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Friday, August 8, 2008
Apalachee LB Gresham shocks Tech, switches to South Carolina
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Apalachee linebacker Chaun Gresham abruptly switched his commitment from Georgia Tech to South Carolina on Friday.
“I just felt like it was the right thing to do,” Gresham said. “I loved everything about South Carolina camp last month, and haven’t been able to stop thinking about the place ever since.”
Gresham said he talked over the phone with Georgia Tech assistant Brian Jean-Mary to let him know about his change of heart. “[Tech] was disappointed with me, but they respected my decision.”
Gresham is the nephew of George Rogers, who won the 1980 Heisman Trophy at South Carolina. However, Gresham, who is a member of the AJC’s Super Southern 100 and ranked as the country’s No. 47 linebacker by Rivals, said his famous family connection had no effect on switching to the Gamecocks.
The 6-foot-3, 210-pound Gresham also holds offers from Alabama, Clemson, Tennessee and Vanderbilt, among others.
Friday was a big day for South Carolina schools in Georgia, as Baldwin linebacker Corico Hawkins committed to Clemson over Florida and Auburn, among others.
Permalink | Comments (99) | Post your comment | Categories: Alabama, Clemson, South Carolina, Tech
Baldwin’s Corico Hawkins picks Clemson
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Baldwin High School’s Corico Hawkins said Friday he will play football at Clemson University next year.
Hawkins, a 6-foot, 228-pound linebacker, is rated high on the AJC’s Georgia 150 list. He received offers from 28 schools, including Georgia Tech, Florida, Florida State, Miami, Auburn, Nebraska and Iowa.
“There was a marriage from the beginning,” Baldwin head coach Jesse Hicks said. “He went to the University of Florida numerous times and had a great rapport with Charlie Strong, but Clemson is where his heart was.”
Hicks said Clemson has been recruiting Hawkins for the last several months.
“Some coaches are all business, but Coach [Tommy] Bowden treated him like family,” Hicks said. “It made Corico feel like Clemson was where needed to be. It was a good fit.”
Hicks said Hawkins has excellent football instincts and a strong work ethic, but he will have to continue to improve his game to compete in the ACC.
“He’s a student of the game, but he has to be able to play at that speed in order to take his game to the next level,” he said. “He can do it, though. He has all the intangibles.”
Hawkins, who runs a 4.53-second 40, recorded 101 tackles last year, had one interception and three sacks. He also runs track for the Braves.
Hawkins’ cousin, Leroy Hill, played football for Baldwin and Clemson. Hill was drafted by Seattle in 2005, and he helped lead the Seahawks to Super Bowl XL.
Permalink | Comments (10) | Post your comment | Categories: Auburn, Clemson, Florida, Tech
Henry County’s Jamal Patterson not bothered by UGA’s stance
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Henry County’s Jamal Patterson is one of the nation’s top wide receivers, holding around 50 scholarship offers.
But Georgia , Patterson’s childhood favorite, has not offered.
“I’m not sure what’s going on there,” he said. “I know they are a little bit lower on scholarships this year. And I think they like smaller receivers with lots of speed.”
The 6-foot-3, 202-pound Patterson said he isn’t upset about not being offered by the Bulldogs. Patterson is an AJC Super Southern 100 selection.
“I’ve followed them forever, but I know recruiting is a business,” he said. “Georgia has to make tough decisions and decide what players fit best into their systems.”
Patterson has said two of his official visits will be to Stanford and Central Florida, while his others will be decided among Florida, Auburn, Tennessee, Oregon and Clemson.
“Jamal is a high academic achiever, with over a 4.0 GPA,” Henry County coach Mike Rozier said. “He is a big, strong receiver who presents matchup problems. He can go over people to get the ball, and he’s a deep threat.”
Permalink | Comments (15) | Post your comment | Categories: Auburn, Florida, Tennessee, UGA
