungee of McEachern (considering Alabama, Auburn, FAMU and Rutgers).
Team East will be coached by Cris Carter, a former NFL player and co-host of HBO Sports’ “Inside the NFL.”
Permalink | | Categories: Other schools, UGA
Stephens Co.’s Poole headed to Tenn.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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After hinting for weeks that he might withdraw his commitment from Tennessee and pledge his allegiance to South Carolina, Stephens County running back Tauren Poole is now set to become a full-fledged Volunteer.
The 5-foot-10.5, 197-pound running back graduated from Stephens County in late December and plans to enroll at Tennessee this month.
“Right now, I’m on my way to Tennessee,” Poole said. “I’m headed to Knoxville on Tuesday, Jan. 8.”
Poole said Tennessee’s coaches plan to allow him input on whether he’s redshirted this fall.
But Poole’s chances of being on the Volunteers’ roster this fall- and possibly getting some playing time as a freshman - should be enhanced by his participation in spring practice.
“The coaches felt if I wanted to play and make an impact, I needed to go early,” said Poole, who plans to study Sports Management.
Permalink | | Categories: South Carolina, Tennessee
