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DEL.ICIO.USFort Lauderdale teammates sign with UGA
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Cardinal Gibbons defensive end Jeremy Longo and kicker Blair Walsh couldn’t put pen to paper fast enough this morning in front of a packed gym as they both signed their letters of intent to attend Georgia.
Walsh not only had his Georgia ballcap at the ready, but he also was sporting a red-and-black Georgia tie. Longo wore a red dress shirt underneath his red-and-black striped jacket to show his allegiance. He placed a white Bulldogs cap on his head after signing.
The two had committed to the Bulldogs early — Walsh last March and Longo in June — as their visits to Athens only further solidified their dreams to play for head coach Mark Richt.
“I had a nervous little feeling in the car driving down here,” Walsh said. “I’m excited beyond belief and the fact that this day’s here and I’m signing today, it’s amazing to me. Three years ago if you had asked me if I’d be playing college football for the best team in the country right now I would’ve told you no way, it’s not going to happen. But I worked hard and this is where I’m at.”
Three of Walsh’s and Longo’s teammates also signed with Division I schools, with one going to Boston College, another to Iowa and another to the University of Central Florida. Nine kids in all from Gibbons will go on to play college football from this year’s team.
Longo actually admitted that as a kid he dreamed of playing for Florida, but now he will be suiting up for the Gators’ biggest rival, and he is looking forward to playing in his first Florida-Georgia game in Jacksonville. But he is really looking forward to stepping onto the home field at Sanford Stadium, and after attending the Auburn-Georgia “blackout” game, he truly felt the intensity of Bulldogs fans.
“I’ve been anticipating this day since June, since I committed, so I’m pretty excited. I could barely move the pen and sign it because my hand was shaking and I was all nervous,” said Longo, who at 6-foot-4, 212 pounds is thought of as a dangerous speed rusher in the mold of former Bulldogs defensive end David Pollack. “Just everything from the coaching staff to the players to the conference to the facilities, just everything about the school is great and that’s what sold me. It’s where I want to be.”
Head coach Mike Morrill, who is in his ninth year as head coach and 11th overall at the school, stood proudly behind each one of his signees, and gave some solid insight into what makes Longo and Walsh so special.
“Jeremy is just an absolute workout nut. He’s calling me on Christmas or on Thanksgiving to get into the weight room and he’s very passionate about the game. He loves the game,” Morrill said. “In terms of kicking, Blair’s very talented but I can’t see anybody working harder than him at the craft either. He’s always trying to tweak his game and improve his technique by going to camps and getting coaching. He’s just got the full package and they both loved Georgia as soon as they saw it and fell in love with the campus and the coaching staff. I think [Coach Richt] has created a nice family atmosphere in Athens.”
Now Walsh and Longo prepare to leave their South Florida family and become a part of that Bulldog family.
Permalink | Comments (6) | Post your comment | Categories: UGA
Comments
By Rockett G-222
February 6, 2008 8:48 AM | Link to this
Thanks to all of the these young men who will suit up and play for the the RED&BLACK! It great to be a GA BULLDOG!.
By Dawg
February 6, 2008 8:59 AM | Link to this
Welcome to 2 fine young men. I know you made the right decision. You will love your college years.
GATA
By JAMES STEWART
February 6, 2008 9:05 AM | Link to this
Its great to be a gawgadawg
By Kirky4
February 13, 2008 6:28 PM | Link to this
Jeremy We love you and were very PROUD of you! Congratulations GO DAWGS!!!!!!!!
By Kirky4
February 13, 2008 6:29 PM | Link to this
Jeremy We love you and were very PROUD of you! Congratulations GO DAWGS!!!!!!!!
By Kirky4
February 13, 2008 6:30 PM | Link to this
Jeremy We love you and were very PROUD of you! Congratulations GO DAWGS!!!!!!!!