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Thursday, July 31, 2008
Luella DB Roderick Sweeting is Tech’s 12th commitment
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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For the second day in a row, one of the state’s top prospects committed to Georgia Tech before its practice session.
Luella defensive back Roderick Sweeting told Tech coach Paul Johnson on Thursday that he intends to sign with the Yellow Jackets. On Wednesday, Newnan offensive lineman Raymond Beno also committed before Tech’s practice.
Sweeting is perhaps Tech’s most celebrated 2009 commitment thus far. He is ranked as the nation’s No. 20 cornerback by Scout, and picked the Yellow Jackets over Ohio State, Alabama, Clemson, Tennessee and Auburn, among 17 offers.
The 6-foot, 175-pounder said he spent most of Thursday touring Tech’s campus with his parents and finished it by committing. Said Sweeting: “I just felt great about Georgia Tech. They have been recruiting me very hard and showing a lot of love. Coach Johnson seemed excited. He told me I was always at the top of his list of cornerbacks.”
Luella coach Paul Burgdorf said Tech is getting a versatile player in Sweeting.
“I think in the ACC he could be looked at as a corner or safety,” he said. “He could also return kicks and punts. For us [at Luella], we’ve even got a quarterback package for him. He’s got great size and loves to hit. Georgia Tech is getting a pretty good student and a pretty good football player.”
Permalink | Comments (54) | Post your comment | Categories: Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Tech, Tennessee
Newnan’s Raymond Beno picked Tech over childhood favorite
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Newnan’s Raymond Beno, who committed to Georgia Tech, said it was a recent offer by his childhood favorite college that increased his recruiting stakes.
The 6-foot-2, 285-pounder was offered by Miami about three weeks ago. Beno closely followed the Hurricanes while his family lived in Tampa, Fla., for the first 11 years of his life.
“When Miami offered me, yes, I think it made some other schools take notice,” said Beno.
Beno said he turned down Miami because he felt like Tech was the “perfect fit” for him. He took a tour of Tech’s campus last week, and was offered after a long conversation with coach Paul Johnson. When Beno returned to watch the Yellow Jackets practice on Wednesday, he revealed his decision to Johnson before workouts.
“My family and friends, they are all real happy for me,” Beno said. “Georgia Tech is where I needed to be.”
He was considering Tech among 12 offers, including Wake Forest and Southern Miss. Also, Georgia, Florida State, West Virginia and Auburn had not offered but have displayed heavy interest. Beno, however, said recruiting is over.
“I’m 100-percent committed to Georgia Tech,” Beno said. “That’s where I am going, and I’m excited about it.”
Permalink | Comments (8) | Post your comment | Categories: Auburn, FSU, Tech, UGA
Oklahoma State hot on the trail of Cedar Shoals LB Lattimore
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Cedar Shoals’ DeDe Lattimore saw his scholarship count climb to 15 last week after claiming an offer from Marshall.
The intimidating 6-foot-1, 225-pound linebacker already had offers from programs such as Central Florida, Kentucky, Louisville, Michigan, Oklahoma State, South Florida and UAB.
“Oklahoma State is recruiting me the hardest,” Lattimore said. “I want to go there this fall. I also want to visit Michigan, Louisville and Central Florida.”
Lattimore, who lives in Athens, said he’s been a fan of the Wolverines for several years.
“My third grade teacher loved Michigan and he got me to loving them too,” he said.
Lattimore is scheduled to retake the SAT in September. He needs to improve on the 840 he scored in the spring.
“I’ve hired my own tutor to help me prepare,” he said.
Permalink | Comments (6) | Post your comment | Categories: Other schools
