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DEL.ICIO.USECI lineman first to commit for Jackets
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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It’s been awhile since Georgia Tech carried the full NCAA allotment of 85 scholarship football players, and it won’t happen this year or next.
But new coach Paul Johnson will try to bring in Tech’s biggest recruiting class in years in 2009, and he got a big head start Wednesday when Emanuel County Institute defensive tackle J.C. Lanier became the first player to commit to next year’s signing class.
Lanier, ranked the No. 20 junior prospect in the nation by Rivals.com, is 6-feet-2 1/2, 345 pounds. ECI coach Milan Turner said he drew interest from schools around the nation before narrowing his choices to Tech, Georgia, Clemson and Florida.
“He wanted to stay close to home, and he felt good about his visit [to Tech] last week,” Turner said. “He’s extremely talented. He’s got great size, great flexibility, feet and hands for a big man. I don’t know that I’ve had one who can take over the line of scrimmage like he can.
“Georgia Tech has done a really good job recruiting him. As a sophomore, they spent a lot of time around him. And with Coach Johnson taking over, they didn’t miss a beat. That meant a lot to J.C.”
Johnson aims to sign the maximum number of new scholarship players next signing day, and Tech’s goal is to recruit a couple of players to enroll early.
They would count against this year’s scholarship totals, and because the Jackets signed only 20 players Wednesday, they have room to do that. Johnson said 58 players are on scholarship before the arrival of Wednesday’s signing class.
After signing eight in-state players this year, Tech will target a greater percentage of Georgia players next year. “Every year, a lot of the in-state recruiting depends on grades, and we feel like it will be a very good year,” recruiting coordinator Giff Smith said.
Johnson’s first goal in recruiting is to get quicker. “We’re going to put speed on the field as much as we can,” defensive coordinator Dave Wommack said.
Former walk-ons Tyler Evans, Calvin Booker and Luke Cox have received scholarships from Johnson, who fulfilled pledges made by former coach Chan Gailey.
Don’t be surprised if Johnson recruits multiple quarterbacks. He believes in letting several compete and moving those who don’t pan out to other positions.
In the next recruiting cycle, “We’re looking for athletes and quarterbacks,” Smith said. “And there will be a need on both lines of scrimmage.”
Here are seven other 2009 recruits to watch.
• Andre Harris, 6-4, 332, offensive lineman, Lovejoy: He has said his dream is to play for the University of Texas, but Tech, Georgia and Central Florida are his primary early suitors. Scout.com currently ranks him as a four-star player.
• Nigel Mitchell-Thornton, 6-2, 210, linebacker, Stephenson: Rangy enough to look like a safety, Mitchell-Thornton figures to attract more attention if he adds heft. A number of SEC schools, plus North Carolina and Miami, may be interested.
• Brandon Watts, 6-1 1/2, 225, linebacker, Washington County: Was at Tech’s junior day last week, when the Jackets played Maryland in basketball. Has said that staying relatively close to home is important to him.
• Mike Gilliard, 6-3, 205, linebacker, Valdosta: Besides a scholarship offer from Tech, he has them from Georgia, Illinois and Middle Tennessee State. Played safety before growing into the linebacker position.
• Corico Hawkins, 6-0, 218, linebacker, Baldwin: Also being recruited by Auburn, Florida, Maryland, Miami and North Carolina State. He performed well last month at the U.S. Army All-American Football Combine in San Antonio.
• Izaan Cross, 6-4, 250, defensive end, Flowery Branch: Transferred to Flowery Branch for last season after playing at Buford. He had 77 tackles and four sacks last season. Also plays basketball.
— Staff writer Mike Knobler contributed to this article.
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By Mark
February 7, 2008 8:58 PM | Link to this
That was a great post-08 signing day treat for starting 09’s class. Congrats, JC.
By george from gatorville
February 7, 2008 9:40 PM | Link to this
Those two prizes Alabama signee Wed., Jerrell Harris(4 star) and Julio Jones(5 star) both will be non-qualifiers plus a few more Tiders..Roll Tiders record is 14 during the Shula regime.Jones was ask to return home midway through his Florida visit for trash talk involving the Gators.
By Mark
February 7, 2008 10:37 PM | Link to this
Julio comes off as street.
By Bamafan
February 8, 2008 7:38 AM | Link to this
Hey stupid gator fan, You need to stick to your gators,because you don’t know jack about the bama signee’s. That is a out right lie about Julio Jones being sent home by the gators. Get your facts straight before you post idiot!!
By Bamafan don't mess w/ DAWGS
February 8, 2008 8:21 AM | Link to this
Don’t think you’re gonna start getting all the trash talking players, with criminal records, that don’t go to class or graduate. CMR owns that niche, oh and he cares! The 70s are over, so get outta my Walmart! GO DAWGS
By UGAH is GAY
February 8, 2008 9:04 AM | Link to this
ha ha ha, how exactly are 300 pound plus linemen going to move their fat slow buts fast enough to block in the spread offense? What worked at AArmyy and at the DII Senior High School in South Georgia with 250 pound linemen ain’t a gonna work at at a DI school with 300 pound tubs of lard.
By BuzzFactor
February 8, 2008 9:11 AM | Link to this
Congrats Lanier and good choice. You have set a great tone for the next class.
By Not Disappointed
February 8, 2008 11:18 AM | Link to this
Great sign for the Jackets!
By Not Disappointed
February 8, 2008 11:23 AM | Link to this
Great sign for the Jackets!
By gtfan55
February 8, 2008 11:41 AM | Link to this
This is a huge pick up. It is going to be a great recruiting season. UGA will play second in the state this year. (hahaha) THWG!!!!
By Gdawg
February 8, 2008 12:09 PM | Link to this
JC Lanier will change his mind and sign with his teamates in Athens. JC do you want to play for a National Championship or play with a bunch of nerds. Go Dawgs Yellowjackasses suck!!!
By Gdawg
February 8, 2008 12:11 PM | Link to this
JC Lanier will change his mind and sign with his teamates in Athens. JC do you want to play for a National Championship or play with a bunch of nerds. Go Dawgs Yellowjackasses suck!!!
By Gdawg
February 8, 2008 12:11 PM | Link to this
JC Lanier will change his mind and sign with his teamates in Athens. JC do you want to play for a National Championship or play with a bunch of nerds. Go Dawgs Yellowjackasses suck!!!
By GA's days #'ed
February 8, 2008 2:57 PM | Link to this
Can everybody see it??
It appears many GA fans see it …. that their days are numbered! They see a program in Tech that has hired a very talented & savvy head coach. A coach that knows how to win! A coach that, as noted in the article, recognizes talent, and isn’t afraid or too ignorant (a’la Gailey) to change a player’s position (i.e. REGGIE BALL). A coach they damn sure know if he had been with Tech the last 4 years, wouldn’t have lost to GA. Yes, he runs a totally different system, but how one-sided was Tech in past 4 meetings anyway? If it’s going to be a run-dominated game, then why settle for Gailey’s 1 or 2 TDs running when you can have 4,5, or 6 with PJ’s scheme.
Mark Richt should thank Dave Braine too … b/c if he were 3-4 vs. Tech I don’t think he’d be so high on their tot’em pole. Yep, GA’s days are numbered!
Sincerely, Herchel Walker
By GA's days #'ed
February 8, 2008 3:00 PM | Link to this
Can everybody see it??
It appears many GA fans see it …. that their days are numbered! They see a program in Tech that has hired a very talented & savvy head coach. A coach that knows how to win! A coach that, as noted in the article, recognizes talent, and isn’t afraid or too ignorant (a’la Gailey) to change a player’s position (i.e. REGGIE BALL). A coach they damn sure know if he had been with Tech the last 4 years, wouldn’t have lost to GA. Yes, he runs a totally different system, but how one-sided was Tech in past 4 meetings anyway? If it’s going to be a run-dominated game, then why settle for Gailey’s 1 or 2 TDs running when you can have 4,5, or 6 with PJ’s scheme.
Mark Richt should thank Dave Braine too … b/c if he were 3-4 vs. Tech I don’t think he’d be so high on their tot’em pole. Yep, GA’s days are numbered!
Sincerely, Herchel Walker
By jim
February 8, 2008 3:34 PM | Link to this
welcome to the car care bowl in boise next year mr. lanier and the year after that,and the year after that,and the year after that. Its cold over there in december just ask the guys that have been there the last 4 years. Go canes
By george from gatorville
February 8, 2008 10:11 PM | Link to this
bamafan, you need to read Gainsville Sun archives about Julio Jones, a true thug, who UGA and Auburn would not touch. Only Oklahoma who admitted they would not recruit Mobile area again after experience with Sir Julio, who said he was”1st round” NFL out of high school.
By AZ Dawg
February 9, 2008 12:38 AM | Link to this
He should bring it against the Dogs. He’s pi$$ed that two of his teamates were offered by UGA & he wasn’t. It will take more than one or two good players to beat the Dogs, ask Calvin Johnson. Don’t get your hopes up to high yacket fans.
By son_sir
February 9, 2008 8:15 AM | Link to this
Congrats JC, Are ya ready to shut that damn barking up?
Gosh, Julio sounds almost as bad as Odell Thurman !!
By White and Gold
February 9, 2008 8:51 AM | Link to this
Come to gt and help contribute to many more quality loses. And of course to our annual trek to Boise and the Humiliation bowl.
By Sport Fan
February 9, 2008 9:01 AM | Link to this
Hey son_sir. You can run but you cannot hide. A judge did order Ruben Huston back on gt’s football team. But it was Gailey’s decision to play him. So put that in your pipe and smoke it.
By AlabamaRamblinWreck
February 9, 2008 11:40 AM | Link to this
You are right, AZ Dawg, it will take more than 2 or 3 good players to beat GA, but realize that we have competed well with very few players, terrible QB’s and a very mediocre coach. We now have a coach that will coach up his talent, make in-game adjustments that are extraordinary, and will bring discipline and motivation to all practices and games. I realize that nothing is guaranteed in college FB, but I believe UGA is in for a GT era they will not enjoy!! Go Jackets and way to go Coach Johnson!!
By Scooter
February 9, 2008 1:17 PM | Link to this
I’ve been a Tech fan since 1969, and I’ve seen alot of bad Tech teams in my time. Now though I can”t wait until next season. I really believe with the talent we have on offense we’re going to surprise alot of teams. I truly do believe coach Johnson is going to take Tech football to a higher level. J.C. Lanier and players of his talent will help turn Tech around. Let’s keep all the great talent in Ga. either at Tech or at UGA. Wouldn’t it be fantastic if each year we both went to BCS bowls. J.C. help bring more great players to the flats. And GOOOOOOO Tech.
By Dawgtime
February 9, 2008 2:14 PM | Link to this
Congrats GT fans and to the young man. From what I have heard, he is a great kid and an excellent football player. That small school is really turning out the players.
By LongBeachJacket
February 9, 2008 2:48 PM | Link to this
Whatever may pass between the Jackets and Dawgs…it is really all the much better when both teams come in with a lot on the line. The Athens bunch has had the better of it in recent days, with an exception here or there, but hopefully things are about to tighten up a bit. All in all it makes for more interest and enthusiasm on all sides.
Like the players Coach Johnson got this time around. That’s part of it.
Mr. Lanier sounds like a very good player and hopefully will add to the mix. If he enrolls he will have an opportunity for a first-rate education and a chance to play for something meaningful on the field. All good…