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Monday, July 14, 2008
Florida TE open to Tech’s pursuit
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Orson Charles of Tampa, Fla., is one of the nation’s most coveted tight ends, holding 29 scholarship offers.
Charles said most SEC and ACC schools have offered him, with the exception of Georgia Tech. When asked about it, Charles said he has no explanation: “Georgia Tech has a new coach and new offensive system. Maybe they are just trying to figure out what type of [personnel] they want to fit with what they are doing. I’m really not sure.”
Is it too late for Georgia Tech? Would Charles be receptive if the Yellow Jackets extended a scholarship offer? “Yes, if they offered, I’d listen to what they would have to say, just like with all the other colleges. I’m open to it.”
Charles, who is one of rival Georgia’s top recruiting targets at tight end, transferred to play at Plant High School for his senior season. Plant’s quarterback is Aaron Murray, who committed to Georgia over 53 other scholarship offers.
The 6-foot-3, 227-pound Charles said he is being recruited by almost all schools at tight end, but that a few have discussed playing wide receiver. Charles would likely project at wide receiver in Georgia Tech’s scheme.
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Alexander’s Mitchell commits to Kentucky
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Alexander offensive lineman Kevin Mitchell says he will play football at Kentucky, his head coach, Kenny Palmer, said.
The 6-7, 295-pound senior had offers from Indiana, Louisville and Oregon and was being recruited by Mississippi State, Auburn, Georgia and North Carolina State. But an unofficial visit to Lexington last week, where he attended the Wildcats’ camp, convinced Mitchell that Kentucky was the place for him.
“He just fell in love with the school once he went up there,” Palmer said. “Just two weeks earlier, he had told me he was going to take all of his official visits. Then last week he asked me what I thought about his committing to Kentucky. I told him to go where he thinks he’ll be happy.”
Mitchell, who runs 4.95 seconds in the 40-yard dash, plays guard at Alexander in Douglas County, where the Cougars utilize his speed and athleticism to pull block on running plays. He likely will play offensive tackle at Kentucky.
“He’s a great kid and he works his tail off in the weight room,” Palmer said. “Once they get him in their weight lifting and nutritional program up there, he’ll get up to 315, 320 pounds easily.”
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Auburn, Other schools, UGA
Loss of Griffin DE Jackson big blow to UGA’s heralded class
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Griffin’s Toby Jackson, who was rated as one of the nation’s top defensive ends last season, said he will honor his commitment to Georgia.
The 6-foot-4, 250-pound Jackson signed with the Bulldogs last February, but will attend prep school after not meeting college entrance requirements.
“I’m sticking with Georgia. I feel like it’s the best place for me and my family,” Jackson said. “I’m not opening up my recruiting again. Georgia is where I want to be, and I plan on being there in [January].”
By attending prep school, Jackson is technically a “free agent” to sign with any school this season. He took official visits to Southern Cal and Miami last year. He said LSU and Alabama have let him know in recent weeks that a scholarship is available if he changes his mind.
“It’s kind of disappointing, of course, to not be able to go straight to [UGA] because they are so high in the national rankings and will probably play for the national championship,” Jackson said. “The Georgia coaches really felt like I had a good chance at contributing this year.
“But I’m trying to look at this in a positive way. Instead of being red-shirted, like many of the freshmen at Georgia, I’ll get a lot of playing experience at prep school. Hopefully, that will make me better prepared to compete for a starting position at Georgia in the spring.”
There’s an outside chance that he could join the team later this season for bowl practices, as other incoming players have done in past years. Jackson said he had the qualifying grades, but needed a 20 on his ACT. He scored 18 on his final two attempts.
“I talked to [Georgia recruiting coordinator Rodney Garner] about it,” Jackson said. “He’s disappointed I won’t be there in August, but he tried to help me look at the positives of the situation. … I’ll be better person in the end because of it.”
Jackson will leave next month for Fork Union (Va.) Military. Prep schools traditionally do their best to encourage prospects to stay with their original college choices.
— Jeff Hood contributed to this story
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Douglass LB Atchison mulling over Alabama, Auburn offers
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Douglass linebacker Jonathan Atchison grew up liking Auburn football, but every day in practice he hears about the Alabama tradition.
Douglass assistant coach Allen Hollie, who played for the Crimson Tide, makes sure of that.
“He is always talking about the tradition and the mystique of Alabama football,” Atchison said. “There is no escaping it. I’ve always liked Auburn when I was growing up.”
Both schools have offered scholarships to the 6-foot-3, 212-pound Atchison. Atchison also has offers from Central Florida, Mississippi State, Kentucky, Ole Miss, Maryland and Rutgers.
He had 112 tackles and 12 sacks last season and caught 14 passes for 370 yards and five touchdowns from his tight end position.
“I’m looking forward to taking my visits to the schools,” Atchison said. “I went to camp at Auburn earlier this summer, but I look forward to going back down there to meet all the coaches and see the facilities.”
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