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Thursday, August 21, 2008
Road Trip: Kentucky commits to visit Lexington
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Heritage tight end Justin Jones and South Forsyth quarterback Brian Adams, two class of 2009 recruits who committed to Kentucky in June, will attend at least three of the Wildcats’ home games during the upcoming season.
They plan to carpool to Commonwealth Stadium on the weekend of Oct. 11 and be on hand when coach Steve Spurrier and the South Carolina Gamecocks roll into town.
They’ll make the five-plus hour trip from Atlanta to Lexington on Interstate 75 again on consecutive weekends in November to watch Kentucky host Georgia and Vanderbilt.
Jones said he and Adams became friends during junior day at Kentucky in 2007.
“We both stayed after camp that day and met [Kentucky assistant] coach [Joker] Phillips,” Jones said. “Ever since then, we’ve gone to camp at Kentucky together, hung out and kind of connected.
“And now we’re going to room together at Kentucky.”
Jones admitted that he might catch some additional SEC action this fall at a rival school.
“All of my friends are Georgia fans,” he said. “So I may go to some of Georgia’s home games, but only as a [college football] fan.”
Permalink | Comments (9) | Post your comment | Categories: UGA
Profile: North Gwinnett QB Mike Tamburo
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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North Gwinnett quarterback Mike Tamburo, an AJC Georgia 150 selection, pushed the Bulldogs to a breakthrough year in 2007 and pushed himself into the consciousness of college recruiters. He is considering offers from several schools, including Air Force, Bowling Green, Toledo, Louisiana-Monroe and Tulsa. He talked to staff writer Jay Stone about being recruited.
On what he looks for in a visit: “The campus itself. What kind of atmosphere; every school is different. What their academics are like. How big the football is; what conference they’re a part of.”
On what school he’s always been a fan of: “My neighbor is a big Texas fan, and he kind of got me started on it when I was 6. I’ve got hats and shirts and stuff like that. It’s pretty funny because Texas Tech was close to offering me, and if they had offered me I would have committed.”
On how much time the recruiting process is consuming: “In the offeseason it’s a lot more. I have a lot more of an idea of who’s interested. Every once in a while I make phone calls to the schools that have offered me and keep in touch. Right now, probably two hours a week. It was probably a half-hour a day in the offseason.”
On the 2007 season: “Because we made it to the state championship [game] it was just how long a season could be. It’s more about how you finish the season than about how you start.”
If he weren’t a football player he’d be: “Baseball player.”
On the Olympics: “I’ve been keeping up with basketball a decent amount. I’ve watched the 100-meter [dash] and the marathon. That’s pretty cool. You just watch how they are and how much they love it and how dedicated they are.”
On one thing that’s a deal breaker with a school recruiting him: “Maybe the type of offense. If they’re going to throw the ball eight times a game and not do much with the quarterback, I really wouldn’t want to go there.”
On who was the first school to contact him: “Georgia sent the most letters early. My sophomore year I went to their camp and did really good. They showed the most interest early.”
On how many college games he has been to: “I’ve gone to a good amount as a fan. Probably the best one I went to as a recruit was the Georgia-Auburn game. I’ve been to Auburn, Coastal Carolina, and I’ve been to Clemson.”
On how well he knows the other recruits: “I’ve talked to [Georgia commit] Aaron Murray a couple of times. He’s pretty soft-spoken. [Georgia commit Zach ] Mettenberger … I’ve been around a good bit. He’s a pretty good guy.”
On how a schools’ current depth chart factors in: “You try not to worry about it too much. You’re going to compete wherever you go. It’s nice when they’re older, because then you know you’ll have a chance to play a lot if you red-shirt. I’d actually prefer to red-shirt. It’s a chance to gain some weight and get some time in the offense.”
Permalink | Comments (12) | Post your comment | Categories: Other schools
Kentucky commit would consider switch to UGA
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Alexander offensive lineman Kevin Mitchell said he still intends to sign with Kentucky.
Except if Mark Richt calls.
“The only thing that would change my mind [about Kentucky] is if Georgia offered me,” said Mitchell. “But I know that’s not going to happen because they already are loaded with offensive linemen.”
The 6-foot-7, 295-pound Mitchell is a member of the AJC’s The Georgia 150 and also has offers from Indiana, Louisville, and Oregon.
Mitchell said he was impressed by Kentucky’s campus and facilities and the security of the coaching staff. Wildcats assistant Joker Phillips will be promoted when coach Rich Brooks retires.
“It’s good knowing who I’m going to be dealing with, if and when coach Brooks leaves,” Mitchell said. “Kentucky is a program on the rise and I want to be a part of that.”
Three of Georgia’s 13 commitments are projected to play offensive line: Chris Burnette of LaGrange, Dallas Lee of Buford, and Austin Long of Memphis.
Permalink | Comments (13) | Post your comment | Categories: UGA
Sandy Creek QB misses Braxton Lane
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Sandy Creek quarterback Rio Johnson, who committed to East Carolina, will be without his top receiver from last year, wide receiver Braxton Lane.
Lane told the the AJC he will skip his senior year of football to concentrate on baseball, where he is rated as one of the nation’s top pro prospects.
“I mean, we’re going to miss [Lane],” said Johnson, carefully choosing his words. “But we’ve got to move on. There’s nothing I can do about it.”
How will the loss of Lane affect Sandy Creek’s offense? “It changes quite a few things,” Johnson said. “We don’t have as many deep threats. But it will all work out.”
Lane, who was being recruited by Georgia Tech and Auburn, among others, hasn’t ruled out playing college football.
Permalink | Comments (16) | Post your comment | Categories: Auburn, Other schools, Tech
Dutchtown WR Joe Stewart favors Missouri
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Dutchtown wide receiver Joe Stewart said he has been favoring Missouri since attending camp at the Big 12 school earlier in the summer.
“I talk with Missouri a lot; they’ve really been showing me a lot of attention,” Stewart said. “They like me at slot receiver and to return kickoffs and punts.”
Stewart said he plans to make official visits to Missouri and Stanford, and maybe Central Florida. The member of the AJC’s The Georgia 150 also has scholarship offers from Tennessee, Middle Tennessee and Texas Tech, among others.
Stewart was offered by Georgia Tech last year as a junior, but never heard from the Yellow Jackets after the coaching change.
Permalink | Comments (2) | Post your comment | Categories: Other schools, Tech, Tennessee
