AJC > Sports > Football Recruiting > Blog > Archives > 2008 > August > 14
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Florida WR Wooten set to commit to UGA in two weeks?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
Speculation continues to mount that Georgia’s next commitment will come from Rantavious Wooten, a 5-foot-11, 175-pound wide receiver from Glades Central High in Belle Glade Fla.
Wooten, one of the nation’s top receivers, said he’s narrowed his choices to a pair of SEC schools. His selection will be revealed on Friday Aug. 29.
“I am down to Georgia or LSU,” Wooten told Scout.com. “I feel comfortable with both, but I just see a better fit for me at one university than the other.”
Wooten says he’s already made up his mind.
“I already know who it is,” he said. “No press conferences or anything like that will be needed at the school. I am just going to tell someone. I am sure the word will spread.”
Playing time will factor into his decision.
“[Georgia] coach [Mark] Richt is letting me know that I can get some good looks right away,” Wooten said. “I checked out depth charts, and I feel like I am making the right choice.”
Permalink | Comments (32) | Post your comment | Categories: UGA
UGA recruit who failed to qualify hopes to join Dogs soon
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
Griffin’s Toby Jackson, the only member of Georgia’s incoming recruiting class not to qualify, is disappointed about missing his opportunity to play for the No. 1 team in the nation.
Instead of practicing with the Bulldogs, where he was expected to contribute at defensive end, Jackson has been working out with some high school buddies in preparation for reporting today to Hargrave (Va.) Military Academy.
“I wouldn’t say I’m heartbroken, but it hurts,” Jackson said. “However, I’m happy for the other freshmen and rest of the team. They’ve earned the shot at being No. 1. Hopefully, I can take care of what I have to do in prep school and join those guys [at Georgia] in time for bowl practice.”
The 6-foot-4, 250-pound Jackson said he has already made the necessary grades, but needs to improve his test scores. He hasn’t had much to do with Georgia since getting the news at the beginning of July that his college career would be delayed.
Jackson hasn’t visited Athens or attended any preseason practices. He talked with a few of the other freshman recruits in the early summer, but sort of lost contact. However, Georgia coach Mark Richt and recruiting coordinator Rodney Garner gave Jackson a pep talk over the telephone last week.
“They just encouraged me, telling me to stay focused and stay hungry,” Jackson said. “They told me to use my time wisely at Hargrave.”
Jackson was arguably Georgia’s most heralded recruit on defense last year, earning the ranking as the country’s No. 5 strongside defensive end by Rivals.com. He picked the Bulldogs over USC and Miami. Within the last month, Jackson said LSU and Alabama have let him know a scholarship is available if he changes his mind, but he said he is Georgia-bound.
Georgia signed 24 players last year, including Cedar Grove’s Xavier Avery, who opted for pro baseball.
Permalink | Comments (6) | Post your comment | Categories: UGA
Westlake seniors drawing recruiting interest
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
One of the biggest surprise teams of the year could be senior-laden Westlake.
The Lions were 5-5 last season and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2004. But the 30-plus seniors on the team are primed to turn things around. While offensive lineman Chance Warmack — an AJC Georgia 150 selectee who has committed to Alabama — gets most of the attention, several other seniors are getting serious recruiting looks. Running back Jarrett Kyles said he has received “about 40 or 50” letters from Middle Tennessee State.
“And they are hand-written notes, too, which is kind of cool,” said Kyles (5-foot-11, 190 pounds), who ran 4.45 in the 40 at Auburn’s camp this summer. “Auburn has sent me letters and Georgia Southern, too.”
Kyles said he thinks an offer will come from MTSU once they see some game film. Many of his fellow senior teammates are in a similar situation, including defensive end/offensive lineman Todd Wilcher (6-1, 240), who is being recruited by Georgia Southern, Indiana, Troy and Ole Miss.
“[Georgia Southern] said they were going to come up and see me play, and they want to see some film, too,” Wilcher said.
Other Westlake players being heavily recruited include running back Devon Babb (Alabama-Birmingham, MTSU, Savannah State and Troy), defensive back Dwayne Fields (MTSU and Georgia Southern), receiver Robert Jennings (Alabama-Birmingham, East Carolina, Georgia Southern, Troy and Vanderbilt), quarterback Lewis Kindle (Eastern Kentucky, Leon, MTSU, Tennessee-Martin and Troy) and safety Julian Smith (Georgia Southern and West Virginia).
Permalink | Comments (8) | Post your comment |
Westlake OL Warmack still solid on ‘Bama … for now
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
Westlake offensive tackle Chance Warmack says he is sticking by his verbal commitment to Alabama, made several weeks ago.
But that hasn’t stopped the recruiting calls, and Warmack, an AJC Georgia 150 selectee, is listening.
“For the most part, it’s still all about Alabama for me, but I’m keeping my options open,” said Warmack (6-foot-4, 320 pounds). “[Schools] are still calling, except for Auburn. They’re pretty mad at me.”
Warmack said he will take three official visits at some point, although he won’t say where those visits will be. He said his focus is on adapting to the school’s new coaching staff.
“I really like my coaches,” Warmack said. “They are really staying on me, trying to make me better.”
Permalink | Comments (4) | Post your comment |
Cartersville RB/DB Alexander picks up another offer
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
Morgan Alexander, who already has offers from Arkansas, Indiana and Louisville, said he is patiently biding his time waiting for more offers before he makes a commitment.
The Cartersville RB/DB received another offer this week, although it was not from one of the big boys - Auburn, Clemson, Florida State or Tennessee - he’s looking for. South Carolina State University in Orangeburg offered Alexander on Tuesday.
“They sent the letter to school,” said Alexander, an AJC Georgia 150 selectee. “I don’t know much about [SCSU], but it’s still exciting. I’m going to go home and do some research on them.”
Permalink | Comments (1) | Post your comment | Categories: Other schools
UGA commitment Fontaine gets high marks
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
Arthur Fontaine, who committed to Georgia this week, is the No. 5 tight end in the country, according to Rivals, but he was the Bulldogs’ No. 1 choice.
Rivals national recruiting director Mike Farrell, who is based in Connecticut and has seen Fontaine up close, understands why.
“He’s the most complete tight end in the country when it comes to blocking and catching,” Farrell said. “The others are more athletic who are ranked higher, but they’re going to have to learn to block, and Arthur won’t.”
Rivals’ No. 1 tight end, Logan Thomas of Virginia, is a high school quarterback who has never played the position.
Orson Charles, rated No. 4, is faster but lacks size at 6-foot-2, 216. Charles, a teammate of quarterback Aaron Murray, a Georgia commit, also has been recruited by Georgia.
Fontaine, who is 6-5, 240, caught only 10 passes last season and plays in a state not known for its high school football, But he has become a prize recruit based on his work in summer camps.
“He’s a well-rounded, physical, hard-working, typical Northeastern kid who will roll up his sleeves and smack the person in front of him or sneak out into the flat,” Farrell said. “Stealing him away [from Boston College] is a big deal. You don’t get kids out of Massachusetts if BC wants them, usually.”
Permalink | Comments (22) | Post your comment | Categories: UGA
Georgians fill Under Armour all-star roster
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
Three University of Georgia football commitments were recently selected for the second annual Under Armour All-American game in Orlando. The game will be played on Jan. 4, 2009.
Emanuel County Institute running back Washaun Ealey will be joined by his ECI teammate, linebacker Dexter Moody, and Buford lineman Dallas Lee.
Six other Georgians were selected, including Washington cornerback Branden Smith; Carver-Atlanta safety Darren Myles Jr.;, Norcross safety Prince Kent (Miami commitment); Henry County wideout Jamal Patterson; Northside-Warner Robins linebacker Eric Fields (Clemson) and Lowndes cornerback Greg Reid (Florida).
Permalink | Comments (2) | Post your comment | Categories: Other schools, UGA
