AJC > Sports > Football Recruiting > Blog > Archives > 2008 > June > 05 > Entry

UGA football signees likely to be picked in today’s baseball draft

Georgia officials will get an indication today whether Cedar Grove running back Xavier Avery honors the football scholarhip he signed in Febuary.

The 6-foot, 185-pound Avery is expected to be a late second round or third round pick in today’s Major League baseball draft.

The center fielder is listed as the 59th overall baseball prospect by Baseball America.

Avery, who has repeatedly said baseball is his passion, has made it known that if he chooses college over professional baseball this summer he wants to play both sports at Georgia.

Sanders Commings, a receiver from Westside, Augusta, could also be drafted today.

Commings, a centerfielder and member of Georgia’s 2008 football recruiting class, has been projected to go as high as the fourth round.

Permalink | Comments (30) | Post your comment | Categories: UGA

Comments

By whatnow

June 5, 2008 8:24 AM | Link to this

what will UGA do with those scholarships?

By Bob

June 5, 2008 8:55 AM | Link to this

They’ll pick college football. They always do. If they were serious about baseball they never would have gotten this far. This is a non-story probably written just to rile up UGA fans. One of the few things the AJC is good at.

By GeoffDawg

June 5, 2008 9:01 AM | Link to this

You can’t blame a kid for choosing to follow his passion when such a unique opportunity presents itself. They would both be missed but on the bright side, if they do go the baseball route, it would make the numbers for next year’s class a little more respectable.

By D.A.D

June 5, 2008 9:18 AM | Link to this

Xavier Avery is all but gone, and has nearly said has much; Sanders Commings is already on campus and really doesn’t have any intentions of playing baseball.

By Pink Sock

June 5, 2008 9:22 AM | Link to this

Actually, I think most UGA fans have known since the day Avery committed that he was likely to be drafted very high, and he never made it a secret that playing pro baseball was his first choice if drafted “high” enough. Commings was also expected to be drafted, but the feeling was college football/baseball were truly in his future.

By Rock Preston

June 5, 2008 9:58 AM | Link to this

D.A.D, how do you know what Cummings will do? You don’t know..you are hoping he doesn’t play baseball for your own selfish reasons. Let the young man do what he wants. He just finished his high school baseball career 2 weeks ago, so how would you know if he doesn’t want to play baseball???

By Ryan is the next Brady

June 5, 2008 10:03 AM | Link to this

Two words….

George Lombard

By Rock Preston

June 5, 2008 10:03 AM | Link to this

D.A.D, how do you know what Cummings will do? You don’t know..you are hoping he doesn’t play baseball for your own selfish reasons. Let the young man do what he wants. He just finished his high school baseball career 2 weeks ago, so how would you know if he doesn’t want to play baseball???

By Bob

June 5, 2008 10:04 AM | Link to this

The other Bob is wrong. They have a history of picking baseball at least as much as football. I can think of at least two from metro Atlanta right now.

And that doesn’t include Quincy Carter who signed with Tech… played minor league baseball instead… then went to UGA.

By Rock Preston

June 5, 2008 10:07 AM | Link to this

D.A.D, how do you know what Cummings will do? You don’t know..you are hoping he doesn’t play baseball for your own selfish reasons. Let the young man do what he wants. He just finished his high school baseball career 2 weeks ago, so how would you know if he doesn’t want to play baseball???

By GLD

June 5, 2008 10:22 AM | Link to this

Hey Bob….They “always” choose football? Ever heard of George Lombard? Don’t be so narrow minded. I am a huge UGA football fan but I also recognize there is more to life than football.

Take the blinders off, broaden your horizons and wish the best for the kids. Best of luck Xavier and Sanders!!!

By Halberstram

June 5, 2008 10:41 AM | Link to this

Avery will likely go the pro route, which no one can blame him. I’m sure the coaches are well aware of this. If he actually shows up to Athens the team would be over the 85 limit.

Commings no one knows for sure what will happen with him. It all depends on when he’s drafted. It would be great to have him play football, but if not it just means one more scholarship to offer this year.

Best of luck to both of them.

By Bad news Georgia

June 5, 2008 11:20 AM | Link to this

I wouldn’t blame a kid at all for taking a baseball career over football. After all, money paid to a baseball player is instant and not under the table like college football.

By Hootie Bookems

June 5, 2008 11:23 AM | Link to this

Sometimes they choose being a ninja over football. See Aaron Scranton.

By scottdawg

June 5, 2008 12:00 PM | Link to this

If they choose anything besides football chances are nobody will ever hear from them again. At least they get some of the limelight playing college football, even if they don’t move on to be pro’s. I’m sure George Lombard would have chosen differently if he had to do it all over again….

By SecIsFootball

June 5, 2008 12:06 PM | Link to this

scottdawg…I am pretty sure Jeff Francour (SP?) and many other of the young braves players would tell you differently.

By Vince

June 5, 2008 12:37 PM | Link to this

Saw Lombard playing AAA ball in Durham last year, not for the Durham Bulls but for the opponent.

Been in and out of the majors but mostly minors for about 12 years not, kind of feel bad for him, sure its been kind of tough.

By Brad

June 5, 2008 12:38 PM | Link to this

Sometimes they choose to be a Icecream man. I like icecream YEAH!!!

By ghost of tom thobe

June 5, 2008 12:46 PM | Link to this

I actually think high schoolers end up choosing the easy payday of baseball than college football. Here’s just off the top of my head:

Lombard Quincy Carter Drew Henson Chris Weinke

Even Jeff Smzrdja chose minor league ball over the NFL.

By Ricky

June 5, 2008 12:48 PM | Link to this

How about that Tanner kid from Waycross, the pitcher? He committed to UGA (baseball) and I have heard he may be drafted, what’s the deal there? I also thought he was rated higher than the two guys you mentioned.

By ghost of tom thobe

June 5, 2008 12:52 PM | Link to this

I forgot Francouer too.

By GrayDawg

June 5, 2008 12:54 PM | Link to this

Having a brother who got drafted in the second round out of HS, he accepted a scholarship to Un of Miami (FL), an expensive school, just to use that in getting a bigger signing bonus.

By Bird Dawg

June 5, 2008 1:23 PM | Link to this

What happened to George Lombard? I lost track of him after he left Atlanta. I thought he was traded to Detroit but not sure. Is he still playing?

By chewyandrw

June 5, 2008 1:27 PM | Link to this

The list goes on and on for people that choose baseball….Carl Crawford choose baseball over football, Danny Ainge choose baseball first over basketball. The smarter person will choose baseball over football for a few reasons.

  • The money
  • The skills you have to have to play baseball are way higher than that to play football. And those skills diminish faster.
  • The chance to be a pro early in something.
  • You can always go back to school and play football.
  • Baseball is fresh on their minds. They usually just have gotten done with baseball and have been out of football for a few months. This makes the decision a lot easier to make, especially if they had a great senior season in baseball.
  • By chewyandrw

    June 5, 2008 1:31 PM | Link to this

    The list goes on and on for people that choose baseball….Carl Crawford choose baseball over football, Danny Ainge choose baseball first over basketball. The smarter person will choose baseball over football for a few reasons.

  • The money
  • The skills you have to have to play baseball are way higher than that to play football. And those skills diminish faster.
  • The chance to be a pro early in something.
  • You can always go back to school and play football.
  • Baseball is fresh on their minds. They usually just have gotten done with baseball and have been out of football for a few months. This makes the decision a lot easier to make, especially if they had a great senior season in baseball.
  • By chewyandrw

    June 5, 2008 1:31 PM | Link to this

    The list goes on and on for people that choose baseball….Carl Crawford choose baseball over football, Danny Ainge choose baseball first over basketball. The smarter person will choose baseball over football for a few reasons.

  • The money
  • The skills you have to have to play baseball are way higher than that to play football. And those skills diminish faster.
  • The chance to be a pro early in something.
  • You can always go back to school and play football.
  • Baseball is fresh on their minds. They usually just have gotten done with baseball and have been out of football for a few months. This makes the decision a lot easier to make, especially if they had a great senior season in baseball.
  • By gdawginkalamazoo

    June 5, 2008 1:55 PM | Link to this

    Sure the bonus money might be great to kick out of college and go the baseball route (Drew Henson) but it is a long hill to climb. Start where AA go through to AAA then maybe get a shot at the show. Competing with thousands of others who might peak for one or two years in baseball and take your slot or shot at the big leagues. Or go play college football for 4 possibly 3 years where you can be the star. Then get drafted with the big bonus. Tough call I guess. One I never had to make but wish the best for the kids that have that talent and opportunity. Good luck either way Avery.

    By MeanMachine

    June 5, 2008 4:10 PM | Link to this

    I hope Xavier does what HE wants, whether football or baseball its win win for UGA. If he plays football and baseball for the Dogs he will be a great addition, but if not we will give his schorship to a four or five star recruit next February, no big deal. Its not like we have depth issues at RB or DB. If I was him I would rather get paid then have to compete w/ Reshad Jones, Quentin Banks, and John Knox for the next three years. We signed four other DBs and have three commits for next year that could possibly play safety. Its good to be a Dawg.

    By Nick

    June 5, 2008 4:14 PM | Link to this

    How can anybody like baseball over college football? Snoozer! Give me a break

    By n,y dawg

    June 5, 2008 7:12 PM | Link to this

    Avery went number 50 overall to the Baltimore O’S. Seeya and the best of luck in baseball!

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