AJC > Sports > Football Recruiting > Blog > Archives > 2008 > April
April 2008
Two new SEC offers for Milton RB
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Milton tailback Toney Williams’ recruiting portfolio increased from six to eight with recent offers from Arkansas and Mississippi State.
The 6-foot-1, 230-pound junior already had offers from Georgia Tech, Indiana, N.C. State, Rutgers and Tennessee.
“Right now, I’d say my two favorites are Tennessee and Kentucky,” Williams said late Wednesday. “And I’d have to say that Georgia Tech is my third choice right now.”
On the Vols: “Really, I just like everything about the program,” he said. “I really like the coaches and the facilities.”
On the Wildcats: “It’s pretty much the same as Tennessee,” he said. “And I really like [assistant] coach **[Joker] Phillips.”
Another SEC team sits atop Williams’ wish list.
“I’d love to get an offer from Auburn,” he said. “I have two brothers who are students there.”
Williams’ most immediate goal is prepping for spring practice at Milton, which begins on Monday.
“During spring practice, I just want to personally become a better player and take that next step,” he said.
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Berkmar hoops star to hold press conference
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Berkmar basketball star Wesley Witherspoon will announce his college choice at 3:30 p.m., Thursday, at the school.
The 6-foot-8 Witherspoon visited Memphis a week ago and was impressed, according to sources close to the senior.
The versatile senior, who can play shooting guard and small forward, also is considering Virginia, Texas, Colorado and Florida.
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Georgia-bound QB impressive in camp at Auburn
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Oconee County junior Zach Mettenberger topped the list of the 20-plus quarterbacks who participated in Sunday’s Under Armour/Scout.com Southeast Elite camp in Auburn, Ala.
“[Sout.com quarterbacks] coach [Tim] Glanton said I was the best quarterback he had,” Mettenberger said Tuesday evening. “It was a great accomplishment.”
Mettenberger, who joins highly-touted Aaron Murray of Tampa as Georgia’s two quarterbacks in the class of 2009, isn’t lacking confidence heading into spring practice in Watkinsville on Monday.
“I’d say I probably have the strongest arm in the nation, in my opinion and some other peoples’ opinion,” he said. “Even though I throw it hard, I have great accuracy.
“And my footwork is starting to come along with my upper body. It’s a matter of time before my feet and upper body go together and put me into an elite group of quarterbacks.”
Mettenberger was pleased that Murray committed to the Dogs.
“I was excited because me and Aaron have seen each other in the past at camps,” he said. “I respect his game a great deal. I’d rather him be playing with me than against me.
“The competition that we’ll have in college will make us better and put us at the top level.”
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QB recruit helps UGA land star lineman
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Georgia has once again stepped outside of the state and secured a commitment for the Class of 2009.
Austin Long, an offensive lineman from Briarcrest Christian Schools in Memphis committed to Georgia Monday night, according to Scout.com. The 6-foot-5, 270-pound lineman is the Bulldogs’ 10th commitment and second straight from outside the state. Aaron Murray, the top quarterback prospect in Florida, committed to Georgia last week.
It was Murray who took the lead in recruiting Long.
“I was hoping to narrow it down to two or three schools over this weekend,” Long said. “I really thought about it and talked to my parents about it and prayed about it. Then I was talking to Aaron Murray and he really helped. I asked him all kinds of questions and if he was still happy now that he has committed.
“He told me he was happy and he was going to recruit me until I committed,” Long said. “He told me he wanted to be a part of the No. 1 recruiting class.”
To get that class Georgia may have to secure a few more top prospects, one of which Long has already started to work on.
“Soon as I talked to [Georgia offensive line coach Stacy] Searels, I called Marlon Brown and told him I was going to start working on him,” Long said.
Brown is considered one of the top prep wide receivers in the nation. He has a list of 15 schools, of which Georgia is one.
Long had offers from several schools in the Southeastern Conference and was also drawing interest from Florida State. He visited the Georgia campus during spring practice. He also took unofficial visits to North Carolina, Florida, Florida State and Alabama.
Long is rated as a top 10 tackle by Scout.com.
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Georgia-bound RB fully-recovered from ankle injury
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Emanuel County Institute coach Milan Turner had a few anxious moments earlier this spring after learning that prized junior running back Washaun Ealey had injured his ankle while playing baseball.
“Initially it was like ‘the kid never gets hurt,’” Turner said. “It swelled up a little bit, but it wasn’t really that bad.
“But you’re not going to slow Washaun down. He works extremely hard. And the ankle healed up as fast as any I’ve seen before.”
The 5-foot-11 Ealey managed to bulk up to 210 pounds during the winter and early spring despite nursing a sore ankle for several weeks.
“He’s already lifting weights again,” Turner said. “He’s benching well over 300 pounds now and is really strong. He’s running at full strength. He’s going to be special.”
Opposing coaches continue to ask if Ealey and ECI teammate Dexter Moody, who has also committed to Georgia, might be wavering on their commitment to the Dogs.
“Coaches from Florida and Ole Miss were in my office just today asking that question,” Turner said Monday evening. “I don’t see it happening.
“They haven’t visited anywhere except Athens.”
The Class A program will likely wind up with at least four players on its roster this fall who go on to play football on Saturdays.
ECI defensive lineman J.C. Lanier has already committed to Georgia Tech. And teammate Mark Slott is starting to attract lots of attention from recruiters.
“Vanderbilt, Wofford, Georgia Southern, Western Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida and Ole Miss have asked about him,” Turner said. “He’s a 6-foot, 210-pound linebacker who transferred in from Screven County last year.
“He was our defensive player of the year last season after making 172 tackles. His film and statistics went out over the winter, so a lot of colleges are just now getting wind of him.”
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Football or baseball for Cartersville’s Tate?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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The debate over whether Cartersville junior Donovan Tate’s future lies in football or baseball will likely rage into next summer.
That’s when the 6-foot-3, 205-pound two-sport athlete is expected to be a high choice as an outfielder in the major league baseball draft.
Tate has a scholarship offer from nearly every college football power throughout the nation.
Will the son of former Georgia running back Lars Tate follow in his dad’s footsteps and sign with the Bulldogs as a quarterback or safety?
Will he play college football elsewhere?
Or will he opt to become a professional baseball player directly out of high school?
“Donovan is focused on baseball at Cartersville right now,” Cartersville football coach Frank Barden said Sunday evening. “But this is the time of year that assistant football coaches can get back out and visit. A lot of them have been coming in to see Donovan.
“A lot them will come on by the school, but they know he won’t be participating in spring football practice [which begins on Monday May 5]. They’ll come by in the morning and let Donovan know that they’re there and interested in him.”
Barden said Tate reminds him of a current member of the Atlanta Braves who was a two-sport star in high school at Parkview.
“He’s a lot like [Jeff] Francoeur,” Barden said. “He can run and throw and hit home runs. He may be a top five pick in baseball.
“But he’ll sign in February with a college and then wait for the baseball draft [in June 2009].”
If Tate winds up in college, it’s a safe bet that he will play both sports.
“It will be a college that lets him play dual sports,” Barden predicted. “When they get film on him, most of the coaches really like him as a quarterback.
“Then they go talk to the baseball coach and ask about Donovan playing. A lot of those coaches already know about him because in the baseball world his name is up there pretty high.”
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Lassiter TE receives offer from Clemson
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Clemson has jumped on the Philip Lutzenkirchen recruiting bandwagon.
“I received an offer from Clemson [on Tuesday],” the 6-foot-4, 230-pound Lutzenkirchen said earlier today. “I’ve been talking to them since the beginning of the past football season.
“I’ve always thought their program is awesome. I’ve made two visits to Clemson, one to a game last year and to junior day.”
Clemson joins Auburn, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Mississippi State, Stanford and Troy as programs that have offered a scholarship to the talented Lassiter tight end.
“Auburn is still my front-runner,” he said.
Expect a commitment from Lutzenkirchen during the month of May.
“I plan to commit after spring practice,” he said.
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Top Florida QB picks UGA
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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The plan all along for Georgia was to pass on quarterbacks in 2008 and grab two in 2009.
Today the plan worked.
Aaron Murray, the top-rated quarterback in Florida, held a press conference at Plant Senior High School in Tampa, Fla. and committed to Georgia.
He is the ninth player to commit to Georgia. He and Zach Mettenberger of Oconee County High School, are the two quarterbacks in the class.
Murray picked Georgia over Florida and UCLA. The 6-foot-1, 200-pound Murray has a contrasting style from that of Mettenberger. While Mettenberger is a true drop-back passer with a big arm, Murray provides some speed with the ball and can be utilized as a runner much like Logan Gray or D.J. Shockley.
Murray rushed for more than 900 yards and threw for more than 4,000 yards as a junior and was named the state’s Mr. Football for 4A schools. He will be a participant in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl held every January in San Antonio for the top high school prospects in the country.
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It’s Alabama for Jonesboro lineman
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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After mulling over offers from two SEC programs, Jonesboro offensive tackle Darius McKeller accepted a scholarship offer from Alabama earlier today.
“I think he was torn the entire time between Mississippi State and Alabama,” Jonesboro coach Clint Satterfield said. “But I think he pretty much knew the whole time he was going to Alabama.
“But he delayed the decision because he has so much respect for [Mississippi State] coach Sylvester Croom.
“I think he likes coach Croom a lot. But I think Alabama is where he dreamed of playing.”
The 6-foot-6, 290-pound McKeller, the son of former Buffalo Bills tight end Keith McKeller, has reached lofty heights despite playing just two years of organized football.
“He’s only 16 and is very agile and nimble for a guy that size,” Satterfield said. “His strength is pass blocking.
“But if you ask him to run block, it’s not hard for him to do that either.”
McKeller made his commitment to the Crimson Tide official Wednesday morning.
“He came down and we called coach [Nick] Saban’s office,” Satterfield said. “He told him ‘coach, I decided I want to play at Alabama.”
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Henry County receiver nabs offer from Georgia Tech
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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After receiving scholarship offers from nearly every national power throughout the country, Henry County receiver Jamal Patterson finally received some love earlier today from one of the two major colleges in his home state.
“I got an offer from Georgia Tech today,” Patterson said shortly after 7:30 p.m.
Patterson, whose recruiting portfolio features offers from the likes of Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Florida, Florida State, LSU, South Carolina, and, as of Monday, Oregon, seemed pessimistic when asked if scholarship-strapped Georgia will also offer.
“I haven’t heard too much from Georgia,” he said.
As for Tech, Patterson is taking a wait-and-see attitude on how often first-year coach Paul Johnson will throw out of his run-oriented offense.
“[Tech linebackers] coach Brian Jean-Mary is a real nice guy,” Patterson said. “I like him a lot.
“He’s tried to tell me how their offense is ran. Our team went there for their spring game, but I wasn’t able to make it.
“I’d like to watch them actually play this year. I know I’ll watch a lot of teams, including Tech.”
Patterson seems intent on keeping his word by evaluating several teams this fall before making a commitment.
“I don’t think I’ll commit anytime soon,” he said.
Patterson, who is scheduled to participate in a region track meet beginning Monday, will participate in the Southeastern All American combine at Auburn on Sunday.
He’ll travel to Tuscaloosa, Ala. on May 3rd for a combine hosted by Rivals.com.
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Florida making push for Carver defensive back
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Carver free safety Darren Myles Jr. has officially received a scholarship offer from Florida.
Gainesville, Fla. was just one stop Myles made during a recent whirlwind tour of colleges during his spring break.
“We saw the Gators scrimmage and met with coach [Urban] Meyer,” Myles’ father, Carver coach Darren Myles, said. “Coach Meyer said they want him in the program. So they offered him.
“Darren is intrigued by the offer. Who wouldn’t be intrigued by Florida? Florida was one of the schools he was interested in before his recruiting took off.”
Following a brief stop at Central Florida, the road trip got even better when they began the trek back to Atlanta before heading to Alabama and Tennessee.
Carver running back Demond Dennis, who was tagging along on the journey, received word via phone that Auburn had pulled the triger on an offer.
“Demond has offers from Auburn, Alabama and Miami of Ohio,” coach Myles said. “This is a kid that rushed for over 1,600 yards in just 10 games last season.”
Not to be upstaged, Myles received immediately two new offers.
“We got a call from [assistant head] coach Jon Tenuta of Notre Dame and he said they were offering Darren,” coach Myles said. “Then we got home and opened the mail and Darren had received an offer from Clemson.”
Prior to last week, the 6-foot-2.5, 185-pound Myles already held offers from programs such Alabama, Auburn, Central Florida, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Kentucky, Michigan, Mississippi State, North Carolina State, Purdue, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Wake Forest and West Virginia.
The younger Myles’ next task is preparing for spring practice at Carver, which begins May 5 and culminates with the spring game on May 16.
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Georgia a “perfect fit” for Buford lineman
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Buford junior defensive tackle Dallas Lee chose Georgia over programs such as Florida, Florida State and Tennessee on Saturday.
But the decision to commit to the Dogs was a difficult one.
“Yeah, it was pretty hard at first,” admitted Lee, who will likely play center or guard. “But Georgia turned out to be a perfect fit. They have everything in a school that I wanted.
“And I really like coach [Mark] Richt and [offensive line] coach [Stacy] Searels.
Lee broke the news of his commitment to Searels.
“I told him I want to play in Athens for the next four years,” Lee said.
Buford coach Jess Simpson is confident the Bulldog Nation will be excited to have Lee as part of its 2009 recruiting class.
“Georgia is getting an extra tough, hardnosed lineman,” Simpson said. “He’s a 6-foot-3, 300-pound kid who moves well and has great knowledge and understanding of the game.”
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Buford lineman commits to Georgia
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Georgia’s 2009 recruiting class added a new commitment Saturday night when Buford junior defensive tackle Dallas Lee chose the Bulldogs over Tennessee.
“I committed to Georgia,” Lee told Scout.com Saturday evening. “Georgia was the best fit for me. It was what I was looking for in a college.”
Lee will likely play on offense for the Dogs.
“Georgia likes me a center or guard on the offensive line,” he said. “I’ve been talking with [offensive line] coach [Stacy] Searels for some time, and I really like him.
“I’m leaning towards offense, but that doesn’t really matter as much to me.”
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Brookwood tackle commits to Alabama
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Less than 24 hours after receiving a scholarship offer from Alabama, Brookwood offensive lineman Kellen Williams pulled the trigger on a commitment to the Crimson Tide.
“I talked to coach [Nick] Saban [Wednesday] night on the phone and he told me they were offering me a scholarship,” Williams said late Thursday. “I told him basically that I was going to talk to him again in a couple of weeks.
“But I woke up [Thursday] morning and thought ‘Alabama is the best place for me to go to school.’ So I committed this afternoon.”
Williams made sure that he broke the news to Saban.
“I called and spoke with coach Kirby Smart, who is the recruiting coach from my area,” Williams said. “He gave the phone to coach Saban.
“I just wanted to tell the head coach. I told him my recruiting is done now. I’m 100 percent with Alabama.”
Williams, who also had offers from Arkansas, Boston College, Central Florida, Florida State, N.C. State, Rutgers, UAB, Vanderbilt and Wake Forest, had always hoped for an offer from Alabama or Georgia.
“This is a big deal to me and my family,” he said. “We’re very excited.
“I just credit all of the coaching over at Brookwood, with coach Mark Crews and [offensive line] coach Tom Jones.
“I’m only as good as my coaching and my teammates. All those guys [played a role] in me going to Alabama because they worked me so hard.”
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Felton: ‘We can dominate the nation with just Georgia players’
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Athens — Four of Georgia’s five signees for the 2008 men’s basketball class are from Atlanta. According to coach Dennis Felton, that’s not a coincidence.
Felton said he is focusing more on an 80-mile area between Athens and the far side of metro Atlanta. This year that netted them Howard “Trey” Thompkins (Lithonia), Travis Leslie (Decatur), Ebuka Anyaorah (Suwanee) and Dustin Ware (Kennesaw). Drazen Zlovaric, a 6-foot-8 wing from Serbia by way of Weston, Fla., rounds out the class.
“We can literally dominate the nation and win championships with just Georgia players,” Felton said. “That capability exists because of the level of coaching and talent in this state. It’s just a fantastic area for basketball. This is a basketball hotbed.”
According to Rivals.com, 14 of its top 125 men’s basketball prospects are from Georgia, including 11 from Atlanta.
During his first few years at Georgia, Felton was signing a lot of players from out of state. In fact, the Bulldogs’ last four graduating seniors (David Bliss, Sundiata Gaines, Steve Newman and Levi Stukes) all were non-Georgians. But only two of the last year’s five signees came from out of state.
“It’s critically important to us that we do our best work at home,” Felton said. “We want to get the best players, period, but a lot of them are here. I think the way our recruiting has gone is a great indicator of how well we’re doing with the folks in Georgia.”
Felton was unavailable to talk about the Bulldogs’ two latest signees until late Wednesday evening. Here’s what he had to say about Anyaorah and Lesile, both 6-foot-4 guards.
On Leslie, who averaged 22 points as a senior at Columbia: “Travis is an extraordinary athlete. That is clearly his strength. He jumps of the gym. He’s just a great, great leaper. I think he’s probably the best leaper that’s been here since Dominque Wilkins. He uses athleticism to get things done and make plays.”
On Anyaorah, who averaged 26 points as a senior at North Gwinnett: “Ebuka is athletic, too, but he’s a wonderful shooter. He can really shoot the 3. The thing I love about Ebuka is he has a real good understanding how to play the game and play the game with his teammates. He can shoot, score. Not as explosive as Travis but very athletic; as or more athletic than any guard we have.”
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Columbia hoops star rethinking S.C. commitment
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Columbia all-state center Darrius Morrow said he will decide on Friday if he still plans to attend South Carolina.
The 6-foot-9 senior signed with the Gamecocks in November before Dave Odum resigned as head basketball coach. South Carolina hired Western Kentucky coach Darrin Horn at the beginning of this month.
Morrow and his family will meet with Horn at 1 p.m. Friday in Atlanta. Last month, Morrow helped the Eagles win their second Class AAAA title in three years by averaging 14.5 points, 11.2 rebounds and 2.9 blocked shots a game.
“I will know for sure Friday at about 3 p.m. if I’m still going to South Carolina,” Morrow said. “One of the main reasons I signed with them was because of coach Odum. I was real disappointed when he resigned.”
If he is granted a release from his scholarship, Morrow will choose between Ole Miss, Virginia Tech, UAB and Oklahoma. Morrow said South Carolina still wants him, but he wants to know if he will fit into Horn’s up-tempo offense and pressing defense.
“I talked with assistant coach [Cypheus] Bunton last week,” Morrow said. “I want to talk to coach Horn to see where I fit into the system.”
On Wednesday, teammate Travis Leslie signed with Georgia, and Kenny Mitchell signed with Charleston Southern.
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Saban offers Brookwood tackle
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Brookwood offensive tackle Kellen Williams hit the recruiting jackpot on Wednesday.
After learning early in the day that a scholarship offer is in the mail from FSU, the 6-foot-5, 290-pound Williams received an offer from Alabama during a phone call with Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban late Wednesday.
Williams already had offers from Arkansas, Boston College, Central Florida, N.C. State, Rutgers, UAB, Vanderbilt and Wake Forest.
“It’s definitely a big deal to get an offer from Florida State,” Williams told the AJC Wednesday afternoon. “Most of the other schools offering me don’t have as much tradition as FSU.
“To be able to be considered to receive a scholarship offer from a program like that is amazing. I’m excited about the offer because they have an established tradition of being a national powerhouse.”
But the Seminoles’ offer may have been trumped by Saban’s phone call Wednesday night. Williams has been saying for weeks that his top two choices are Alabama and Georgia.
“It kind of took me a few seconds to respond to coach Saban when he told me about the offer,” Williams told Scout.com. “I told him to expect to hear from me pretty soon.
“Alabama was definitely one of my top schools. I am going to sleep on it and maybe make a decision in a couple of weeks.”
Williams is tentatively scheduled to visit South Carolina on Saturday April 26.
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Ten Norcross Blue Devils to play college football
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Three more Norcross football players will continue playing in college.
Kicker Chris Tanner will be a preferred walk-on at Georgia Tech, defensive lineman Augustus Dukuly received a scholarship to Brevard College in North Carolina and linebacker Cameron Hines signed a partial scholarship with Santa Barbara City College.
Tanner was one of the most prolific kickers in the county, scoring 144 points the last two years. Dukuly was in on 110 tackles, had 21 hits behind the line of scrimmage last season, and Hines was credited with 80 tackles and 16 hits behind the line, coach Keith Maloof said.
That brings to 10 the number of Norcross kids that will play at the next level. They join Brice Butler, Devonta Bolton, Alex Napper and John Kelly, who signed Division 1 scholarships, and Dion DuBose, Thinh Ho and Georgia walk-on Nick Sorel.
“It’s always fun to watch them grow and develop,” Maloof said. “My goal is to get them all in college, whether they play football or not. It’s gravy if they play. We want to see our kids move on to the next step and make something of themselves.”
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Florida State offers Lassiter tight end
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Lassiter’s Philip Lutzenkirchen received a pleasant surprise on Thursday when he picked up the phone and called the Florida State coaching staff.
“They offered me even though I hadn’t received one letter from them,” the 6-foot-4, 230-pound tight end/linebacker said. “It was kind of out of the blue.
“I haven’t even visited there. I’ll probably visit them sometime this summer.”
Lutzenkirchen, who already had scholarship offers from Auburn, Georgia Tech, Mississippi State, Stanford and Troy, said he’ll settle on a school by June.
“I like Auburn a lot, but I’m still open to everything,” he said. “My dad really wants me to go out to California, not this weekend but the following weekend, to visit Stanford and California.”
On who is recruiting him the hardest: “Georgia Tech,” he said. “I get a lot of letters from them. Stanford is recruiting me hard too. And FSU has started e-mailing me a lot. I talked to Auburn today on the phone. They really like me.”
On his best visit this spring: “I liked Auburn and liked meeting all the coaches at Georgia Tech,” he said. “And I really like Auburn’s campus. It is really pretty.”
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Chamblee RB attends Florida State spring game
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Alabama, Florida State and Georgia Tech continue to heavily recruit Chamblee running back Warren Norman.
“No offers right now, but I think Alabama is close to offering,” the 5-foot-10, 191-pound Norman said.
Norman, who possesses 4.42 speed in the 40, spent the weekend in Tallahassee, Fla. attending FSU’s spring game along with a group of other juniors from around the nation.
“It was all real nice,” he said. “I didn’t get to meet coach [Bobby] Bowden one-on-one, but he did talk to us as a group.
“The whole day was great. I’d say the stadium was about 60 percent full. The guy came out on the horse and everybody starting tomahawking.”
Norman is optimistic he will receive an offer from the Seminoles.
“I gave them my tape,” he said. “They want me to come to camp there in July.”
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Tech among schools to offer Milton RB
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Milton running back Toney Williams holds scholarship offers from Georgia Tech, Indiana, Kentucky, N.C. State, Rutgers and Tennessee. He is also being actively recruited by Florida.
“I don’t have a front-runner right now,” he said said.
The 6-foot-1, 227-pound Williams has visited Tech, Kentucky and Tennessee.
On the Jackets: “I like the facilities,” he said. “I like coach [Paul] Johnson. I’d be a B-back if I go there.
“I do want to go somewhere where they run the ball a lot. That would be a big part of my decision.”
On the Vols: “I like the whole environment there,” he said. “I’m from Chattanooga and I still have relatives there.”
On the Wildcats: “I have a lot of interest in Kentucky,” he said. “They were the first school to offer me.”
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First offer for Tucker nose guard
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Tucker junior Deion Roberson received a bit of good news earlier today.
“West Virginia called me and offered Deion,” Tucker coach Franklin Stephens said Thursday evening. “He was excited about it because it’s his first major offer.”
If he commit to the Mountaineers, West Virginia coaches plan to play Roberson at nose guard.
“They’re looking for a true nose guard to play in an odd man front,” Stephens said. “And we happen to play the same defense, which is a 3-3.”
Stephens figures more offers are forthcoming for the 6-foot-2, 275-pound Roberson.
“Probably the most exciting thing is it is close to May when college coaches can come back out,” Stephens said. “It would be nice if there is a snowball effect because you want the kids to have every possible option.”
Spring practice is set to begin at Tucker on May 8.
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Auburn likely to offer Calhoun DT
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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ACC and SEC schools continue to inquire about Calhoun junior defensive tackle Eric McDaniel.
“He’s getting a lot of interest,” Calhoun coach Hal Lamb said Wednesday evening. “I think there’s a couple of schools that are close to offering, like Alabama, Auburn and Clemson.
“Georgia Tech called about him this week. But Auburn is probably the closest to offering.”
McDaniel (6-foot-2, 297-pounds), who recently attended junior day at Alabama, has been invited to visit Louisville.
“He’s got lots of potential,” Lamb said. “To be honest, we’re probably playing him out of position.
“He’ll play nose guard for us this year. He’s a big, strong kid who plays hard.”
Two of McDaniel’s teammates, offensive linemen David Clemons (6-2, 275-pounds) and Rhett Jackson (6-2, 275-pounds), will likely receive scholarship offers later this year.
“There’s a bunch of schools wanting tape on them,” Lamb said.
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Tech, Bama among schools eyeing Miller Grove WR Hill
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Miller Grove junior Stephen Hill has what colleges are looking for in wide receivers — height and speed.
Hill, a three-sport standout, is starting to attract more college offers. The 6-foot-4, 185-pound Hill already has football offers from Central Florida and Mississippi State.
Miller Grove coach Jasper Jewell said that Miami-Ohio will offer by the end of the week, but several other major colleges, including Alabama, Clemson, North Carolina, West Virginia, Tennessee and Georgia Tech, have shown a lot of interest.
“He has tremendous upside,” Jewell said. “Once he gets to college, he will put on 15 to 20 pounds. I think he will be the next Calvin Johnson. With the desire he has for the game, he can play on Sundays.”
Hill had 24 receptions for 500 yards and eight touchdowns last season. He was honorable mention in basketball after averaging 11 points, eight rebounds and two blocked shots to lead the school to the Class AAAA semifinals.
Last week, Hill set a new DeKalb County record in the long jump by jumping 23-feet, 11 inches at the DeKalb County Championships.
“I feel very confident I will pick the right school for me,” Hill said. “I’ll probably do track in college, also.”
Hill is also a top contender in the 300 meters hurdles and has several schools, including Georgia, Mississippi State and Alabama, interested in him for track. He has attracted mild interest for basketball.
“I think football is my best sport,” Hill said. “Last year was my first year on the varsity [basketball team]. I’m really enjoying the recruiting process. My first priority is education, because I want to be successful in life. I have to have a backup plan.”
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North Gwinnett QB lands first offer
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Mike Tamburo, the 6-foot-1, 180-pound left-handed junior quarterback for North Gwinnett, has received his first scholarship offer.
“Tulsa has offered,” Tamburo said late Tuesday. “And Central Florida and South Florida are close to offering.
“And there are a lot of other schools real interested, like Vanderbilt, Texas Tech, Clemson, Oklahoma State, SMU and Alabama. Tennessee, Auburn and South Carolina want me to come to camp.”
Tamburo has visited Central Florida, South Florida and attended Georgia’s spring game during the past 11 days.
Once quarterback Aaron Murray of Plant Senior High in Tampa, Fla. chooses a school, several programs will likely call on Tamburo.
“Everybody has offered Aaron Murray,” Tamburo said. “After that, I’m the next person in line at a lot of schools.”
Tamburo, who is on spring break this week, hopes to visit several campuses in the upcoming days.
“I’m considering going to Texas Tech, SMU, Oklahoma State and Tulsa,” he said. “I may take a flight out there later this week.”
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New offer for Flowery Branch defensive end
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Wake Forest is the latest program to throw its hat in the ring in the recruitment of Flowery Branch’s Izaan Cross.
The junior defensive end already had scholarship offers from Central Florida, Georgia Tech, Oklahoma and South Carolina.
Cross, who visited Tech and Georgia earlier this year, is tentatively scheduled to make his first trip to South Carolina later this week.
“I know they have a great coach in Steve Spurrier,” Cross said. “A lot of attention comes with his name. Everybody knows coach Spurrier.
“I know with coach Spurrier there would be a lot of attention [if he commits to the Gamecocks], along with the fact that South Carolina is in the SEC.”
The 6-foot-4, 240-pound Cross appears to be equally impressed with the Gamecocks’ emphasis on academics.
“On the academic part, [South Carolina recruiters] were telling me how they built a new center for student athletes that they put $13 million into,” Cross said. “That will be nice to see.”
On Tech: “I know Georgia Tech is one of the best schools academically in the nation,” Cross said. “I know it would be a great opportunity to get a diploma from there.
“Georgia Tech football is up-and-coming. I know they will be good in the future.”
On Georgia, which has not offered: “When I went there for junior day, it was the same day as one of my basketball games,” Cross said. “According to NCAA rules, I wasn’t able to talk to coach [Mark] Richt.
“But the coaches there kept telling me they’re interested and to keep Georgia on my mind. I don’t know how the depth chart is looking at defensive end at Georgia, but I know they’re interested in me.”
On other potential offers: “Florida could possibly offer,” Cross said. “I’ve talked to them and they’re interested in me as a tight end. West Virginia, Tennessee and Virginia Tech are also possibilities.”
Cross insists that he won’t commit before the start of his senior season. He plans to experience game days at several campuses before picking a college.
“I don’t see myself committing early,” he said. “When football season comes around, I’ll be attending games.”
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Four major offers for Tucker’s Davis
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Tucker running back/linebacker Jonathan Davis kicked off his spring break with a visit to Central Florida over the weekend.
Davis is currently mulling over scholarship offers from the Knights, Clemson, Mississippi State and UAB.
“I think the most impressive thing about him is his playmaking ability as a running back or defensive player,” Tucker coach Franklin Stephens said Sunday evening.
“I think he’ll end up being a defensive player [in college]. He’s a phenomenal defensive player. He just has those instincts to find the football and make plays defensively.”
What Davis lacks in size at 5-foot-9, 195-pounds is offset by his speed.
“He went to a camp earlier this year and went 4.37 [seconds] in the 40,” Stephens said. “He has exceptional talent, speed and quickness.”
Stephens said he’d be surprised if Davis commits in the foreseeable future.
“There are several other SEC and ACC schools that have expressed an interest in him,” Stephens said. “I think it’s a situation where it’s early for him [to commit].
“I think Jonathan is a kid that is going to weigh his options and see what else is out there.”
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Defensive lineman commits to Bulldogs
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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For Abry Jones, his college choice came down to feel.
Where did he feel the most comfortable? Where was he relaxed? Which place was most like home?
Georgia hit the trifecta.
“It is where I decided I wanted to be,” said the Northside-Warner Robins defensive lineman.
So the 6-4, 250-pound prospect committed to Georgia on Thursday. He is Georgia’s seventh commitment for 2009. He picked Georgia over Florida, Miami and Clemson.
“There is an excitement in finding a place and knowing that is where I am going to be playing football for the next few years,” Jones said.
Jones was the Bulldogs’ top target at his position and rated a four-star prospect by Scout.com. He spent the weekend at Georgia with his mother and watched the G-Day game Saturday.
“I was watching the players that play my position, their technique and what they do and then tell myself that those are some of the things that I can do in high school,” Jones said.
Jones said he also kept an eye on his position coach Rodney Garner during the game and liked how he reacted to the players.
“He is a man who can help you and coach you and he knows who to get you ready to play when it is time to play,” Jones said.
Georgia entertained several recruits Saturday. The Bulldogs’ scholarship limit is lower this year because of a lack of seniors on the team. Georgia probably will give out 15-20 scholarships.
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Georgia receives commitment from defensive lineman
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Abry Jones, a 6-foot-4, 250-pound junior defensive end for Northside, Warner Robins, formally announced on Saturday that he has accepted a scholarship offer from Georgia.
“I told [recruiting coordinator] coach [Rodney] Garner that I was committed to Georgia, and he was very excited,” Jones told Scout.com.
“Coach Garner has been reminding me that I am their top guy at my spot for some time.”
Jones had also been considering Clemson and Miami.
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Peachtree Ridge’s Minter commits to LSU
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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With LSU’s spring game serving as the backdrop, Peachtree Ridge linebacker Kevin Minter committed to the Tigers earlier today.
“He went over there to watch the spring game and he wanted to [commit] in person,” Peachtree Ridge coach Bill Ballard said.
Minter, who also had scholarship offers from the likes of Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Southern Cal and West Virginia, has been leaning toward LSU for several weeks.
“[LSU] was the leader in the fact that he went over there and visited and felt real comfortable and felt at home,” Ballard said. “He fits in really well with what they do.
“He likes it a whole lot. He likes the coaching staff and the players. I’m happy for him. I think it’s a great situation for him.”
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Notre Dame offers Norcross RB; UGA wants safety Kent
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Georgia headlines the scholarship offers currently held by Norcross safety/receiver Prince Kent.
Earlier this week, teammate D.J. Adams was able to add Notre Dame to an already impressive recruiting portfolio.
“You name it, and they’ve probably already offered Prince,” Norcross coach Keith Maloof said. “He’s got offers from schools like Georgia, Florida, Miami, Clemson and LSU.
“[Notre Dame assistant] coach [Jon] Tenuta called on Tuesday and offered D.J. He also just got an offer from Arkansas. But when a school like Notre Dame gets involved, a lot of other schools get involved.”
Alabama, Clemson, Florida, Miami, LSU and South Carolina are among the schools that have already offered the 6-foot-2, 195-pound Kent.
Maloof said his recruiting policy is to lay the groundwork for his players and encourage them and their family to pick the right school.
“He’s got to weigh all of his options and do what’s best for him,” Maloof said. “Prince is interested in Georgia, but he’s got some Florida ties. I think as long as Georgia wants him he’s interested
Adams, a running back who rushed for 1,462 yards as a junior, has offers from programs such as Boston College, Clemson, Maryland, Mississippi State, North Carolina, N.C. State, Rutgers and Wake Forest.
Noticeably absent from Adams’ list of offers is Georgia and Tech.
“Tech and Georgia, I just don’t know,” Maloof said. “I think Georgia probably has all the backs they want.”
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Lassiter TE visits Auburn twice in span of five days
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Lassiter tight end Philip Lutzenkirchen attended Auburn’s spring game on Saturday. The 6-foot-4, 230-pound junior was so impressed he decided to take another tour of Auburn’s campus today.
“I was just down here on Saturday,” Lutzenkirchen said by phone Wednesday evening. “I decided to come back.”
Highlights of the visits included spending about 15 minutes chatting with Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville.
“I love this place,” Lutzenkirchen said. “The atmosphere is great. I really like the campus and everything about the football tradition and they have good academics.
“I really like it down here.”
Lutzenkirchen was impressed with the fan support he witnessed at Auburn’s spring game last weekend.
“I’d say there were about 40,000 people there,” he said. “Even on the short plays, the crowd was going wild. They’ve got a good fan base.”
Lutzenkirchen, who holds scholarship offers from Auburn, Georgia Tech, Mississippi State, Stanford and Troy, is leaning toward the Tigers and Jackets.
“But I really haven’t made any decision yet,” he said. “I really like Georgia Tech too.”
Lutzenkirchen is scheduled to visit Virginia Tech on Friday before attending Clemson’s spring game the following day.
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Perry coach: ‘Bama, Gators ahead of UGA for star OG
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Based on Perry coach Andy Scott’s description of his junior guard, there’s little reason to wonder why schools such Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Georgia, LSU, Miami, South Carolina and Tennessee have extended scholarship offers to Johnnie Farms.
“He’s just a dominating offensive lineman who will maul a defensive lineman,” Scott said. “He squats over 500 pounds, benches around 400 and is a physical specimen. He can physically dominate people.
“He has got a tremendous motor. He plays hard, from snap to the echo of the whistle.”
The Crimson Tide and Gators appear to be the co-favorites to score a commitment from Farms.
“I think there’s a good amount of interest [in the Dogs] with him being a Georgia boy, but if I had to say right now it would come down to Alabama and Florida,” Scott said.
The 6-foot-3, 305-pound Farms will likely wait until the fall to commit.
“I think he enjoys the recruiting process,” Scott said. “I think he wants to make the absolute best decision he can. He studies it, looks at internet sites and looks at depth charts.
“He’s gone through just about every junior day and gone to a lot of unofficial visits. He even took an unofficial visit to Notre Dame.
“It will be a shock to me if he didn’t wait until September or October to commit. He’s already marked his calendar. There are quite a few good football games he wants to see first before he makes a decision.”
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