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Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Signing Day Central
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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National signing day has come and gone, and the final rankings are in:
— Mark Richt and Georgia brought in a consensus top 10 class, finishing No. 4 in Scout.com’s rankings and No. 6 on Rivals.com’s list. And the Bulldogs may not be done.
With North Carolina tight end Dwayne Allen’s last-minute flip-flop to Clemson, the Bulldogs still have a scholarship to give. “When all the dust settles, there might be someone out there we have been interested in, I don’t know,” Richt said.
— Paul Johnson’s Georgia Tech class was ranked 38th nationally by Scout.com and 49th by Rivals.com.
“I don’t get into all these rating services, and I don’t care who else is recruiting them,” Johnson said.
— Who’s No. 1? That’s Alabama, experts say. Three “five-star” recruits and 19 “four-star” players (according to Scout.com’s rankings) gave Nick Saban & Co. the edge.
The Tide’s headliners included wide receiver Julio Jones and linebacker Jerrell Harris. “Both will make a tremendous contribution to the future of our football program and our football team,” Saban told reporters in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
— Experts will tell you Jones is the nation’s top-ranked wideout. Summerville (S.C.) High coach John Mckissick begs to differ.
That distinction, he says, belongs to UGA-bound A.J. Green.
“I had the chance to watch Julio at the Under Armour All-American Game and he’s pretty good, but after having seen them both play, A.J. is a better receiver,” McKissick said. “I’ve been asked over the years, ‘Who is the greatest football player you’ve ever had?’ and I never answered because I don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings.
“While we’ve had several great ones, now I don’t mind saying A.J. is the best all-around athlete we’ve ever had.”
For more on Green, UGA, Tech and others, check out our “recent entries” section to the left, where we’ve posted more than 200 stories in the last 24 hours. Recruiting coverage never stops at ajc.com. Stay tuned in the coming days for an early look at the class of 2009.
Rating the ACC
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Miami grabbed what could be considered the best class in the country in what was a somewhat satisfying year for the ACC.
Nine 5-star recruits signed with the ACC, with Miami (4) and Florida State (3) leading the way. Clemson signed the other two. In comparison, the SEC signed 13, with the Pac-10 signing 11.
A look at the conference:
Immediate impact: E.J. Manuel, QB, FSU. Physically, Manuel, rated the No. 2 QB in the country, seems perfect. He’s 6-5, 210 pounds, and fast. But he’s not what you would consider a Charlie Ward-type player. He could solve the Seminoles’ decade-long problem at QB.
Wait a year: Sean Renfree, QB, Duke. You may remember Renfree as a player who decommitted from Georgia Tech following Chan Gailey’s resignation. Well, Renfree will now be playing for David Cutcliffe, who developed the Manning brothers in college. Granted, it’s Duke. But it has been proven that a good QB and a good system can provide results.
Biggest surprise: Miami. There’s something to be said for location and tradition, because the Hurricanes certainly didn’t win recruits with their play last year.
Who will be happiest in three years? Clemson. The Tigers added depth with highly regarded recruits at quarterback, running back and on the lines. If they can get over their annual fascination with firing Tommy Bowden, and stop losing games to inferior opponents, they are steadily acquiring the talent to help them relive their glory days.
RATING THE ACC
Miami
Florida State
Clemson
Virginia Tech
N.C. State
Boston College
North Carolina
Georgia Tech
Maryland
Duke
Virginia
Wake Forest
Permalink | Comments (22) | Categories: Clemson, Other schools, Tech
Petrino, Saban flex: Rating the SEC
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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They may be disingenuous knuckleheads to most of the country, but Alabama’s Nick Saban and Arkansas’ Bobby Petrino proved that while they might be short on staying power, they are long on recruiting skills, pulling down two excellent classes.
Overall, the SEC again is considered to have the best class top-to-bottom in the country, with the Crimson Tide and Georgia among most recruiting services’ top 5 teams.
A look at the conference:
Immediate impact: Julio Jones, WR, Alabama. Jones, the No. 1-ranked wide receiver in the country, is the type of player Alabama hasn’t had the past two years - big (6-feet-4, 205) and fast (4.4 in the 40). He has been compared to Michael Irvin, which has its pluses and minuses. Tide fans just want someone who can help free up the running game and make opposing defenses respect the pass. Jones had more than 3,000 receiving yards in high school in Foley, Ala., and scored 52 touchdowns.
Wait a year: Omar Hunter, DT, Florida. Gators fans were no doubt happy when he signed after decommitting from Notre Dame. Hunter, the No. 2 defensive tackle in the country from Buford High, is huge (6-2, 290) and quick, but give him a year to get used to the SEC before comparisons to Courtney Brown begin.
Biggest surprise: Joe Adams, ATH, Arkansas. The Arkansas native committed to USC, but a late push by Petrino secured his signature. Although he had just a few weeks to recruit, Petrino did a great job keeping the talent in his new state.
Who will be happiest in three years? We’re going to do the cheap thing and say it’s a tie between Ole Miss and Auburn. New Rebels coach Houston Nutt has given fans a reason to believe with a class that features a 5-star recruit and several 4-star guys. Former coach Ed Orgeron was a good recruiter, but Nutt is a proven coach. Auburn got some quick players who should fit nicely into the new spread offense.
RATING THE SEC
Alabama
Georgia
LSU
Florida
Auburn
Arkansas
South Carolina
Tennessee
Ole Miss
Miss. State
Kentucky
Vanderbilt
Permalink | Comments (68) | Categories: Alabama, Auburn, Florida, LSU, South Carolina, Tech, Tennessee, UGA
Alabama’s total package lured Norcross’ Bolton
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It was more than Nick Saban that attracted DeVonta Bolton to Alabama.
“The coaching staff, the school, the support of the fans” all pointed the Norcross High wide receiver to Tuscaloosa. The 6-foot-4, 220-pounder picked Alabama over Boston College, Florida, Auburn, Tennessee, Michigan and Ohio State.
Bolton is a member of an Alabama signing class that Scout.com rates No. 1 in the nation.
“All that means is we need to try to be humble,” Bolton said.
Bolton teamed with Brice Butler (USC) at Norcross to make one of the best wide-out tandems in the state. He says he’s going to miss high school but is ready for the next step.
“They’re always going to be with me in my mind and my heart,” he said.
Permalink | Comments (10) | Categories: Alabama
QB Tuggle makes ex-NFL star dad proud
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Justin Tuggle’s start in football included his famous father’s jersey number (58) and position (linebacker).
But it didn’t last long for the Northview quarterback, who signed with Boston College on Wednesday.
“It was with the Alpharetta Eagles,” recalled Jessie Tuggle, the former Atlanta Falcon who played 14 years in the NFL. “At 14, he just fell into the quarterback spot.”
Jessie Tuggle couldn’t have been happier Wednesday, as he and wife DuJuan attended the Signing Day Spectacular at ESPN Zone in Buckhead with their star son. The elder Tuggle said Wednesday topped even his induction into the National College Football Hall of Fame last summer.
“I’m very proud,” Jessie Tuggle said. “I know what kind of work it took for him to get here. … He had to work twice as hard because [of expectations that come with] being raised as an NFL kid.”
The day was also special for Justin Tuggle, who started in the third grade playing linebacker and running back for the Alpharetta team.
Northview had five players sign Wednesday, four with Division I schools.
“The highlight of the season is today,” Justin said. “It all counted down to today.”
Tuggle expects to be redshirted as a freshman at BC.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Categories: Other schools
Valdosta State’s signing class
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Reigning Division II champion Valdosta State signed six wide receivers to provide help for its wide-open offense. The Wildcats also formally signed quarterback Blake Fields, who announced his transfer from Auburn shortly after the end of the bowl season. Fields is one of seven Division I transfers to land with the Wildcats, as is Bobby Williams, who had 76 catches in three seasons for Middle Tennessee State.
Valdosta State signees Terry Ashley RB 5-11 190 Irwin County Derrick Boddie WR 6-0 202 North Atlanta Anthony Brooks LB 6-0 240 Fitzgerald Jerome Brooks DE 6-3 250 Jonesboro A.J. Brown DE 6-1 210 Tift County Randy Brown S 6-0 190 Coffee Larry Bryant DT 5-11 260 Tift County Jake Burgdorf C 6-0 215 Luella Wilbert Carter WR 6-2 170 Greene County Kody Case WR 6-0 165 Buford De’Andre Derico-Lewis WR 6-3 205 North Atlanta Gerald Ford WR 6-3 215 Gainesville Jeffrey Folks CB 5-9 175 SW DeKalb LaCollie Gordon WR 6-1 190 Emanuel County Edward Harrison QB 6-5 221 Parkview Theseus Jackson RB 5-10 175 Wilkinson County Tomarez Jenkins WR 5-10 160 Hephzibah Malcolm Lundy LB 6-3 235 Fitzgerald Donald Maxwell SS 6-1 195 North Gwinnett Brock Mayo OL 6-2 280 Niceville, Fla. Nick Richards QB 6-4 205 Greenbrier Cam Short OL 6-3 250 Flint River Acad. Kevin Stokes CB 5-9 175 Valdosta Brett Sudduth LB 6-1 190 South Cobb Curtis Weatherspoon LB 6-2 205 Valdosta Alex Webster CB 5-10 175 South Cobb Zach West RB 5-9 160 Loganville Mesh Wokomaty OT 6-7 290 East Paulding Dontravius Wright DB 5-9 185 Greene County
Chance Attaway FB 5-11 210 Fla. International Devin Cannon CB 5-9 185 SE Louisiana Blake Fields QB 6-1 195 Auburn Chris Fultcher TE 6-4 250 Portland State Markus Manson RB 6-1 215 Florida Caleb St. Louis DT 6-2 215 SE Louisiana Bobby Williams WR 6-3 204 Middle Tennessee
END
Small back put up big numbers in Texas
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Marcus Wright, whose 3,374 rushing yards and 45 touchdowns last season at San Antonio Reagan helped him earn a share of the Associated Press Texas Class 5A offensive player of the year award, signed Wednesday to play next season at Georgia Tech.
The 3,374 yards — a San Antonio record — is part of the 7,036 yards he gained in his high school career, which puts him 18th all-time in the state.
Those are big numbers — even if Wright (5-7, 175 pounds) is not.
“Anybody who’s ever seen me play, my size is not a question,” Wright said, filling out the Georgia Tech T-shirt he was wearing.
Wright, who originally had committed to Tulsa, expects to play the A-back position in new coach Paul Johnson’s offense.
He was born in Atlanta. His mother is from Atlanta and his father is from Columbus. There are about 100 relatives remaining in Georgia.
But Wright and his father said they didn’t ask Georgia Tech to recruit him — either before Chan Gailey was fired or when Johnson was hired.
“I think a couple of days after the new coaches got there, they contacted me,” Wright said. “So it wasn’t like I was on the bottom of anybody’s list.
“I had always dreamed to play for either Georgia Tech or Georgia. So when I got the call and it clicked that I could play there, it was big. With the offense they run, you have to have the A-back on the field all the time. So I’ll have an opportunity to play a lot.”
One of his teammates — offensive guard Jaime Villafuerte — expects to see Wright playing on television in the future.
“On our offensive line, we would just try to get our guys for three or four seconds, and whatever hole Marcus found, he was gone,” Villafuerte said. “Any hole he sees, he could go. It was fun.”
Wright has been timed in the 40-yard dash at 4.3 seconds. His coach at Reagan thinks speed will be one of the ways he’ll overcome his size.
“When he played in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl [high school all-star game last month], you could see he was small,” coach David Wetzel said. “He’s got outstanding speed and quickness. But first and foremost he’ll succeed because of character. He’s got a great work ethic.”
Permalink | | Categories: Tech
Miami has the real McCoy
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Miami grabbed what could be considered the best class in the country in what was a somewhat satisfying year for the ACC.
Nine 5-star recruits signed with the ACC, with Miami (4) and Florida State (3) leading the way. Clemson signed the other two. In comparison, the SEC signed 13, with the Pac-10 signing 11.
A look at the conference:
Immediate impact: E.J. Manuel, QB, FSU. Physically, Manuel, rated the No. 2 QB in the country, seems perfect. He’s 6-5, 210 pounds, and fast. But he’s not what you would consider a Charlie Ward-type player. He could solve the Seminoles’ decade-long problem at QB.
Wait a year: Sean Renfree, QB, Duke. You may remember Renfree as a player who decommitted from Georgia Tech following Chan Gailey’s firing. Well, Renfree will now be playing for David Cutcliffe, who developed the Manning brothers in college. Granted, it’s Duke. But it has been proven that a good QB and a good system can provide results.
Biggest surprise: Miami. There’s something to be said for location and tradition, because the Hurricanes certainly didn’t win recruits with their play last year.
Who will be happiest in three years? Clemson. The Tigers added depth with highly regarded recruits at quarterback, running back and on the lines. If they can get over their annual fascination with firing Tommy Bowden, and stop losing games to inferior opponents, they are steadily acquiring the talent to help them relive their glory days.
Permalink | Comments (2) | Categories: Clemson, FSU, Other schools
Georgia 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.
Permalink | Comments (2) | Categories: Other schools
Petrino, Saban don’t sit still
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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They may be disingenuous knuckleheads to most of the country, but Alabama’s Nick Saban and Arkansas’ Bobby Petrino proved that while they might be short on staying power, they are long on recruiting skills, pulling down two excellent classes.
Overall, the SEC again is considered to have the best class top-to-bottom in the country, with the Crimson Tide and Georgia among most recruiting services’ top 5 teams.
A look at the conference:
Immediate impact: Julio Jones, WR, Alabama. Jones, the No. 1-ranked wide receiver in the country, is the type of player Alabama hasn’t had the past two years - big (6-feet-4, 205) and fast (4.4 in the 40). He has been compared to Michael Irvin, which has its pluses and minuses. Tide fans just want someone who can help free up the running game and make opposing defenses respect the pass. Jones had more than 3,000 receiving yards in high school in Gadsden, Ala., and scored 52 touchdowns.
Wait a year: Omar Hunter, DT, Florida. Gators fans were no doubt happy when he signed after decommitting from Notre Dame. Hunter, the No. 2 defensive tackle in the country from Buford High, is huge (6-2, 290) and quick, but give him a year to get used to the SEC before comparisons to Courtney Brown begin.
Biggest surprise: Joe Adams, ATH, Arkansas. The Arkansas native committed to USC, but a late push by Petrino secured his signature. Although he had just a few weeks to recruit, Petrino did a great job keeping the talent in his new state.
Who will be happiest in three years? We’re going to do the cheap thing and say it’s a tie between Ole Miss and Auburn. New Rebels coach Houston Nutt has given fans a reason to believe with a class that features a 5-star recruit and several 4-star guys. Former coach Ed Orgeron was a good recruiter, but Nutt is a proven coach. Auburn got some quick players who should fit nicely into the new spread offense.
Permalink | Comments (7) | Categories: Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Other schools
Assessing the UGA signing class
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Athens — OK, time to get ready for 2009.
The 2008 class? It’s over. Done. Kaput. It has been that way for a month. Letter of intent day was but a mere formality for the Bulldogs.
“You look at December and we were sitting there with about 20 commitments so there were really not a lot of questions marks about what was going to happen,” said Georgia coach Mark Richt.
And there was not too much wavering in where Georgia finished. The Bulldogs once again brought in a top 10 class. That class may have been higher but for one blip. Tight end Dwayne Allen pulled a last-minute about face. It was the only drama in a day and really a season that has become predictably boring but for the coaches and fans immensely satisfying.
Jewel of the class: Georgia’s lowest maintenance recruit A.J. Green may turn out to pay the highest dividends. The wide receiver from Summerville is regarded as the best receiver Georgia. At 6-4, 190-pounds Green has the size and the speed to make an immediate impact.
You would like to be able to give (Matthew) Stafford as many weapons as he can get,” said recruiting coordinator Rodney Garner.
As a senior, Green had 72 receptions for 1,437 yards (20.0 avg.) and 15 touchdowns. He was courted by several programs but has been committed to Georgia since his junior season.
Immediate impact: There could be a handful of players who immediately play for Georgia. This first, and most important of those, is center Ben Jones. The Alabama product enrolled at the midyear and is being groomed to take over for Fernando Velasco.
Offensive line coach Stacy Searels told the crowd gathered at Butts-Mehre as of today Chris Davis would be the starting center in the spring. But Davis has had a hip injury to deal with this offseason.
“I think he is going get after it,” Richt said of Jones. “I think he is going to compete. I don’t think some guys are going to like it much, but some players (as in Jones) don’t worry about that.”
Running back could be another position to be quickly bolstered by the incoming class. Richard Samuel and Dontavius Jackson are already enrolled. Both will have a chance to compete with Caleb King for playing time behind Knowshon Moreno.
“I am not so concerned with saying he is one and he is two,” said running back coach Tony Ball about the pecking order. “Let’s just continue to get better and improve and work. Now going into the season I will say now this guy stood out a little bit more than the others. And early in preseason I will take that same look and then soon after that make a decision as to who is No. 1, who is No. 2 and who is No. 3.”
Wait a year: Cornelius Washington was the first player to commit to Georgia. Because of that the defensive end from Burke County flew under the radar when it came to recruiting. But he might be one to watch after a redshirt season.
“He is a great looking specimen,” Garner said. “He was here on his official visit and he looked like one of these Greek Gods. There is a tremendous upside.”Washington has the frame to add weight but already has solid speed at the defensive end position. At Burke County last season he had 55 tackles including 44 solo, six sacks, 18 tackles for a loss, forced three fumbles and registered seven QB pressures.
Quotes of the day: “That is probably like when you sit back and you look at your wife over time you say if I would have held out I could have gotten another one right there.” — Recruiting coordinator Rodney Garner’s answer to a reporter after a question about taking a commitment too early.
“Don’t write that.” — Garner, laughing, once he realized what he had said. But the press conference was being streamed live via the Internet.
“Honey if I put one on and they get just one picture, them suckers are going to using it for the next 10 years.” — Mark Richt on his reaction with his wife Katharyn asked him to wear a Clemson hat at his son Jon’s signing Wednesday with the tigers.
“Some guys made it difficult on themselves, their families and the coaches.” — Georgia coach Mark Richt on last-minute changes.
Permalink | Comments (38) | Categories: UGA
Johnson ignores poor marks by recruiting pundits
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Paul Johnson’s first Georgia Tech recruiting haul wasn’t highly rated, but Johnson and his staff sounded plenty happy about a 20-player class Rivals.com ranked ninth in the ACC.
“I don’t get into all these rating services, and I don’t care who else is recruiting them,” Johnson said, sounding a lot like predecessor Chan Gailey. “I want to believe what I see.
“I think we really addressed some needs from the speed standpoint and some fits for what we plan to do on offense and defense.”
One hint of Johnson’s play-calling preferences: “I’d like to be about 350 [yards] a game running and 150 throwing,” he said. “That would be ideal.”
Jewel of the class: Tech fans will want to know how to pronounce the name of Chamblee offensive lineman Omoregie Uzzi. It’s uh-MOR-gay OO-zey, the lone member of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution Super Southern 100 in this class.
Uzzi has quick feet for a guy with his great size (6 feet 3, 291 pounds). Thank his older brother, Osagiede, who got Omoregie in the weight room in ninth grade and started teaching him how to be a lineman.
“He’s a very dominating type of offensive lineman,” Chamblee coach Jim Showfety said. “He’s a big kid, but he also can come off the ball low and hard. I’m certain he’ll fit in perfectly with Paul Johnson’s offensive schemes.”
That’s partly because Uzzi played in an option attack in high school.
“If I play offense, I’ll be a step ahead of the other offensive linemen,” said Uzzi, who played only defense as a high school junior because of a broken wrist.
Immediate impact: With a new staff and new systems on offense and defense, it’s hard to say which returning players will line up at which positions, let alone how the newcomers will fit into Tech’s plans. But the Jackets are so low on quarterbacks, especially ones with option experience, it doesn’t take much imagination to see Tevin Washington or Jaybo Shaw playing sometime in the fall.
“They’re both tailor-made for what we do,” Johnson said.
Here’s how wide open things are: “There might be guys in the secondary that will be the best quarterback,” Johnson said.
Typically, running backs make some of the quickest transitions to college football, so speedy slot backs Embry Peeples and Marcus Wright and fullback Richard Watson could get a chance to play as freshmen.
Project: Antonio Wilson played only one year of high school football and needs to bulk up to play end at Tech.
Wait a year: Defensive line coach Giff Smith has so many returning players it might be awhile before defensive tackle T.J. Barnes makes his mark. But at 6-7, 325, Barnes will be noticed.
“I’ve recruited a lot of defensive linemen,” Smith said, “and this kid has as much potential as any I’ve ever seen.”
Quote of the day: “I think we have some pretty good athletes [returning]. We need to get a little tougher, both mentally and physically,” Johnson said.
One who got away: Defensive back Lee Butler of Anderson, S.C., disappointed Tech on signing day by choosing Duke, which told him Tech’s option offense would make it harder for him to get better in practice.
Permalink | Comments (38) | Categories: Tech
Allen kept Clemson in his mind
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The signing day drama was supposed to be over weeks ago for Georgia.
Tight end Dwayne Allen made sure that was not the case. The tight end from Terry Sanford High in Fayetteville, N.C. changed his commitment twice in the last three days. The last of those was Wednesday morning.
“I had to do what was best for me,” Allen said. “That’s what was on my mind. That is what came to me.”
It didn’t come to Allen until the last minute.
“I didn’t know until 10 minutes to 10 this morning,” said Wayne Inman, Allen’s coach. “His problems was he liked everybody. He didn’t see a coach or a team that he didn’t like.”
That led to confusion.
Allen held press conference Monday and said he was going to Georgia. After that press conference Allen said he did not decide he was going to Georgia until the very last minute.
But he still was thinking about Clemson.
“I was always thinking about them,” he said. “I felt comfortable there. Georgia was what I was thinking at that time. But Clemson just stayed with me and that is what I had to do.”
Allen talked with Georgia coach Mark Richt Wednesday morning.
“Coach Richt was a great guy,” Allen said. “It was tough to talk to him. But it was something I had to do. I had to do what I thought was best for me.”
What upset Inman was the way it was handled by Allen.
“I was very disappointed,” Inman said. “It bothers me the way it was all handled. I understand people are going to change their minds.”
But, Inman said, the timing of the entire situation basically held Georgia hostage and did not allow the Bulldogs to go out and find another player.
Richt declined to discuss it in depth and declined to address Dwayne Allen by his name. But he made several veiled references to Allen.
“Some guys made it difficult on themselves, their families and their coaches,” Richt said when asked about how players handled the process.
“These days nothing surprises you,” recruiting coordinator Rodney Garner. “My focus is on the kids that we got. These are the kids that belong here. These are the ones that we are excited about.”
Allen’s departure did cause a light slip in Georgia’s recruiting rankings. The Bulldogs finished No. 4 in Scout.com and ESPN. They were No. 6 in Rivals.
“I think I could have handled it differently,” Richt said of the Allen situation.
Georgia may hold that scholarship for next year’s class.
“I don’t think that we are going to have anybody commit anytime soon,” Richt said. “I don’t foresee that happening. It could. When all the dust settles there might be someone out there we have been interested in, I don’t know.”
The news Allen that had wed himself to Clemson became official at 10:51 a.m.
The 6-3, 220-pound tight end is a top 100 signee, according to ESPN.com. During his career at Terry Sanford Allen had 68 receptions for 1,257 yards. As a senior he had 27 catches for 291 yards and five touchdowns.
Permalink | Comments (36) | Categories: Clemson, UGA
Florida’s Meyer speaks about his class
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Florida Coach Urban Meyer spoke this afternoon about this year’s recruiting class. Here are some of his comments:
“Everyone has been asking me about the last three classes and it’s hard to say that this isn’t my favorite class. If you look at the amount of time and research spent on each player, there are always going to be issues and certain things show up but I am awful proud of our staff that did it the right way.
“Many times, people jump on early commitments and we did not do that. We had a lot fewer numbers going into this year and had a couple transfers who increased that but we had fewer numbers than we had the previous years. I am very pleased with the amount of research that we did and the quality of student that we brought in.
“Obviously, we think that they will qualify or else we would not have signed them. I would like to thank the families of our coaching staff. It has been a grind, every since the National Championship game and all the way through. I’d like to thank their wives and kids for letting me have them and now they can be dads and husbands for a couple days and then we will be back to work for next year.
“I also want to thank Dr. Carodine, Tony Meacham, Jason Storch and Kim Green for doing a wonderful job. Also, Mickey Marotti, Scotty Holsopple, Mark Campbell and the entire staff did a great job. Kenny Parker is one of my favorite people. He played here and we asked him to be very helpful with our recruiting and he was. Remember that name because he is going to be a tremendous weight coach or football coach. Anthony Pass and the training staff did a wonderful job.
“Mark Pantoni is now in charge of our recruiting efforts and he did a great job. Mark and Emily Heater ran the show and did a phenomenal job for us. Obviously, our players helped us out. The new facility is going to be a tremendous help. It is going to be the front door of Florida Football. We look forward to that.
“Overall, it is a great class and that makes it three in a row. We are going to have a roster of 25 upperclassmen and 60 underclassmen. We have 11 seniors so it is going to be a very young team. We have 31 players with three more years of eligibility and now 29 players with four years of eligibility. The future is awful bright and I am anxious to get back out there and coach our team.”
On the last month of recruiting
“We closed really well. Not that I’m into rankings but every time I visited a site like Rivals.com and see where we were ranked I was concerned myself. We were not ranked very high and then seven recruits later and you are. I think at one point we were No. 1. I saw that some teams are signing like 35 players and we have 22. I am not concerned about rankings, but a part of me likes to check.
“When you start adding people like Omar Hunter and T.J. Lawrence, who came in late, it became a good day for us. We had a bunch of guys who wanted to commit early, but I am not into that. We have people that say they want to commit but want to take four or five trips in the fall, so I tell them not to commit and to take those trips. The ones who commit early usually do not hold and that is why I am opposed to the early signing period as well. You are asking young people to make a decision that will follow them around for the next three or four years. So I think they should take their visits, come back and sit with their high school coaches and families and make the best decision.”
On filling needs on the roster
“I have a personnel board that I work off of. For example, you want 16 offensive linemen and we have 15 now. We want seven defensive tackles and I think we have seven. This is the first time I can remember that we have three returning quarterbacks. We have gone from recruiting where we will take whatever we can get to now we are trying to put the pieces of a puzzle together. Secondary is one of those areas, we have two tremendous corners coming in and three safeties entering as well. That is an area where we have to improve and I think we will.”
Permalink | Comments (3) | Categories: Florida
South Carolina bios
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
Here are the bios of the South Carolina recruiting class from the school’s website:
ANTONIO ALLEN - SAFETY - 6-2,190 - OCALA, FLA. (TRINITY CATHOLIC/FORK UNION MILITARY)
PREP SCHOOL: Enrolled at Carolina in January after spending the 2007 season at Fork Union Military Academy in Chatham, Va… given a four-star rating and considered the 23rd-best prep school prospect in the country by Rivals.com.
HIGH SCHOOL: As a high school senior in 2006, earned first-team all-state honors after logging 126 tackles and four interceptions… helped Trinity Catholic High School to a 13-1 season… as a junior, he logged 114 tackles and two interceptions, helping his team win the Florida Class 2B title… a high school teammate of current Gamecock wide receiver Dion Lecorn, Allen was coached by former Florida quarterback Kerwin Bell… coming out of high school, the consensus three-star prospect was considered the nation’s 42nd-best safety prospect and the 80th-best player in the state of Florida by Rivals.com… was the 75th-best safety prospect in the nation according to Scout.com and was rated the 91st-best player in the state of Florida by SuperPrep… originally signed with South Carolina in the Class of 2007.
AKEEM AUGUSTE - CORNERBACK - 5-11, 180 - HOLLYWOOD, FLA. (CHAMINADE-MADONNA/FORK UNION MILITARY)
PREP SCHOOL: Enrolled at Carolina in January after spending the 2007 season at Fork Union Military Academy… after his season at Fork Union, Auguste was given a four-star rating and considered the 14th-best prep school prospect in the country by Rivals.com.
HIGH SCHOOL: Credited with 114 tackles and 10 interceptions in his final two seasons at Chaminade-Madonna High School playing for coach Mark Guandolo… as a senior, he logged 54 tackles and three interceptions, returning two for touchdowns on his way to first-team All-State accolades… was credited with 60 tackles and seven picks along with four touchdowns in the return game as a junior… Auguste was ranked as the 28th-best player in the state of Florida and the 14th-best cornerback in the country by Rivals.com while earning a four-star rating out of high school… was considered a four-star recruit and the 31st-best cornerback in the nation by Scout.com and was rated as the 41st-best player in Florida by SuperPrep… originally signed with South Carolina in the Class of 2007.
ERIC BAKER - RUNNING BACK - 5-11, 190 - JACKSONVILLE, FLA. (EDWARD H. WHITE/FORK UNION MILITARY)
PREP SCHOOL: Enrolled at Carolina in January after spending the 2007 season at Fork Union Military Academy… played on both sides of the ball at Fork Union… rushed for 800 yards and 10 touchdowns despite battling a nagging ankle injury… earned a four-star rating and was considered the eighth-best prep school prospect in the country by Rivals.com.
HIGH SCHOOL: Led the state of Florida in rushing during his senior campaign of 2006 for coach Terry Gilliam… had 1,703 yards rushing and 16 TDs as a senior… earned second-team All-State honors… rushed for over 1,500 yards in each of his final two seasons at Edward H. White High School, helping his team to a pair of state playoff appearances… received a three-star rating, was considered the 41st-best running back in the nation and listed as the No. 70 player in the state of Florida by Rivals.com… ranked as the 67th-best player in the state of Florida by SuperPrep and was a three-star prospect and the nation’s 49th-best running back by Scout.com… also competed on the track & field team… turned down offers from Georgia, Georgia Tech, Illinois, Clemson, West Virginia, Louisville and Nebraska to sign with South Carolina in the Class of 2007.
REGGIE BOWENS - LINEBACKER - 6-2, 210 - HOLLY SPRINGS, N.C. (GARNER)
HIGH SCHOOL: A first-team All-State selection at Garner (N.C.) High School… tallied more than 100 tackles during his senior season… played in the Shrine Bowl… considered a three-star prospect… Rivals.com ranked him the No. 37 outside linebacker in the 2008 signing class and the 16th-best player in the state of North Carolina… has been timed at 4.41 in the 40-yard dash… was a high school teammate of current Gamecock Chris Culliver… chose South Carolina over North Carolina, Clemson and East Carolina among others.
JARRETT BURNS - SAFETY - 6-3, 185 - HUNTSVILLE, ALA. (LEE)
HIGH SCHOOL: All-city and all-region selection during his prep career at Lee High School in Hunstville, Ala… played quarterback in high school but is projected as a collegiate safety… three-star athlete… has been time at 4.51 in the 40-yard dash… high school teammate of current Gamecock Darian Stewart… played at same high school as Carolina assistant coach Ron Cooper… also a standout on the basketball court.
RONALD BYRD - DEFENSIVE END - 6-6, 258 - LAGRANGE, GA. (CALLAWAY)
HIGH SCHOOL: All-area selection as a high school offensive lineman at Callaway High School in Hogansville, Ga… tallied 45 tackles, including seven sacks during his senior year… runs a 4.8 40-yard dash… considered a three-star prospect… chose South Carolina over Arkansas, Auburn, Indiana, Louisville and Purdue among others.
KENNY DAVIS - DEFENSIVE TACKLE - 6-4, 295 - NEWBERRY, S.C.(NEWBERRY)
HIGH SCHOOL: First-team All-state honoree by The State during his senior season at Newberry (S.C.) High School… played for Coach Sam Baird… played in the 71st annual Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas and in the Max Emfinger All-American Bowl… helped his team to the Class 2A state championship game as a junior… Rivals.com ranked him as the No. 38 defensive tackle in the 2008 signing class and the 14th-best prospect in the state of South Carolina… Scout.com ranked him as the 40th-best defensive tackle in the land… given a three-star rating… runs the 40-yard dash in 4.90 seconds and can bench press better than 400 pounds… chose South Carolina over Stanford, Virginia Tech, Clemson and North Carolina.
RYAN DOERR - PUNTER/PLACEKICKER - 6-3, 185 - KATY, TEXAS (KATY)
HIGH SCHOOL: Helped Katy (Texas) High School to a 16-0 record and the Class 5A Division II state title as a senior… tabbed second-team All-American according to MaxPreps.com… tallied 57 touchbacks in 108 kickoff attempts… averaged 42.7 yards per punt during his senior season… Selected to the THSCA’s All-Academic team… Rivals.com ranked him as the No. 18 kicker in the 2008 signing class… considered a two-star prospect… chose USC over Rice, Air Force, Houston, Northwestern and Kansas State.
ARAMIS HILLARY - QUARTERBACK - 6-2, 205 - NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C. (STROM THURMOND)
HIGH SCHOOL: Logged 2,400 yards and 16 touchdowns passing and another 980 yards and 18 scores rushing as a senior at Strom Thurmond High School… led his team to the third round of Class 3A playoffs… was a North-South All-Star selection… was an honorable mention All-State selection by The State… was the first recipient of the inaugural Deon Grant Award, given to the Overall Player of the Year in the Augusta area… also named the All-Area South Carolina Player of the Year by the Augusta Chronicle… passed for 1,762 yards and ran for 752 more as a junior, producing 21 TDs… Rivals.com ranked him as the No. 14 dual-threat quarterback in the nation and the 19th-best player in the Palmetto State… considered a three-star prospect… chose Carolina over offers from Appalachian State, East Carolina, Middle Tennessee St. and Mississippi State.
T.J. JOHNSON - OFFENSIVE LINEMAN - 6-4, 285 - AYNOR, S.C. (AYNOR)
HIGH SCHOOL: Earned first-team all-state honors as selected by the Associated Press at Aynor (S.C.) High School as a senior… was a second-team All-State pick by The State… played in the 71st annual Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas… Rivals.com ranked him as the 13th-best offensive center in the nation and the 17th-best player in the state of South Carolina… considered a three-star prospect… chose USC over offers from Vanderbilt, Duke, Wake Forest, East Carolina, Kentucky, Maryland, and NC State.
JARRIEL KING - DEFENSIVE END - 6-7, 285 - HANAHAN, S.C. (NORTH CHARLESTON/GEORGIA MILITARY)
PREP SCHOOL: Attended Georgia Military Academy in Milledgeville, Ga. where he was considered a four-star prospect… played for Coach Bert Williams… ranked as the 40th-best junior college prospect in the nation by Rivals.com.
HIGH SCHOOL: Graduated from North Charleston (S.C.) High School in 2005 and signed with the Gamecocks… played in the 2004 North-South All-Star game… named to the Class AAA All-Defensive Team and rated the 11th-best player in the state by High School Sports Report… rated the 22nd-best player in the state of South Carolina by PrepStar… named first team All-Low Country and first team All-State… was the Charleston Post & Courier Lineman of the Year… one of 50 players nationwide to be named to the “Old Spice Red Zone Team,” listed in USA Today… team captain… region champion in the shot put and MVP on the track team… did not play organized football until his freshman season at North Charleston High… recorded 86 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, four forced fumbles, and three blocked kicks in 2004… as an offensive lineman in 2004, he was credited with 29 pancake blocks.
REID McCOLLUM - QUARTERBACK - 6-4, 195 - SUMMERVILLE, S.C. (SUMMERVILLE)
HIGH SCHOOL: Graduated from Summerville (S.C.) High School in December of 2007… under the direction of legendary coach John McKissick, he led Summerville to Class AAAA Division I state championship game as a senior… passed for 3,644 yards and 44 touchdowns in his final prep season… threw for 518 yards and nine touchdowns in one game… earned third-team All-State honors as selected by The State… played in the 71st annual Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas… as a junior, he passed for nearly 3,000 yards and 25 TDs… rated a three-star prospect, was considered the 23rd-best player in the Palmetto State and the 28th-best pro-style quarterback in the country by Rivals.com… is a three-star prospect and the 52nd-best quarterback prospect in the nation according to Scout.com… was also recruited by Wake Forest, Duke and NC State among others, but cast his verbal lot with the Gamecocks in June.
KENNETH MILES - RUNNING BACK - 5-10, 200 - LAWRENCEVILLE, GA. (BROOKWOOD)
HIGH SCHOOL: Rushed for more than 2,400 yards during senior season at Brookwood High School in Snellville, Ga… garnered first-team all-state and first-team all-area honors during senior season… Rivals.com ranked him as the No. 33 running back in the nation in the 2008 signing class and the 38th-best player in the state of Georgia… considered a three-star prospect… chose South Carolina over and offer from Central Florida.
D.L. MOORE - WIDE RECEIVER - 6-4, 178 - BOWLING GREEN, KY. (BOWLING GREEN)
HIGH SCHOOL: Caught 60 passes for 1,350 yards and 13 touchdowns during his senior season at Bowling Green (Ky.) High School… helped lead his team to the state championship game… tallied 468 receiving yards on 28 catches with three scores as a junior… played for Coach Kevin Wallace… considered a three-star prospect… also plays high school basketball… Rivals.com ranks him as the eighth-best player in the Commonwealth… chose South Carolina over offers from Cincinnati, Colorado, Nebraska and Purdue.
DARRELL SIMMONS - SAFETY - 6-1, 185 - COLLEGE PARK, GA. (BANNEKER)
HIGH SCHOOL: An All-City selection at Banneker High School by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution his senior season after accumulating 94 total tackles, including 16 for loss… considered a three-star prospect… Rivals.com ranked him as the No. 41 safety in the nation in the 2008 signing class and the 39th-best player in the state of Georgia… is a former high school teammate of current Gamecocks Carlos Thomas, Ladi Ajiboye and Addison Williams… chose South Carolina over offers from Tennessee, Florida State, Georgia, Michigan, Ohio State and Oklahoma.
JAY SPEARMAN - DEFENSIVE BACK - 6-0, 187 - GREENWOOD, S.C. (GREENWOOD)
HIGH SCHOOL: Graduated in December of 2007 from Greenwood (S.C.) High School where he played for coach Shell Dula… enrolled at Carolina in January… after playing quarterback in high school, he is expected to compete at defensive back for the Gamecocks, but could also be used at wide receiver… racked up 1,300 all-purpose yards and 10 touchdowns while leading his Greenwood team to an 11-2 record as a senior… earned first-team All-State honors by The State… played in the 71st annual Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas following the season… as a junior, he rushed for 1,111 yards and 17 touchdowns and threw for 1,108 yards and seven scores, helping Greenwood to the AAAA Division II state title… a three-star prospect, Rivals.com considers him the 59th best “athlete” in the country and the 18th-best player in the state of South Carolina… also considered Clemson, Maryland and Nebraska before selecting the Gamecocks… his uncle is former Gamecock Andray Spearman.
CHAZ SUTTON - DEFENSIVE END - 6-4, 236 - SAVANNAH, GA. - (JENKINS)
HIGH SCHOOL: Played on both sides of the ball at Jenkins High School in Savannah, Ga… rushed 75 times for 830 yards, an 11.7 yard per carry average and logged 85 tackles including six sacks as a junior… considered a four-star prospect… ranked as the No. 6 weakside defensive end in the nation by Rivals.com for the 2008 signing class and the 17th-best player in the state of Georgia… Scout.com ranked him as the 37th-best defensive end in the nation… originally committed to Florida before casting his lot with South Carolina… also had offers from Indiana, Louisville, Rutgers, Virginia Tech, West Virginia and California.
DEVIN TAYLOR - DEFENSIVE END - 6-6, 225 - BEAUFORT, S.C. (BEAUFORT)
HIGH SCHOOL: Totaled 110 tackles with 10 sacks and 19 tackles for loss as a senior at Beaufort (S.C.) High School, earning first-team All-State recognition by the Associated Press and by The State… helped lead his team to state AAAA Championship game… played in the 71st annual Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas… logged 80 tackles and four sacks as a junior… considered a three-star prospect… was the 21st-best player in the state of South Carolina according to Rivals.com… is the 93rd-best defensive end in the country according to Scout.com… also played basketball and competes in track & field… chose South Carolina over offers from Virginia Tech, Wake Forest, Furman, Duke, and NC State… hopes to study either electrical or computer engineering.
MIKE TRIGLIA - TIGHT END - 6-4, 234 - JACKSONVILLE, FLA. (BOLLES)
HIGH SCHOOL: Caught five touchdowns during his senior season at The Bolles School in Jacksonville, helping lead the Bulldogs to second round of state playoffs… ranked as the No. 2 tight end in the state of Florida by FlaVarsity.com… considered a two-star recruit… is the 61st-best tight end in the country according to Scout.com… chose South Carolina over offers from Georgia Tech, Illinois, Memphis, Arkansas State and Florida Atlantic.
CHARLES “C.C.” WHITLOCK - ATHLETE - 5-11, 172 - CHESTER, S.C. (CHESTER)
HIGH SCHOOL: Graduated in December of 2007 from Chester (S.C.) High School and enrolled at Carolina in January… athlete who is capable of playing multiple positions, including wide receiver, defensive back and kick returner… led Chester to the Class AAA State Championship game as a senior… caught 23 passes for 418 yards, an average of 18.2 yards per catch, rushed 77 times for 266 yards with five TDs and completed 58-of-91 passes for 864 yards and 11 touchdowns for coach Victor Floyd… also had 38 tackles and four interceptions… was a first-team All-State selection by the Associated Press and The State, played in the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas and also participated in the ESPN/Under Armour All-Star Game in Orlando where he returned an interception for a touchdown… as a junior, he starred at quarterback and cornerback, receiving first-team all-state and all-region honors after accounting for 26 all-purpose touchdowns… passed for 1,500 yards, rushed for 800 yards and logged five interceptions… the four-star prospect is rated as the third-best player in the state and the No. 10 cornerback prospect in the nation by Rivals.com… Scout.com considers him the 10th-best cornerback in the nation and the third-best player in the Palmetto State… also ran the high hurdles and on the 4x100 meter relay team as a prep… a cousin of former Gamecock Jonathan Joseph, Whitlock also visited Alabama and North Carolina.
ELLIOT WILLIAMS - OFFENSIVE LINEMAN - 6-6, 275 - WOODSTOCK, GA. (ETOWAH)
HIGH SCHOOL: Played on both the offensive and defensive line as a prep standout at Etowah High School in Woodstock, Ga… Rivals.com ranked him as the No. 70 offensive tackle in the 2008 signing class…Scout.com ranks him as the 48th-best offensive tackle in the land… considered a three-star recruit… also played basketball… chose South Carolina over offers from Auburn, Mississippi State, Ole Miss and Marshall.
SHAQUILLE “SHAQ” WILSON - LINEBACKER - 6-0, 220 - JACKSONVILLE, FLA. (FIRST COAST)
HIGH SCHOOL: Graduated from First Coast High School in Jacksonville, Fla. in December of 2007… enrolled at Carolina in January… as a senior he totaled 116 tackles, three sacks, three interceptions, four forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries while leading his team to an 11-3 record and the district title… was named the area’s Defensive Player of the Year by The Florida Times-Union and was an all-state selection… logged 132 tackles including nine sacks, one interception and two forced fumbles as a junior… a three-star prospect, Rivals.com considered Wilson the 26th-best outside linebacker prospect in the nation and the 54th-best player in the state of Florida… Scout.com considered him the 20th-best weakside linebacker in the country… was a high school teammate of current Gamecock Jamire Williams… was offered scholarships by Georgia Tech, Minnesota, Ole Miss and South Florida among others, but was the first Gamecock commitment for 2008.
Permalink | | Categories: South Carolina
Florida State bios
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
Here are the bios of Florida State’s signing class from the FSU website:
A.J. Alexander
5-11, 170, RB
Altoona, PA (Altoona)
RANKINGS: Prep Star — 117th, Rivals — 203rd, Rivals — 19th (ATH), Rivals — 8th (Pennsylvania Top 40), Scout — 27th (WR), ESPN — 40th (ATH), SuperPrep - 21st (WR), SuperPrep - 8th (Pennsylvania)
PrepStar Dream Team member…Rivals calls Alexander the 19th-best athlete in this year’s class…the eighth-best prospect out of the state of Pennsylvania named all-county and all-conference as a junior and senior…consistently times in the low 4.3’s in the 40…played quarterback in high school…senior year he rushed for 1000+ yards and 23 TDs…caught six touchdowns and amassed more than 400 yards receiving…returned two kicks for scores as well…as a junior he finished the year with over 1000 yards rushing and 14 touchdowns…in the air, he had another 400 yards with four scores… benches 280 pounds, squats 410 and has a 42 inch vertical jump…also ran track (10.5-100m, 21.5-200m)…ran the fastest 40 among wide outs and the ninth-fastest 40 overall at the State College Nike Training Camp in 2006…posted a 3.2 GPA in high school… father played football at Maryland…had over 40 offers and chose FSU over Tennessee, North Carolina and Pittsburgh among others.
Travis Arnold
5-10, 184, DB
Madison, FL (Madison)
RANKINGS: Rivals — 21st (S), Rivals — 32nd (Florida Top 100), Scout — 48th (S)
Four-star recruit by Rivals… listed as the 21st-best safety in America by Rivals and the 32nd ranked player in the state of Florida…Scout.com has Arnold listed as a three-star prospect and the 48th best safety prospect in America…FSWAA All-State 2A First Team Defense…Prep Star All-Region Team…led all running backs in the bench press at the Athens Nike Training Camp in 2006…recorded 75 tackles and 12 sacks as a junior at Madison…also caught 67 passes for 750 yards and 12 TDs…ran a 4.31 40-yard dash…received offers from South Carolina, Clemson and Marshall.
Nigel Bradham
6-2, 225, OLB
Crawfordville, FL (Wakulla)
RANKINGS: CSTV—6th, ESPN 150—60th, ESPN150—4th (ILB), Rivals100—16th, Rivals—1st (ILB), SI Takkle 100—7th, SI Takkle—2nd (LB), Scout — 1st (MLB), Prep Star — 5th, Prep Star — 1st (LB)
One of the top recruits in the nation, Bradham is already enrolled at FSU…PARADE All-American…SuperPrep All-American…ranked the top player in the state, the 13th-best prospect in the nation and the top OLB in America by Rivals…a five-star rated outside linebacker by Rivals and Scout.com…Scout’s top-rated middle linebacker and Prep Stars No. 1 linebacker…ESPN ranks him as their fourth-best OLB and the 60th-best player in America…Tom Luginbill of Scouts, Inc. considers him an outstanding prospect…Sports Illustrated and TAKKLE have Bradham rated as the seventh-best player in America…a finalist for the 2008 U.S. Army Player of the Year Award…received honorable mention Army All-America honors as the best tackler…led the East team to a 33-23 victory and recorded four tackles in the 2008 U.S. Army All-American Bowl…was the recipient of the EAS Speed and Strength Award…Tallahassee Democrat All-Big Bend Defensive Player of the Year…PrepStar Dream Team member…FSWAA All-State 3A First Team Defense… AJC Super Southern 100…Rivals says Bradham has the best instincts of any linebacker, the third-most closing speed and is the fifth-best athlete among linebackers this year…finished his senior season with 147 tackles, 12 sacks and four defensive touchdowns in leading Wakulla to a district championship…as a junior he tallied 145 tackles, eight sacks and four interceptions, two of which he returned for TDs…recorded over 430 tackles and 20 sacks during his three-year career at Wakulla…had one of the five best games in the nation this year according to Rivals when he registered 15 tackles in a 16-0 win over Blountstown…timed at 4.52 in the 40-yard dash, can bench press 440 pounds and clean jerk 310…had over 40 offers and chose the Seminoles over Georgia, Mississippi and Florida.
Nigel Carr
6-3, 220, LB
jacksonville, FL (First Coast)
RANKINGS: ESPN 150 — 74th, ESPN 150 — 4th (OLB), Rivals 250 — 109th, Rivals — 6th (ILB), SI/Takkle — 46th, SI/Takkle — 2nd (OLB), Scout — 4th (SLB), Prep Star — 53rd, SuperPrep - 16th (Florida), SuperPrep - 26th (LB)
Ranked in the top six in the nation at his position by SI/TAKKLE, Rivals and ESPN… SI/Takkle has him rated as the 46th-best prospect overall and they call him “the best outside linebacker prospect in the country”…a four-star player according to Rivals and Scout.com…Scout has Carr ranked as the fourth-best SLB in America…Rivals lists him as the 17th-best prospect in Florida…fourth for instincts and closing speed according to Rivals…AJC Super Southern 100…Prep Star Dream Team member…Tom Luginbill of Scouts, Inc. considers him an outstanding prospect…ESPN believes Carr can contribute right away as a linebacker or be a worthy defensive end in time…FSWAA All-State 4A First Team Defense…Under Armour All-American…had 399 tackles in high school including 133 last season…registered 116 tackles and13 sacks as a junior…ran a 4.55 40…maxed out at 305 on the bench and had a squat max of 450…one of three players from First Coast to commit to Florida State this year…chose Florida State over Florida, Clemson, South Carolina USF, Georgia Tech and Minnesota.
Avis Commack
6-4, 182, WR
Jacksonville, FL (First Coast)
RANKINGS: Rivals — 67th (WR), Rivals — 66th (Florida Top 100), ESPN 150 — 74th (WR), Scout — 44th (WR), SuperPrep - 35th (Florida)
A four-star prospect according to Scout.com and rated a three-star prospect by Rivals…Scout lists Commack as the 44th-best WR…Rivals has the receiver rated No. 66 overall in the state of Florida and the 67th-best wideout overall…ESPN lists Commack as the nation’s 75th-best receiver…Commack posses a great blend of deceptive speed, toughness and the ability to make acrobatic catches in traffic…AJC Super Southern 100…Prep Star All-Region Team…FSWAA All-State 4A Honorable Mention…had 43 catches for over 600 yards and 10 touchdowns as a junior…clocked a 4.5 in the 40-yard dash…chose Florida State over South Carolina, Georgia Tech, Illinois, NC State and Purdue.
Andrew Datko
6-6, 267, OG
Ft. Lauderdale, FL (St. Thomas Aquinas)
RANKINGS: Rivals — 35th (OG), Scout — 44th (OT), ESPN — 50th (OT)
Three-star recruit by Rivals and Scout.com…the 35th-best guard in America according to Rivals…Scout lists him as the 44th-best tackle prospect in this class…rated 50th among offensive tackles this year by ESPN…disciplined player who understands technique, leverage and balance according to Scout.com…Scout considers Datko one of the top offensive line prospects in Broward County…PrepStar All-Region Team…FSWAA All-State 5A First Team offense…Miami Herald and South Florida Sun Sentinel All-Broward County…ran the 40 in a time of 5.3…played on St. Thomas’ 14-1 State Championship squad…played for the state title every year of his high school career…chose FSU over UCF and FIU.
Everett Dawkins
6-2, 242, DE
Duncan, SC (Byrnes)
RANKINGS: Rivals 250 — 242nd, Rivals — 8th (WDE), Rivals — 8th (South Carolina), ESPN 150 — 20th (DE), Scout — 41st (DE), SuperPrep - 4th (South Carolina), SuperPrep - 31st (Defensive Line)
Rated a four-star defensive end by Rivals…garnered three stars from Scout.com…a top 20 defensive end prospect according to ESPN…Rivals has Dawkins as a top 10 prospect among weakside defensive ends and the eighth-best player coming out of South Carolina this season…Scout ranks him as the 41st-best defensive end prospect…PrepStar All-Region Team…AP All-State selection as a senior…his Byrnes team went 15-0 and captured the state championship…played in Max Emfinger’s All-American Bowl Game Classic in Jackson, Mississippi…captained his team to a 42-0 victory as he recorded five sacks and double digit tackles…also played in the 71st annual Shrine Bowl where he recorded three tackles and broke up a pass…this past season he recorded 115 tackles, 14 sacks and recovered five fumbles… in 2006 he recorded 46 solo tackles, 56 assists, three sacks and 18 tackles for loss…posted a 4.68 in the 40…received scholarship offers from 10 schools including Illinois, Michigan State, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia Tech.
Garrett Faircloth
6-6, 260, OT
Jacksonville, FL (Bolles)
RANKINGS: ESPN — 57th (OT)
Sleeper recruit comes to FSU having never played on the offensive line in high school…missed his junior season after tearing his ACL…ESPN lists Faircloth as the 57th-best offensive tackle prospect in this year’s class and believes he has a lot of upside and real promise…FSWAA All-State 2A Second Team…played on the defensive line at Bolles as a senior and recorded 80 tackles…sister plays softball at Mississippi…chose FSU over Memphis, Ole Miss, Vanderbilt and UCF.
Jarmon Fortson
6-3, 220, ATH
Columbus, GA (Carver)
RANKINGS: Rivals - 75th, Rivals - 7th (Athlete), Rivals - 6th (Georgia), Scout - 30th (WR), ESPN - 42nd (WR)
Four-star recruit according to both Rivals and Scout.com…SuperPrep All-American…PrepStar All-Southeast Region…AJC Super Southern 100…Class AAA All-State selection as a senior…first team all-city as a junior…ESPN describes Fortson as “a massive target” with a “wonderful combination of size, strength, quick hands and speed”…ESPN summed up Fortson by saying “Overall, Fortson is big and physical, and you don’t find receivers with his size, speed and change-of-direction skills”…registered over 1,500 yards and 22 receiving TDs in his final two seasons at Carver…runs a 4.6 in the 40 and has a 33” vertical…max bench is 265 and max squat is 390…chose FSU over Auburn, Clemson, Alabama, Kentucky, Louisville and South Carolina.
Josh Gehres
6-3, 190, WR
Tallahassee, FL (Lincoln)
RANKINGS: ESPN — 149th (WR), Scout — 214th (WR)
Burst onto the scene as a senior totaling more than 1,100 receiving yards on 29 receptions while scoring 13 touchdowns…averaged 38 yards per catch in 2007…ESPN has Gehres ranked 149th among receivers and Scout.com has him listed at 214… ESPN cites his body control, concentration and excellent hands as some of the reasons he delivers the big catch on third down and in the red zone…according Scouts, Inc. Gehres could cause major match-up problems down the road…FSWAA All-State 4A Second Team offense… Tallahassee Democrat All-Big Bend first team…timed at 4.53 in the 40-yard dash…posted a 4.5 GPA at Lincoln…grandfather played at FSU in the 1950’s…chose FSU over offers from Illinois, Michigan State, Iowa and South Florida.
Ed Imeokparia
6-0, 188, ATH
Blairstown, NJ (Blair Academy)
RANKINGS: Rivals — 22nd (New Jersey)
Three-star athlete according to Rivals…ranked as the 22nd-best player from the state of New Jersey this season…Scouts, Inc. believes Imeokparia is a good back and they like “his speed, toughness and ability to run between the tackles with authority”…Scout.com lists Imeokparia as the 185th-ranked running back in this class…rushed for 600 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2005…67 tackles and three interceptions in 2006…last name pronounced em-ee-OH-pahr-e-ya…ran the 40 in 4.41 and has a 32” vertical…3.0 GPA…chose FSU over Tennessee, Boston College, UNC, Michigan State, Louisville and Cincinnati.
Carlton Jones
5-11, 215, RB
Tampa, FL (Middleton)
Received interest from Florida, Tennessee and Maryland…rushed for 1,200 yards in back-to-back seasons…scored 16 touchdowns as a senior…started out his junior season playing quarterback before moving to running back half way through the year… an Old Spice Red Zone High School Football Player of the Year…all-county and all-state honorable mention as a senior…chose FSU over Toledo.
Anthony McCloud
6-3, 295, DL
Thomasville, GA (Thomas County Central)
Thomasville Times-Enterprise’s Defensive Player of the Year…his Thomas County Central team had a perfect record in 2007 before losing in the class AAAA semifinal to finish the year at 13-1…selected to play in the GACA North-South All-Star game…recorded 25 tackles as a senior but opponents avoided the lineman “at all costs” according to Central coach Ed Pilcher.
Moses McCray
6-2, 268, DT
Tampa, FL (Hillsborough)
RANKINGS: Rivals — 21st (DT), Rivals — 41st (Florida), ESPN 150 — 27th (DT), Scout — 15th (DT), SuperPrep - 86th (Florida)
Both Rivals and Scout.com list McCray as a four-star prospect…Scout has McCray listed as the 15th-best DT in this class…both ESPN and Rivals have him in the top 30 at his position…according to ESPN and Scouts, Inc., McCray is a “disruptive defender”…PrepStar All-American…FSWAA All-State 4A Honorable Mention…played in the FACA North vs. South All-Star game…recorded 15 sacks as a junior…ran a 4.68 in the 40…wrestled and participated in track at Hillsborough…chose FSU over Miami, LSU, Ohio State, Florida and Rutgers among others.
EJ Manuel
6-4, 201, QB
Virginia Beach, VA (Bayside)
RANKINGS: SI/Takkle — 8th, SI/Takkle — 2nd (QB), Prep Star — 17th, CSTV — 17th, Rivals 100 — 43rd, Rivals — 2nd (Dual Threat QB), Rivals — 1st (Virginia), ESPN 150 — 51st, ESPN 150 — 6th (QB), SuperPrep - 12th, SuperPrep - 2nd (Virginia), SuperPrep - 3rd (Quarterbacks)
One of the top quarterback recruits in the nation in 2008… PARADE All-American…three major services (Rivals, Scout and SI) have Manuel listed as the second-best QB… SI/Takkle rate Manuel the eighth-best recruit regardless of position…a five-star QB recruit according to Scout…rated the best player in the state of Virginia this year by Rivals…Rivals has Manuel rated second for arm strength and accuracy…Tom Luginbill of Scouts, Inc. considers him an outstanding prospect…PrepStar Dream Team member…AJC Super Southern 100… SI/Takkle calls Manuel a “world-class quarterback” who “could be a superstar on the next level”…starting QB in the Under Armour All-American game where he completed 5 of 6 passes for 71 yards in leading Team White to a win…Scouts, Inc. compared Manuel to “a smaller JaMarcus Russell” after watching the QB practice in Orlando…honorable mention “Best Arm” at the Under Armour All-Star game…accounted for almost 7,400 yards and 68 TDs in his high school career…threw for 48 TDs and ran for 12 in his career at Bayside…completed at least 56% of his passes every season of his high school career…passed for nearly 4,000 yards combined in his junior and senior seasons… had at least 1,300 yards passing as a sophomore, junior and senior…nearly threw for 2,000 yards (1,973) as a junior and had 19 TD passes as a senior…also rushed for 541 yards as a senior…earned All-Tidewater district honors…named second-team all-state in Group AAA…participated in Elite 11 camp…runs a 4.6 in the 40…a Dallas Cowboy fan who models his game after New England QB and NFL MVP Tom Brady…chose FSU over LSU, Oregon, Tennessee and Alabama among others.
Nick Moody
6-1, 218, DB
Philadelphia, PA (Roman Catholic)
RANKINGS: CSTV — 86th, Rivals 100 — 100th, Rivals — 9th (OLB), Rivals - 5th (Pennsylvania), ESPN 150 — 46th (LB), Scout — 35th (S), Scout - 19th (Pennsylvania), SuperPrep - 9th (ATH), SuperPrep - 10th (Pennsylvania)
Four-star prospect and a top five player in the state of Pennsylvania according to Rivals…Rivals considers him the ninth-best OLB prospect in this class…PrepStar All-Region Team…played in the Offense-Defense All-American Bowl…named honorable mention for best closing speed and most physical at the Offense-Defense All-American Bowl…won the league championship with Roman Catholic as a senior as he was named a Class 4A First Team All-State selection…recorded 65 tackles, four sacks and five pass break-ups as a junior while playing safety, cornerback and linebacker…caught 13 TD passes his sophomore season…clocked at 4.45 in the 40-yard dash…chose FSU over offers from Penn State, Georgia Tech, Michigan State and Temple.
Terrance Parks
6-1, 200, DB
Fairburn, GA (Creekside)
RANKINGS: Scout — 22nd (CB), ESPN 150—36th, ESPN 150—5th (CB), Rivals—32nd (CB)
Georgia native is already enrolled at Florida State…rated the 36th-best player in America by ESPN and the fifth-best cornerback…ESPN believes he has the potential to become an elite player at the next level…according to ESPN Parks is “an absolute monster of an athletic cornerback with versatility on offense and the measurables every coach in America wants in their perimeter players” and that he can match up with “just about any player in America”…Tom Luginbill of Scouts, Inc. considers him an outstanding prospect…Scout.com gave Parks four stars and considers him the 22nd best CB in the nation…Rivals ranks him as the 32nd-best safety in the 2008 class and the 27th-best prospect in the state of Georgia…a three-star safety according to Rivals… Prep Star All-Region Team…participated in the Under Armour All-America High School Football Game…Scouts, Inc. said Parks reminded them of Baltimore Ravens coner Chris McAllister after watching the FSU commit practicing in Orlando…led Team Click-Clack with three tackles in the game…recorded 45 tackles, four interceptions and two fumble recoveries during his senior year for the Creekside Seminoles…recorded 43 tackles and had four interceptions during his junior season…timed at 4.43 in the 40 and benched 305 pounds…graduated with a 3.0 GPA…chose Florida State over Ohio State, Alabama, Auburn and Tennessee.
Tavares Pressley
6-1, 215, RB
Arcadia, FL (El Camino CC/De Soto)
RANKINGS: Rivals Junior College 50 — 13th, SuperPrep - 16th (Juco 100)
Four-star recruit according to Scout.com and Rivals…many consider Pressley to be the top junior college running back in the state of California and one of the best in the nation…Rivals sees Pressley as an All-America candidate player at the next level…PrepStar Junior College All-American…first team All-Mission Football Conference selection…rushed for 832 yards and 11 touchdowns at El Camino in 2007 despite averaging less than 10 carries per game…shared duties in the backfield with three other running backs who are expected to play at D1 schools in 2008…accounted for 171.3 yards per game in offense for Monterey Peninsula College as a freshman in 2006…had 1,211 yards rushing, 147 receiving yards, 357 yards on returns and scored 23 touchdowns….runs a 4.4 in the 40, benches a max of 385, has a squat max of 500 and a 33” vertical leap…played QB his entire life before going to junior college and moving to tailback…teammate at El Camino with fellow FSU signee Corey Surrency…chose FSU over Kansas State, Colorado, Mississippi, Nebraska, Arizona and Washington State.
Zebrie Sanders
6-5, 273, OL
Clayton, OH (Northmont)
RANKINGS: Rivals — 128th, Rivals — 15th (OT), Rivals — 8th (Ohio Top 50), ESPN — 18th (OT), Scout — 27th (OT), SuperPrep - 34th (Midwest)
Four-star prospect according to Scout and Rivals…ranked the fifth-best athlete among all offensive line prospects by Rivals…Rivals considers Sanders to have All-America ability on the collegiate level…PrepStar All-American…Anthony Munoz Foundation Offensive Lineman of the Year…named Under Armour All-American, ESPNU All-American, ONN Ohio All-State, All-Conference and All-District…ran a 5.3 in the 40, maxed out on the bench at 305, squats 475 and has a 26” vertical…started as the varsity LT since the beginning of his sophomore season…helped his team make the state playoffs and finish with a 7-4 record as a senior…SuperPrep believes Sanders has the potential to be an outstanding lineman at the next level…member of The National Honor Society with a 3.475 GPA…holds the rank of Eagle scout in the Boy Scouts of America…has received superior rankings as a violist in the chamber orchestra…born in Columbia, SC…mother attended the University of Georgia…chose FSU over offers from Georgia, Florida, LSU, Clemson and UCLA among others.
Rhonne Sanderson
6-4, 280, OL
Tampa, FL (Plant)
RANKINGS: ESPN — 64th (OT)
Won the Jimbo Kynes Outstanding Lineman Award given to the top linemen in Hillsborough County beating out five-star offensive tackle Matt Patchan for the award…FSWAA All-State 4A Second Team selection…Scouts, Inc. believes Sanderson can develop into a “steal” for Florida State…key member of a Plant team that went 26-2 the last two seasons…protected two of the top QB’s in the state of Florida the last two seasons…in 2006 he protected Florida’s Mr. Football Robert Marve who is expected to enter spring drills as the starting QB at the University of Miami…this past season he blocked for junior Aaron Murray who already has received offers from Florida, Tennessee and Georgia among others…played in the FACA North vs. South All-Star game…brother plays for South Carolina…chose FSU over offers from Michigan State, FAU, FIU, Toledo and Ball State and interest from Michigan and Louisville.
Debrale Smiley
6-2, 240, RB
Thomasville, GA (Thomas County Central)
Thomasville Times-Enterprise’s Offensive Player of the Year…his Thomas County Central team had a perfect record in 2007 before losing in the class AAAA semifinal to finish the year at 13-1…all-state selection…selected to play in the GACA North-South All-Star game…set records at Central for touchdowns in a season (35), touchdowns in a career (81) and rushing yards in a season (2,028).
Blake Snider
6-4, 285, OG
Ft. Heflin, AL (Cleburne County)
Pigskin Round-Up All Star Team 2007…advanced to the second round of the Class 4A playoffs in 2007…tore his ACL in 2006 Class 4A State Playoff game…his father is the defensive coordinator at Cleburne County…chose FSU over Samford and Troy.
David Spurlock
6-4, 280, OL
Murfreesboro, TN (Riverdale)
RANKINGS: ESPN 150 — 25th (OL), Rivals — 51st (OG), Rivals - 8th (Tennessee), Scout — 71st (OT), SuperPrep - 15th (Tennessee)
Three-star lineman according to both Rivals and Scout.com…Rivals rates Spurlock the eighth-best player to come out of the state of Tennessee this year…Scouts, Inc. calls Spurlock a “tenacious prospect”…PrepStar All-Region team… 2006 All-Region 4-5A selection…chose FSU over offers from Louisville, Ole Miss, UNC, NC State, Tennessee, Colorado and MTSU.
Toshmon Stevens
6-5, 198, DE
Crescent City, FL (Crescent City)
RANKINGS: Rivals — 20th (DE), Rivals - 85th (Florida), Scout — 59th (DE), ESPN 150 — 63rd (DE)
Three-star lineman according to both Rivals and Scout.com…PrepStar All-Region team…FSWAA All-State 2B First Team Defense…played football for a full season for the first time in 2006…in 2006 he recorded 37 tackles and eight sacks defensively and caught three passes for 50 yards and a TD as a tight end…as a senior he recorded 56 tackles and 12 sacks…Crescent City went 10-0 his senior season…also plays center for the basketball team at Crescent City…runs the 40 in 4.56, has a 30.5” vertical and maxes out at 285 on the bench…has a personal best of 6’8” in the high jump…placed twice in that event in the state finals…holds 17 offers and chose FSU over South Carolina, Tennessee, NC State, Virginia Tech, UCF and Arizona State.
Corey Surrency
6-5, 210, WR
Miami, FL (El Camino CC/Southridge)
RANKINGS: Scout - 5th (Junior College), Rivals — 9th (Junior College 50), SuperPrep - 10th (Juco 100)
Five-star recruit according to Scout.com…Rivals lists him as a four-star wide receiver…one of the top junior college players in America…PrepStar Junior College All-American…this past season he had 30 receptions for more than 670 yards…had 23 catches for 432 yards and three touchdowns as a freshman in 2006…had six catches for 125 yards in the state championship game…runs a 4.45 in the 40…chose FSU over LSU, Oregon, West Virginia, Oregon State, Cal, Colorado, Louisville and Arizona.
Jermaine Thomas
6-1, 190, RB
Jacksonville, FL (First Coast)
RANKINGS: ESPN 150 — 47th, ESPN 150 — 3rd (ATH), Rivals — 15th (RB), Rivals - 49th (Florida), Scout — 46th (RB), SuperPrep - 31st (Florida)
Three-star back according to both Rivals and Scout.com…Scouts, Inc. says Thomas is an outstanding prospect who has the “ability to create mismatches against most opponents” and considers him a player that could be a contributor as a true freshman…ESPN says Thomas has a “supreme blend of size and speed”…PrepStar All-Region team…AJC Super Southern 100…FSWAA All-State 4A Second Team Offense…rushed for 900 yards and 12 touchdowns as a junior…played in the Offense-Defense All-American Bowl…chose FSU over LSU, Illinois, Georgia Tech, NC State, South Carolina and Purdue.
Markus White
6-4, 245, DE
Lake Worth, FL (Butler CC/John I. Leonard)
RANKINGS: Rivals — 3rd (Junior College) SuperPrep - 14th (Juco 100)
Five star recruit according to Rivals…the only junior college player to move from four to five stars in the final Rivals Top 100…four-star rated recruit by Scout.com…NJCAA Football Player of the Year…Region 6 Player of the Year…Prep Star Junior College All-American…NJCAA and JC Gridwire First Team All-American…named All-Jayhawk Conference…his Butler team finished the year 12-0 and was awarded a share of the 2007 NJCAA Football title after beating No. 1 Snow College 56-27…led the best junior college defense in the nation this past year…the Grizzlies’ defense allowed just over 235 yards per game and a mere 11 points per contest…the Butler defense recorded four shutouts last season and went 15 consecutive quarters without allowing a point…set a Butler record with 24.5 sacks, which led the NJCAA…also led the nation with six forced fumbles…ranked 23rd in the nation with 97 tackles…recorded 14.5 tackles for loss…in his final game he had eight tackles, two for a loss, a sack, a pass deflection and a blocked PAT in defeating the No. 1 team in the country…was named the game’s defensive MVP…played for defensive line coach Steve Braet at Butler who has coached 24 All-Americans and three NFL players… spent a brief period of time at Rutgers…ran the 40 in 4.55 and has a 30” vertical leap…chose FSU over Miami, Oklahoma, UNC, Arkansas, West Virginia, South Carolina and Kansas State.
Vincent Williams
6-0, 210, ILB
Davenport, FL (Ridge Community)
RANKINGS: ESPN 150 — 40th (LB), Rivals 250 — 197th, Rivals — 10th (LB), Scout — 24th (MLB)
One of three early enrollees in the 2008 class…four-star inside linebacker by Rivals.com…ranked the ninth-best inside linebacker in the country and the 24th-best prospect in the state of Florida by Rivals…also a member of the Rivals 250…scout ranks Williams as the 24th-best inside linebacker prospect…ESPN has Williams rated at #40 at his position… Prep Star All-American…named Polk County Defensive Player of the Year as a junior and all-county as a sophomore…totaled almost 300 tackles in three seasons with 48 TFL and 25 sacks…had 122 tackles, nine sacks, 20 QB hurries and 26 TFL as a junior in 2006…also played running back where he carried the ball 72 times for 604 yards as a junior… rushed for 138 yards on just 13 carries (10.6 average) and scored two touchdowns in Davenport’s 27-0 shutout win over Auburndale (Fla.)…FSWAA All-State 3A Second Team Defense…co-MVP of the Scout.com combine in Jacksonville…ran the 40-yard dash in 4.68…maxed out at 320 on the bench and squatted 545 pounds…vertical measured at 30”… chose Florida State over LSU, Ohio State and Florida.
Tuberville: ‘I think this team can win championships’
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville knows his latest recruiting class didn’t make much of a national splash, especially after a poor finish that saw several former commitments head elsewhere.
The Tigers did fill immediate needs on the defensive line and at cornerback and receiver with a 28-player class on Wednesday, but they also went 0-for-3 among onetime verbal commitments who waited until signing day to make their final college choices public.
“This year we won’t be ranked as high because we don’t have as many high-profile guys, but you’ve got to take what you feel like is going to make you a better football team,” Tuberville said. “I think this team can win championships. I think this group can help win championships and be a great group at the end of their fourth or fifth year. That’s the thing I look for.”
The ones that got away hurt, though. Coveted running back Enrique Davis, an Auburn signee last year who wound up at prep school, opted to play for Houston Nutt at Mississippi. Wide receiver Jarmon Fortson chose Florida State, and defensive back George Baker picked South Florida.
The defections hurt the Tigers’ national rankings, which hovered at No. 19 by both Rivals.com and Scout.com. Tuberville said “four or five” signees would probably not qualify and head to prep school or junior college.
Among the players who are bound for — or already attending — Auburn are defensive end Raven Gray, defensive tackle Freddie Smooth, offensive lineman Jermaine Johnson and quarterback Chris Todd.
Gray, Todd, quarterback DeRon Furr and linebacker Dashaun Barnes all enrolled at Auburn in January.
Tuberville called Gray, a junior college transfer “as good a defensive lineman as we’ve ever signed.” The 6-foot-5, 263-pounder will miss spring practices while recovering from knee surgery.
Mediocre rankings aside, Tuberville said many of the signees will have a chance to play next season at key positions. The Tigers signed six defensive backs, six defensive linemen, four receivers and three quarterbacks.
Todd, another JUCO transfer who began his college career at Texas Tech, is expected to compete in the spring for the No. 1 job at quarterback along with Kodi Burns. He originally committed to play for offensive coordinator Tony Franklin at Troy, but followed him to Auburn and has experience playing in a spread offense.
“Chris Todd will make an immediate impact,” Tuberville said.
Defensive linemen Smooth, Andre Wadley and Jomarcus Savage also could contend for early playing time, Tuberville said. The Tigers must replace tackles Josh Thompson and Pat Sims, along with end Quentin Groves.
Tuberville said Wadley “reminds me of a bigger Quentin Groves.” The 6-foot-5, 305-pound Smooth brings size to the middle.
Auburn must also replace cornerbacks Patrick Lee and Jonathan Wilhite.
“At least two of our defensive backs are going to have to play, because now everybody is playing a lot or four- and five-wide receiver sets,” Tuberville said. “That was a big area of need for us.”
The group included D’Antoine Hood of Phenix City, a cousin of former Auburn and current NFL defensive back Roderick Hood.
The switch to the spread offense increased an already pressing need for more receivers.
Tuberville said 5-foot-9, 165-pounder Philip Pierre-Louis of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., could contribute at both inside and outside receiver spots as a freshman and brings speed to the lineup.
The Tigers didn’t offer receiver Derek Winter a scholarship until last week but still had high expectations for him.
“He was one of the best receivers that I’ve seen play in this offense,” Tuberville said. “He’s made acrobatic catches. He can make people miss. He caught a lot of deep balls.”
The new offense might have helped lure receivers, but it was a turnoff to Davis. The Tigers will run into him again in coming seasons.
“We changed our style of offense and I think that was the main thing,” Tuberville said. “He wanted to go somewhere where he could possibly be on a two-back team. We’ll get to play against him now, and we know how good he is.”
While Auburn signed nine in-state recruits, the Tigers missed out on top prospects like Foley receiver Julio Jones and Gadsden linebacker Jerrell Harris. Both opted to sign with Alabama, which pulled in a class regarded as the nation’s best by some recruiting services.
Tuberville pointed to other signees who weren’t highly rated coming out of high school but thrived at Auburn, like former receiver Courtney Taylor and current defensive lineman Sen’Derrick Marks.
This class was raided by other schools late in the process.
“This was a year where a lot of people were desperate in recruiting, it looked like,” Tuberville said. “We got bombarded with a lot of guys that we had committed, and they came in and tried to take them away. Some we held onto, some we didn’t.
“It’s a challenge to fight the media hype of a lot of guys. We’re not going to sign somebody just because they’re ranked real high.”
Permalink | Comments (6) | Categories: Auburn
LSU’s recruiting class
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
Here is LSU’s official commitments as of 4 p.m.:
8:23 a.m. Derrick Bryant DB Lawrenceville, Ga. Peachtree Ridge HS 6-0 185
8:43 a.m. Cordian Hagans DL Snellville, Ga. Northview HS 6-5 290
8:54 a.m. Alex Hurst OL Bartlett, Tenn. Arlington HS 6-5 290
9:02 a.m. P.J. Lonergan OL New Orleans, La. Rummel HS 6-4 290
9:12 a.m. Greg Shaw OL Hialeah, Fla. Edward Pace HS 6-5 285
9:16 a.m. Ryan Baker LB Grand Ridge, Fla. Bountstown HS 6-0 210
9:23 a.m. DeAngelo Benton WR Bastrop, La. Hargrave Military/Bastrop HS 6-3 205
9:31 a.m. Matt Branch TE Monroe, La. Sterlington HS 6-5 240
9:39 a.m. Thomas Parsons OL Canyon Lake, Texas Smithson Valley HS 6-5 272
9:47 a.m. Chancey Aghayere DL Garland, Texas Garland HS 6-4 243
9:58 a.m. Rockey Duplessis DB Belle Chasse, La. Belle Chasse HS 6-1 185
10:15 a.m. Brandon Taylor DB Franklinton, La. Franklinton HS 6-0 178
10:19 a.m. Jhyryn Taylor WR Franklinton, La. Franklinton HS 6-1 180
10:27 a.m. Tyler Edwards TE Monroe, La. Ouachita Parish HS 6-3 240
10:34 a.m. Clay Spencer OL Baton Rouge, La. Parkview Baptist 6-6 285
10:41 a.m. Jordan Jefferson QB St. Rose, La. Destrehan HS 6-4 210
10:48 a.m. Tim Molton WR Montz, La. Destrehan HS 6-3 190
10:55 a.m. Kyle Prater LB Kerrville, Texas Tivy HS 6-1 210
11:05 a.m. Ryan St. Julien DB St. Martinville, La. Catholic-New Iberia HS 6-1 170
11:25 a.m. Patrick Johnson DB Pompano Beach, Fla. Ely HS 6-1 175
11:33 a.m. Lavar Edwards DE Gretna, La. Desire Street Academy 6-4 280
11:41 a.m. Karnell Hatcher DB Delray Beach, Fla. Atlantic Community HS 6-2 190
11:59 a.m. Deangelo Peterson WR New Orleans, La. Desire Street Academy 6-3 190
12:06 p.m. Chris Tolliver WR Rayville, La. Rayville HS 6-1 189
12:14 p.m. Chase Clement DE Thibodaux, La. E.D. White HS 6-6 245
Permalink | Comments (1) | Categories: LSU
What signees learned about recruiting
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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What area recruits learned about the colleges when they were on their recruiting trips:
• Matt Roark of North Cobb, who has committed to Kentucky: “The facility at Oregon blew my mind, specifically the training room. Everything is new. First of all, it’s not even regular new. It’s future new like nobody else has. In these training rooms they have underwater treadmills with platforms that raise out of the water. They have big plasma televisions so you can see your feet underwater. Or you can change the channel and put it on TV.”
• A.J. Harmon of Jefferson County, who committed to Georgia: “I’d say they need to offer more scholarships. I’m sure right about now everybody in the world wants to be a Georgia Bulldog.”
• Kyle Madden of Harrison, who committed to Central Florida: “Central Florida has a lot of weight rooms. They’ve definitely put some money into those things. That’s the thing that really hit me there. Everything is all personalized. I’d never seen that before. It’s an 11,000 square foot weight room with an indoor practice facility. It’s pretty top notch.”
• Ben Kopacka of Blessed Trinity, who committed to Air Force: “The weight room [at Air Force] is amazing. I had been to Purdue and Central Florida and they both had new weight rooms. They have something like 40 squat racks in a row. And they have a great weightlifting staff. And they will possibly be future construction on an indoor practice facility in the next few years. Instead of bringing in 100 kids like they used to do at Air Force, now they bring in 30. And they’re going out and getting a harder schedule. They’re opening against teams like LSU and Oklahoma State and the year after that Tennessee. And they’re looking to do a deal with Texas. To be able to go out and do something like that is awesome.”
• Omoregie Uzzi of Chamblee, who has committed to Georgia Tech: “I think a lot more of the students should be educated about what they’re getting into. I don’t know whose fault that is. Educated as far as the process and how time consuming recruiting is.”
• Banneker’s Darrell Simmons, who has committed to South Carolina: “I would say meeting coach [Steve] Spurrier, especially when it was just me and him. He’s not an intimidating guy. When I had the chance to sit down with coach Spurrier it was the old coach ball coach and regular old Darrell.”
• Griffin’s Toby Jackson, who has committed to Georgia: “I would say my California trip [to USC]. You’re hanging out with players on the team and you never know who you’ll run around to in town because you’re in the middle of Los Angeles. It was my first time being out there. It was fun seeing Hollywood.”
Permalink | Comments (8) | Categories: Other schools, South Carolina, Tech, UGA
Auburn finally gets good news
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
After watching most of its sought-after recruits sign elsewhere, Auburn landed a surprise signing: running back Onterio McCalebb out of Fort Meade, Fl. Scout.com had projected he would go to a junior college. McCalebb picked Auburn over Rutgers.
It was welcome news after Auburn saw most of its signing day hopefuls signed elsewhere: Enrique Davis, Jarmon Fortson, Marcel Dareus, Robert Quinn, George Baker and Jerrell Harris all passed on the Tigers.
What hurts even more is that the two biggest names on the list, Dareus and Harris, both went to in-state rival Alabama.
Permalink | Comments (6) | Categories: Alabama, Auburn
Alabama closes out a No. 1 class
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
Alabama put the cap on what may the nation’s No. 1 recruiting class when linebacker Jerrell Harris of Gasden signed with the Crimson Tide.
According to the Birmingham News, Harris made the announcement at a press conference at his high school. He looked down from the podium at five baseball caps that represented his final choices: Alabama, Auburn, Tennessee, Southern Cal, and Clemson.
After telling the crowd that he would not wear any of the caps, he pulled out a Houndstooth hat (the favorite of Bear Bryant), put it on his head, and announced he would be going to Alabama.
Alabama now has 32 players who signed letters of intent on Wednesday. The NCAA allows only 25 grants to be given in any one year, but schools oversign in anticipation that not all of the players will qualify academically.
As of 3:30 p.m., Alabama’s recruiting class was ranked No. 1 by both Rivals.com and Scout.com.
Permalink | Comments (14) | Categories: Alabama
Hurricanes announce highly touted class
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
Highly coveted wide receiver Tommy Streeter stopped halfway through the process of signing his letter of intent Wednesday morning, sending angst through the library at Miami Northwestern High.
Second thoughts?
No, the pen was merely out of ink.
Moments later, Streeter was officially a Miami scholarship recipient — just like seven of his Northwestern Bulls teammates, who went 30-0 the past two seasons and, by staying close to home, gave the Hurricanes one of the top recruiting classes in the country.
“This is going to be the next four, possibly five, years of my life,” said Streeter, who was ranked among the nation’s top 25 players at any position by major recruiting services. “This is a big decision, so I had to be 100 percent sure this is the place I wanted to be. And this is the place. I want to be at Miami.”
More than two dozen players from around the country would be saying the same thing by the close of Wednesday, the first day high school players could formally accept college offers.
Perhaps most notably, Miami Booker T. Washington High cornerback Brandon Harris, who led his team to Florida’s state Class 4A title last fall, also decided to stay close to home and signed with Miami — spurning, among others, Ohio State.
Harris was ranked among the top three available defensive backs nationwide in the class of 2008. He was among the last remaining elite recruits who hadn’t committed with a school before signing day, and there was speculation he’d get away from the Hurricanes.
“My heart said Miami,” Harris said.
The Hurricanes were expecting scholarship acceptance letters from California, Tennessee, Louisiana, Kansas and New Jersey — but talent-rich Florida is where Miami really cleaned up. They did especially well in South Florida, led by Northwestern, which won the national high school championship last fall.
Quarterback Jacory Harris, linebacker Sean Spence, defensive tackle Marcus Forston and wide receiver Aldarius Johnson are already enrolled, and on Wednesday, more Bulls kept running to Miami.
One by one, they signed their names, then stood and put on the distinctive ‘U’ caps for the camera. Offensive lineman Ben Jones, then Streeter, then offensive lineman Brandon Washington, then finally wide receiver Kendal Thompkins, as the applause grew louder.
“It’s right at home and I’ve got my family down here. That’s important,” said Jones, who chose Miami over Clemson. “And I’ve got all my former teammates now at the University of Miami, and I’d love to keep playing with them. So that’s what it came down to.”
Up the road in Melbourne, Miami scored a bit of a coup when defensive back Ramon Buchanan — who committed to Miami, then said he was going to Florida — signed with the Hurricanes.
Buchanan, like Streeter, was a down-to-the-wire choice, one that the Miami coaches fretted over until the end.
Miami coach Randy Shannon was expected to discuss the class publicly for the first time later Wednesday, once all the letters of intent arrived. NCAA rules prohibit coaches from speaking about recruits until those letters are signed and reach the respective schools.
“Coach Shannon, he inspires me,” Streeter said. “He’s a great man and that played a part in my decision.”
It’s hard to say who was happier Wednesday — Shannon or Streeter’s mother. Karen Streeter began to cry Monday night when her son revealed that he’d be signing with Miami, and wept more tears of joy Wednesday when discussing her emotions.
Streeter’s sister chose to attend college away from home two years ago, and the close-knit family had a difficult time dealing with that.
“We really, really miss her,” Karen Streeter said. “But I know God had a place for her, and she is on a full scholarship and doing really well. But if my son had an opportunity to stay at Miami, I would have really liked that. There’s nothing like support and nothing like seeing your kid play at home.”
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LSU signs Shaw
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
Miami didn’t convince all of the great players to stay at home as LSU signed offensive tackle Greg Shaw of Pace High School in Hialeah.
Shaw (6-5, 267) visited West Virginia last weekend and had narrowed his choices down to the Mountaineers and LSU, according to Rivals.com.
He was a four-star recruit according to Rivals and rated the nation’s No. 16 offensive lineman by ESPN.com.
Shaw was an All-State player in 2006 and 2007 made visits to Florida, LSU, Georgia Tech, South Florida, and West Virginia.
Over the past two seasons Shaw had 144 pancake blocks.
Bios on every Auburn signee
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
Bios on Auburn’s class of 2008, as compiled by the Tigers’ sports communications office:
**Darvin Adams
WR, 6-2, 178
Kennesaw, GA (Harrison HS)**
HIGH SCHOOL: Had 66 catches for 867 yards and 11 touchdowns as a senior … Also collected 106 tackles and two interceptions during senior season … Honorable Mention Class AAAAA All-State team as a senior … Selected to play in Cobb County All-Star Senior Bowl … Threw for 974 yards and 15 touchdowns as a junior while also rushing for five scores, and had over 40 receptions as a sophomore … Also had 52 tackles and six interceptions as a junior … Ranked No. 48 nationally at wide receiver by Rivals.com … Also ranked as the No. 23 prospect in Georgia by Rivals.com … Ranked No. 116 among wide receivers by Scout.com … The No. 44-ranked prospect from Georgia by SuperPrep … Named to PrepStar’s All-Southeast Region team.
PERSONAL: Born Jan. 5, 1990 … Son of Vincent and Tonya Adams and Darlene and Terry White.
**Harry Adams
WR, 6-0, 180
Fort Lauderdale, FL (Dillard HS)**
HIGH SCHOOL: Had seven catches for 173 yards and two touchdowns as a senior … Scored eight touchdowns as a junior and had three return scores … Ranked No. 50 nationally among wide receivers by Scout.com … Ranked No. 56 nationally at wide receiver by Rivals.com … Also ranked as the No. 78 prospect in Florida by Rivals.com … The No. 59-ranked prospect from Florida in the SuperPrep Florida 111 … Named to PrepStar’s All-Southeast Region team … At the 2006 Class 4A state track meet, posted times of 10.31 in the 100m and 21.03 in the 200m while winning both events.
PERSONAL: Born Nov. 27, 1989 … Son of Barbara and Harry Adams.
**Ken Adams
TE, 6-5, 215
Enterprise, AL (Enterprise HS)**
HIGH SCHOOL: Grabbed 11 catches for 225 yards as a senior … Also played as a pass-rushing defensive end on third-down situations, totaling 21 tackles including four tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks, one fumble recovery, one quarterback hurry and a pass breakup … As a junior, caught eight passes for 156 yards and two touchdowns in a playoff game against Foley … Ranked No. 63 nationally among tight ends by Scout.com.
PERSONAL: Born Nov. 3, 1988 … Son of Gloria and Gregory Adams.
**Dashaun Barnes
Linebacker, 6-2, 230
Tallahassee, FL (Lincoln HS)**
HIGH SCHOOL: As a senior in 2006, recorded 71 tackles with seven tackles for loss, three and a half sacks, four fumble recoveries, three forced fumbles and one pass break-up … On offense as a senior, caught six passes for 147 yards and two touchdowns … In the regional championship game against Pace, caught the game winning touchdown pass … Named 2006 Second Team All-State as a defensive back by the Florida Sports Writers Association … Named to PrepStar All-Southeast Region team … As a junior in 2005, finished with 43 tackles, one tackle for loss, two sacks and one interception that was returned for touchdown … After his senior season, was ranked as the No. 29 overall safety prospect and the No. 53 prospect out of Florida by Rivals.com … Was ranked as the No. 30 safety nationally and No. 46 prospect in Florida by Scout.com … Ranked as the No. 37 prospect in the state of Florida by the Orlando Sentinel … Named to the Florida Super 75 by the Florida Times Union … Three-year starter and four-year letterman in football … Contributed to four straight district championships during his career at Lincoln … Three-year letterman in track and qualified for the state championships in the high-jump (6-3.5) as a junior in 2005.
PERSONAL: Born Dec. 28, 1987.
**T’Sharvan Bell
DB, 6-1, 175
Kissimmee FL (Osceola HS)**
HIGH SCHOOL: Passed for 930 yards and 10 touchdowns as a senior … Carried 47 times for 606 yards (12.9 average) and seven touchdowns … Recorded 17 total touchdowns along with seven interceptions defensively, including two for touchdowns … Class 5A first team all-state, all-Central Florida and all-Oceola County selection as a senior … Orlando Touchdown Club Offensive Player of the Week (Nov. 12) … As a junior, scored eight times on offense and had eight interceptions on defense … Ranked No. 26 nationally among safeties by Scout.com … Ranked No. 30 nationally among athletes by Rivals.com … The No. 31-ranked defensive back nationally and the No. 23-ranked prospect from Florida in the SuperPrep Florida 111 … Ranked as the No. 24 prospect in the state of Florida by the Orlando Sentinel.
PERSONAL: Born Sept. 22, 1989 … Son of Bertia Williams and Earl Bell.
**Drew Cole
DB, 6-0, 180
Picayune, MS (Picayune Memorial HS)**
HIGH SCHOOL: Had 60 tackles, 16 pass break-ups and five interceptions as a senior, while also rushing for 821 yards and 10 touchdowns … Named to the Class 4A All-State First Team … Named to the All-State second team by the Clarion-Ledger … Earned Class 4A First Team All-State honors as a junior after collecting 59 tackles, 16 pass breakups and one interception … Offensively as a junior, had 82 carries for 601 yards and nine scores … Sophomore season collected 51 tackles and two interceptions … Ranked No. 63 nationally among cornerbacks by Rivals.com … Ranked No. 128 nationally among cornerbacks by Scout.com … The No. 25-ranked prospect from Mississippi by SuperPrep … Named to PrepStar’s All-Southeast Region team.
PERSONAL: Born Feb. 28, 1989 … Son of Milton Cole and Amanda Walker … Brother, Milt, was a senior tight end for LSU in 2007.
**Dax Dellenbach
LS, 6-1, 210
Coconut Creek, FL (North Broward HS)**
HIGH SCHOOL: Had 18 catches for 176 yards at tight end and had 70 tackles, including 36 solo, eight tackles for loss and seven sacks as a defensive end … Named to the Class 3A-1A All-State Second Team as a tight end by the South Florida Sun-Sentinel … Second-team All-Broward Country as a defensive lineman by the Miami Herald … North Broward HS Special Teams Player of the Year … As a junior, was named North Broward HS Offensive Lineman of the Year … Three-year starter … Ranked as the 19th-best long snapper in the nation by Chris Sailer Kicking. PERSONAL: Born April 13, 1990 … Son of Mary and Jeff Dellenbach … Father played in the NFL for 15 seasons with Miami, New England, Green Bay and Philadelphia, helping the Packers win Super Bowl XXXI.
**DeRon Furr
QB, 6-3, 217
Columbus, GA (Carver HS)**
HIGH SCHOOL: Earned Ledger-Enquirer All-Bi-City Offensive Player of the Year honors as a senior, passing for 1,567 yards and 13 touchdowns, while rushing for 742 yards and 15 touchdowns … Class AAA Offensive Player of the Year by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and first-team All-State selection by the AJC and Georgia Sports Writers Association as a senior … Led team to its first state championship as a senior and semifinals as a junior … As a junior, threw for 1,300 yards and 14 scores, while adding 730 yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground … Ranked as the No. 31 athlete nationally by Rivals.com … Also ranked as the No. 22 prospect in Georgia by Rivals.com … Ranked No. 32 nationally among quarterbacks by Scout.com … The No. 40-ranked prospect from Georgia by SuperPrep … Named to PrepStar’s All-Southeast Region team.
PERSONAL: Born Sept. 27, 1989 … Son of Brenda and DeRon Furr, Sr.
**Raven Gray
DL, 6-5, 263
Enterprise, AL (Enterprise)**
JUNIOR COLLEGE: Selected All-State and All-Region his freshman season at Copiah-Lincoln Community College in Wesson, Miss. In 2007, earned NJCAA Pre-Season 1st Team All-America honors … Rated the No. 3 overall JC prospect in the nation by Rivals.com … Signed with Auburn out of high school … No. 2 overall JC prospect nationally by SuperPrep.
HIGH SCHOOL: Totaled 62 tackles, 10 sacks, 12 tackles for loss, five fumble recoveries and 20 quarterback hurries as a senior … Caught 12 passes for 156 yards and 3 touchdowns … Selected to the Class 6A All-State Team by the Alabama Sports Writers Association as a senior, and honorable mention as a junior … Registered 71 tackles and 10.5 sacks his junior season and returned a fumble 40 yards for a touchdown … As a junior, played in the Alabama High School Athletic Association North-South All-Star Game … Ranked as the No. 51 overall player in the country and No. 13 in the Southeast (No. 2 DE) by Tom Lemming’s Prep Football Report … Ranked 13th nationally among strongside defensive ends and the No. 7 player in the state of Alabama by Rivals.com … Ranked No. 6 in the Rivals Preseason Alabama Top 40 … Rivals.com Rivals250 … Ranked No. 41 nationally at the defensive end position by ESPN.com … Ranked No. 146 on collegefootballnews.com’s CFN Top 150 and No. 16 among defensive ends … Rated as the No. 22 defensive end nationally by Scout.com … Rated No. 4 on the Birmingham News Super Senior 2006 … Ranked 86th on the Mobile Register’s Super Southeast 120 list of prospects … Named to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution Super Southern 100.
PERSONAL: Born Nov. 4, 1986 … Son of Tracie Myhand.
**Cameron Henderson
DL, 6-6, 215
Irondale, AL (Shades Valley HS)**
HIGH SCHOOL: Had 90 tackles including 10 sacks as a senior … Recorded 45 tackles and six sacks as a junior … Named to All-Southeast Region team by PrepStar … Ranked 17th best player in Alabama by SuperPrep … Rated the No. 9 defensive end in the nation by Rivals.com … Two sport standout for Shades Valley … Played defensive end in football and post player in basketball.
PERSONAL: Born June 2, 1990 … Son of Lisa and Ulysses Henderson.
**D’Antoine Hood
DB, 5-9, 185
Phenix City, AL (Central-Phenix HS)**
HIGH SCHOOL: As a senior, recorded 42 tackles, two interceptions and broke up four passes … Averaged 30 yards per kickoff return … Was selected to play in the Alabama/Mississippi All-Star game following his senior season … Rivals.com ranks him the 62nd best cornerback in the nation … Rated No. 99 cornerback in the nation by Scouts.com.
PERSONAL: Born Sept. 25, 1989 … Son of Shirley and Dewayne Hood … Hood is a cousin of former Auburn and current Arizona Cardinals defensive back Roderick Hood.
**Reggie Hunt
RB, 5-10, 185
Daphne, AL (Daphne HS)**
HIGH SCHOOL: Recorded approximately 1,300 yards of total offense as a senior … A high ankle sprain suffered early during the season hampered him throughout the year … Selected for the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Classic … Ran 72 times for 1,009 yards and 12 touchdowns as a junior for the Trojans … Ranked 16th best player in Alabama by SuperPrep … Named to All-Southeast Region team by PrepStar … Rivals.com ranks him as the nation’s No. 19 all-purpose running back … Scout.com ranks him as 49th best running back in nation … Named to Mobile Press Register Elite 18 and the Southeast Super 120.
PERSONAL: Born July 8, 1990 … Son of Sharlene and Louis Barge.
**Marcus Jemison
DB, 6-2, 190
McCalla, AL (McAdory HS)**
HIGH SCHOOL: Named Class 5A all-state as a senior … Had seven touchdowns rushing, three passing as a junior … Also had six interceptions during junior season … Named to All-Southeast Region team by PrepStar … Rated the 36th best athlete in the nation by Rivals.com … Ranked 37th best player in Alabama by SuperPrep … Ranked the No. 94 safety in the nation by Scout.com.
PERSONAL: Born Dec. 28, 1989 … Son of Brinetta and Richard Price.
**Jermaine Johnson
OL, 6-6, 300
Fort Lauderdale, FL (St. Thomas Aquinas HS)**
PREP SCHOOL: Named the nation’s No. 2 prep school recruit by Rivals.com while at Hargrave Military.
HIGH SCHOOL: Rated No. 1 Prep School Offensive Lineman by Rivals.com … Only played football as a senior, spending his first three years of high school as a basketball standout … Ranked 94th in the Florida Top 100 by Rivals.com … Slated as the No. 52 offensive tackle prospect in the nation by ESPN.com … Played with fellow Auburn recruit Wes Byrum in high school.
PERSONAL: Born Nov. 14, 1987 … Son of Twilla Johnson.
**Neiko Lipscomb
DB, 6-1, 170
Tucker, GA (Tucker HS)**
HIGH SCHOOL: Had 64 tackles including six tackles for loss, 11 pass breakups, three interceptions and forced a fumble as a senior … Named an Under Armour All-America as a senior … Registered 18 sacks as a junior … Was honorable mention all-county as a junior … Rated as 11th best corner back in nation by Scouts.com … Ranked 53rd best player in Georgia by SuperPrep … He also runs track.
PERSONAL: Born Feb. 11, 1990 … Son of Glenn Thorpe and Nickie Lipscomb.
**Derrick Lykes
DL, 6-4, 276
Clanton, AL (Chilton County HS)**
HIGH SCHOOL: Was able to play in just two games as a senior due to an ankle injury … As a junior, totaled 75 tackles including eight sacks, forced three fumbles and returned two for touchdowns … Also caught two touchdown passes as a tight end during his junior season … Rated 100th defensive end in the nation by Scout.com.
PERSONAL: Born June 4, 1989 … Son of May Lykes and Lloyd Goodwin.
**Onterio McCalebb
ATH, 6-0, 170
Fort Meade, FL (Fort Meade HS)**
HIGH SCHOOL: As a senior, recorded 1,995 yards rushing and 27 touchdowns … Also had 11 receptions for 300 yards … Had two kicks returned for scores … As a junior, rushed for 1,500 yards and 25 touchdowns … Also had 500 yards receiving and six touchdowns … Named to All-Southeast Region team by PrepStar … Ranked the 34th player in the SuperPrep Florida 111 … Named to Florida Super 75 by Jacksonville Times Union … Named to Orlando Sentinel Top 100 in Florida … Ranked the 38th best running back in the nation by Scout.com.
PERSONAL: Born Aug. 10, 1989 … Son of Derrick Baker and Staphisa McMillian.
**Philip Pierre-Louis
WR, 5-9, 165
Fort Lauderdale, FL (St. Thomas Aquinas HS)**
HIGH SCHOOL: As a senior, had 30 receptions for 586 yards and five touchdowns, while rushing 11 times for 148 yards and two TDs … Returned 13 kickoffs for 313 yards and 27 punt returns for 538 yards as a senior … Class 5A first-team all-state selection … Helped St. Thomas Aquinas win the Florida 5A State Championship … Ranked 54th nationally at athlete by Rivals.com … No. 149 ranked wide receiver nationally by Scout.com.
PERSONAL: Born Dec. 18, 1989 … Son of Philip and Vivian Pierre-Louis.
**Spencer Pybus
LB, 6-1, 200
Dothan, AL (Northview HS)**
HIGH SCHOOL: As a senior, tallied 146 tackles including six for losses and five sacks … Intercepted three passes and returned two for touchdowns … Two-year starter at Northview, leading team to its first winning since since 1999 as a senior … Named Class 6A Honorable Mention all-state as both a senior and a junior by the Alabama Sports Writers Association … Had 128 tackles and two sacks as a junior … No. 60-ranked outside linebacker by Scouts, Inc. … Named to the Dothan Eagle Football Super 12.
PERSONAL: Born Oct. 20, 1989… Son of Sonny and Denise Pybus.
**Jomarcus Savage
DL, 6-3, 270
Huntsville, AL (J.O. Johnson HS)**
HIGH SCHOOL: As a senior, tallied 76 tackles including 24 tackles for loss and 12 sacks while helping team to quarterfinals of state playoffs … Named to the Class 5A all-state team by the Alabama Sports Writers Association … Played in Alabama-Mississippi All-Star game as a senior … Had 79 tackles, including nine quarterback sacks as a junior … No. 34 nationally ranked defensive tackle by Scout.com … Ranked No. 47 nationally at defensive tackle by Rivals.com … Rivals.com No. 28 overall prospect in state of Alabama.
PERSONAL: Born Sept. 22, 1989 … Son of Joseph and Wanda Savage.
**Eric Smith
RB, 5-11, 225
Seffner, FL (Armwood HS)**
HIGH SCHOOL: Rushed for 1,253 yards and 14 touchdowns on 172 attempts as a senior while helping Armwood HS to a 13-1 mark … Also had 15 receptions for 288 yards … Named Class 4A third-team All-State as a senior … Had seven 100-yard rushing games during final season … Missed most of junior season with a fractured left elbow … In four games during junior season, rushed for 550 yards and 12 touchdowns … Ran for 1,600 yards and 25 touchdowns as a sophomore … Second-team Class 4A as a sophomore … Ranked No. 4 fullback nationally by Rivals.com … Listed as 48th nationally as a running back prospect by Rivals.com … No. 15-ranked running back nationally by Scouts, Inc. … Ranked No. 146 on the ESPN150 … Named to the PrepStar All-Southeast Region team … No. 83 overall prospect in the state of Florida by PrepStar … Ranked as the No. 1 fullback in Florida by the Florida Times-Union.
PERSONAL: Born March 14, 1990 … Son of Eric and Lakisa Smith.
**Vance Smith
TE, 6-2, 240
Pace, FL (Pace HS)**
HIGH SCHOOL: Had 10 receptions and 130 receiving yards with two TD catches as a senior … On defensive side of ball had 23 tackles and three sacks … Named to the Class 4A all-state third team as a defensive lineman as a senior … Caught 11 passes for 162 yards with three touchdowns as a junior … 36th ranked tight end nationally by Scout.com … No. 43 national ranking at tight end by Rivals.com … Also participates in track and plays basketball … Didn’t play football until ninth grade.
PERSONAL: Born Nov. 10, 1989 … Son of Kent and Annette Smith … Father, Kent, graduated from Auburn.
**Freddie Smooth
DL, 6-5, 305
Baton Rouge, LA (Desire Street Academy)**
HIGH SCHOOL: As a senior, was voted first-team Class 1A after finishing with 70 tackles and 4.5 sacks … Also played offensive line … No. 50 ranked offensive tackle by Rivals.com … 19th-ranked overall player in state of Louisiana by Rivals.com … second highest rated offensive lineman in Louisiana by Rivals.com … No. 54 nationally-ranked defensive tackle by Scout.com … No. 32 overall player in Louisiana by SuperPrep … Also played basketball and throws the shot put.
PERSONAL: Born April 22, 1990 … Guardians are Floyd and Trishhawn Jones.
**Christian Thompson
DB, 6-1, 195
Fort Lauderdale, FL (St. Thomas Aquinas HS)**
HIGH SCHOOL: As a senior had 76 tackles, including 14 tackles for loss … Also had one sack, one interception and a fumble recovery … Named Class 5A second-team all-state as a senior … Helped St. Thomas Aquinas to Florida 5A State title … Ranked as No. 60 nationally at safety by Rivals.com … No. 23 safety nationally by Scout.com … Also runs track.
PERSONAL: Born June 14, 1990 … Son of Deedee Cooper.
**Barrett Trotter
QB, 6-1, 192
Birmingham, AL (Briarwood Christian HS)**
HIGH SCHOOL: Threw for 7,968 passing yards, 88 touchdowns and 23 interceptions during career … Both marks are school records and his 88 touchdown passes are third all-time in Alabama State High School history … Completed 63 percent of passes during career … Led Briarwood to 2007 state semi-finals by completing 228-of-361 passes for 3,469 yards and 47 touchdowns with eight interceptions … Also rushed for 610 yards on 104 attempts and six touchdowns as a senior … Named ASWA Super 12 and All-State 6A first-team quarterback as a senior … As a senior also named Birmingham News Metro Player of the Year, ScoutSouth.com Star of Alabama, Mr. Football 5A Back of the Year, and finalist for Mr. Football … Played in Alabama-Mississippi All-Star game as a senior … In 11 contests as a junior, completed 188-of-315 passes for 2,414 yards and 22 touchdowns, while rushing for 489 yards on 99 attempts with seven touchdowns … Birmingham News All-Metro Team Athlete as a junior … Passed for 2,074 yards and 19 touchdowns on 178-of-287 passing as a sophomore … No. 46 ranked quarterback nationally by Scout.com.
PERSONAL: Born Feb.10, 1989 … Son of Rick and Lynn Trotter.
**Chris Todd
QB, 6-2, 220
Hutchinson, KS (Hutchinson CC)**
COLLEGE: In one season at Hutchinson completed 104-of-212 passes for 968 yards with eight interceptions and six touchdowns … Redshirted in 2005 at Texas Tech … Played in five games in 2006 for Red Raiders before transferring to Hutchinson in January 2007 … Was 25-of-35 with 241 yards and one touchdown in 2006 … Best game came against Southeastern Louisiana, hitting 10-of-12 passes for 151 yards and a score … In three Big 12 games against Missouri, Colorado and Baylor, completed 11-of-18 passes for 69 yards.
HIGH SCHOOL: Threw for 10,776 yards and 120 touchdowns during high school career … As a senior, led team to Kentucky Class 2A State Championship after throwing for 3,180 yards and 38 touchdowns … Was Elizabethtown’s first state title in football since 1981 … Associated Press second-team All-State selection as a junior after throwing for 4,583 yards and 51 touchdowns … Completed a state-record 303 passes (64 percent completion rate) as a junior while leading team to state title game … Threw for over 2,000 yards and 25 touchdowns as a sophomore … As a freshman at Taylor County High School, passed for 983 yards and seven touchdowns … Also played basketball and baseball.
PERSONAL: Born Feb. 4, 1986 … Son of Brad and Becky Todd.
**Andre Wadley
DL, 6-3, 265
Hernando, MS (Hernando HS)**
HIGH SCHOOL: Earned second-team all-state honors as a senior … Selected to play in the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star game as a senior … Rivals.com No. 21 overall prospect in Mississippi … The No. 27 defensive end nationally by Scouts, Inc. … Ranked by SuperPrep as the No. 40 defensive lineman nationally and the No. 5 overall player in the state of Mississippi … No. 48 national prospect by Rivals.com at strong side defensive end … Named the No. 7 prospect on The Clarion-Ledger Ten Most Wanted list … Was a preseason Dandy Dozen pick and a postseason second-team All-State pick by The Clarion-Ledger.
PERSONAL: Born Nov. 30, 1988 … Son of Johnny Wadley, Sr. and Patricia Jones … Older brother, Johnny, played at Mississippi State.
**Derek Winter
WR, 6-0, 190
Tampa, FL (Plant Senior HS)**
HIGH SCHOOL: Caught 192 passes during his high school career for almost 4,000 yards and 44 touchdowns … Finished his senior season with 75 catches for over 1,668 yards and 18 touchdowns … Named to the Class 4A All-State First Team by the Florida Sports Writers Association … Totaled a Hillsborough County record 90 catches for 1,280 yards and 20 touchdowns as a junior … Helped lead team to the 2006 Class 4A state championship … Set a state record by catching 13 passes in the title game … Had 30 catches as a sophomore … Ranked as the No. 70 prospect in the state of Florida by the Orlando Sentinel.
PERSONAL: Born Oct. 20, 1989 … Son of Dave and Trina Winter
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Bios on every Florida signee
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
Bios on Florida’s class of 2008, as compiled by the Gators’ sports communications office:
Brendan Beal
Linebacker
6-3 ● 223 ● Freshman, H.S.
Bangor, Pa. ● Liberty
A true freshman linebacker who enrolled at Florida in January of 2008…
PRIOR TO FLORIDA: Parade All-American…AP Class AAAA first-team all-state selection as a senior…Participant in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl…USA Today High School first-team Defensive All-American…Gatorade Pennsylvania High School Player of the Year…Selected to the All-EasternPAFootball.com Big School team…Led Liberty with 148 tackles (18 for a loss) while forcing eight fumbles and collecting 10 sacks in his senior year…First-team AP Class AAAA Pennsylvania all-state first-team selection as a senior…Picked up 151 tackles and 11 sacks as a junior while picking off two passes…Racked up a career-high 17 tackles against Easton…Garnered 121 tackles among six sacks and an interception as a sophomore at Roxbury High School…Ranked as the second-best inside linebacker prospect by Rivals.com…Member of the ESPN 150 class…Four-star recruit by Rivals.com and earned five-star billing from Scout.com…PERSONAL: Born Brendan Michael Beal on Oct. 12, 1989…Son of Craig and Bettina Beal…Has two sisters, Kailee and Amanda…Lists fishing, basketball, quading and spending time with friends among his hobbies…Aspires to work on Wall Street in financial investing.
Jeremy Brown
Cornerback
5-10 ● 163 ● Freshman, H.S.
Orlando ● Boone
A true freshman cornerback who enrolled at Florida in January of 2008…
PRIOR TO FLORIDA: Helped lead Boone to the Florida Class 6A title game…First-team Class 6A all-state selection as a senior…Selected to participate in the Offense-Defense All-American Bowl…Hauled in an 80-yard touchdown reception in Boone’s win over Apopka and picked off two passes against Sarasota…Intercepted eight passes his senior year…Two-way standout as a junior, picking off seven passes while registering 13 receptions for 213 yards and six touchdowns…Member of the ESPN 150 class…Four-star prospect by Rivals.com…Chose Florida over Georgia, Auburn and LSU…PERSONAL: Born Jeremy Terrell Brown on Jan. 16, 1990…Son of Terrell Brown and Cheryl Alston…Has two sisters, Georgiana and Jasmine…Hobbies include traveling and working out…Intends to major in business and sports management.
Adrian Bushell
Defensive Back
5-10 ● 183 ● Freshman, H.S.
DeSoto, Texas ● DeSoto
PRIOR TO FLORIDA: Triple threat in his one year at DeSoto, playing defensive back, running back and wide receiver…Recorded 51 tackles and two interceptions in his senior season…Ranked as one of the top-100 Texas prospects in the Waco Tribune Herald…Registered over 500 yards rushing and 10 touchdowns on the ground…Accumulated roughly 300 yards receiving and seven touchdowns through the air…Played at Miami (Fla.) Pace as a junior…At Pace, he had 1,500 all-purpose yards, 1,100 rushing and 400 yards receiving…Scored two touchdowns in the spring game at his new high school…Also ran relay events and hurdles on the DeSoto High School track team…Rivals.com four-star prospect and No. 15 athlete in the country…21st-rated Texas prospect according to Rivals.com…Coached by Dave Meadows…PERSONAL: Born Adrian Antione Bushell on Jan. 19, 1990…Son of Covyonne Edmonds…Has two sisters, Arial and Alexis, and a brother, Kaleem.
Jeffrey Demps
Athlete
5-8 ● 176 ● Freshman, H.S.
Okahumpka ● South Lake
PRIOR TO FLORIDA: Considered one of the nation’s fastest recruits…Second-team Class 4A all-state selection at running back as a senior…Gained 1,401 yards on the ground along with 16 touchdowns on 157 carries his senior year…Rushed for 21 scores and 1,761 yards on 170 touches in junior campaign…Second-team all-state Class 3A selection…Plans to be on the UF men’s track team running sprints…Ran the 100-meter dash at the Florida state final, the fastest time recorded at that event at 10.37 seconds…Clocked a 10.25 at the AAU Junior Olympics, the second-fastest time ever in the state and the fastest clocking recorded by a high school senior this year…Finished 13th nationally with a 21.04 time in the 200-meter dash…No. 4 athlete and ranked 53rd in the ESPN 150…Earned four-star billing by Rivals.com and part of the Rivals.com250…Listed as the sixth-best all-purpose back by Rivals.com…Coached by Walter Banks…PERSONAL: Born Jeffrey B. Demps on Jan. 8, 1990…Son of Jeffrey and Marilyn Demps.
Troy Epps
Defensive Tackle
6-0 ● 285 ● Junior Transfer
Union, S.C. ● Union/Coffeyville C.C.
A junior defensive tackle who enrolled at Florida in January of 2008…
PRIOR TO FLORIDA: A junior college All-American who was a force in the middle of the line for Coffeyville’s vaunted program for two years…NJCAA All-American (Region VI) honoree and selected as the region’s No. 9 player by the conference…Named first-team All-Jayhawk Conference at defensive tackle…Forced five fumbles and harassed offenses into five sacks and 17 tackles for a loss (62 total tackles) as a sophomore…Garnered first-team all-conference honors in his freshman year at Coffeyville…Registered 63 tackles, including 16 for a loss and five sacks in his debut season…Also blocked three kicks on special teams…Listed as a three-star prospect by Rivals.com…PREP: A four-year standout at Union High School for Class AAA in South Carolina…PERSONAL: Born Dec. 3, 1986…Attended the same JUCO as former Florida All-American safety and first-round Jacksonville Jaguars’ Reggie Nelson…Son of Ms. Jimmie Sue Epps.
Dee Finley
Safety
6-2 ● 200 ● Freshman, H.S.
Auburn, Ala. ● Auburn
PRIOR TO FLORIDA: Participant in the Under Armour High School All-American Game…USA Today second-team All-American…Class 6A all-state selection in Alabama…Amassed 70 tackles and seven interceptions as a senior for Auburn…Registered 50 tackles, picked off eight passes and returned three back for touchdowns as a junior…Credited with seven pass breakups in his junior season…Also brought back a punt return for a score…Reled in nine passes for 98 yards and a touchdown as a receiver…Hauled in three touchdowns as a sophomore on just seven receptions for 70 yards…Racked up 50 tackles and an interception as a sophomore…Four-star recruit by Rivals.com and rated as the fifth-best safety prospect…No. 10 in the ESPN 150 and the top safety prospect…Coached in high school by Tim Carter…PERSONAL: Born Darnavious Artez Finley on Feb. 24, 1989.
William Green
Defensive End
6-4 ● 215 ● Freshman, H.S.
Hoover, Ala. ● Spain Park
PRIOR TO FLORIDA: Parade All-American…One of 12 members on the Alabama Sports Writers’ Association Super 12 football team as a senior…First team all-state selection in his final prep season…Competed in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl as the only player from Alabama…Also participated in the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Classic in Mobile, Ala., where he recorded six tackles…Senior awards included ASWA Super 12 Defensive Lineman, Super All-Metro Birmingham News, Alabama Class 6A nominee for Lineman of the Year, ASWA 6A All-State First Team, Orlando 2007 All-Southern Football Team (Alabama) Linebacker…Had 114 tackles, four sacks and one fumble recovery as a senior during Spain Park’s 6A Championship runner-up season, the school’s deepest playoff run in school history…Led a defense that allowed only 12.9 points per game…Tallied 54 tackles, 18 tackles-for-loss and eight sacks as a junior…Four-star athlete on Rivals.com…Rated as the seventh-best outside linebacker nationally by Rivals.com…ESPN 150 member…Number-four prospect in the Alabama top 30 of 2008…Rivals 100 member…Coached by John Grass…PERSONAL: Born William Alfred Green on April 28, 1990…Son of Otis and Cynthia Green.
Frankie Hammond, Jr.
Wide Receiver
6-0 ● 170 ● Freshman, H.S.
Hollywood ● Hallandale
PRIOR TO FLORIDA: Third-team Class 4A all-state selection as a senior…Ended his senior season with 46 receptions for 880 yards and 10 touchdowns…Averaged almost 20 yards per catch (19.1)…Returned two punts for touchdowns…Hauled in seven catches for 95 yards during his junior year…Also was a long-jumper for the Hallandale track and field team with a personal-best jump of 6-10…Four-star prospect by Rivals.com…Rated the 26th-best wideout on Rivals.com…Three-star recruit on Scout.com…Coached by Dameon Jones…PERSONAL: Born Frankie Elwood Hammond Jr. on Feb. 17, 1990…Son of Frankie and Nida Hammond…Has a brother, Joshua, and sister, Franishia.
Will Hill
Safety
6-2 ● 203 ● Freshman, H.S.
West Orange, N.J. ● St. Peters Preparatory School
PRIOR TO FLORIDA: Parade All-American…Competed at the ESPNU Under Armour High School All-American Game, where he returned an interception for 62 yards…First-team all-state selection as a senior…USA Today first-team All-American…Two-time New Jersey Star-Ledger Offensive Player of the Year…Three-time AP New Jersey first-team all-state selection…Multidimensional threat for St. Peters Preparatory School, serving as a three-year starter at quarterback, safety and a returner on special teams…Recorded three interceptions, made 36 tackles and broke up three passes during senior campaign…Gained 960 yards on the ground while tossing for 947 yards and accounting for 26 touchdowns (19 passing, seven rushing)…Led the Marauders to a 34-2 record in three years, including a 12-0 mark and the NJSIAA Non-Public Group 4 Championship as a sophomore…Responsible for 3,817 all-purpose yards and accounted for 34 touchdowns as a junior…Rushed for 682 yards (11.7 yards per carry) and 13 touchdowns as a junior while throwing for 758 yards and 11 scores…Picked off three passes as a junior and brought back to kickoffs for touchdowns…Returned an interception for a touchdown the first time he touched the ball in 2004…Five-star athlete by Rivals.com…Ranked as the top athlete in the class of 2008 by Rivals.com…No. 2 in the ESPN 150…Listed as the fifth-best player available by Scout.com and the top-ranked safety…Committed to Florida at the ESPN Zone in New York City…Coached by Rich Hansen…PERSONAL: Born Willie Hill III on March 7, 1990…Son of Will Jr. and Grace Hill.
Omarius Hines
Wide Receiver
6-1 ● 205 ● Freshman, H.S.
Corsicana, Texas ● Corsicana
PRIOR TO FLORIDA: Honorable mention Texas Class 4A all-state selection…Compiled over 1,000 all-purpose yards rushing and receiving as a senior…Registered 824 yards on 38 receptions, averaging over 21 yards per catch, and had 13 touchdowns…Also rushed for 330 yards and six touchdowns…Caught 62 passes for 1,262 yards and 23 touchdowns as a junior…Earned first-team all-state and first-team all-district honors as a junior…Four-star prospect by Rivals.com…Ranked the No. 21 wideout in the country according to Rivals.com…Also played basketball and ran cross-country for Coriscana…Coached by Dave Henigan…PERSONAL: Born Omarius D. Hines on Dec. 18, 1989…Son of Marcus and Lisa Hines.
Omar Hunter
Defensive Tackle
6-0 ● 322 ● Freshman, H.S.
Buford, Ga. ● Buford
PRIOR TO FLORIDA: Parade All-American…First-team Class AA all-state selection as a senior…Played in the Under Armour High School All-American Game…Ranked as the strongest player in the Under Armour All-Star Awards… Helped lead Buford to an undefeated season and a state title his senior year…Georgia Sports Writers’ Association Class AA choice….Registered 93 tackles and seven sacks as a senior…Had 85 tackles, six sacks, a fumble recovery and 13 tackles for a loss as a junior…No. 37 in the ESPN 150 and ranked as the No. 2 defensive tackle in the position rankings…Rivals.com five-star recruit and No. 2 defensive tackle nationally…Received five-star billing and rated the second-best defensive tackle in the nation by Scout.com…Teammate of Florida recruit T.J. Pridemore at Buford…Coached by Jess Simpson…PERSONAL: Born Omar Divine Hunter on Dec. 27, 1989…Son of Keith and Lisa Hunter.
Janoris Jenkins
Cornerback
5-10 ● 177 ● Freshman, H.S.
Pahokee ● Pahokee
A true freshman cornerback who enrolled at Florida in January of 2008…
PRIOR TO FLORIDA: Parade All-American…First-team Class 2B all-state selection as a senior…Competed at the ESPNU Under Armour High School All-American Game for the Red squad…Participated in the Burger King All-American Varsity Skills Challenge in the hands’ competition…Two-way star collected six interceptions and recorded over 80 tackles as a senior while rushing for 18 yards and gaining over 1,000 yards…Helped lead Pahokee to a Florida Class 2B state title as a junior and senior…Team also won state title as a freshmen…Played in four straight state championship games…Registered 49 tackles and rushed for 698 yards on offense with six touchdowns during his junior season…Four-star recruit by Rivals.com and ranked as the seventh-best cornerback prospect…Ranked the No. 4 corner in the ESPN 150…PERSONAL: Born Janoris Jenkins on Oct. 29, 1988…Son of William Jenkins and Denise Dent.
Byran Jones
Offfensive/Defensive Line
6-3 ● 305 ● Freshman, H.S.
Jacksonville ● Nathan Bedford Forrest
PRIOR TO FLORIDA: First-team Class 4A all-state selection on the offensive line…Played in the annual Florida Athletic Coaches Association All-Star Game…Offensive Line MVP and Voted Captain of the Scout.com Combine in Jacksonville…Started the annual North/South All-Star game featuring the state of Florida’s best players…Named by Scout.com to the All-Florida Combine team…Rated 44th-best in-state prospect by Rivals.com…Coached by Dennis Clemons…PERSONAL: Born Byran Rashad Jones on Nov. 30, 1989…Son of Phoebe Allen…Went to the same high school as UF linebacker Brandon Hicks.
T.J. Lawrence
Wide Receiver
6-0 ● 185 ● Freshman, H.S.
Lakeland ● Lakeland Kathleen
PRIOR TO FLORIDA: Competed at the Under Armour All-American Game, where he set up the game-winning score with a 14-yard reception…First-team all-state Class 3A selection by the Florida Sports Writers Association as a senior…Caught 12 touchdowns and amassed over 800 yards as a senior…Earned first-team all-county and first-team all-district honors as a junior…Caught 50 passes for 1,245 yards and 15 touchdowns as a junior produced 40 tackles, two sacks and five interceptions on defense…Earned third-team all-state honors as a sophomore as a defensive back in a group that included Florida secondary players Wondy Pierre-Louis and Bryan Thomas in 2005…Also played both ways as a sophomore, totaling five touchdowns and recording four interceptions in the secondary…No. 21 in the Rivals.com Florida top 100 and No. 49 overall…All-around athlete who also played basketball and baseball at Lakeland Kathleen…Member of the ESPN 150…Coached by Irving Strickland…PERSONAL: Born Antonio Lawrence on Feb. 5, 1989…Son of Wanda Burnett.
Lerentee McCray
Linebacker
6-2 ● 205 ● Freshman, H.S.
Ocala ● Dunnellon
PRIOR TO FLORIDA: Participated in the U.S. Army All-American Game and had three tackles…First-team Class 3A all-state selection at linebacker…Recognized as the top athlete with the best closing speed following the All-Star Game in San Antonio…Played in the North/South All-Star Game…Named to the Florida All-Combine team in Jacksonville…Averaged 17 tackles per game as a senior…Collected 118 tackles and nine sacks his senior year while rushing for over 500 yards and scoring 11 touchdowns…Earned 11 sacks and 97 tackles as a junior…Versatile athlete who played wide receiver, special teams and linebacker for Dunnellon…Four-star prospect by Rivals.com…No. 10 outside linebacker nationally by Rivals.com…Ranked in the ESPN 150 class…Coached by Frank Beasley…PERSONAL: Born Lerentee Zavonne McCray on Aug. 26, 1990…Son of Sybil McCray.
Carl Moore
Wide Receiver
6-3 ● 220 ● Junior Transfer
Roseville, Calif. ● Cordova/Sierra C.C.
PRIOR TO FLORIDA: One of the most highly-coveted junior college players in the class of 2008 praised for his combination of size, strength and speed…Racked up 1,068 yards on 73 receptions with 16 touchdowns during his sophomore campaign at Sierra…Tied for fourth in total points scored and rated sixth across the California junior college system in receptions (73) as a sophomore…Helped lead Sierra to a second-ranked billing towards the end of the year and played in the NorCal Junior College Championship Game against the City of College of San Francisco…Reeled in 61 catches for 960 yards and seven touchdowns as a freshman with a long of 65…Averaged 15.7 yards per reception in his first year at Sierra…Five-star prospect by Rivals.com and ranked as the No. 2 junior-college player…Also rated as a five-star recruit by Scout.com…PREP: Hauled in 21 catches for 410 yards and five touchdowns in just three games during his senior year at Cordova High School…PERSONAL: Born Sept. 19, 1988…Son of Jackie Moore.
Earl Okine
Defensive End
6-5 ● 250 ● Freshman, H.S.
Gainesville ● Gainesville
A true freshman defensive lineman who enrolled at Florida in January of 2008…
PRIOR TO FLORIDA: Third-team Class 5A all-state selection as a senior…Competed at the Offense-Defense All-American Bowl in Miami, where he garnered Defensive MVP honors with 3.5 sacks (three tackles for loss)…Turned in 3.5 sacks at the Florida Athletic Coaches Association North-South Game…Collected 102 tackles with 12 sacks his senior year and caught 15 passes as a tight end…Had 86 tackles, 50 solo, during junior season…Third-team all-state selection and first-team all-area honoree as a junior…Also played basketball for the Hurricanes and lifts weights competitively…Coached in high school by Eddy Moore…PERSONAL: Born Earl James Okine on Jan. 4, 1990…Son of James and Grace Okine.
Matt Patchan
Offensive Lineman
6-6 ● 260 ● Freshman, H.S.
Tampa ● Armwood
A true freshman lineman who enrolled at Florida in Jan. 2008…
PRIOR TO FLORIDA: USA Today first-team All-American…Selected to play in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl…First-team Class 4A all-state offensive line selection as a senior…Honored on the Florida Football Magazine’s 2007 Post-Season Florida Phenoms team…Racked up over 50 pancake blocks and did not allow a sack his junior season en route to Class 4A all-state first-team honors…On the defensive side, registered 99 tackles (27 for loss), eight sacks, forced four fumbles and recovered four…St. Petersburg Times First Team All-Suncoast selection as a junior…Five-star recruit by Rivals.com and No. 11 overall nationally…No. 4 offensive tackle and five-star prospect by Scout.com…Ranked in the ESPN 150…MVP of the Scout.com combine in March of 2007…Played both ways at Armwood, starring at left tackle and defensive end…Transfer from Freedom High School in Tampa…Coached in high school by Sean Callahan…PERSONAL: Born Matthew D. Patchan…Son of Matt and Deanne Patchan…Father, Matt Sr., played football at Miami (1984-87) and in the NFL…Admires former Green Bay Packers and Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Reggie White and Cleveland Browns offensive lineman Joe Thomas.
T.J. Pridemore
Fullback/Linebacker
6-0 ● 236 ● Freshman, H.S.
Gainesville, Ga. ● Buford
PRIOR TO FLORIDA: Projected to help Florida at H-back as well as see time at linebacker…First-team Class AA all-state selection as a senior…Helped lead Class AA Buford to a 15-0 undefeated season and a state title his senior year…Compiled 115 tackles as a junior with three sacks, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries in 13 games…Atlanta Journal-Constitution all-state first-team selection as a junior…Helped guide Buford to a 12-1 record as a junior and advance to the State Elite 8…Rivals.com three-star prospect…Teammate in high school with fellow signee, defensive lineman Omar Hunter…Coached by Jess Simpson…PERSONAL: Born Tyler James Pridemore on Jan. 15, 1990…Son of Tommy and Leigh Pridemore…Father, Tom, played collegiately at West Virginia and spent eight years in the NFL with the Atlanta Falcons.
Sam Robey
Offensive Line
6-4 ● 275 ● Freshman, H.S.
Louisville, Ky. ● Trinity
PRIOR TO FLORIDA: Versatile athlete along the line who projects to play either guard or center collegiately…Three-time first team all-state honoree who helped lead Trinity to three-consecutive state titles…Anchored a line for an offense that averaged over 40 points and over 450 yards of offense as a senior…Collected seven tackles in an overtime victory in the Class 6A state final over St. Xavier…Honored as a co-winner for the Paul Hornung Award, sponsored by the Louisville Quarterback Club, presented to the state’s top high school players…Two-year starter and two-time Kentucky High School all-state first-team selection…Also played defense for Trinity and helped the Shamrocks win a Class 4A state title as a junior …Rivals.com three-star recruit and No. 8 in the Kentucky Top 10…Three-star prospect by Scout.com…Coached by Bob Beatty…PERSONAL: Born Samuel Frederick Robey on Aug. 19, 1989…Son of Rick and Bonnie Robey…Father, Rick, was an All-American basketball player for Kentucky, where he won a national championship in 1978 and played in the NBA with the Boston Celtics, Indiana Pacers and Phoenix Suns.
Caleb Sturgis
Kicker
5-10 ● 182 ● Freshman, H.S.
St. Augustine ● St. Augustine
A true freshman kicker who enrolled at Florida in January of 2008…
PRIOR TO FLORIDA: Played in the Under-Armour High School All-American Game…First-team Class 3A all-state honoree at placekicker…Offensive Player of the Week in the Jacksonville area by the Florida Times-Union after connecting on 32, 37 and a 50-yard field goals…Booted field goals of 42, 40 and 46 yards against Ponte Vedra Beach (Nease)…Made 8-of-16 field goal attempts in junior year, but six misses were beyond 56 yards…Made 54 of 57 point-after attempts…Named one of the most outstanding kickers by One-On-One Kicking…Averaged over 70 yards on kickoff distance at the kicking expo with Mike McCabe and kicked a long field goal of 55 yards…Also played forward on St. Augustine’s soccer squad and competed for Julington Creek…Two-star recruit by Rivals.com and earned three-star status by Scout.com…Scout.com’s No. 3 kicker nationally…Coached by Joey Wiles…PERSONAL: Born Caleb James Sturgis on Aug. 9, 1989…Son of Smiley and Karen Sturgis…Went to the same high school as Gator teammates Brandon James and Jacques Rickerson…Has three brothers and two sisters…Intends to major in business and sports management.
David Young
Offensive Lineman
6-6 ● 290 ● Freshman, H.S.
Edwardsville, Ill. ● Edwardsville
PRIOR TO FLORIDA: Three-year varsity starter on both sides of the ball for the Tigers….120 pancake blocks, no sacks allowed since sophomore season with no holding penalties…Listed third according to St. Louis Dispatch Super 30 recruits….Three-time All area selection…An all-conference selection as a sophomore and unanimous all-area and all-conference selection as a junior…Received his first scholarship offer as a sophomore….Coached by Tim Dougherty…PERSONAL: Son of Shantel Watts.
Permalink | | Categories: Florida
Bios on every Tech signee
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
Bios on Georgia Tech’s class of 2008, as compiled by the Yellow Jackets’ sports communications office:
T.J. Barnes DT/6-7/325 Enterprise HS Enterprise, Ala.
Was a standout defensive tackle at Enterprise High School and can play line on either side of the ball… ranked as the 48th-best offensive tackle prospect nationally by Rivals.com… ranked by Rivals.com as the 18th-best high school prospect in Alabama… ranked as the 24th-best Alabama prospect by Scout.com… ranked No. 59 nationally among offensive tackle prospects by Scout.com… made more than 70 tackles, 20 tackles-for-loss, one sack and one interception as a senior… set a school record with eight sacks in one game… played four years of high school football at almost every position on the offensive and defensive lines… father, Terry Jones, played football at Auburn… cousins Fred Baxter and Randy Hart played football at Auburn… chose Georgia Tech over Louisville, Alabama, Auburn and others… selected Georgia Tech because of the academics, the football and the atmosphere… born June 14, 1990 in Montgomery, Ala… given name is Tarence Jariviz Barnes, but goes by T.J… has four teenage siblings.
Brandon Leslie S/6-0/195 Edison HS Fresno, Calif.
Has good agility and is fast in the open field… an aggressive player who delivers hard blows… had 71 tackles and four interceptions as a senior… named to Superprep’s All-California team… rated the 49th-best safety prospect nationally and the 73rd-best overall prospect in California… an all-state and all-west coast selection as a sophomore… all-league and all-state as a senior… a good student with a lofty GPA… missed his entire junior season with a shoulder injury… earned four letters in football… served as team captain two years… also earned two letters in basketball… chose Georgia Tech over Nebraska, Stanford, Washington, among others… Leslie said: “The area of the school was just great. I want to be a part of that D. The people at the school, and the fans, they really showed me a lot of love.”… chose Georgia Tech because of the academics, the people, the city of Atlanta and the football program… wore No. 24 in high school as a tribute to a close friend who passed away… given name is Brandon Jamal Leslie… born June 11, 1989 in Fresno, Calif… has one sister, Shymel… comes from an athletic family… cousin of former NFL running back Ickey Woods… another cousin, Steve Taylor, played football at Nebraska… father, Mike Leslie, played basketball at Santa Clara… has an uncle who played baseball at Fresno State.
Jon Lockhart CB/6-0/190 Blountstown HS Blountstown, Fla.
Has a good blend of size and speed… a good athlete with playmaker potential… has the versatility to play safety and/or receiver… played both wide receiver and cornerback on the high school level… ranked by Rivals as the nation’s No. 70 cornerback prospect… ranked No. 61 nationally in the same category by Scout.com… led Blountstown HS to three district championships… was a second team all-state selection at wide receiver as a junior… played four years of high school football under coach Greg Jordan… also played three years on the Blountstown HS basketball team… chose Georgia Tech over Vanderbilt, South Florida, Mississippi, Duke and others…. selected Georgia Tech because the of the academics, the athletics and the city of Atlanta… born October 19, 1989 in Tallahassee, Fla… power-cleaned 385 and had a 41-inch vertical at the Scout.com combine… given name is Jonathan Sinclair Lockhart… has three siblings - Timothy, Raven and Sage.
B.J. Machen LB/6-1/225 Hilliard Darby HS Hilliard, Ohio
Has great strength, runs well and is rarely knocked down… relentless in pursuit of the football… athletic enough to avoid blockers… named first team Associated Press Division I All-Ohio… selected to the Columbus Dispatch All-Metro Defensive Player of the Year… Rivals ranks him No. 23 among prospects in Ohio and No. 43 nationally among outside linebackers… ranked as the 73rd-best prospect in the Midwest by Superprep… registered more than 130 tackles to go with five sacks in 13 games as a senior… played in the Big 33 (Ohio vs. Pennsylvania all-stars) Game in June… averaged 13 tackles per game as a junior… led team in tackles, sacks and tackles-for-loss in both 2006 and 2007… led Hilliard Darby to an 11-2 record and the Division I regional final - the school’s first playoff appearance… earned three varsity letters in football… also played two years on the track and wrestling teams… the cousin of current Yellow Jacket defensive back DeRon Jasper… a good student with a lofty GPA… chose Georgia Tech over Maryland, Stanford, Duke, West Virginia and Syracuse… Machen said: “I like the location, I like the coaches and I have family down there.”… his father, Ron, played at Stanford and his grandfather played at Illinois…. Born June 8, 1990 in Akron, Ohio… given name is Bijan Chrsian-Joseph Machen.
Daniel McKayhan WR/6-0/180 Martin Luther King, Jr. HS Decatur, Ga.
Helped lead Martin Luther King, Jr. High School to a Division 5A championship in 2007… a versatile player who may also develop into a punt and kick returner… named all-region and all-county honorable mention in 2007… returned punts for a total of 312 yards as a senior… named all-county and all-region in 2006… made four catches in the DeKalb County East vs. West Game… made six receptions vs. North Atlanta High School as a junior… earned three varsity letters in football at MLKHS, where he played wide receiver, quarterback and returned punts and kickoffs… also earned one letter in baseball… a good student who was on the honor roll every year of high school… member of the National Honor Society… chose Georgia Tech beause of excellent academics, it’s close to home and an “opportunity to be a part of something great”… was recruited earlier by Paul Johnson’s staff at Navy… chose Georgia Tech over Memphis, Vanderbilt and others… given name is Daniel Lamons McKayhan… born Jan. 15, 1990 in the golf town of Southern Pines, N.C… has two younger siblings, Dee-Dee and Jae-Jae.
Nick McRae C/6-4/290 Dublin HS Dublin, Ga.**
A highly-touted center prospect with good size… Class 2A all-state honorable mention… also played on Dublin’s 2006 state championship basketball team… in the fall of 2006 he led Dublin HS to a state title in football… ranked by Rivals as the 18th-best center prospect nationally… ranked by Superprep as Georgia’s No. 45 prospect… earned four varsity letters in football under coach Roger Holmes… played center, defensive tackle and defensive end… served one year as team captain… also played two years of basketball at the center position… chose Georgia Tech over Maryland, Mississippi, NC State and others…. McRae said: “I like Coach Johnson. He seems like a good person and a good coach.”… wore No. 76 in high school - the same number his father, Ronald, wore as a prep… born October 23, 1989 in Dublin, Ga… given name is Nicholas Rashad McRae… has three siblings - Natoya, Jasmine and Josh.
Malcolm Munroe LB/6-3/215 Coral Reef HS Miami, Fla.
Tall, rangy and athletic linebacker… has a good mix of size and speed… has the versatility to play almost any position on defense… earned three letters in football at Coral Reef High… earned one letter in track in the 200- and 400-meters… named to the Florida Times-Union Super 75… the No. 36-ranked outside linebacker prospect according to Rivals… ranked by Rivals as the No. 42 prospect in the state of Florida… one of Tech’s highest-rated recruit by ESPN… invited to play in the Dade County North-South All-Star Game… earned numerous local awards including the Miami Herald’s Dade Top 25, top defensive lineman (team award) and all-camp team… nominated for the National Honor Society… considering a major in biotechnology… chose Georgia Tech over Auburn, Louisville, South Carolina and others… chose Georgia Tech because of the football program, the campus atmosphere, the academics, the defensive scheme, and the opportunity to excel off the field… wore No. 42 in high school… given name is Malcolm Shakajamal Munroe… born March 12, 1990 in Miami… has three siblings… brother, Dorian, is a red-shirt junior safety at the University of Florida… father, Norman, captained his collegiate cricket team in England… has an uncle who served in government in Guyana.
Embry Peeples A-Back/5-10/175 Dr. Phillips HS Orlando, Fla.
An extremely fast player and an elusive back… has the speed and athleticism to be a return specialist… possesses receiving skills out of the backfield… rushed for 636 yards on 103 carries in 12 games last season (average of 6.18 yards per carry)… rushed for five touchdowns… also had a pair of receptions for 22 yards… plagued with an injury most of senior year… rushed for 909 yards as a junior including eight consecutive 100-yard games… named to Superprep’s All-Florida team… on Rivals’ list of top 100 prospects in Florida… Rivals ranks him the No. 38 all-purpose back nationally… ranked by Scout.com as the No. 69 running back prospect nationally… named the Orlando Touchdown Club Player of the Week in Week 1 after rushing for 223 yards on 21 carries… helped lead Dr. Phillips HS to a district championship in 2006… played three seasons of high school football - two under coach Kevin Pettis and one under Bob Head… ran track for three years… has run a 10.71 in the 100-meters… maintained a high GPA of 3.5 or better each year… chose Georgia Tech over LSU, West Virginia and others… selected Georgia Tech because of the academics, location and football tradition… born August 24, 1990 in Miami… given name is Embry James Peeples… cousin, Jameal Cook, played more than two seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers… has two siblings - Beau and Thi.
Rashaad Reid CB/5-10/180 St. Augustine HS St. Augustine, Fla.
A versatile defensive back with a number of skills… named to the Florida Times-Union Super 75… rated as the No. 58 cornerback prospect nationally by Scout.com… played three years of high school football and served one year as team captain… led St. Augustine HS to three consecutive district championships in 2005, 2006 and 2007… was on the class 3A state championship team as a sophomore in 2005… also played three years of basketball and ran track for three years… led the track team to district titles in 2006 and 2007 and was selected all-district in the 4x100 relay… a good student who consistently made the honor roll… chose Georgia Tech over South Florida, Arkansas, NC State and Central Florida… selected Georgia Tech because of the academics, the football program, a chance to compete for a national championship and the city of Atlanta… born Dec. 11, 1989 in St. Augustine, Fla… given name is Rashaad Dwayne Reid… has two siblings… cousin, Willie Cooper, played football at Miami… cousin, Quinterrance Cooper, played football at Western Kentucky.
Kamaron Riley CB/6-2/180 Hawkinsville HS Hawkinsville, Ga.
A naturally-gifted athlete… was a standout on both sides of the ball as a cornerback and receiver on the high school level… ranks third in Hawkinsville High history with 10 career interceptions… had six interceptions in 2007 including two in one game… named Class A all-state in ‘07… was first team all-region as a receiver in `06… also among the top receivers in Hawkinsville history… had 43 receptions as a junior and 78 receptions for his career… averaged 16.4 yards per receptions with 707 yards total as a junior… was a freshman on the 2004 team that won the state championship… Scout.com ranks him among the top 100 prospects at his position nationally… played football at Hawkinsville under coach Lee Campbell… also ran track and played basketball… current Yellow Jackets Trey Dunmon, Robert Hall and Jim Henry also attended Hawkinsville High… chose Georgia Tech over Vanderbilt, Indiana and others…. selected Georgia Tech because of the academics and the people… owns a 36-inch vertical… born March 8, 1990 in Hawkinsville, Ga… given name is Kamaron De’Shaun Riley… has two siblings… cousin, Charles Johnson, played three years of football at Georgia and now plays in the NFL with the Carolina Panthers.
Jaybo Shaw QB/6-0/190 Flowery Branch HS Flowery Branch, Ga.
A dual-threat quarterback who could fit nicely into Georgia Tech’s offensive scheme… utilizes his athleticism to avoid the rush and buy more time in the pocket… good at improvising when play breaks down… throws well on the run… does a good job of reading the end on the option… fundamentally sound son of a football coach… as a junior he threw for 2,700 yards and 28 touchdowns… rushed for 1,500 yards and 21 TDs as a junior… set just about every school quarterback-related record at Flowery Branch… finished his career with 9,340 yards and 127 touchdowns… named to the North squad in the GACA North-South All-Star Game… selected to the Gainesville Times 2007 all-county first team… ranked as the nation’s 10th-best dual-threat quarterback prospect nationally… among Rivals’ top 50 prospects in the state of Georgia… ranked as Georgia’s No. 58 prospect by Superprep… ranked the No. 56 prospect nationally at quarterback by Scout.com… led Flowery Branch to consecutive sub-region championships and state playoff appearances… played four years of football under coach Lee Shaw… served two years as team captain… also played basketball for three years, ran track two years and played one year of tennis… chose Georgia Tech over Vanderbilt, Wake Forest and others… Shaw said: “I like Coach Johnson because he’s a straight shooter and he’s been successful everywhere he’s been. He’s a winner.”.. born October 27, 1989 in Gainesville, Ga… given name is Jaybo Lee Shaw… has two younger siblings - Connor and Anna Kate… father, Lee, played fooball at Western Carolina… mother, Dawn, played basketball at North Georgia.
Quentin Sims WR/6-3/190 Colerain HS Cincinnati, Ohio
Has good size and athletic ability… played for one of Ohio’s top prep programs… Colerain went 12-1 in 2007 and finished No. 14 in USA Today’s National Super 25… had 24 receptions for 313 yards and two touchdowns in 2007… also rushed 75 times for 764 yards and seven touchdowns… moved to quarterback during the state playoffs in place of an injured starting QB… led Colerain to conference championships in 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007… won district championships in 2004 and 2006… was part of the 2004 state championship team… earned nine varsity letters at Colerain High School - three in football, four in track and two in basketball… was a sprinter and high-jumper for the track team… a second team all-conference selection in 2007 as a running back… also named all-city honorable mention… had a memorable season opener as a senior in 2007… playing quarterback, he rushed for 228 yards on 12 carries, was 3-for-3 passing with two touchdowns, with one of the TDs going to his younger brother, Damon… was a two-time all-conference selection in track… was part of the school record-breaking 4x400 relay team in ‘07… member of the high school student senate… chose Georgia Tech over Buffalo, Virginia and others… selected Georgia Tech because of the Management program, the football team and coaching staff, and the city of Atlanta… earned a national championship in karate in 2000… father, Fred Sims, was a running back at Oklahoma in 1981 and 1982… born July 11, 1990 in Tucson, Ariz.
Phil Smith OT/6-6/290 Jesuit HS Tampa, Fla.
Possesses good speed for a player his size… earned all-county honors in 2007 as an offensive lineman… selected All-Hillsborough County second team… earned all-state honors by the FSWA as an offensive tackle… rated as the No. 56 prospect nationally at offensive tackle by Scout.com… recorded six sacks on the defensive line as a junior… earned three varsity letters in football at defensive end, offensive tackle and tight end… also earned three letters in basketball as an imposing center… served one year as captain of the basketball team… recorded a triple-double as a sophomore with 18 points, 13 rebounds and 11 blocked shots against Berkeley Prep… selected for the student council as a senior… attended same high school as current Yellow Jackets Andrew Smith, A.J. Smith and Michael Peterson… former Tech quarterback George Godsey also attended Jesuit HS… Smith said “It’s a family atmosphere” at Georgia Tech… chose Georgia Tech over Penn State and several other schools… born July 24, 1990 in Tampa… given name is Philip Wallace Smith… father, Mark, played football for four years at Nicholls State… has a younger brother, Brad.
Steven Sylvester LB/6-2/225 Union Grove HS McDonough, Ga.
Has natural tools of a linebacker but also the skills to play running back… has good size… a strong tackler who consistently knocks ball carriers backwards… ranked by Superprep as Georgia’s No. 21 prospect… ranked No. 26 in the same category by Rivals… Rivals ranks him the 26th-best prospect nationally at inside linebacker… Scout.com ranks him 23rd nationally as a weakside linebacker prospect… named first team all-region as a senior and second team as a sophomore and junior… selected to play in the Georgia North-South All-Star Game… scored four touchdowns in his final high school game… earned four varsity letters in football under coaches Bill Hobbs and Mike McDonald… also earned three letters in basketball as a power forward… former teammate of Georgia Tech redshirt freshman linebacker Kyle Jackson… was vice-president of the student body… homecoming king as a senior… received the Coca-Cola Award for outstanding athletic and academic achievement… chose Georgia Tech over Georgia and Alabama, among others… Sylvester said: “I like Coach Johnson. He’s a no-nonsense type guy and knows what he wants. He was really successful at Navy and I’m happy to be able to play for him.”… born October 18, 1989 in Enterprise, Ala… once lived in Seattle… given name is Steven Joseph Sylvester.
Cooper Taylor S/6-4/195 Marist School Atlanta, Ga.
A good-sized safety with ability to play linebacker… a solid pass defender… ranked by Superprep as Georgia’s No. 61 prospect… ranked by Scout.com as the No. 78 prospect nationally at safety… a two-time all-state and all-county selection… a good student… earned three varsity letters in football… played a variety of positions on the prep level including wide receiver, free safety, running back and quarterback… led team to the state championship game and a regional championship in 2006… broke the school single-season interception record in ‘06… chose Georgia Tech over Mississippi State, Virginia, Duke and others… Taylor said: “I really like Coach Johnson and he told me what plans he had for Georgia Tech.”… born April 14, 1990 in Atlanta… given name is Cooper Austin Taylor… the son of former Georgia Tech quarterback Jim Bob Taylor, who went on to play for the Baltimore Colts in 1983.
Omoregie Uzzi OG/6-3/291 Chamblee HS Chamblee, Ga.
A highly-touted recruit who excelled on both the offensive and defensive lines in high school… has good size… moves well laterally and plays with great effort… the ninth-rated offensive guard prospect nationally according to Scout.com… a first team all-state selection in 2007… also named to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s All-Citywide Team… a 2007 U.S. Army All-American… chosen to play in the first Dekalb County Senior All-Star Game… named most outstanding lineman at Chamblee High School… helped lead Chamblee to a 12-2 record in 2007 - the most wins in school history… Chamblee advanced to the state semifinals and earned a final state ranking of No. 3… was instrumental in Chamblee rushing for 4,267 yards (7.5 yards per carry) and 60 touchdowns in 2007… as a junior in 2006, Uzzi recorded 70 tackles and two sacks… selected Georgia Tech over Alabama, Virginia, Georgia and others.
Tevin Washington QB/6-1/205 Wetumpka HS Wetumpka, Ala.
Named first team class 6A all-state… also a two-time member of the Montgomery Advertiser all-metro team… earned all-county honors three times… ranked as the No. 60 prospect nationally at quarterback by Scout.com… posted career numbers of 5,042 yards passing, 2,097 yards rushing, 42 passing touchdowns and 25 rushing TDs… rushed for 1,088 yards and 14 TDs as a senior… led Wetumpka to a 10-2 record in 2007… passed for more than 200 yards five times in 07, including a season-high 254 yards in the second round of the state playoffs... rushed for more than 100 yards in five games, including a season-high 214 yards vs. Fairhope HS... a three-year starter for the Indians... played four years of football, including two as team captain, under coach Chad Anderson... also played basketball and baseball in high school... Coach Anderson on Washington: "He doesn't try to force things, but he can get you out of a bad situation with his ability. He routinely made plays that made you just sayWow!’”… chose Georgia Tech over Louisville, Troy and Memphis… selected Georgia Tech because of its academic tradition, the opportunity to play college football at the highest level and to play for Coach Paul Johnson… born May 19, 1990 in Montgomery, Ala… given name is Tevin Cory-Hunter Washington… has three siblings - Trey, Adrienne and Audrie… father, Lewis, played basketball at Faulkner University.
Richard Watson B-Back/6-1/225 FAMU HS Tallahassee, Fla.
A big, bruising back who runs with power… a north-south runner who is very tough between the tackles… has good balance and quick feet for a big back…. prefers to run through defenders as opposed to around them… was a star on offense on the high school level but has the skills to play linebacker on defense… selected to the FSWA Class 1B All-State Team… member of the Florida Times Union’s Super 75… named to Superprep’s All-Florida team… rated as the nation’s third-best fullback recruit by Rivals and the fourth-best fullback by Scout.com… also among Florida’s top 75 prospects by Rivals… led FAMU High School to the Class 1B state championship game in back-to-back years including a state title as a junior… led team to three consecutive district titles and two straight regional crowns… rushed for more than 1,500 yards as a senior… as a junior, ran for 2,140 yards and 34 touchdowns, ending the season with a 123-yard effort in the state championship game… served two years as a team captain… earned the Tallahassee Quarterback Club’s Offensive Player of the Year… made 75 tackles, 12 tackles-for-loss and five sacks as a sophomore… chose Georgia Tech over Ohio State, Boston College, Arkansas and others… selected Georgia Tech because of the academics, the coaches and the family atmosphere… born June 18, 1990 in Irvine, Calif… given name is Richard C. Watson… has two brothers - Brandon and Alexander.
Antonio Wilson DE/6-6/220 Columbia HS Decatur, Ga.
An intriguing prospect who starred in basketball but played high school football for the first time as a senior in 2007… listed as a defensive end but is athletic enough to play receiver… played in just four games in 2007 after suffering an injury in an automobile accident… had 25 tackles and 11 sacks in those four games… has fully recovered from the injury… played three seasons of basketball at Columbia… helped Columbia to the 2006 state championship in basketball… an outstanding student with a GPA approaching 4.0… consistently on the honor roll… member of the National Honor Society… chose Georgia Tech over Vanderbilt and others… selected Tech because of the football, the engineering major and because it’s close to home… considering a major in chemical engineering… born October 9, 1989 in Decatur, Ga… given name is Antonio DeMario Wilson… has one sister, Kristie.
Marcus Wright
A-Back/5-8/175
Reagan HS
San Antonio, Texas
A small but extremely quick back… has an exceptional initial burst… has a second gear in the open field… compared by some to Garett Wolfe… rushed for a San Antonio city record of 3,374 yards on 359 carries and scored 45 touchdowns last season as a senior… had at least one carry of 70-plus yards in eight consecutive games… a Parade All-American… an Army All-America selection… played in the Army All-America Bowl… a first team all-state selection… played in eight career playoff games, producing 2,201 yards and 31 touchdowns… named the Texas Class 5A offensive player of the year… selected to the U.S. Army All-American Bowl… finished high school career by rushing for 100 or more yards in 25 consecutive games… had a career total of 7,036 career yards and 85 touchdowns… earned three varsity letters in football and three in track and field as a sprinter… wore No. 21 in high school - the same number worn by his brother… has four siblings… chose Georgia Tech over Tulsa, among others… chose Georgia Tech because of the football program, academics and the location… given name is Marcus Lamar Wright… born Nov. 28, 1989 in Atlanta… father, Michael, played football at Alabama State.
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Tennessee gets Williams, Raines
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Sometimes it takes patience to put together a good recruiting class. On Wednesday Tennessee signed a couple of players who took a winding road to Knoxville.
Stephan Raines from Dalton originally signed with Tennessee in 2006 but had to attend Coffeyville (Kansas) Community College in order to become eligible. Raines (6-0, 175) is considered an athlete who could play receiver or defensive back.
According to the Knoxville News-Sentinenl, Gerald Williams (6-4, 225) first signed with Tennessee in 2005 when he played at Boyd Anderson High School in Lauderdale Lakes, Fla. He attened a prep school and then went to city College of San Francisco. He could play linebacker or defensive end in college. He was a member of the AJC’s Super Southern 100 in 2005.
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LSU, Florida lose recruit to Miami
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Brandon Harris continued a day-long trend of local players staying home to play for the University of Miami. The cornerback, rated one of the country top 75 players by Scout.com, made the announcement at his high school.
Harris, the No. 2 overall prospect in Miami-Dade County, was named the Gatorade Florida Player of the Year and The Miami Herald’s Class 6A Male Athlete of the Year last season. He led Booker T. to its first state championship since the school reopened and to an undefeated season. Harris also led the Tornadoes to a track-and-field team championship last May.
Harris chose the Hurricanes over LSU, Florida, Ohio State and Central Florida.
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Like father, like son: Hall to Army
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Mt. Pisgah quarterback Taylor Hall became the school’s first major-college football recruit by following in family tradition.
Hall signed with Army on Wednesday. His father, Leamon Hall, was a Heisman Trophy candidate as Army’s quarterback from 1974-77. Hall’s grandfather is Homer Smith, the former Army coach.
“Taylor told me when I arrived last spring that his goal was to play at West Point,” Mt. Pisgah first-year coach Doug Dixon said. “He has a goal to one day fly jets.”
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Clemson gets another star recruit
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Clemson keeps on scoring big, this time landing five-star running back Jamie Harper. The confident one said he only plans to be at Clemson for three years because he will be ready for the NFL by then.
Harper told Superprep.com: “The spiritual aspect was one thing that stood out to me and I liked the way they carried themselves on all of my visits,” said Harper, who was joined during the ESPNU interview by his father and best friend Daniel Andrews.
After announcing his commitment, Harper turned to Andrews, who signed with Clemson this morning as well, and included him in the decision.
Harper also had considered Florida and Miami.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Categories: Clemson, Florida
Gators get Lawrence
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Florida lost out on the race to get the nation’s top receiver in Julio Jones of Foley, Ala. But later in the day the Gators got some good news by signing wide receiver T.J. Lawrence out of Lakeland.
Lawrence, who was also considering South Carolina, was one of the best wide receiver prospects in the state. He had a huge junior season at Kathleen High School when he caught 52 passes for 1,245 yards, and 15 touchdowns.
Florida needed something good to happen as two other verbal commitments changed their minds and did not sign with the Gators on Wednesday. Lakeland offensive lineman Ricky Barnum signed with Michigan while linebacker Ramon Buchanan said no to the Gators and signed with Miami.
Permalink | | Categories: Florida, South Carolina
Bios on every UGA signee
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Bios on Georgia’s class of 2008, as compiled by the Bulldogs’ sports communications office:
XAVIER AVERY, ATH, 6-0, 185
Ellenwood, Ga., Cedar Grove HS
Born: January 1, 1989 … High School: Cedar Grove. .. 2008 SuperPrep All-Dixie team… PrepStar All-Southeast Region…Scout.com three-star prospect, #40 prospect in Georgia…. 2008 Rivals.com Athletes (25), Georgia Top 50 (21)… UGASports Georgia Top 50 (19)…as a senior in 2007, caught 20 passes for 256 yards and one TD and recorded 38 tackles and seven tackles-for-loss…also rushed 18 times for 107 yards in one game vs. Mays…named All-County as a junior in 2006 when he tallied 1,115 rushing yards, eight rushing TDs, 18 receptions for 193 yards, 49 tackles and one interception…as a soph in 2005, had 52 carries for 367 yards and two TD’s and recorded 41 tackles, three tackles-for-loss, and one interception … played baseball and ran track…participant at the 2007 Aflac All-American Baseball Classic where he scored the winning run for the East squad…named “Top Running Prospect” by Perfect Game USA, the world’s largest scouting report service for baseball, after clocking a 6.17 60-yard dash time, the fastest time ever recorded by Perfect Game USA… ranked #25 among Baseball America’s Top 100 High School Prospects for 2008…as a junior, batted .668 and was 47-for-47 on stolen bases…set personal-best track times of 10.67 in 100m dash and 21.82 in 200m dash…High School Coach: Ray Bonner.
BRANDON BOYKIN
CB, 5-10, 171 Fayetteville, Ga., Fayette County HS
Born: July 13, 1990… High School: Fayette County… SuperPrep All-America and All-Dixie Teams…PrepStar All-Southeast Region…2007 Atlanta Journal-Constitution Super Southern 100 and Class AAAA All-State …Georgia Sports Writers Association Class AAAA All-State….2007 Georgia Football Magazine All-State second team … 2008 Rivals.com Rivals 250, cornerbacks (15), Georgia Top 50 (18)…. UGASports Georgia Top 50 (8)… Scout.com four-star prospect, Top 150, #161 player in America, #14 CB in America, #91 player in the South, #14 player in Georgia… as a senior in 2007, recorded 23 tackles, recorded five interceptions and nine pass breakups … he also appeared on offense at quarterback, completing 33 of 43 passes for 416 yards and three touchdowns, rushed 94 times for 600 yards and six touchdowns…High School Coach: Tommy Webb.
SANDERS COMMINGS DB, 6-2, 195 Augusta, Ga., Westside HS
Born: March 8, 1990…High School: Westside… 2008 SuperPrep All-Dixie team… PrepStar All-Southeast Region….Scout.com three-star prospect, #34 prospect in Georgia…. 2008 Rivals.com Athletes (72), Georgia Top 50 (47)…. UGASports Georgia Top 50 (23)…named All-Region Class AA first team defense… 2007 Augusta Chronicle Dream 16 selection…2006 Atlanta Journal-Constitution Class AA All-State first team defense… 2007 Georgia Athletic Coaches Association All-Star…as a senior in 2007, missed five games with a cracked fibula but still tallied three interceptions, 41 tackles, 109 rushing yards, 248 receiving yards and four receiving touchdowns…as a junior, recorded seven interceptions…also played baseball where as a junior he batted .406 with six home runs, 27 runs batted in and 18 stolen bases…High School Coach: Gerald Barnes.
MARCUS DOWTIN
LB, 6-2, 215 Fork Union, Va., Fork Union Military Academy
Born: Jan. 22, 1989…High School: Fork Union…..2008 SuperPrep All-Mid-Atlantic team…. PrepStar All-Atlantic Region…Scout.com four-star prospect, Top 150, #111 player in America, #7 WLB in nation…2008 Rivals.com Rivals250, outside linebackers (16), No. 10 on Virginia Top 30 list… Scout.com No. 7 weakside linebacker in the nation… Atlanta Journal-Constitution Super Southern 100…as a senior in 2007, registered 76 tackles, nine for loss, three fumble recoveries, two sacks and one interception to go along with 1,202 yards rushing and 15 touchdowns on 121 carries (9.9 yards per carry)…as a junior at Georgetown Prep, finished with 92 tackles and rushed for 1,132 yards and as a sophomore Bishop O’Connell, tallied 126 tackles and two interceptions…High School Coach: Micky Sullivan.
CORDY GLENN
OL, 6-5, 313 Riverdale, Ga., Riverdale HS
Born: Sept. 18, 1989…High School: Riverdale….2008 SuperPrep All-America and All-Dixie teams… PrepStar All-America Team….2007 Atlanta Journal-Constitution Super Southern 100…2007 Atlanta Journal-Constitution Class AAAA All-State Honorable Mention…2007 Georgia Sports Writers Association Class AAAA All-State Honorable Mention…2008 Rivals.com Rivals250, offensive tackles (16), Georgia Top 50 (13) … UGASports Georgia Top 50 (9)…Scout.com four-star prospect, Top 150, #158 player in America, #15 OT in the nation, #106 prospect in the South, #10 prospect in Georgia…Honorable Mention Strongest Player at the 2008 Offense-Defense All-Star game in Ft. Lauderdale…got reps at defensive end and defensive tackle as a junior…bench Max of 375 pounds and squat max of 465 pounds…High School Coach: Kevin Jones
A.J. GREEN
WR, 6-4, 190 Summerville, S.C., Summerville HS
Born: July 31, 1988…High School: Summerville…2007 Parade All-American… 2008 SuperPrep Elite 50, All-America, and All-Dixie teams… PrepStar Top 135Dream Team…four-time consensus Associated Press Division-I AAAA All-State first team selection…four year All-Region selection…2007 Atlanta Journal-Constitution Super Southern 100… Scout.com five-star prospect, Top 100, #10 player in America, #2 WR in nation, #4 player in the South, #2 player in South Carolina… 2008 Rivals.com Rivals100 (9), WR Rankings: Deep threat (2), Best after the catch (2), Best hands (2), wide receivers (2), South Carolina Top 20 (2)…ranked #5 in The ESPN 150…only junior named to USA Today 2006 All-USA team…named RISE Magazine’s #1 prospect for the class of 2008 following junior season…named to Rivals.com Junior All-America first team…named SI.com’s #1 prospect for 2008 following sophomore season…2008 Under Armour All-America High School Football Game participant…as a senior, caught 72 passes for 1,437 yards (20.0 avg.) and 15 touchdowns…as a junior, made 65 catches for 1,203 yards (18.5 avg.) and 14 touchdowns…as a sophomore, caught 75 passes for 1,422 yards (19.0 avg.) and 16 touchdowns… as a freshman, recorded 57 receptions for 1,217 yards (21.3 avg.) and eight touchdowns…also played baseball and ran track…High School Coach: John McKissick.
A.J. HARMON
DL, 6-5, 328 Louisville, Ga., Jefferson County HS
Born: January 5, 1989…High School: Jefferson County…2007 USA Today All-USA Second Team Offense…2007 Parade All-American.. 2008 SuperPrep All-America and All-Dixie teams…PrepStar All-America Team.2007 Atlanta Journal-Constitution Georgia’s Super 11, Super Southern 100 and Class AA All-State…..All-State first team by Georgia Sports Writers Association….2007 Georgia Athletic Coaches Association All-Star… Scout.com four-star prospect, Top 150, #112 player in America, #34 prospect in the South, #6 prospect in Georgia…2008 Rivals.com Rivals100 (54), OL Rankings: best run blocker (4), offensive guards (2), Georgia Top 50 (4)…UGASports Georgia Top 50 (5)…The ESPN 150…participant in 2008 Army All-American Bowl…2006 and 2007 Augusta Chronicle Dream 16 selection…2007 All-Region and All-Area first team…2007 North-South All-Star game…in his career recorded 200 tackles (161 solo, 39 assist), 39 tackles-for-loss, 24 sacks 32 QB Hurries and on offense over 100 pancake blocks…also forced 21 fumbles and recovered five…As a senior in 2007 recorded 32 tackles, four sacks, four tackles-for-loss, 50 pancake blocks, and forced three fumbles…2006 Atlanta Journal-Constitution Class AA All-State first team defense…as a junior in ‘06, recorded 70 tackles including 12 tackles-for-loss and nine sacks…High School Coach: J.B. Arnold.
DONTAVIUS JACKSON
RB, 5-10, 190 Franklin, Ga., Heard County HS
Born: Nov. 11, 1989….2008 SuperPrep All-America and All-Dixie teams….PrepStar Top 135 Dream Team…Scout.com four-star prospect, Top 150, #186 player in America, #23 RB in nation, #32 prospect in the South, #13 prospect in Georgia…Atlanta Journal-Constitution Georgia’s Super 11 and Super Southern 100…2008 Rivals.com Rivals250, RB Rankings: Best in space (3), running backs (8), Georgia Top 50 (11)…UGASports Georgia Top 50 (11)…2007 Parade All-America “Ones To Watch” list…suffered a broken left wrist in the first game of his senior year (2007)…as a junior in 2006 tallied 2,462 yards rushing and 29 touchdowns on 247 carries (10.0 yards per carry) to go along with 73 tackles and three interceptions…led Heard County to an undefeated regular season in 2006…racked up 405 yards on 42 carries against Lamar County as a junior in 2006… as a sophomore, rushed for 1,374 yards and 16 touchdowns… finished with 56 touchdowns, 4,742 yards and 10 yards per carry on offense and 242 tackles for his career…graduated high school in December and enrolled at Georgia in January, 2008…High School Coach: Tim Barron.
TOBY JACKSON
DE, 6-5, 260 Griffin, Ga., Griffin HS
Born: Oct. 18, 1989…High School: Griffin…..2008 SuperPrep All-America and All-Dixie teams… PrepStar Top 135 Dream Team….Atlanta Journal-Constitution Georgia’s Super 11, Super Southern 100, Class AAAA Defensive Player of the Year and All-State first team…Georgia Sports Writers Association Class AAAA Defensive Player of the Year and All-State selection… 2008 Rivals.com Rivals100 (85), DE Rankings: Quickest first step (3), strongside defensive ends (5, ), Georgia Top 50 (8) .UGASports Georgia Top 50 (4)….Scout.com four-star prospect, Top 100, #91 player in America, #9 DE in nation, #43 prospect in the South, #7 prospect in Georgia…No. 129 on ESPN.com 150 list… Griffin Dailey News Player of the Year…as a senior in 2007, tallied 63 tackles, 10 for loss, and 15…as a junior, finished with 73 tackles, 12 for loss, and six sacks…High School Coach: Steve Devoursney.
BEN JONES
OL, 6-2, 306 Centreville, Ala., Bibb County HS
Born: July 2, 1989…High School: Bibb County…SuperPrep All-Dixie Team….PrepStar All-Southeast Region…2007 Alabama Sports Writers Association Class 5A First Team All-State…ESPN Top 150 (139)… 2008 Rivals.com offensive centers (7), Alabama Top 35 (23)…… Scout.com threestar prospect, #5 center in the nation, #115 player in the South, #16 player in Alabama… invited to play in the 2007 Under Armour All-Star Bowl in Orlando where he was elected captain of the Red team…2007 Mobile Press Register Elite 18…2007 Bibb County team captain…also played defensive tackle, registering 55 tackles, three sacks, six tackles for loss and a fumble recovery… first baseman and pitcher on Bibb County’s baseball team…2007 Tuscaloosa News West Alabama Baseball All-Star…2007 Mobile Press Register Baseball Elite 18…..345 career batting average… school record 48 RBI in 2007…bench max 370 pounds…squat max 500 pounds…High School Coach: Darryl Burns.
TAVARRES KING
WR, 6-1, 160 Mount Airy, Ga., Habersham Central HS
Born: July 14, 1990…High School: Habersham Central…SuperPrep All-America and All-Dixie Teams ….PrepStar Top 135 Dream Team…2008 Rivals.com Rivals100, (88), wide receivers (15) Georgia Top 50 (9)….UGASports Georgia Top 50 (3)…Scout.com four-star prospect, Top 150, #134 player in America, #22 WR in America, #133 player in the South, #8 player in Georgia…2007 Atlanta Journal-Constitution Super 11and Super Southern 100…2007 Atlanta Journal-Constitution Class AAAA Offensive Player of the Year…2007 Georgia Sports Writers Association Class AAAA Offensive Player of the Year… Macon Telegraph Top 50…RISE Gatorade Georgia Football Player of the Year…finished senior season in 2007 with a state record 1,632 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns on 99 receptions (16.5 average)…set a then-school record with 42 catches for 700 yards and 10 TDs, and returned a kickoff and a punt for a score as a junior…finished career with 207 catches for 3,726 yards and 37 TDs…High School Coach: Gene Cathcart.
JEREMY LONGO
DE, 6-3, 255 Ft. Lauderdale, Fl., Cardinal Gibbons HS
Born: October 19, 1989… High School: Cardinal Gibbons…SuperPrep Florida Top 111…PrepStar All-Southeast Region…Scout.com three-star prospect, #30 DE in nation…2008 Rivals.com Florida Top 100 (35), weakside defensive ends (24)….Florida Class AAA Second Team All-State…ESPN.com’s #84 Defensive End in U.S. … Scout.com #3 Weakside Defensive End in Florida and # 30 Overall. … Rivals.com #4 Weakside Defensive End in Florida and #24 Overall… FloridaFB.com Pre-Spring Rating #49… recorded 23 tackles vs. Naples setting a school single game record…in 2006 recorded 135 tackles and 8 sacks…led team to the playoffs his senior year …High School Coach: Mike Morrill.
JONATHAN OWENS
OL, 6-4, 294 Blountsville, Ala., Susan Moore HS
Born: Nov. 16, 1989…High School: Susan Moore…PrepStar All-Southeast Region…SuperPrep All-Dixie Team…2008 Rivals.com offensive guards (49), Alabama Top 35 (32)…. Scout.com three-star prospect…2007 Alabama Sports Writers Association Class AAA First Team All-State…2007 Alabama Sports Writers Association Class AAA Lineman of the Year Finalist…2007 Birmingham News All-Metro…2007 Susan Moore High School Lineman of the Year…graded out at or above 90 percent in all 14 games in 2007…allowed no sacks as a senior…2006 Alabama Sports Writers Association First Team All-State…2006 Susan Moore High School Lineman of the Year… averaged 6.4 pancakes per game and graded out at or above 85 percent in all 14 games in 2006…bench max 345 pounds…squat max 420 pounds…High School Coach: Bryan Jennings.
MAKIRI PUGH
DB, 6-0, 188 Charlotte, N.C., Independence HS
Born: May 14, 1990…High School: Independence…SuperPrep All-Mid-Atlantic…Scout.com three-star prospect, #66 safety in America, #22 prospect in North Carolina…Charlotte Observer Top 25 in North Carolina… 2008 Rivals.com CB Rankings: Most physical (5), safeties (31), North Carolina Top 30 (13)…ESPN.com No. 22 CB in the nation… totaled 36 tackles in six games as a senior…recorded four total tackles and an interception in the Offense-Defense All-American game at Miami’s Orange Bowl…High School Coach: Tom Knotts.
BACCARI RAMBO
DB, 6-0, 195 Donalsonville, Ga., Seminole County HS
Born: June 27, 1990…High School: Seminole County….Prep-Star All-Southeast Region…SuperPrep All-Dixie Team…2008 Rivals.com athletes (40), Georgia Top 50 (29)….UGASports Georgia Top 50 (21)… Scout.com three-star prospect, #128 prospect in the South, #23 prospect in Georgia, #29 safety in America … Atlanta Journal-Constitution Class A All-State Honorable Mention…2007 Georgia Sports Writers Association Class A All-State Honorable Mention…as a senior in 2007 rushed for 692 yards on 110 attempts and 17 TDs and completed 34 of 75 passes for 615 yards and four TD’s…also recorded 65 tackles and two interceptions, one of which was returned for a TD…returned a punt and a kickoff for a TD…as a junior in 2006, rushed for 1,186 yards (9.7 per carry) and 21 touchdowns and added 488 more yards passing including seven touchdowns…also recorded 58 tackles, four interceptions and recovered five fumbles on defense…Class A All-State Honorable Mention as a junior…High School Coach: Alan Ingram.
CHRISTIAN ROBINSON
LB, 6-2, 205 Norcross, Ga., Greater Atlanta Christian HS
Born: May 17, 1990… High School: Greater Atlanta Christian…PrepStar All-Southeast Region… named to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution Class AA First Team Offense… First-Team Class AA Georgia Sports Writers Association All-State Team…2007 Georgia Athletic Coaches Association All-Star Team… 2008 Rivals.com Rivals250, outside linebackers (19) Georgia Top 50 (16)….UGASports Georgia Top 50 (12)… Scout. com three-star prospect. #59 prospect in Georgia… in 13 games as a senior in 2007 recorded 64 tackles, caught 48 passes for 876 yards and 13 touchdowns, completed one pass for 30 yards, and rushed for 83 yards…High School Coach: Jimmy Chupp.
BRYCE ROS
TE, 6-4, 242 Kennesaw, Ga., Kennesaw Mountain HS
Born: September 28, 1989… High School: Kennesaw Mountain…SuperPrep All-Dixie Team…PrepStar All-Southeast Region…ESPN.com’s #28 tight end nationally… Scout.com three-star prospect, #42 prospect in Georgia… 2008 UGASports Georgia Top 50 (32)…2006 and ’07 Cobb County Dynamite Dozen…2006 and ’07 All-Region…selected to GHSA State All-Star game and Cobb All-Stars Senior Bowl…named team captain for 2007…Atlanta Touchdown Club Lineman of the Week in ’07…as a junior invited to the Army All-America combine and named Special Teams MVP…runnerup at State Powerlifting Championship in 2006 (226 lb. division)…voted “Newcomer of the Year” as a freshman on the Varsity team when he led his team in touchdowns, receptions, yards and sacks… his father, linebacker Frank Ros, captained Georgia’s 1980 national championship team…High School Coach: Scott Jones.
RICHARD SAMUEL
RB, 6-2, 215 Cartersville, Ga., Cass HS
Born: Feb. 3, 1991… High School: Cass… 2008 SuperPrep Elite 50, All-America, and All-Dixie teams… PrepStar Top 135 Dream Team….2007 Atlanta Journal-Constitution Super 11 and Super Southern 100 … Class AAA 2007 Georgia Sports Writers Association and Atlanta Journal-Constitution Class AAA All-State team as a linebacker… 2008 Rivals.com Rivals100 (24), RB Rankings: Best inside runner (5), Athletes (2), Georgia Top 50 (2)…UGASports Georgia Top 50 (1)…Scout.com five-star prospect, Top 100, #24 player in America, #4 RB in nation, #12 player in the South, #1 player in Georgia… ESPN.com No. 35 overall, No. 5 running back in the nation… Parade All-American “One’s To Watch” list… SI.com No. 56 overall… as a senior in 2007, rushed for 1,429 yards and 24 touchdowns with 114 yards receiving and recorded 82 tackles including nine for loss with two sacks and three fumble recoveries…as a junior, rushed for 1,342 yards and 19 touchdowns with 251 yards receiving and recorded 76 tackles including 12 for loss and three sacks…also played soccer, basketball and ran track his sophomore and junior years…graduated early and enrolled at UGA in January, 2008… High School Coach: Rick Casko.
CARLTON THOMAS
RB, 5-7, 165 Frostproof, Fla., Frostproof HS
Born: April 27, 1989… High School: Frostproof … SuperPrep All-Dixie Team….PrepStar All-Southeast Region…2007 Atlanta Journal-Constitution Super Southern 100 … Scout.com four-star prospect, Top 150, #148 player in America, #15 running back in America, #39 prospect in the South, #15 prospect in Florida … 2008 Rivals.com Florida Top 100 (53), all-purpose backs nationally (18)…ESPN.com Top 150, No. 8 running back in the nation … 2008 Under Armour High School All-American … named First-Team All-District, All-County and All-State two straight years …as a senior, rushed for 2,386 yards and 25 TDs … rushed for 6,683 career yards … four-year letterwinner in football and track, three-year letterwinner in basketball … state qualifier in track… High School Coach: Brad Methany.
DEANGELO TYSON
DL, 6-2, 300 Statesboro, Ga., Statesboro HS
Born: April 12, 1989…USA Today All-USA First Team Defense…2007 Parade All-American…2008 SuperPrep Elite 50, All-America, and All-Dixie teams….2008 Rivals.com Rivals100 (45), DT Rankings: Quickest (1), Best athlete (1), Best pass rusher (3), defensive tackles (4), Georgia Top 50 (3)…UGASports Georgia Top 50 (2)… Scout.com five-star prospect, Top 100, #44 player in America, #3 DT in nation, #14 player in the South, #2 player in Georgia. … U.S. Army All-America…Atlanta Journal-Constitution 2007 Class AAAA All-State first team… Georgia Sports Writers Association Class AAAA All-State selection…Atlanta Journal-Constitution Georgia’s Super 11 and Super Southern 100… Statesboro Herald Defensive Player of the Year…No. 45 on ESPN.com 150 list…registered 54 tackles, 14 for loss, and nine sacks in 2007…member of 2005 AAAA state champion team…High School Coach: Steve Pennington.
BLAIR WALSH
PK, 5-10, 175 Fort Lauderdale, Fl., Cardinal Gibbons HS
Born: Jan. 8, 1990… High School: Cardinal Gibbons… USA Today All-USA First Team Offense… Scout.com four-star prospect, #1 PK in the nation…..2008 Rivals.com Kicker Rankings: strongest leg (4), most accurate (5), kickers (7)…… ESPN.com No. 5 kicker in the nation…Class AAA 2007 Florida Sports Writers Association All-State second-team offense… South Florida Sun-Sentinel All-County first-team offense… 2008 U.S. Army All-American Bowl… Parade All-American “One’s To Watch” list… Chris Sailer Kicking two-time Top 12 and Florida Top Recruit… as a senior, made 14 out of 20 field goals including two from 59 yards and 30 out of 31 extra points… averaged 41 yards per punt and 69 yards per kick-off… High School Coach: Michael Morrill.
CORNELIUS WASHINGTON
DE, 6-4, 217 Hephzibah, Ga., Burke County HS
Born: Sept. 10, 1989… High School: Burke County …SuperPrep All-America, All-Dixie Teams…PrepStar Top 135 Dream Team… 2007 Atlanta Journal-Constitution Super Southern 100 … 2007 Georgia Football Magazine First-Team All-State … 2008 Rivals.com Rivals250, weakside defensive ends (3), Georgia Top 50 (10)…UGASports Georgia Top 50 (7)… Scout.com four-star prospect, Top 150, #136 player in America, #13 DE in the nation, #42 prospect in the South, #9 prospect in Georgia… 2008 Parade All-American #8220;One’s To Watch” list …Georgia Sports Writers Association Class AAA All-State Honorable Mention… as a senior in 2007, recorded 55 tackles including 44 solo, six sacks, 18 tackles for a loss, forced three fumbles and registered seven QB pressures … also appeared as an offensive threat, catching four passes for 17 yards and two touchdowns … High School Coach: Eric Parker.
NICK WILLIAMS
DB, 6-2, 205 Bainbridge, Ga., Bainbridge HS
Born: April 20, 1989…High School: Bainbridge…2007 Atlanta Journal-Constitution Class AAAA All- State Honorable Mention…Georgia Sports Writers Association Class AAAA All-State Honorable Mention…Rivals.com No. 25 outside linebacker in the nation…Scout.com No. 42 safety in the nation…played linebacker and quarterback and also handled punting and holding duties for Bainbridge High School…helped guide the Bearcats to the 2007 Georgia Class AAAA state quarterfinals…threw for 2,428 yards with 23 TDs in four seasons… completed 82-of-174 passes for 1,105 yards and 12 TDs in 2007… recorded 41 tackles and three INTs in 2007…threw for 1,298 yards in 2006…passed for a school record 348 yards vs. Forest Park in 2006…became the second BHS player to throw for 1,000 yards in two straight seasons…High School Coach: Ricky Woods.
AKEEM HEBRON
LB, RSo., 6-1, 225 Gaithersburg, Md.,Good Counsel HS, GMC
Born: June 29, 1988. 2007: Junior College - Georgia Military College…registered 25.5 tackles, three tackles for loss, two sacks and one forced fumble…part of GMC defense which was the NJCAA’s fourth-ranked defense. 2006: Redshirted as freshman at UGA. High School: Good Counsel… USA Today All-USA first team and Parade Magazine first-team All-American…played in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio… PrepStar Magazine No. 8-ranked linebacker in the nation…Rivals.com National Top 100… two-time All-State first team, All-Washington D.C. Metro and All-County (Montgomery) linebacker… Washington Post All-Metro team…2005 All-D.C. Metro Defensive Player of the Year… as a senior he led the Falcons with 131 tackles, 14 tackles for a loss, recorded nine sacks, made one interception for a touchdown, recovered three fumbles, blocked a punt and a field goal and forced three fumbles…also caught five passes for 168 yards and two touchdowns as a receiver… High School Coach: Bob Milloy.
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Clemson recruiting class impressing experts
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Clemson, buoyed by the late addition of TE Dwayne Allen (the guy pegged to go to Georgia), is getting national attention. This just in from Scout.com analyst Scott Kennedy:
“When running down the list of winners/losers on the day, Clemson HAS to be the first team mentioned. Clemson has cleaned up today with commitments from TE Dwayne Allen, OT Antoine McClain, and the south’s top running back Jamie Harper. Getting the top running back in the south is becoming old hat for the Tigers as Clemson did the feat just two years ago with C.J. Spiller.”
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T.J. Bryant picks Southern Cal
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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T.J. Bryant, a cornerback from Tallahassee’s Lincoln High School, has decided to go West and sign with Southern Cal, according to a report on Rivals.com.
Bryant, who had Florida, Florida State, Miami, Alabama, and LSU on his list, made the announcement at his high school.
Bryant, 6-0, 185, had three interceptions as a junior and three more as a senior. He is one of a long line of top prospects to come out of Tallahassee Lincoln.
Bryant was considered one of the better lockdown corners in the South and could also be a return man in college.
Pryor’s final 4: Michigan, Ohio St., Oregon, Penn St.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Jeannette, Pa. — Terrelle Pryor is going to wait.
The top quarterback recruit in the country said today that he needs more time to choose a college. Pryor said at a news conference in the gym at Jeannette High School that his final four are Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State and Oregon.
“I really haven’t had the time to get involved in the recruiting process and check it out,* Pryor said. “I’d like to give everyone the same time.”
Today is the first day athletes can sign letters of intent. Pryor, who also is a standout basketball player, could wait until April 1 to make his decision.
Pryor said that Oregon is still under consideration after earlier reports indicated that he no longer was considering the Pac-10 school.
“They’re definitely in the picture. I’ll be taking a flight out there to check it out,” he said.
Many believed Pryor had narrowed his options to Ohio State and Michigan, but today’s announcement casts doubt on that theory.
Michigan became a possibility after head coach Rich Rodriguez was hired from West Virginia. When that happened, Pryor immediately dropped the Mountaineers from his list and added the Wolverines.
The Buckeyes have been involved with Pryor since last summer. Rodriguez and Ohio State coach Jim Tressel attended Pryor’s basketball game on Saturday and were photographed during a brief conversation.
Many anticipated that if Pryor, the USA Today national Offensive Player of the Year, chose Michigan he could start next season, while at Ohio State he might be used as Florida used quarterback Tim Tebow in 2006, providing a change of pace. Tebow backed up Chris Leak for one season before winning the Heisman Trophy this season as a sophomore.
One of Ohio State’s main attributes was its recent Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith, who directed a fast-paced, high-scoring OSU offense in 2006 while leading the Buckeyes to the national championship game.
Penn State became a late entry in Pryor’s recruitment as coach Joe Paterno made a rare in-person high school visit last week. LSU coach Les Miles, fresh from his national championship defeat of Ohio State, also visited Pryor in Jeannette, but the Tigers apparently fell from Pryor’s consideration shortly afterward.
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Army lands Brookwood trio
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Brookwood had seven scholarship signers, three of whom are headed for Army: twin brothers A.J. (a defensive tackle) and Jarrett (defensive end) Mackey and wide receiver Josh Jackson.
“That says a lot about them,” said coach Mark Crews on Wednesday during the Signing Day Spectacular at ESPN in Buckhead. “Obviously, that’s as good as it gets as far as education and opportunities after [graduation].”
Three others Broncos signed with major Southeastern programs — running back Kenny Miles (South Carolina), kicker/punter Dawson Zimmerman (Clemson) and quarterback Terence Davis (Wake Forest), who will play wide receiver in college.
Defensive tackle Hunter Sims signed with Charleston Southern.
“It’s a big day for us and a big day for them,” Crews said. “They all have worked hard to get bigger and stronger. People recognize that work ethic and it paid off for them.”
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‘All along, it was Auburn’ for Lipscomb
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Some might think that it was a missed opportunity that hooked Tucker High’s Neiko Lipscomb up with Auburn.
Lipscomb, a 6-foot-2, 175-pound cornerback, says it was meant to be.
He wanted to weigh all of his options, and that meant offers from Georgia and Alabama turned into “grayshirt” offers when those two schools filled their 2008 recruiting classes.
Instead of picking between the three programs, the decision became much easier, helped by his getting to know Auburn coaches and players.
“They make you feel like you belong,” Lipscomb said Wednesday at the Signing Day Spectacular at the ESPN Zone in Buckhead. “All along, it was Auburn for me. That’s where my gut was. My gut feeling told me ‘Auburn is for you.’ ”
Also helping was the chance to break into the Auburn secondary as a freshman.
“They only have like three cornerbacks coming back,” Lipscomb said. “I hope to compete [for a spot]. I love to compete. That’s how you find the best and see who’d really good.”
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Hatcher welcomes 21 to Statesboro
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Georgia Southern landed a solid group of running backs, but addressed needs on the offensive and defensive lines, too.
The Eagles signed four outstanding running backs. They include:
— Franklin Green: Rushed for a career 5,047 yards and 55 touchdowns, including 1,663 yards and 21 TDs as a senior. Considered a three-star athlete by recruiting services. Good size, but played in a weak league.
— Adam Urbano: Tough runner with surprising speed, he finished his career at Calhoun with 4,434 yards rushing and 70 touchdowns. Carried for 1,300 yards and 24 touchdowns as a senior.
— Darreion Robinson: Set a Clarke Central record with 4,045 career yards, along with 47 touchdowns. Rushed for 1,376 yards and 13 touchdowns as a senior. His brother, Dunta, is a defensive back for the Houston Texans.
— LaVelle Larry: A two-way performer will most likely end up as a defensive back.
The Eagles landed five defensive backs, four offensive linemen and four defensive linemen among the 21 freshmen who signed on Wednesday.
The secondary signees included Victor Daniels of Ware County, Oliver Davis of North Cobb, A.J. McCray of Camden County, K.R. Snipes of Opelika (Ala.), and Darryl Walker of Callaway.
The offensive linemen are Jerome Bibbins of Northside Warner Robins, David Noel of Monroe-Albany, Jamical Tatum of Troup and Gordon Warnell of Pinewood Christian. The 305-pound Bibbins was a two-time all-state selection.
The defensive lineman are Derek Heyden of Marist, Fred Moore of Coffee, Brent Russell of Madison County and Roderick Tinsley of Treutlen.
The Eagles also signed quarterback Leander Barnery of 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. Sounds like a Jayson Foster clone. They also landed stellar receiver Nick Bass of Northside, who caught 97 passes for 1,597 yards and 24 touchdowns as a senior. He set school records for career receptions, yardage and touchdowns.
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‘Bama score big, real big: WR Julio Jones
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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The Tide is rolling big time, landing the top-rated wide receiver inthe country, Julio Jones. Jones was rated as the top receiver by both Scout.com and Rivals.com.
He is one of the top in-state recruits in Alabama history and was ranked by Rivals.com as the fourth best player overall in the country. Jones’ signing likely will boost Alabama to the top spot as the nation’s best recruiting class this year.
At a press conference at his high school, Jones said he was going “where I was most comfortable.” He then picked up an Alabama hat and put it on as the place erupted into cheers.
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Tech-bound Texan plans to play ‘a lot’
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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San Antonio — In Marcus Wright, Georgia Tech today landed a player whose 3,374 rushing yards and 45 touchdowns last season at San Antonio Reagan helped him earn a share of the Associated Press Texas Class 5A offensive player of the year award.
The 3,374 yards — a San Antonio record — are part of the 7,036 yards he gained in his high school career, which puts him 18th all-time in the state.
Those are big numbers — even if Wright (5-7, 175 pounds) is not.
“Anybody who’s ever seen me play, my size is not a question,” Wright said, filling out the Georgia Tech T-shirt he was wearing at his signing.
Wright, who originally had committed to Tulsa, expects to play the A-back position in new coach Paul Johnson’s offense.
He was born in Atlanta. His mother is from Atlanta and his father is from Columbus. There are about 100 relatives remaining in Georgia.
But Wright and his father said they didn’t ask Georgia Tech to recruit him — either before Chan Gailey was fired or when Johnson was hired.
“I think a couple of days after the new coaches got there they contacted me,” Wright said. “So it wasn’t like I was on the bottom of anybody’s list.
“I had always dreamed to play for either Georgia Tech or Georgia. So when I got the call and it clicked that I could play there, it was big. With the offense they run, you have to have the A-back on the field all the time. So I’ll have an opportunity to play a lot.”
One of his teammates — offensive guard Jaime Villafuerte — expects to see Wright playing on television in the future.
“On our offensive line, we would just try to get our guys for three or four seconds, and whatever hole Marcus found he was gone,” Villafuerte said. “Any hole he sees, he could go. It was fun.”
Wright has been timed in the 40-yard dash at 4.3 seconds. His coach at Reagan thinks speed will be one of the ways he’ll overcome his size.
“When he played in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl [high school all-star game last month], you could see he was small,” coach David Wetzel said. “He’s got outstanding speed and quickness.
“But first and foremost he’ll succeed because of character. He’s got a great work ethic.”
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Coach ‘very disappointed’ in Allen’s decision
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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The signing day drama was supposed to be over weeks ago for Georgia.
Tight end Dwayne Allen made sure that was not the case. The tight end from Terry Sanford High in Fayetteville, N.C., changed his commitment twice in the last three days. The last of those was Wednesday morning.
“I didn’t know until 10 minutes to 10 this morning,” said Wayne Inman, Allen’s coach. “His problem was he liked everybody. He didn’t see a coach or a team that he didn’t like.”
That led to confusion.
Allen held news conference Monday and said he was going to Georgia. After that news conference, Allen said he did not decide he was going to Georgia until the very last minute.
But he still was thinking about Clemson. “There were a lot of wonderful people at Clemson,” he said Monday.
Still, Georgia was his team until Wednesday.
“I think Mark felt something could happen,” Inman said of Richt. “I think he knew something could change.”
But what upset Inman was the way it was handled by Allen.
“I was very disappointed,” Inman said. “It bothers me the way he it was all handled. I understand people are going to change their minds.”
But, Inman said, the timing of the entire situation basically held Georgia hostage and did not allow the Bulldogs to go out and find another player.
“He told me he woke up with Clemson on his mind and that is what he decided to do,” Inman said.
Allen has not returned repeated phone calls or responded to text messages. Allen said Monday he quickly regretted committing to Georgia so early.
“I talked to some players and they said you have to look around,” Allen said. “They told me you have to take your visits. If you go with the first one, it is like marrying your own girlfriend.”
The 6-3, 220-pound tight end is a top 100 signee, according to ESPN.com. During his career at Terry Sanford, Allen had 68 receptions for 1,257 yards. As a senior, he had 27 catches for 291 yards and five touchdowns.
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McClain chooses Clemson
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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It’s not often that Clemson goes into Alabama and takes one of the prized recruits, but the Tigers did it Wednesday by signing offensive tackle Antonie McClain (6-6, 315) of Anniston.
Clemson had been in the lead for McClain since mid-January. He was recruited by wide receivers coach Dabo Swinney, who has strong Alabama connections.
McClain is ranked as the No. 7 player in Alabmaa by rivals.com and the No. 4 player in Alabama by SuperPrep. He had 50 pancake blocks during his senior season.
McClain had considered a number of schools including Alabama, auburn, Florida, and Georgia.
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Alabama lands Dareus brothers
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Alabama not only got one of its big three recruits, defensive tackle Marcel Dareus, but they also got his brother, Demerius,al.com reported. The Web site said it was a wild scene at Huffman High when both brothers reached for an Alabama hat at the same time.
Marcel is the big catch. Scout.com rates him as the No.5 defensive tackle in the country. His brother was not rated.
Marcel’s signing will give Alabama a shot at the top recruiting class. Next up on the watch list is Julio Jones and Jerrell Harris.
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Richt: ‘It’s not quite over yet’
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Just before noon, Mark Richt addressed the masses in Athens. His message:
“It’s not quite over yet.”
Where the intrigue enters is the scholarship that has been vacated by Dwayne Allen. When the Fayetteville (N.C.) tight end opted for Clemson at the last minute, Georgia was left searching for another guy.
The target could be Bobby Massie, a lineman from Lynchburg, Va. The 6-foot-6, 325-pound Massie has been a target of Georgia’s and North Carolina’s. But Massie is most likely headed to prep school first.
Georgia may also opt to hold the scholarship and add to the what is expected to be a very small class in 2009. As of right now, Georgia will go into next season with just 13 seniors.
Georgia already has five commitments for 2009.
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Hunt ‘at home’ in Indiana
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Alex Hunt was often overlooked in Buford’s star-studded lineup this year, but he didn’t need the attention.
The running back committed to Indiana before the start of the season and made good on that commitment by signing with the Hoosiers this morning.
A transfer from Duluth, Hunt ran for three touchdowns this year. He chose Indiana over Wisconsin, Air Force, Ole Miss and Coastal Carolina.
When asked why he chose the Hoosiers, Hunt said, “The atmosphere, the coaching staff. You really feel at home when you go there. It’s like a home away from home.”
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‘I can’t believe Houston Nutt is going to be my head coach’
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Buford wide receiver Melvin Harris signed with Ole Miss today, formally accepting what he called a dream offer.
Harris was not heavily recruited in the fall and appeared headed for Georgia Southern before the Rebels offered him a scholarship in mid-January. He raved about the school after a Jan. 19 visit and committed three days later.
“It’s great to be in the SEC,” Harris said. “I can’t believe Houston Nutt is going to be my head coach. Me and him have a great bond.”
At 6-foot-7 and 175 pounds, Harris had eight touchdown catches this year in an offense that relied heavily on its running attack.
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Harrison football, soccer stars sign
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Harrison High in Kennesaw is a football power that has sent 12 players to Division I programs over the past five years, including NFL players Paul Oliver and Jon Abbate.
But on Wednesday, a respectable crop of three football signess off an 9-3 team was overshadowed by six Division 1 soccer signees.
Eric Cobleigh, the football coach’s son, is among them. He’s headed to Furman.
The other soccer signees are Alex Evert to Northern Illinois and Patrick Martineau to Kentucky from the boys team and Jamie Pollock with Georgia, Lauren Martin with Young-Harris and Jessica Kramer with Presbyterian from the girls team.
Harrrison’s football signees were wide receiver Darvin Adams to Auburn, end Kyle Madden to Central Florida and tight end Blake Cain to Western Carolina.
Jamal Austin, a halfback, signed a baseball scholarship to Alabama-Birmingham.
Alphonso Griffin, a running back, likely will sign with Garden City Junior College in Kansas within a week, according to coach Bruce Cobleigh.
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Saban, fans lure Bolton to Bama
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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It was more than Nick Saban that attracted DeVonta Bolton to Alabama.
“The coaching staff, the school, the support of the fans” all pointed the Norcross High wide receiver to Tuscaloosa. The 6-foot-4, 220-pounder picked Alabama over Boston College, Florida, Auburn, Tennessee, Michigan and Ohio State.
Bolton is a member of an Alabama signing class that Scout.com rates No. 1 in the nation.
“All that means is we need to try to be humble,” Bolton said.
Bolton teamed with Brice Butler (Southern Cal) at Norcross to make one of the best wide-out tandems in the state. He says he’s going to miss high school, but is ready for the next step.
“They’re always going to be with me in my mind and my heart,” he said.
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Six signees for 2-8 Kell
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Good academics helped Kell send six players to college football off a team that was only 2-8.
Linebacker Brian Rowen signed with Army, and Marcus McEvans is going to Air Force.
“Both have a 3.6 GPA, and both are interested in engineering, and that’s what drew them to the [service] academies,” said Kell assistant coach Richard Norman. “It was just all of our players working hard all year-around that stood out to recruiters.”
Also signing was quarterback Nick Hicks to Richmond. Hicks’ 1,868 yards passing led Cobb County.
Lineman Angelo Tabachino signed with Valdosta State. Lineman Stan Herring signed with Liberty. Tight end C.J. Kersey signed with Dean Junior College.
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Florida State gets Fortson
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Florida State has beat out Auburn for wide receiver Jarmon Fortson of Columbus (Carver High). A member of the AJC’s Super Southern 100 Fortson (6-3, 220) was listed as a four-star recruit by Rivals.com and Scout.com.
Fortson is a big, physical receiver who gave a verbal commitment to Auburn last fall because one of his teammates had also committed to the Tigers. But Fortson signed with the Seminoles on Wednesday.
Tuggle makes famous father proud
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Justin Tuggle’s start in football included his famous father’s jersey number (58) and position (linebacker).
But it didn’t last long for the Northview quarterback who signed with Boston College Wednesday.
“It was with the Alpharetta Eagles,” recalled Jessie Tuggle, the former Atlanta Falcon who played 14 years in the NFL. “At 14, he just fell into the quarterback spot.”
Jessie Tuggle couldn’t have been happier Wednesday, as he and wife DuJuan, attended the Signing Day Spectacular at ESPN Zone in Buckhead with their star son. The elder Tuggle said Wednesday topped even his induction into the National College Football Hall of Fame last summer.
“I’m very proud,” Jessie Tuggle said. “I know what kind of work it took for him to get here. … He had to work twice as hard because [of expectations that come with] being raised as an NFL kid.”
The day was also special for Justin Tuggle, who started in the third grade playing linebacker and running back for the Alpharetta team.
Northview had five kids sign Wednesday, four with Division I schools.
“The highlight of the season is today,” he said. “It all counted down to today.”
Tuggle expects to be redshirted as a freshman at BC.
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LSU signs 16 so far, but two big ones got away
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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LSU has officially received 16 written commitments, according to the school’s Web site.
Of the three prized recruits we wrote about earlier that LSU was still trying to get, only one is coming to Baton Rouge: Offensive lineman Greg Shaw, out of Hialeah, Fl.
The ones that got away: Jacksonville running back Jermaine Thomas signed with Florida State and defensive tackle Corey Liuget (Hialeah, Fl.) signed with Illinois.
Here they are:
Derrick Bryant DB Lawrenceville, Ga.
Cordian Hagans DL Snellville, Ga.
Alex Hurst OL Bartlett, Tenn. A
P.J. Lonergan OL New Orleans, La.
Greg Shaw OL Hialeah, Fla.
Ryan Baker LB Grand Ridge, Fla.
DeAngelo Benton WR Bastrop, La.
Matt Branch TE Monroe, La.
Thomas Parsons OL Canyon Lake, Texas
Chancey Aghayere DL Garland, Texas
Rockey Duplessis DB Belle Chasse, La.
Brandon Taylor DB Franklinton, La.
Jhyryn Taylor WR Franklinton, La.
Tyler Edwards TE Monroe, La.
Clay Spencer OL Baton Rouge, La.
Jordan Jefferson QB St. Rose, La.
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Richt’s message sways Bainbridge star
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Bainbridge — Nick Williams solidified the next fours years of his college football career Wednesday morning, signing with Georgia at 9:35 a.m. during a ceremony at the school’s media center.
The signing came some six months after the Bainbridge linebacker committed to the program.
“They just had my heart,” Williams said of Georgia, adding Alabama and Louisville were right there in the running until the very last day. “But I’ll never forget the day [Georgia] coach Mark Richt called me and offered me a scholarship.
“It’d always been a dream of mine to play for the Bulldogs, so once I heard his voice — heard him ask me — it was pretty much over.”
Williams says he hopes to redshirt his first season and spend time in the weight room ready to come out in 2009 as a contender for a starting job.
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Coples says no to Tennessee, FSU, signs with UNC
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Quinton Coples, a defensive end from Hargrave Military Academy in Virginia, has signed with North Carolina. Coples (6-7, 235) had Tennessee and Florida State on his list.
Coples was recruited by John Blake, North Carolina’s best recruiter.
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Alabama’s Smelley going in as a QB
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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New recruit quarterback Brad Smelley signed with the University of Alabama on Wednesday morning, and told Tidesports.com that the coaches want him to start at quarterback.
“They want me to go in as a quarterback,” Smelley said. “They saw my senior film. I am going to learn the offense. I could always move to another position if I need to.”
Smelley, who could also play wide receiver, threw for 3,022 yards and 33 touchdowns as a senior.
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Rambo was sold on UGA from Day 1
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Donalsonville — For the last four years at Seminole County, Bacarri Rambo has been the all-everything player, and on Wednesday he chose to lend his servies for the next four years to Georgia.
Rambo signed his national letter of intent at 10:55 a.m. during a ceremony at the school’s media center.
“I think I always knew I wanted to go to Georgia,” said Rambo, who gave what he called a “soft” committment after a visit to Athens his junior season. “There were others in the running, but I really liked them from the moment I set foot on campus.”
Rambo also was being heavily recruited by Florida State, Maryland, N.C. State and Georgia Tech — a school where Rambo believes he could’ve played his most natural position, quarterback.
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Tech completes 20-man class
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Defensive back Rashaad Reid of St. Augustine, Fla., and offensive lineman Phil Smith of Jesuit High School in Tampa became the first two members of Paul Johnson’s first Georgia Tech football signing class Wednesday morning.
The 20-member class featured AJC Super Southern 100 offensive lineman Omoregie Uzzi. The Jackets signed several players who originally committed to other schools, but Tech also lost a few committed players, including Anderson, S.C., defensive back Lee Butler, who chose Duke on Wednesday.
Defensive end Antonio Wilson of Columbia High School, who originally committed to Vanderbilt, signed next. Wilson, a basketball player, played only one season of high school football.
Speedster Embry Peeples from Orlando’s Dr. Phillips High School became the first signee at the slotback or A-back position, a key role in Johnson’s triple option offense, which uses two A-backs and a B-back, or fullback.
Flowery Branch’s Jaybo Shaw, who originally committed to Middle Tennessee State, became Johnson’s first quarterback signee. Shaw ran a similar offense in high school.
Other signees:
— Daniel McKayhan, a wide receiver from M.L. King High School who also returns punts and kickoffs, originally committed to Furman and then Memphis before signing with Tech.
— Nick McRae of Dublin will begin his Tech career at center but could also play guard.
— Defensive back Kamaron Riley from Hawkinsville signed next. Riley, a long-armed athlete, could play safety or cornerback at Tech.
— Steven Sylvester became the second linebacker from Union Grove High to sign with Tech in as many years. Sylvester joins Kyle Jackson at Tech.
— Malcolm Munroe from Miami’s Coral Reef High comes from an athletic family. His brother started games at defensive back for Florida.
— Parade All-American Marcus Wright of San Antonio, who originally committed to Tulsa, became the second slotback to sign.
— Cooper Taylor, whose father played quarterback at Tech, signed out of Marist to play defensive back.
— Wetumpka, Ala., High School’s Tevin Washington is another dual-threat quarterback and another of many Tech signees who plays basketball as well as football.
— Richard Watson, a big, physical B-back, signed to play the running back position that lines up behind the quarterback. Jonathan Dwyer, Quincy Kelly, Luke Cox and Trevor Bray are current players at that position.
— Defensive back Jon Lockhart, who has started since his freshman year at Blountstown, Fla., High, had a 41-inch vertical jump, highest in the nation at the Scout.com combines.
— Tech reached back to California, former home of current New York Giants player Gerris Wilkinson, to sign defensive back Brandon Leslie from Fresno’s Edison High School.
— Hilliard, Ohio, linebacker B.J. Machen is the son of a Stanford football player. Machen came to Tech’s 2007 spring game and dropped off a highlight tape; coaches liked what they saw.
— Quentin Sims of Colerain High in Cincinnati will begin as a receiver at Tech but could wind up as a slotback.
— Auburn and Alabama made late pushes to recruit T.J. Barnes of Enterprise, Ala., High School, a huge and talented defensive tackle who signed with Tech.
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Florida State gets Thomas
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The Seminoles have add another quality athletee in running back Jermaine Thomas of Jacksonville. Thomas (6-1, 190) is listed as a three-star running backs by Rivals.com and Scout.com.
A member of the AJC’s Super Southern 100, Thomas chose Florida State over LSU, Illinois, N.C. State, South Carolina, and Purdue.
Coach: No receiver better than A.J. Green
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Summerville, S.C. — Matthew Stafford will have a new target this fall — the wideout who is arguably the top receiver of the 2008 recruiting class.
This morning, Parade All-American A.J. Green signed to play college football with the Bulldogs.
Rivals.com ranks the South Carolina senior as the No. 2 receiving recruit in the nation, behind Alabama’s Julio Jones. However, Summerville High coach John Mckissick says that’s not how everybody sees it.
“I had the chance to watch Julio at the Under Armour All-American Game and he’s pretty good, but after having seen them both play, A.J. is a better receiver,” McKissick said. “I’ve been asked over the years ‘who is the greatest football player you’ve ever had’ and I never answered because I don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings.
“While we’ve had several great ones, now I don’t mind saying A.J. is the best all-around athlete we’ve ever had.
“Dave Levy, who won four national championships during 15 years at Southern California and who coached for the San Diego Chargers, was the offensive coordinator for the Silver team at the Under Armour game. He told me A.J. was one of the best he has seen in a long time.”
The 6-foot-4, 185-pound receiver is expected to finish his high school career ranked second on the National Federation of High Schools’ all-time career reception yards list with 5,373 yards, though his high school has to verify his statistics before it becomes official. Green’s 279 career catches for 62 TDs should make him the No. 4 all-time leader in receptions nationally.
Also a punt and kick returner, he has 73 total career TDs.
Green committed to Georgia in the fall of 2006, but made it official at 9:15 a.m. by signing his national letter of intent at the high school.
“Since I was a sophomore, I knew where I was going so today was pretty easy,” Green said. “This is a relief. Now I can just focus on academics and finishing the basketball season strong.”
In the past few years, Georgia coach Mark Richt made a couple of trips to Summerville to talk to Green and watch him on the basketball court. Green said after talking to Richt, he is optimistic about his future at UGA.
“He told me he would like to give me the opportunity to become a big-time receiver, to be the go-to guy,” Green said. “Hopefully, I will be able to play as a freshman and get better each year as a player and a student. Georgia has a young team and I think we will be real good in the future.”
In his four years as a starter at SHS, Green rewrote the team’s record books. Last month, he received his fourth consecutive team MVP award. He was named Aall-state four straight years and was named the 2005 EA Sports National Sophomore of the Year.
He is believed to be the only player in South Carolina history to be named all-state four consecutive years.
Green is also a four-year starter for the SHS varsity basketball team. The shooting guard paced his team last year with 20.2 points and 9.4 rebounds per game to help Summerville advance to the 4-A state title game. During the playoffs, he averaged 30 points per game.
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Brice Butler: 3 years at USC, then NFL
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Brice Butler has a plan for his time at Southern Cal.
The star wide receiver from Norcross, who signed today with the Trojans, hopes to follow his father’s footsteps to the NFL. Bobby Butler is a former defensive back with the Atlanta Falcons.
“Three good season and then to the NFL Draft,” Butler said during the Signing Day Spectacular held Wednesday at ESPN Zone in Buckhead.
Does that mean he’ll leave early/ Well, maybe.
USC coaches indicated he will get a serious chance to play as a freshman for Pete Carroll — “if I do what I’m supposed to do to be ready,” Butler said.
Butler, 6-3, 189, said he fell in love with the weather, coaching staff and campus in Los Angeles, and says he didn’t feel any pressure to follow Dad’s lead and go to Florida State.
“No pressure from my father, but maybe a little from my mother [Cyrillyn, also an FSU grad],” Butler said.
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UGA-bound Washington: ‘Feels great’
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Cornelius Washington has what the top Division I-A football teams want: size and speed.
The 6-foot-4, 230-pound defensive end from Burke County High School won the 100-meter dash at the region Class AAA track meet as a junior and has been clocked in 10.70 seconds. He also bench presses more than 300 pounds.
At least 30 universities, including every SEC school, contacted Washington, but he had his heart set on Georgia from the outset. He was so eager to become a Bulldog that he committed as a rising junior on July 10, 2006 after attending a mini-camp at the university.
Georgia coach Mark Richt himself told Washington that the school wanted him. That’s all Washington need to hear.
He wanted to play close to home and give his mother, Glorida Washington, the opportunity to see him, the fourth of seven children, play.
“It’s feels great,” Washington said Wednesday after signing at the high school. “It’s good to have it out of the way. I’m going to a great institution and getting a chance to have a great education.”
Washington, ranked No. 13 in the nation at defensive end by Scout.com, also played considerably at tight end for Burke County, which advanced to the playoffs and finished 8-3.
First-year head coach Eric Parker was impressed with Washington’s ability to a new defensive scheme.
“If you took film and watched him as he progressed week after week, he got better,” Parker said. “He actually got to a point where he was back being dominant about midway through the season.”
Washington, who had 44 unassisted tackle and six sacks on the season, encountered another Georgia signee, Jefferson County’s A.J. Harmon, in the first game of the season. Harmon, a 6-6, 330-pound behemoth, and his team won the game, but Washington said he matched up well.
“He doesn’t have anything I don’t have,” Washington said.
Parker, who has a former player, Corvey Irvin, playing at Georgia, has an idea what Washington will have to do to see playing time at Georgia.
“I think he’s probably like 90 percent of the kids that signed today across the country,” Parker said. “I think he needs to get even bigger, even faster, even stronger. He needs to improve across the board as a football player.”
For his part, Washington appears eager to whatever it takes to play.
“I have to work hard and show my potential,” the 18-year-old senior said.
Washington plays center for the basketball team and said his role is “rebounds and scare tactics.”
Georgia appears to have another intimidating player on its roster.
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Tennessee signs Bohannan, Wilks
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Tennessee has beaten out Kentucky and Alabama to sign defensive end Willie Bohannon of Mobile, the Knoxville News-Sentinel reports. Bohannon had 73 tackles, including 12 for lost yardage, as a senior.
The Volunteers have also picked up a good wide receiver in Rod Wilks of Smyrna High School, who is rated as the nation’s No. 16 receiver by ESPN. He caught 77 passes as senior.
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Davis stuns Auburn, picks Ole Miss
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In a surprise move, star running back Enrique Davis signed with Ole Miss, Rivals.com reported. Davis, one of the top backs in the country, originally committed verbally to Auburn, but de-committed and considered Tennessee as well as Auburn and Ole Miss.
Davis is at Hargrave Military Academy.
This is the biggest signee for Ole Miss.
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Fighting words: Jaybo Shaw ready to ‘beat Georgia’
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Flowery Branch quarterback Jaybo Shaw was up front with new Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson the first time they met. The senior may also have been a little ambitious.
“I told [Johnson] that I was going to be his first quarterback to beat Georgia,” said Shaw, who backed out of a commitment to Middle Tennessee for a verbal commitment to the Yellow Jackets. “He liked the sound of that.”
Johnson’s sure to like more about Shaw than that. The talented dual threat quarterback broke every offensive record at Flowery Branch and is likely the perfect fit for the former Navy coach’s option attack.
Shaw, who has been running the option offense since he was age 5, signed this morning with the Yellow Jackets. The man faxing his paperwork couldn’t have been happier.
“You see dreams come true,” said Lee Shaw, Flowery Branch’s coach and Jaybo’s father. “This has been a dream since he was a boy, I’m just so happy for him.
“He was just a skinny little kid his freshmen year, then he sort of transformed, you know the way Friday nights tend to do. Now he has a chance to be special the next level.”
Shaw received offers from Middle Tennessee and South Florida. The latter offered him a chance to play slot receiver until a spot on the depth chart opened at quarterback.
But Shaw only wanted to play quarterback, so he committed to the Blue Raiders. Then Johnson came calling and everything changed.
“I was being recruited by coach [Chan] Gailey, but when I got to talk to coach Johnson, it was just perfect,” Jaybo Shaw said. “It’s close to home. It’s major Division I, ACC football. What’s not to like?”
Johnson didn’t have to work hard to sell Georgia Tech to the father either. Bobby Dodd Stadium is three hours closer than Murfreesboro, Tenn.
“I don’t get to be a parent too much,” Lee Shaw said. “It only took about 30 seconds with coach Johnson to see how driven he is. He could sell you Georgia Tech in about 30 seconds. He’s just a good man, and a man I want my son playing for.”
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11 Valdosta teammates sign
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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The uptick in the success of the Valdosta High football prgram was evident this morning, when 11 players from the school signed scholarships.
The players included:
— Running back David Arnold (Georgia Southern)
— Defensive end Chucky Alford (Alabama State)
— Linebacker Curtis Weatherspoon, fullback Marcus McNair and cornerback Kevin Stokes (Valdosta State)
— Safety Darius Roberts, quarterback Michael Turner and wide receiver Perry King (Hutchinson Community College)
— Cornerback Sidney Bivens and linebackers Kevin Johnson and Young Roberson (Dean College)
“Valdosta has a rich, rich tradition of football success so we hope we have more to come,” coach Rick Tomberlin said. “This is a group of outstanding young men, and it’s going to be difficult to replace them.”
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Quinn rejects Alabama & Auburn
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Prize recruit Robert Quinn, who was high on both Alabama’s and Auburn’swish list, just held a press conference at his school and announced he was going to - North Carolina.
The linebacker/defensive end from North Charleston, S.C., visited Alabama, Auburn and North Carolina. This week all three coaches visited him. Auburn thought it had an edge because coaches told Quinn they would use him as an outside linebacker, which is what he preferred.
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N. Cobb’s Ezenwa sticks with Purdue
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North Cobb’s Nnamdi Ezenwa got a last-minute offer from Kentucky to join teammate Matt Roark on Tuesday night, but the linebacker stuck with his commitment and signed with Purdue this morning.
Another North Cobb player, defensive end Jarvis West, did make a switch, signing with Hampton instead of Valdosta State. Nine players off North Cobb’s Region 5-AAAAA championship team signed.
The others were quarterback Roark with Kentucky, cornerback Oliver Davis with Georgia Southern, linebacker Alonzo Jones with Howard, tackle Matt Britain with Ohio, running back Calvin Middleton with Jacksonville State, receiver Donte Sawyer with Morehead State and linebacker Brian Presume with Dean Junior College.
Presume is perhaps the most underrated, as he led North Cobb with 155 tackles. South Florida helped place him at the Massachussets junior college.
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Florida State loses Liuget
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Bobby Bowden really wanted defensive end Corey Liuget of Hilaleah and to prove it, the Florida State coach paid a personal visit last Friday night.
But Liuget (6-2, 285) decided to keep a verbal commitment he made in mid-season and signed with Illinois on Wednesday
Ron Zook, the former head coach at Florida, is now the head coach at Illinois. Expect the Zooker, one of the best recruiters in the business, to be able to come in and cherry pick some players for the Illini.
Robinson awaits GAC reunion in Athens
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Linebacker Christian Robinson (Greater Atlanta Christian) won’t enroll at Georgia until June, but he has a good idea what life in Athens will be like.
He already has his roommates — fellow signees Richard Samuel, Dontavius Jackson and Tavarres King. And he’ll be reunited with a couple of former GAC players.
Robinson, 6-3, 205, played with running back Caleb King at the Norcross private school in 2006, and was the team’s ball boy when fullback Brannan Southerland played there.
“It’ll be an easy transition,” Robinson said.
Robinson isn’t sure if he’ll get a chance to play early in Athens.
“[Coaches] told me don’t go in thinking reshirt, just work your butt off,” he said. “I’m ready for the next step, the next stage. I’m ready to get out there and compete.”
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Pridemore joins Hunter in Gainesville
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Buford linebacker T.J. Pridemore will join teammate Omar Hunter at Florida after signing with the Gators this morning.
Pridemore initially chose Georgia Tech, but withdrew his commitment after the firing of coach Chan Gailey and committed to Florida on Jan. 12.
At 6-foot-2 and 236 pounds, Pridemore was an integral part of the defense that led Buford to the 2007 Class AA state championship. He finished with a 140 tackles, including seven for loss.
“It’s really special just to wake up and know that this day has come,” Pridemore said. “Me and Omar are very excited about being down there together. We’ve always been close and are very comfortable around each other.”
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Alabama lands two more top recruits
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Alabama has landed five-star recruit Tyler Love, an offensive lineman from Mountain Brook, Al.
Here is Scout.com’s evaluation: Love has great size at offensive tackle with great punch and locks down defensive rushers very quickly when he gets inside their body. Aggressive off the ball and keeps his head on a swivel looking for a pancake and finds them early and often.
Alabama also signed four-star recruit Damian Square, a linebacker from Houston, Texas. The departure of offensive coordinator Major Appelwhite didn’t deter him. Here’s what he told bamaonline.com recently: “I heard the rumors before it happened and I was a little sad about it but nothing that would change my decision. I’m Alabama 100 percent and I’m rolling with the Tide. The only way I would consider changing is if Nick Saban left and that ain’t gonna happen. I committed to Alabama to win a championship and that’s what we are going to do. If you aren’t at Alabama or heading that way then you are in the wrong spot. I’m still excited from my visit and really I wish I could have stayed. I’m ready to be there now.”
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Buford’s Hunter signs with Gators
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This time, Omar Hunter stuck with his decision.
The Buford defensive tackle signed with Florida this morning, just over a month after de-committing from Notre Dame.
One of the top-rated prospects in the country at his position, Hunter committed to the Gators on Jan. 22. He had flirted briefly with Georgia, but the Dogs didn’t have a scholarship for him.
Wearing a blue striped tie and a Florida hat, Hunter said at a school signing ceremony today that he was thrilled to be a Gator.
“It feels great,” Hunter said. “Now I can get to work and focus on what I need to do to play at Florida. I’m glad to have it over with.”
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Tennessee gets Banneker’s Fowlkes
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The Volunteers got another good piece of news when it signed Dallas Thomas, an offensive lineman out of Baton Rouge, La. Earlier in the day Tennessee signed Herman Lathers, a teammate of Thomas. Scout.com rates Thomas as the No. 26 offensive guard in the country.
Tennessee has made offensive linemen a priority in this class.
According to the Knoxville News-Sentinel, Tennessee has also signed Steven Fowlkes of College Park (Banneker) who could play either defensive end or wide receiver for the Volunteers.
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Seven Camden Co. teammates sign
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Camden County didn’t top last year’s total, but seven players signed this morning, and coach Jeff Herron said a few more might sign later this month.
The list included:
— Defensive lineman Ryan Seymour (Vanderbilt).
— Defensive back A.J. McCray (Georgia Southern).
— Quarterback Major Herron (Lenior-Rhyne).
— Offensive lineman Omar Saenz (Albany State).
— Kicker Drake Nahrwold (Cumberland).
— Defensive lineman Stephen Myers (Savannah State).
— Offensive lineman Luke Zachary (Edward Waters).
“Last year we had 12 [signings], so it is probably a little bit of a down year for us,” Herron said. “But next year we should be back up there. Any time the kids get an opportunity to go to college, we’re tickled to death. It was a good group.”
Camden, one of the state’s top programs, lost to event champion Lowndes in last season’s state Class AAAAA semifinals.
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Tennessee signs Abrams-Ward
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Tennessee won a hard-fought recruiting battle with North Carolina’s Butch Davis to sign E.J. Abrams-Ward, an athlete (6-5, 210) from Thomasville, N.C., according to a report on Rivals.com.
He sounds like one of the best pure athletes Tennessee has signed in a long time.
Rated the No. 1 prospect in North Carolina by SuperPrep, Abrams-Ward has played fullback, linebacker, and quarterback during his high school career. He was a part of three state championship teams at Thomasville.
Abrams-Ward also played on the Thomasville basketball team which won a state championship and hit .400 for the baseball team.
Davis, one of the game’s best recruiters, is not expected to miss on many recruits he wants in the state of North Carolina. So this is a big get for the Volunteers.
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Wheeler star backs out of pledge, primed for “big time”
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Wheeler teammates Corey Tower and Corey Pfaff backed off commitments today and postponed their signings.
Tower, a running back who had co