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DEL.ICIO.USGeorgia Southern’s class bolsters depth
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Georgia Southern added some much-needed depth throughout its roster, which should help coach Chris Hatcher return the program to its glory days.
“We got quality people at every position,” Hatcher said. “I tried to recruit the best people I could get and our staff went out and beat the bushes and did a good job evaluating players.
“As far as how we did, I tell everybody the same thing: they’ll know when I know.” Georgia Southern signed 36 players, which includes two Division I transfers, two junior college transfers and a freshman from 2007.
“One area we lacked last year was depth,” Hatcher said. “We took steps in the right direction last year, but we lose several key contributors. I felt that was our No. 1 priority, to sign players that have the ability to contribute immediately.”
Southern signed seven wide receivers, seven defensive backs, six offensive linemen, six running backs, five defensive linemen, four linebackers and one quarterback.
The Eagles signed a trio of running backs with outstanding high school pedigrees: Franklin Green of Jenkins, Adam Urbano of Calhoun and Darreion Robinson of Clarke Central.
Green, considered a three-star recruit, rushed for a career 5,047 yards and 55 touchdowns, including 1,663 yards and 21 TDs as a senior.
Urbano is a tough runner with surprising speed. He finished his career with 4,434 yards rushing and 70 touchdowns, 1,300 yards and 24 touchdowns as a senior.
Robinson set a Clarke Central record with 4,045 career yards, along with 47 touchdowns. He rushed for 1,376 yards and 13 touchdowns as a senior. His brother, Dunta, is a defensive back for the Houston Texans.
The addition of two all-state wide receivers Nick Bass of Northside Warner Robins and Demarcus Watts of Grady could provide an immediate payoff. Bass caught 97 passes for 24 touchdowns and Watts had 45 receptions and 13 touchdowns.
Southern’s only quarterback signee is Leander Barney from Irmo, S.C., a player who ran for 1,101 yards and 14 TDs, threw for 551 and nine TDs, caught seven passes, averaged 31.3 yards on kickoff returns and 12.6 yards on punt returns.
Georgia Southern begins spring practice on March 10, with the spring game scheduled for April 12.
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By placebo
February 7, 2008 2:11 PM | Link to this
The Eagles signed a fine class. I think that Leander Barney had at one time committed to Appalachian. They signed a 3 star QB out of Florida and have a transfer waiting a year from somewhere out west. I like to see all of the schools in the Southern Conference do well in attracting talented players. It should help bolster the conference as a whole in going against other conferences who have the political pull such as the CAA.
By Spinx
February 8, 2008 7:58 PM | Link to this
This class will help the gap BGV left (wherever he is this month). Nice work Coach and Staff