AJC > Sports > Football Recruiting > Blog > Archives > 2008 > July > 30 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USAlabama LB Nico Johnson wonders if he’s still UGA target
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
Linebacker Nico Johnson of Andalusia, Ala., one of the nation’s top prospects, has said he will reconsider Georgia’s scholarship offer if the Bulldogs coaches let him know he’s still wanted.
Earlier this summer, the 6-foot-3, 230-pound Johnson said he got the understanding that Georgia had withdrawn its scholarship offer after three other linebackers committed to the Bulldogs. When pressed on where he got that information on Tuesday night, Johnson said, “One of my friends told me that. They either heard or read that Georgia was full at linebacker and not going to sign any more. So I guess I believed it.”
Georgia coaches are not allowed to comment on prospective student-athletes.
Johnson again denied rumors he was close to committing to Alabama, saying he has no favorites.
“I haven’t talked to them in a while, but I would look hard at Georgia if they need more linebackers,” he said. “It’s a great program, about the same as Alabama. A great defense, and just a great program.”
Johnson is ranked as the nation’s No. 30 overall prospect by Rivals.
Georgia has commitments from three players who are listed as linebackers, although they could change positions in college: Chase Vasser of Chestatee, Michael Gilliard of Valdosta and Dexter Moody of Emanuel County Institute. The Bulldogs are also in the running for linebacker Jarvis Jones of Carver-Columbus, arguably the state’s No. 1 prospect.
Permalink | Comments (23) | Post your comment | Categories: Alabama, Other schools, UGA
Comments
By Statesboro Sam
July 30, 2008 10:11 AM | Link to this
How is this news? If the kid hasn’t heard from them I would think it’s safe to assume they do not want him. I wonder if the AJC will ever be a first class newspaper and actually report news?
By SecIsFootball
July 30, 2008 12:08 PM | Link to this
Its simple…UGA is not going to waste their time recruiting a kid who is a BAMA lock!
By jdawg
July 30, 2008 12:11 PM | Link to this
Iagree. This is garbage. Who cares what an eigtheen year old thinks!! Lets get to some commitments and not water cooler talk.
By Tampa Dawg
July 30, 2008 12:45 PM | Link to this
Our coaches know what’s up. Lord knows, we don’t need another Dwayne Allen(TE) on our hands. LAst year comitted to UGA,UGA,UGA,UGA, then at last minute goes to Clemson.
By bamafan
July 30, 2008 7:46 PM | Link to this
he is BAMA bound!!!! ROLL TIDE!!!
By secISfootball
July 30, 2008 8:30 PM | Link to this
bama lock? if that was the case, then why is he still hoping to hear from uga. sounds like if uga offered, he would commit on the spot. kinda like wanting the prettiest girl in school and settling for the ugliest knowing the whole time if the pretty girl looks your way, the other one is out the door. will bama take the scraps that uga doesn’t want???
By dawgthabootyhunter
July 30, 2008 9:43 PM | Link to this
We want bigger fish! No big deal here; that’s why we dropped his scholly. Bama can have him. I personally like the Georgia backers better. I think that’s what Richt is thinking as well.
By Travis Hill
July 30, 2008 9:59 PM | Link to this
If the guy is serious about coming to GA then listen to him…If not let him go the other way….Call the Coach if you are serious…
By Bama Stan
July 30, 2008 11:40 PM | Link to this
Nico Johnson will sign with Alabama - write it down!!!!
Yes, UGA has been impressive under the Richt era - actually, a team that most SEC West fans root for because we hate TN and Florida
Interesting how Nico suggests that the two programs are about the same despite our recent medicore situation brought on by Dubose. Yeah, we screwed ourselves and paying the price.
Bama is getting ready to explode on the scene. 2008 season will show improvement - 2009 will absolutely rock!!!! Nico senses this - UGA is trying to hang with Florida - Meyer is a better coach than Richt - and UGA is still afraid of Tennessee - losing 3 of last 4 despite better talent.
2009 is when BAMA will be in the serious mix of teams for the SEC West and SEC Title.
Hate to say it Dawg fans but UGA is a school that makes a lot of noise - but seems to fall short of great expectations.
Something about Richts team lacks that certain OOMPH to win the NC….can’t put my finger on it - but I think UGA will always be a brides maid under Richt. I think that UGA is a team that the pieces just never fall into place at the same time - at the right time.
Gators will win SEC East this year.
Bama will win a NC before UGA.
By DawgFan7
July 31, 2008 8:01 AM | Link to this
I STRONGLY AGREE WITH THIS STATEMENT Bama will win its next National Championship (13th) before Georgia wins there next one And for the idiot that said Bama will take the scraps UGA doesnt want….wake up and smell your own stupid comments and quit makin all the UGA fans look like morons…
1.)Bama had the #1 recruiting class this past year and are on the way to finish in the top 5 again this year.
2.)We (UGA) are all talk, we always fall short of actually doing something….. All us UGA fans just talk the talk but our team can never walk the walk
By Bama Fan
July 31, 2008 9:06 AM | Link to this
I think this season will prove a lot for UGA…and will prove people on this board right or wrong. UGA needs to win SEC and play for nat’l title.
By Bama Fan
July 31, 2008 9:10 AM | Link to this
I think this season will prove a lot for UGA…and will prove people on this board right or wrong. UGA needs to win SEC and play for nat’l title.
By Bama Fan
July 31, 2008 9:10 AM | Link to this
I think this season will prove a lot for UGA…and will prove people on this board right or wrong. UGA needs to win SEC and play for nat’l title.
By Tampa Dawg
July 31, 2008 10:03 AM | Link to this
DawgFan7- well put! Bama Stan- alot of valid points but I believe every championship team must have a certain amount of football luck or the ball bouncing your way more than nought. Who would have thought… Fl blocking a field goal to beat Carolina and go on to become NC? Tenn-Vandy last year, when Vandy is dominating and then stupidly makes poor decisions? If VAndy wins that game a personally believe we would have won the SEC and the NC game.LSU gets in by Missouri and WVU losing? LSU lost to Arkansas for pete’s sake! LSU had an insane amount of luck to fall their way last year! UGA needs some football luck to shine on us ocassionally like it used to with “RUN LINDSEY RUN”. CMR is definitely the man for UGA and he is NOBODY’S BRIDESMAID!
By jjbamaman
July 31, 2008 10:41 AM | Link to this
Hey Guys. Been a Bama fan all my life. Also a Christian musician. Love SEC football. Georgia is my second favorite team. Mostly because of your coach. Coach Richt is a “class guy” in my opinion. I’m pulling for ya’ll to win it all this year. Maybe Alabama and Georgia will meet in the SECC game soon, very soon. Good luck with your season!
ROLL TIDE ROLL!!!
By OldDawg55
July 31, 2008 1:02 PM | Link to this
Just a comment on Alabama recruiting…Alabama had the #1 recruiting class and the #1 1/2 recruiting class! So many over the NCAA limit that they’re now delaying some enrollments until January; pushing guys off the 85 scholly limit; using medicals to get guys off; and, of course, the usual drops for felony arrests. Yeah, you have to credit Saban for going after as many athletes as he can..and more!
By mahonpogue
July 31, 2008 1:13 PM | Link to this
Roll Tide! Hey let’s not get animosity started between UA and UGA. We have both had proud traditions and traditions of mutual respect. Georgia’s program is probably the best in the SEC this year and I am pulling for them to win the NC. So let’s stop the discorse we are both going to get great recruits this year and the years that follow.
By gfed2008
July 31, 2008 10:11 PM | Link to this
Nico Johnson is dumb…”UGA is a program about the same as Alabama…” So 6-6=10-2
Alabama doesn’t actually have 12 NC’s. Their fans live in the past because they have no future. Bama sucks, Nick Saban is gay, and Bama won’t win more than 7 games this season
By Paula
August 1, 2008 12:32 PM | Link to this
If Urban Meyer is a better coach than Mark Richt— then why did UGA got 11-2 last year while Florida was 9-4? Must have been Urban’s lack of a quality QB and receiver/runner?
By benadawg
August 1, 2008 7:45 PM | Link to this
Bama stan, dream on, We have a winning record against Lou…er….Nick Saban. But i do think you will be the top team in Alabama. So hate on the dawgs and watch us this year as the best in the nation….GO DAWGS!!!!
By Tiderprider
August 4, 2008 11:12 AM | Link to this
Benadawg, your right, we won’t be the top team in Alabama. How long did it take your coach to build back your program? Bama will always be the most noticed and storied team in the SEC!!!! As far as Nico Johnson, he is the #2 MLB in the nation, so if UGA fans say they don;t want him is fine. He will commit in the next two weeks. If he goes UA then UGA fans will say he wasn’t offered a scholarship. Well if that us true then UGA is dumber than i thought. That would be like a baseball team trading A-rod for someone like Andruw Jones. Although i am not in favor of most of the UGA fans on here, i will wish good luck for those UGA fans with class and i hope you can bring home the NC with at least 1 defeat from UA.
By Karl J. Johnson
August 12, 2008 6:49 PM | Link to this
I seriously doubt Nico said anything of the sort.
By AndyDawgs
August 16, 2008 11:20 AM | Link to this
Nico Johnson is one of the best athletes I have ever seen. He is also a very upstanding person and good student. Whatever team picks him up is getting a great player. He with not get into off the field trouble which honestly seems to be all any athletes want to do these days. UGA is still offering him a scholarship. He is keeping an open mind and probably won’t commit anywhere until signing day.