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Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Georgia Tech among finalists for Flowery Branch DE Cross
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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If Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson could magically turn the calendar ahead six months, he’d likely land a commitment from Flowery Branch defensive end Izaan Cross.
“If I had to commit today, I couldn’t go wrong going with Georgia Tech,” said Cross, who is also considering scholarship offers from Maryland, Mississippi State, Oklahoma and South Carolina.
“They need a defensive end. They’ll be losing both defensive ends next year. I’d have to say Georgia Tech is probably my top, or one of my top, schools.”
One of Cross’ other top choices is Mississippi State. A recent family visit to Starkville made a favorable impression on the 6-foot-4, 250-pound recruit.
“It was a pretty good trip to Mississippi State,” Cross said. “It was a beautiful campus. There’s not much to do there, but it was a beautiful campus.
“And coach [Sylvester] Croom is awesome. My dad loves him. He’s a great coach.”
Cross plans to take his five official visits this fall before making a commitment.
With classes slated to start in two weeks at Flowery Branch, will Cross visit another college this summer?
“I don’t think so,” he said late Tuesday. “I think it’s time to start buckling down on my high school team.”
Permalink | Comments (15) | Post your comment | Categories: Other schools, South Carolina, Tech
Tucker DB Lee breaks collarbone
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Tucker, which could have as many as five seniors sign with major colleges, will have one of its prized prospects on the sidelines with an injury for the next two months.
Defensive back David Lee, who has an offer from South Alabama and serious interest from several ACC schools, broke his collarbone in a freak fall at passing league. It was a big blow for Lee, who had made dramatic improvements since last season.
“He was really blossoming into a major-college prospect, and then this happened,” Tucker coach Franklin Stephens said. “However, he’ll make a 100-percent recovery, and join us in the middle of the season. He’ll still have plenty of time to show the colleges what he can do.”
The 6-foot-3, 190-pounder projects to play linebacker in college. Lee won the Class AAAA championship in the triple jump last year, and is consistently clocked around 4.5 in the 40, according to Stephens.
Tucker’s other top prospects are wide receiver Drayton Calhoun (committed to LSU), linebacker Jonathan Davis, defensive end Deion Roberson and quarterback Chris Beck.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Other schools
Tech lands nationally-rated Miller Grove point guard Udofia
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Miller Grove point guard Mfon Udofia committed to Georgia Tech Tuesday before playing in an AAU tournament in Las Vegas.
The 6-foot-3 Udofia has been the starting point guard at the DeKalb County school the last three years. Last season, he averaged a DeKalb County-leading 24.3 points, 3.7 steals and 5.4 assists. He is rated the No. 6 point guard prospect in the country by Scout.com.
He is the Tech’s third commitment for the 2009 class. Udofia chose the Yellow Jackets over Texas, Florida, Wake Forest and Virginia.
“I think it is a good fit for Georgia Tech and Mfon,” Miller Grove coach Sharman White said. “Tech is Point Guard U. He will fit in well with the guys they are bringing in.”
Permalink | Comments (6) | Post your comment | Categories: Basketball, Florida, Other schools, Tech
Kentucky has pipeline to LaGrange, LB Huzzie
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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LaGrange linebacker Qua Huzzie says having three former LaGrange players at Kentucky, including cousin DeMoreo Ford, made his commitment to the Wildcats this week an easy fit.
”That was a big factor,” said Huzzie, who is 5-foot-11, 210 pounds. “When I go up there, I talk to them, and they tell me the truth. It’s going to be fun playing with them.”
Ford is a senior wide receiver. Kentucky’s other former LaGrange players are Braxton Kelley, a senior linebacker, and Randall Burden, a freshman defensive back.
LaGrange has become Georgia’s “Linebacker” High School. Former All-SEC linebackers Wesley Woodyard (Kentucky) and Sam Olajubutu (Arkansas), both in the NFL, played at LaGrange. Tray Blackmon, a junior starting linebacker at Auburn, was the AJC’s all-class player of the year in 2004.
Another former LaGrange linebacker, Travis Hart, who played at Eastern Kentucky, is helping train Huzzie this summer.
”I used to watch film on all of them — Sam, Tray,” Huzzie said. “I talk with Trey a lot. I’ve worked with Travis on hands and footwork. I talk and work out with Braxton a lot, too.”
Huzzie also considered North Carolina, UAB, Duke and Vanderbilt. Huzzie made more than 100 tackles last season, 27 for losses.
“I think [Kentucky] liked the way I get to the ball, run around the field and get the job done,” Huzzie said.
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Smith says S. Carolina’s ‘a great fit’
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Camden County wide receiver DeAngelo Smith said there were several factors behind his decision to commit to South Carolina last week.
Smith picked the Gamecocks over East Carolina and Indiana, among others, and had emerging interest from Georgia and Florida.
Smith said he grew up in Charleston, S.C., and remained a fan of the Gamecocks. Smith said his decision also was influenced when he was informed by South Carolina assistant Steve Spurrier Jr. that the Gamecocks were going to sign four receivers and already had extended offers to many of the Southeast’s elite.
“I love South Carolina. It’s a great fit for me, and I didn’t want to take a chance on losing that scholarship by waiting too long,” Smith said.
It appears Smith made a wise decision. Three receivers, including Smith and Coffee County’s DeMario Bennett, told the elder Spurrier at South Carolina camp last weekend that they intend to sign with the Gamecocks.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: South Carolina, UGA
Westlake’s Warmack sticking with Alabama, Saban
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Westlake tackle Chance Warmack is sure that he will stick with his commitment to Alabama when National Signing Day comes in February.
The 6-foot-4, 320-pounder said he was impressed with the Crimson Tide tradition and coach Nick Saban that he is sure he will feel comfortable in Tuscaloosa attending college. Warmack, a Detroit native will graduate from the southwest Atlanta school in December so he can enroll at Alabama in time for spring drills.
“I just got one class this semester and I will be through,” he said. “Coach Nick Saban is a really good coach and a well-rounded person. He seems to care about his players and it was a family atmosphere over there.”
Warmack has visited the Alabama campus four times the last two years and plan an official visit this fall. Rivals.com lists him as the No. 28 prospect in Georgia. In addition to Alabama, South Carolina, Rutgers, Arkansas and Auburn were among the schools that offered.
He said he is also looking forward to playing for Crimson Tide offensive line coach Joe Pendry, who coached 19 years in the NFL and several years on the college level.
“He has been coaching just a long as my parents have been living,” Warmack said. “He has a lot of technique for you. I think it is a good fit for me.”
Womack works every day in practice with former Westlake standout and University of Georgia offensive lineman Resty Beadles. He is a close friend with former Westlake standout and Georgia starting right tackle Kiante Tripp.
Beadles said he spoke with Georgia coaches about Warmack, but the Bulldogs were set in recruiting for future linemen. Warmack said he understood about Georgia situation and is happy with the offers he has received.
“Coach Beadles is like a father to me, and I’m real close to Kiante,” Warmack said. “I wear his number. I wanted to look at other schools, and do my own thing.”
Permalink | Comments (24) | Post your comment | Categories: Alabama, Auburn, Other schools, South Carolina, UGA
Georgia offers rising junior
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Defensive end Brandon Willis of Duncan, S.C., ranks Georgia third behind Florida State and Clemson after the Bulldogs made an early offer at the “Dawg Night” prospect camp last weekend.
“I like a lot of things about Georgia. If I come here, I feel like I’ll have a good chance of playing early because of the depth chart,” said Willis, who is a rising junior at Byrnes High, the defending Class AAAA champions.
Willis may have more serious interest in Georgia than he is showing. Last Friday was his third appearance at Georgia camps. He was all smiles after being offered by Georgia coach Mark Richt.
“I guess the third time was a charm,” Willis said with a laugh. “I wasn’t upset about not being offered the other two times. I just became determined to work harder and come better prepared this time, and it paid off.”
Willis is part of star-studded 2010 class at Byrnes, which is headlined by Marcus Lattimore, one of the nation’s top tailbacks. Georgia also has offered a scholarship to wide receiver Ricco Sanders, who will be a rising senior at the school.
The 6-foot-3, 240-pound Willis was difficult to block at camp, exhibiting an explosive first step and veteran-like technique.
Willis said he was surprised and satisfied by finally landing the offer.
“I finally did it, after all that hard work,” he said.
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