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May 2008
Stephenson LB weighing multiple offers
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Duke, Central Florida, Georgia Tech, Marshall, Mississippi State, Northwestern and Purdue are among the schools that have offered Stephenson linebacker Nigel Mitchell-Thornton.
The 6-foot-3, 220-pounder is expected to spend much of the summer displaying his talent at camps at places such as Auburn, Florida and Tennessee.
The exposure will likely lead to additional scholarship offers.
“We had about 75 schools come through this spring,” Stephenson coach Ron Gartrell said. “And I can’t recall any one of them that wasn’t impressed with Nigel.”
The Jackets’ offer to Mitchell-Thornton may have coach Paul Johnson’s first recruiting class at Tech in a bit of a quandary.
“Tech was in a situation where they were recruiting three linebackers and they were only going to take two,” Gartrell said. “The other two have committed.
“I think their offer to Nigel is still on the table, but how serious they are I don’t know.”
Tech and every other school may have to wait until February to learn where Mitchell-Thornton will sign.
“He has shown indications that he will take this thing all the way to signing day,” Gartrell said. “I don’t even know if he’s sitting on a favorite.
“At some point this summer, he’ll cut his numbers down to five or seven schools. Right now, it seems like he’s enjoying working out and training.”
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Landmark QB Bryant lags in offers thanks to baseball
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Landmark Christian junior quarterback Tanner Bryant missed spring football practice, but he had a good excuse.
Bryant is a starting shortstop and pitcher on the War Eagles region championship baseball team that is playing in the Class A championship series.
A good showing this spring on the football field might have provided a scholarship offer, but Bryant is happy about being a part of the baseball team.
Bryant doesn’t have any scholarship offers, but he said he has received interest from Georgia Tech, Alabama and Middle Tennessee State.
“I guess I did miss out on practicing, but I’m coming back this summer and working hard,” he said.
Last season, the 6-2, 177-pound Bryant passed for 1,856 yards and 22 touchdowns and rushed for 921 yards and four touchdowns and was named AJC honorable mention all-state. This spring, he is hitting .485 with 13 home runs and 45 RBIs. He’s 9-2 as a pitcher.
Bryant plans to attend football camps at Georgia Tech and Furman this summer and is deciding between Middle Tennessee and Alabama for another.
“I would like to do three camps,” he said. “It is sort of up in the air right now.”
But the Class A championship baseball series against Pacelli is not.
“I’m definitely looking forward to this weekend,” he said. “Everybody is really excited.”
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Son of NFL great gearing up for senior season
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Among the premier offensive linemen in NFL history, there were few better than San Francisco standout Randy Cross.
Nearly 19 years after his final game as a professional in Super Bowl XXIII, his son, Brendan Cross, is preparing for his senior season as quarterback at Chattahoochee.
The younger Cross’ budding football career includes scholarship offers from Air Force, Bowling Green and Miami (Ohio).
“I got the offer from Bowling Green at the end of spring practice and was told by my coach today that I’d be getting a call from Miami (Ohio) tonight about an offer,” Cross said late Wednesday.
And the 6-foot-2, 195-pound QB is scheduled to attend camps this summer at Louisville, South Florida, Vanderbilt and Wake Forest.
“Usually with the camps, it’s just about getting my name out there,” he said. “But when the coaches give me tips or advice on my throwing, I take all that in and work on it.
“I’ve got pretty good speed, so I’m not looking to improve on that. I am working on my arm and improving my throwing mechanics.”
Cross spent much of his Memorial Day weekend participating in the Steve Clarkson Super Seven quarterback retreat held in Santa Barbara, Calif.
“I had a really good weekend,” he said. “I went up against some of the elite guys in the nation from the ‘08 and ‘09 classes. And I was told I did really well against them.”
As he continues to make a name for himself, Cross doesn’t have to go very far when seeking direction on the game of football and recruiting.
“Usually, I get advice [from my father] on how to go about working with the recruiters and offers,” Cross said. “We’ve really been sitting down lately and talking about whether I want to commit early or wait.
“It’s been a while since he’s been recruited and so much has changed. But he still has pretty good insight and I take most of his advice.”
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Tennessee-bound Williams didn’t grow up a college football fan
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Milton running back Toney Williams has always bled red and black. But his loyalty has never been to the program based in Athens.
“I’ve always followed the pros and my favorite team is the Atlanta Falcons,” said Williams, who committed to Tennessee earlier this month. “I didn’t even start watching college football until maybe a year or two ago.
“I really didn’t really like any college team growing up. I’ve always followed the pros more.”
Though his football passion has always been with the NFL, he is beginning to understand the hoopla surrounding college game days on Saturdays throughout the nation.
“I wouldn’t say it was always a dream for me to play college football, but I definitely want to be part of it,” he said.
“I know what all this stands for and what it’s all about.”
Williams chose the Vols over scholarship offers from Georgia Tech, Indiana, Kentucky, N.C. State and Rutgers.
“I like my decision,” he said. “I don’t regret it at all. I’m not talking to any other schools.”
In fact, the 6-foot-1, 227-pound back doesn’t plan to hear additional sales pitches from coaches this summer.
“I don’t plan on going to any camps so far, but I am going to Tennessee this summer,” Williams said. “I just don’t know yet when I’ll visit.”
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Milton long snapper to visit LSU and South Carolina
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Arguably the premier high school long snapper in Georgia, Milton’s Michael Brodsky will attend several camps this summer with two goals in mind: sharpen his skills and land at least one scholarship offer.
Brodsky will participate in a snapping/kicking camp at LSU on June 7. He’ll attend camp at Houston the following day.
His travels will take him to camp at Miami (Ohio) on June 9.
Brodsky will catch his breath for one day before heading to Columbia to attend camp at South Carolina. He’ll board a plane that evening and be prepared for camp at Tulsa on June 12 and 13.
Brodsky, who is scheduled to meet and work out for coach Justin Watts of Middle Tennessee State on Sunday, has also earned an invitation to summer camp at the University of Tennessee, Chattanooga in July.
“I will also be attending Chris Rubio’s Nike Elite 12 Long Snapping camp in July in Los Angeles,” Brodsky said. “Only the top 12 long snappers in the country are invited.”
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Jackets land top-notch QB recruit Luallen
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Georgia Tech picked up a football recruit on Thursday when Jordan Luallen chose the Jackets, according to scout.com.
Luallen, a four-star recruit from Center Grove High School in Greenwood, Ind., passed for 756 yards and rushed for 475 yards last season to lead his team to a 9-2 record. He totaled 25 touchdowns.
He was ranked the No. 15 QB in the nation by Scout.com. He had offers from Indiana, Iowa, Louisville, Maryland and Stanford, according to Rivals.com.
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South Carolina offers Heritage TE
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Heritage-Conyers tight end Justin Jones has four scholarship offers, a high number for a player who has played football for only three years.
But South Carolina, UAB, East Carolina and Akron have offered in the past month because they like Jones’ size (6-foot-8, 250 pounds) and potential. Clemson, Central Florida, Alabama and Kentucky also are recruiting him.
“I’m surprised, honored and glad I’m getting this kind of attention,” said Jones, who didn’t start until he was a junior and caught 11 passes last season, five for touchdowns. Â
“My freshman season was my first year of playing football in my life, and I didn’t play varsity until my junior year. Â I never expected to be getting offers to college. Â It’s just a blessing that’s come down.”
Jones’ stock has risen because of his work at the Nike combine in Atlanta in March and the Under Armour camp in Auburn in May. He was named to the all-combine team at both.
“If I had to compare myself to anybody, I’m told I play more like Leonard Pope [the 6-8 former Georgia tight end, now in the NFL],” Jones said. “I’m more the receiving tight end. I can catch the ball, and I can run. I can go up for the jump ball.”
Jones also plays on Heritage’s basketball team and twice had more than 20 rebounds in a game and averaged 14 points.
Jones said he’d like to play in the SEC. Though South Carolina is the only SEC school to offer, Jones wouldn’t call the Gamecocks his leader because he’s never visited the school and expects more offers. Â “Clemson told me I was really high on their list,” Jones said. “South Carolina said that and then they offered. I think I’m expecting an offer from Alabama . They said they really like me and that all they want me to go is come up and let coach [Nick] Saban see me move.”
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Centennial DE Cummings a recruit to watch
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Centennial defensive end Euclid Cummings picked up scholarship offers from Middle Tennessee State and Indiana last week.
“And West Virginia is about to offer,” Centennial coach Jeff Measor said Wednesday evening.
Relatively new to football, Cummings’ stock should rise during camps this summer.
“He’s only played for a year,” Measor said. “A lot of schools want him to go to camp so they can watch him run some.
“There’s a few SEC schools interested in him. He’ll be a pretty high recruit this summer.”
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Georgia commit Lee to skip summer camps
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Buford defensive tackle Dallas Lee, who committed to Georgia last month, doesn’t plan to participate in college camps this summer.
“If I wasn’t committed to Georgia, [attending camps] would probably be pretty big so I could see which coach I like the best,” Lee said. “I’ll just work out and run most every day this summer at the high school.”
Lee, whose father played football under the late Erk Russell at Georgia Southern, still hears from recruiters from other programs.
“They’re not recruiting me as hard as they were, but there are a couple of schools that still stay in touch,” said Lee, who declined to name the colleges.
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Chamblee RB preparing to camp at ACC and SEC programs
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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With the school year set to end at Chamblee on Friday, running back Warren Norman is busy preparing for summer football camps at Clemson, Georgia, Georgia Tech and Vanderbilt.
The 5-foot-10, 191-pound Norman hopes his athleticism and 4.42 speed in the 40 will be sufficient to catch the eyes of recruiters. He remains confident that his first scholarship offer will follow.
“I had a couple of coaches come up and watch spring practice and they said the same thing: come to camp and we’ll take it from there,” Norman said.
Norman is certainly on the recruiting radar. He earned an invitation to a Nike camp in Tuscaloosa, Ala. and the Under Armour/Scout.com Southeast Elite camp at Auburn this spring.
Now he hopes to close the deal and earn his first offer.
“I’m ready to show them that I’m capable of being a top collegiate back at the next level,” he said.
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Two new offers for Henry County receiver
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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The scholarship offers continue to pour in for Henry County receiver Jamal Patterson.
“I was just offered by West Virginia on Thursday and Rutgers on Friday,” Patterson told Scout.com.
The 6-foot-2, 188-pound junior has offers from nearly every major college football power with the exception of Georgia.
None of the Dogs’ 11 current commits in the Class of 2009 were recruited at receiver.
Georgia does, however, continue to await word on whether receivers Marlon Brown of Harding Academy in Memphis, Tenn., Andre Debose of Seminole High in Sanford, Fla., and/or Nu’keese Richardson of Pahokee High in Pahokee, Fla. will play college football in Athens.
Patterson’s offers are from the likes of Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Kentucky, LSU, Michigan, North Carolina, N.C. State, Oregon, South Carolina and Wake Forest.
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Lassiter TE chooses Auburn
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Lassiter tight end Philip Lutzenkirchen committed to Auburn Friday evening. The 6-foot-4, 230-pound junior chose Auburn over Clemson and Stanford.
“It came down to Auburn and Clemson,” Lutzenkirchen told Inside the Auburn Tigers. “Stanford was in it, but distance became a factor.
“The main reason I liked Clemson was because of the lake. We’ve got a lake house up there. When I kind of factored everything in that was the only reason. The coaches and everything were nice, the facilities were nice, but the main factor was the lake.
“I met the coaches down at Auburn and they’re just awesome. I felt at home.”
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Will it be Auburn, Clemson or Stanford for Lassiter TE?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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There will be some extra drama associated with Friday night’s spring game at Lassiter.
Part of the night’s festivities will include tight end Philip Lutzenkirchen picking a college. He’ll choose between Auburn, Clemson and Stanford.
“I’ll either put a hat or t-shirt on,” said Lutzenkirchen, who won’t be able to participate in Friday evening’s contest due to a groin injury. “And one of the coaches from that college will probably be at our game.”
Without tipping his hand, the 6-foot-4, 230-pounder attempted to explain the factors that swayed his decision.
“Once I visited this one school, I fell in love with it,” he said. “I could just see myself there. It’s a really close knit program.”
Lutzenkirchen said he’s trying to maintain secrecy over his decision.
“It’s been kind of hard, but people have been guessing,” he said. “I haven’t really told anyone. Everybody just keeps guessing.
“I’m just glad I’m committing early so I can focus on my school work and football season next year.”
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First offer for Calhoun DT
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Calhoun defensive tackle Eric McDaniel’s first scholarship offer is from an ACC program.
“Eric got his first offer last week, and it came from N.C. State,” Calhoun coach Hal Lamb said Wednesday evening. “And I feel there are three others - Georgia Tech, Louisville and UAB - that are close to offering.”
Spring practice at Calhoun concluded on Tuesday. McDaniel’s schedule allowed him to participate on a limited basis.
“Eric didn’t practice until the two last two days because he runs track,” Lamb said. “But those two days, we couldn’t block him.
“I think he’s really matured and this recruiting stuff has opened his eyes. He’s turned it up a notch in the classroom and on the field. I really expect him to have a big year.”
Coaches from Auburn, Louisville and Tech have stopped by Calhoun recently to get a glimpse of the 6-foot-2, 297-pound Calhoun.
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Three additional offers for Henry County receiver
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Marshall, Michigan and N.C. State are the most recent programs to jump on the Jamal Patterson recruiting bandwagon.
Scholarship offers from these three programs this month has pushed the 6-foot-2, 188-pound Henry County receiver’s offer count past 40.
Patterson said he plans to give the Michigan offer strong consideration.
“Distance from home isn’t a factor,” Patterson said. “It such an honor to receive an offer from Michigan.
“Getting an offer from any school is an honor, but one from a school with that much prestige is big time.”
After winning a state championship in the 110-meter hurdles on Saturday, Patterson turned his focus to spring football two days later.
College scouts have turned out in large number to get a glimpse of the talented junior.
“Coaches from Tennessee, Oregon and Richmond were there on Monday,” Patterson said. “And coaches from Southern Cal, Troy and Miami attended practice on Tuesday.”
Georgia receivers coach John Eason is expected to attended practice at Henry County on Thursday. As of late Tuesday, Georgia has not yet offered Patterson.
Georgia defensive coordinator Willie Martinez and Alabama assistant coach Kirby Smart were among the spectators in attendance at Saturday’s track and field championship in Jefferson.
Patterson said his body was up for the challenge of a quick transition from track to football.
“It’s different on your body running on rubber and asphalt then getting on grass,” he said. “But I feel like I’m in great shape.”
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NC State 14th school to offer Washington DB/WR Smith
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Washington defensive back and wide receiver Branden Smith received his 14th college scholarship offer a few days before the beginning of spring practice.
The 5-foot-10, 180-pound Smith added North Carolina State to a growing list of college offers that include Georgia Tech and Georgia. The Bulldogs were the first school to offer Smith, who missed the first week of spring drills because of his track commitment.
At last weekend’s GHSA state track meet in Jefferson, Smith finished runner-up in the 100 meters with a time of 10.5 seconds. He helped anchor the 400-relay team to a victory.
Smith said he will make his college choice in midseason, and he hasn’t narrowed his list.
“Right now, I want to get ready for the season,” Smith said. “I’m happy with the offers I have so far, but I haven’t started thinking about where I’m going.”
On Monday, a few college coaches stopped by practice to watch the Bulldogs work out. Current Georgia free safety Reshad Jones, a former all-state and Super 11 player at Washington, visited with the Washington coaching staff earlier in the day.
Smith also has offers from West Virginia, Michigan, Arkansas, Ole Miss, Miami, Florida, Alabama, Clemson, Auburn, Maryland and Florida State.
“I like everyone, and I’m pretty open,” Smith said.
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The Wolfpack offer Flowery Branch DE
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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N.C. State is the latest program to send a scholarship offer to Flowery Branch defensive end Izaan Cross.
Central Florida, Georgia Tech, Maryland, South Carolina and West Virginia had previously offered the 6-foot-4, 240-pound junior.
“It’s always a cool feeling, but you can’t ever get tired of getting offers,” said Cross, who received notification of N.C. State’s interest on Thursday.
Cross reiterated his desire to thoroughly research each program before making a commitment.
“I like all my schools,” he said. “I’m just enjoying the process right now. It may even be after football season [before a decision is made].”
Coaches from LSU, Indiana and Marshall have attended Flowery Branch’s spring football practice, which began on Tuesday.
“Spring practice is going pretty good,” Cross said. “I’m not surprised because I know we have a lot of potential going in this season.
“We’re missing a few people to other sports, but I think when we get all the pieces together we will be a force.”
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Georgia beats Florida, Ga. Tech for Valdosta LB
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Georgia’s football commitment list grew to 11 Saturday.
Mike Gilliard, a linebacker from Valdosta, said he has decided to play at Georgia. The 6-3, 205-pound linebacker is the third linebacker commitment for the class. Emanuel County Institute’s Dexter Moody and Chestatee’s Chase Vasser committed in January. At the time of Moody and Vasser’s commitments it was believed Georgia would only add another linebacker if Columbus’ Jarvis Jones was interested. Jones is considered the top linebacker prospect in the state and one of the top 40 players nationally.
But Gilliard was also in Georgia’s sights. In addition, the trio of linebackers now committed gives Georgia some possible versatility. Moody also can play safety. The 6-4 Vasser may also grow into a defensive end.
“[The depth] at linebacker was something that I looked at,” Gilliard said. “But I am not trying to be cocky or anything, but I think I can go in there an outwork them. I’m confident. I think I am the best.”
Gilliard averaged 9.3 tackles per game last season, had eight sacks and two interceptions. According to Scout.com, Gilliard is a three-star prospect. Rivals.com considers Gilliard a four-star prospect.
Gilliard chose Georgia over Georgia Tech and Florida.
Georgia is expected to secure no more than 20 commitments this recruiting season.
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Henry County QB looking to impress recruiters
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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On the heels of a successful outing at the Nike camp in Tuscaloosa last weekend, Henry County quarterback Drew Little is primed for the start of spring practice on Monday.
A large number of college football scouts are expected to visit Henry County over the next couple of weeks to get a glimpse of Little, highly-touted wide receiver Jamal Patterson and several of their teammates.
“These past couple of weeks everybody has been through to talk to me, Jamal and some other guys who are prospects,” said Little, whose stellar performance in Tuscaloosa earned him an invitation to a Nike seven-on-seven camp in Oregon in July.
The 6-foot-6, 240-pound Little has reason to believe a scholarship offer from an SEC program could arrive soon.
“I’d say after Kentucky comes down next week, I could be close to an offer from them,” he said.
Even with postseason baseball action set to begin this weekend at Henry County, Little intends to participate in both sports next week, and beyond, if necessary.
“I’ve worked it out with my baseball coach,” Little said. “I’ll go to baseball practice [for an abbreviated workout] then go straight to football practice.
“Last week, I started a baseball game on Friday night and went to football camp the next day. It’s tough on your arm sometimes, but you just work through it.”
Little has set a personal goal during spring football drills.
“I’ve really been working on improving my footwork a lot,” he said. “As big and as mobile as I am, I still need to be able to move from tackle to tackle and avoid defenders.”
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Notre Dame, others show interest in Tucker RB
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Tucker junior running back/linebacker Jonathan Davis already has scholarship offers from Central Florida, Clemson and UAB.
And with spring practice set to begin on Thursday at Tucker, additional offers are likely to follow.
“He’s been getting a lot of attention with coaches coming through,” Tucker coach Franklin Stephens said. “South Florida is interested, but they’re kind of waiting on their head coach to offer him.
“Illinois came in on Monday and they got kind of excited. And Notre Dame saw him in a morning workout last week and they became intrigued by him.”
Memphis and Mississippi State have also inquired about the 5-foot-9, 195-pound Davis.
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ACC offer for Tucker nose guard
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Fresh offer his first scholarship offer from West Virginia, Tucker junior nose guard Deion Roberson received word last week that he had received an offer from an ACC program.
“He already had the West Virginia offer, but Maryland called last week and they offered,” Tucker coach Franklin Stephens said on Wednesday. “And South Florida and Memphis are very interested in him too.
“Most everybody who sees him think he’s a big defensive tackle who is very strong at the point of attack. And it’s very hard to find those guys.”
The 6-foot-2, 275-pound Roberson and his Tucker teammates open spring practice on Thursday.
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College recruiters roll into town to view practice at Carver
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Coaches from Georgia, Illinois, Marshall, Michigan, Ohio State and Ole Miss were on hand to get a glimpse of junior free safety Darren Myles Jr. and his teammates during opening day of spring football practice at Carver on Monday.
“That was totally abnormal,” Carver coach Darren Myles admitted, when asked about the volume of recruiters attending the first day of practice.
“But it’s not a distraction at all. In fact, I’ve always made it know [to the players] when [recruiters] are there.”
Myles, whose marquee scholarship offers are from programs such as Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Kentucky, LSU, Mississippi State, Notre Dame, South Carolina and Tennessee, enjoyed a productive day at the Nike camp in Tuscaloosa, Ala. on Saturday.
“It went really well,” coach Myles said. “In fact, he was named the most valuable defensive back.
“The Nike traveling staff was impressed with his man-to-man coverage. They knew he was physical and athletic, but they didn’t realize his feet are as quick as they are.”
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Columbia’s Morrow signs with E. Carolina
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Columbia center Darrius Morrow, who last month was granted a release from his basketball scholarship at South Carolina, has signed with East Carolina.
Morrow, a 6-foot-9 center who led the Eagles to two of the last three Class AAAA titles, felt like he was a bad match for new Gamecocks coach Darrin Horn’s up-tempo style of play and asked for a release. Horn recently replaced Dave Odom, who retired.
Morrow averaged 14.5 points and 11.3 rebounds to be named second team all-state and first team all-city. Morrow also had interest from Ole Miss, Virginia Tech, UAB and Oklahoma.
“We feel he will have a huge impact for us,” said ECU assistant coach Darryl LaBarrie, a former Tucker and Georgia Tech player. “We feel he will come in right away and be our best low post player. We will run some of our offense through him.”
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Milton RB commits to Tennessee
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Milton junior tailback Toney Williams spent the majority of his childhood in residing in Chattanooga.
But that fact had little to do with his decision to commit to Tennessee on Saturday.
“I moved [to metro Atlanta] in the seventh grade,” Williams said. “But I didn’t really growing up liking any team.
“I just liked the facilities and coaches at Tennessee. I felt real comfortable when I went up there for junior day.”
Williams admitted that the timing of his commitment coincided with the start of spring practice at Milton on Monday.
“Yeah, it did,” he said. “I just wanted to have it out of the way before spring practice started so I can focus on my high school football.”
The 6-foot-1, 230-pound Williams chose the Volunteers over scholarship offers from Arkansas, Georgia Tech, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi State, N.C. State and Rutgers.
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Recruiters set sights on Chamblee RB
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Assistant coaches and coordinators from Alabama and Georgia Tech are expected to be on hand next week at Chamblee to evaluate junior running back Warren Norman.
“They said they’re going to check me out during spring practice,” the 5-foot-10, 191-pound Norman said.
Norman, who has 4.42 speed in the 40, plans to participate in the Nike camp on Saturday in Tuscaloosa. He was a participant in Sunday’s Under Armour/Scout.com Southeast Elite camp at Auburn.
“It went great,” Norman said. “All of the good players from the south were there. They had great coaches there too.”
The camp at Auburn was proved to be a learning experience for Norman.
“I felt like I got better as far as my footwork and ball carrying,” he said.
Norman, who recently attended Florida State’s spring game, remains confident that his first scholarship offer is forthcoming.
“I’m still being patient,” he said. “I’ve got another year. I’ll just keep working hard and doing everything I need to on the field and it will come to me.”
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Former opponent praises Georgia signee
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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The state of Georgia produced two five-star defensive linemen in the 2008 class with Buford’s Omar Hunter (signed with Florida) and DeAngelo Tyson (Georgia), but Scout.com’s Southeast recruiting manager, Burke Hayes, believes that rising senior Abry Jones of Northside-Warner Robins has more potential than either.
On Hayes’ strong recommendation, Jones was promoted to a five-star recruit and named the No. 1 defensive tackle in the country Thursday when Scout released its National 300 list.
“I think Abry has more upside,” Hayes said. “I think he has the most upside of any defensive player in the country because of his frame. He’s not landlocked at 6-2, 6-1. He’s a 6-4 guy whose physically immature because he’s only played football and been lifting weights for three years. When gets into the weight room, he’s going to blow up.”
Hayes was an assistant coach at Rome High last season and faced Jones’ Northside team in the playoffs before joining Scout’s staff. Jones impressed Scout’s staff last weekend at a camp in Auburn.
Scout’s original rating of Jones had him at No. 52 nationally, but for this week’s update of the National 300, Hayes argued to rate him higher.
“I said we need to move him ahead of Jacobbi McDaniel, a FSU commit, and a lot of guys wanted to keep McDaniel up, but Scott [Kennedy, the national director of recruiting] and I lobbied hard for Abry,” Hayes said. “McDaniel is a high motor guy, but he’s 6-1 and may have peaked physically. And I’ve seen so much film on Abry. It’s not like it’s a shot in the dark.”
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Scout.com champions Abry Jones
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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The state of Georgia produced two five-star defensive linemen in the 2008 class with Buford’s Omar Hunter (signed with Florida) and DeAngelo Tyson (Georgia), but Scout.com’s Southeast recruiting manager, Burke Hayes, believes that rising senior Abry Jones of Northside-Warner Robins has more potential than either.
On Hayes’ strong recommendation, Jones was promoted to a five-star recruit and named the No. 1 defensive tackle in the country Thursday when Scout released its National 300 list.
“I think Abry has more upside,” Hayes said. “I think he has the most upside of any defensive player in the country because of his frame. He’s not landlocked at 6-2, 6-1. He’s a 6-4 guy whose physically immature because he’s only played football and been lifting weights for three years. When gets into the weight room, he’s going to blow up.”
Hayes was an assistant coach at Rome High last season and faced Jones’ Northside team in the playoffs before joining Scout’s staff. Jones impressed Scout’s staff last weekend at a camp in Auburn.
Scout’s original rating of Jones had him at No. 52 nationally, but for this week’s update of the National 300, Hayes argued to rate him higher.
“I said we need to move him ahead of Jacobbi McDaniel, a FSU commit, and a lot of guys wanted to keep McDaniel up, but Scott [Kennedy, the national director of recruiting] and I lobbied hard for Abry,” Hayes said. “McDaniel is a high motor guy, but he’s 6-1 and may have peaked physically. And I’ve seen so much film on Abry. It’s not like it’s a shot in the dark.”
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Five Georgia commits make Scout list
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Five players who have committed to Georgia are in the top 100 of the Scout.com National 300 released today.
Abry Jones made one of the biggest jumps nationally. The Northside-Warner Robins defensive tackle is rated the state’s top No. 1 player and the top defensive tackle in the country. Jones was elevated to a five-star recruit because of an impressive showing last weekend at the UnderArmour/Scout.com Elite Camp at Auburn. He is the Bulldogs’ top-rated player who is committed.
Other top 100 players pledged to Georgia are Florida quarterback Aaron Murray (No. 31), ECI running back Washaun Ealey (No. 79), Oconee County quarterback Zach Mettenberger (No. 83) and Tennessee lineman Austin Long (No. 91).
Murray is one of seven quarterbacks rated as five-star recruits and gives Georgia two of the nation’s top 10 at the position. Mettenberger is rated No. 9.
Ohio State has the most top 100 commitments with six. Texas has five, and LSU and USC have four each.
The state’s other Top 100 recruits are Carver linebacker Jarvis Jones (No. 57), Tucker running back Jonathan Davis (No. 73) and Washington defensive back Brandon Smith (No. 75), all uncommitted.
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