AJC > Sports > Football Recruiting > Blog > Archives > 2008 > July > 19
Saturday, July 19, 2008
“Dawg Night” attracts 86 prospects to UGA
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
Georgia coach Mark Richt welcomed 86 high school players for “Dawg Night” prospect camp on Friday evening.
The most celebrated prospect in attendance was Branden Smith of Atlanta’s Washington High. Smith, considered one of the nation’s top cornerbacks with around 25 offers, opted not to participate in the camp. Defensive end Abry Jones of Northside-Warner Robins, who has committed to Georgia, was also an observer.
However, three Georgia commitments decided to go through the workouts: lineman Dallas Lee of Buford, linebacker Michael Gilliard of Buford, and quarterback Zach Mettenberger of Oconee County.
Mettenberger looked much sharper and crisp with both his technique and throws that he did at another Georgia camp earlier in the summer. He seemed to quickly develop chemistry with wide receiver Rantavious Wooten of Belle Glades, Fla.
Wooten was perhaps the camp’s most impressive player with his speed and quickness, attracting the attention of Richt and other members of the Georgia staff.
Permalink | Comments (10) | Post your comment | Categories: UGA
Former UGA running back’s son’s football career may be over
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
One of the nation’s most sought-after class of 2009 football recruits may not strap on a helmet and set of shoulder pads this fall.
Cartersville’s Donovan Tate, who has scholarship offers from powerhouses such as Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Texas and Southern Cal, may forego his senior season of football and focus exclusively on baseball.
“It’s 50-50, and I could understand either way,” Cartersville football coach Frank Barden said. “I’m not trying to contact them a lot and influence them one way or another. I want him to think about it.
“But I think him making the Team U.S.A. baseball team was a big indicator of where he stands in his class with baseball players in the country.
“I think he loves football and would love to play, but he has to weigh out the options of what his future holds.”
Tate, whose father is former Georgia running back Lars Tate, has been invited to play in the AFLAC All-American baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Aug. 9.
With football practice set to begin at Cartersville on Aug. 1, Barden has a contingency plan in place should his star player opt out of football.
“You have to plan that you won’t have him,” Barden said. “All spring and summer you have to practice and plan that you won’t.
“We’re trying to prepare the guys that may have to step up if he doesn’t play.”
Permalink | Comments (47) | Post your comment | Categories: UGA
