AJC > Sports > Football Recruiting > Blog > Archives > 2008 > September > 19
Friday, September 19, 2008
Kentucky may lose Heritage’s Justin Jones to South Carolina or Alabama
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Heritage’s Justin Jones, one of the Southeast’s top tight ends, confirmed that he thinking about backing off his commitment to Kentucky.
The 6-foot-8, 250-pound Jones picked Kentucky last summer, but has been thinking about opening up his recruiting again in recent weeks.
“There’s a possibility [I could de-commit],” Jones said. “I’m not sure. My mom and I have been talking things over, and we’ll see.”
South Carolina may be on the verge of luring Jones away from the Wildcats. Jones made an unofficial visit to Columbia for the Georgia game last Saturday, and spent a lot of time talking with Gamecocks assistant Ron Cooper, who has offered a scholarship.
Jones has also been contacted by Alabama, which has not offered but appears heavily interested.
“Things could change, but right now I’m still with Kentucky,” Jones said.
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UGA commit Dallas Lee follows Bulldogs on the road
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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How devoted is Buford’s Dallas Lee to Georgia?
So much so that the offensive lineman followed the Bulldogs on the road, watching them defeat South Carolina last Saturday.
“No, I wasn’t on [recruiting tickets],” Lee said. “I went with some friends and sat in the stands with the fans.
“It was an incredible atmosphere. It was exciting to think about that this time next year, I’ll be in those types of wild environments, playing for Georgia.”
The 6-foot-4, 295-pound Lee said he will attend Georgia’s game against Alabama next week.
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ACC schools offer Cedar Grove RB Pratcher
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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It happens every year — a senior running back comes out of nowhere to emerge into a major-college prospect.
Last season it was little-known Kenny Miles of Brookwood who ended up going to South Carolina. This time it could be Cedar Grove’s William Pratcher.
The 5-10, 185 pound Pratcher has run for 732 yards and seven touchdowns on 69 carries (10.7 per carry). As a result, several ACC schools, including North Carolina State and Boston College, have offered him scholarships, Saints coach Ray Bonner said.
“He is sort of like Emmitt Smith, where you don’t think he’s doing much, but he just gets past people,” said Bonner.
Bonner feels Cedar Grove has two other potential Division I senior prospects — quarterback Stanley McBride and 230-pound linebacker Jeremy Kimbrough.
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Liberty, Memphis talking with North Gwinnett’s Tamburo
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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North Gwinnett’s Michael Tamburo is getting more attention from mid-level programs, but he’s still holding out for bigger offers.
Liberty recently offered a scholarship to the 6-1, 185 pound quarterback and Ohio University contacted North Gwinnett coach Bob Sphire on Wednesday. Memphis also left a message with the coach wanting to know if Tamburo had committed.
“I’m assuming they’re getting ready to offer,” Sphire said.
Tamburo has offers from Air Force, Tulsa, Louisiana-Monroe, Toledo and Bowling Green. He also has visited Central Florida and South Florida.
Sphire, who earlier this month sent out video to more than 450 schools, said interest is picking up in Tamburo.
“All this stuff is starting to happen a little bit,” Sphire said, but added that his quarterback is very low key about it. “Right now, he’s just trying to help us win a championship. He’s focused on the team first.”
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Michigan making push for UGA LB commit Gilliard
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Recruiting mail continues to pour into Valdosta for Georgia-bound linebacker Mike Gilliard.
But Valdosta coach Rick Tomberlin believes that Gilliard, who is rated by Scout.com as the 24th-best weakside linebacker in the nation, will fulfill his commitment to the Dogs.
“The folks at Michigan are calling him,” Tomberlin said. “He’ll come in and say ‘the coaches at Michigan want me to take an official visit.’”
But don’t expect the 6-foot-3, 205-pound Gilliard, an AJC’s The Georgia Top 150 selection, to show up in Ann Arbor, Mich. anytime soon.
“He’s a red and black bulldog all the way,” Tomberlin said.
During stints at Lowndes and Washington County, Tomberlin coached greats such as Takeo Spikes, Demetro Stephens, Randall Godfrey, Robert Edwards, Terrance Edwards and Chris Edwards.
How does Gilliard stack up against this talent?
“I think Mike is in that club, or role, with these guys,” Tomberlin said. “I think we’ll have to wait and look at his whole senior year before we can really evaluate.
“But there’s no doubt that he can be a great player on the collegiate level, and maybe go on to the level beyond that.”
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Alabama intensifies efforts to sway Auburn recruit, Douglass LB Atchinson
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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It’s an all-out recruiting war between Auburn and Alabama for Douglass linebacker Jonathan Atchinson.
Atchinson narrowly committed to Auburn over Alabama, but the Crimson Tide has not given up. In fact, Alabama has intensified efforts to lure Atchinson away from its archrival.
Alabama assistant Lance Thompson showed up at Douglass last Friday to meet with Douglass coaches, and hung around to observe Atchinson for the team’s win over Washington.
“Coach Thompson just wanted me to know that they really want me, and that they are not giving up on me,” Atchinson said. “I’m listening to Alabama, but I’m still committed to Auburn.”
Does it bother Atchinson that Alabama is not taking “no” for an answer? “No, not really. It’s a blessing to have all these schools come at me like this. Alabama knows how I feel about Auburn, and I can’t do anything about it [when colleges contact me]. It is what it is.”
Atchinson said he has not attended any Alabama games, but might go to one in the near future because some of his family members like the Crimson Tide.
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Georgia State signs top-rated basketball recruit
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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STAFF REPORTS
The Georgia State men’s basketball team picked up an important commitment on Friday from Rashanti Harris, one of the nation’s top recruits.
Harris, a 6-9 center from Columbus, Miss., committed to the Panthers on Friday. He is the 17th-best recruit in the country, according to scout.com.
Arkansas and Memphis were also recruiting Harris. He is attending Patterson prep school in Patterson, N.C.
The Panthers also picked up a commitment from (Warner Robins) Northside High’s James Vincent earlier this week. Vincent is also a 6-9 center.
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Stockbridge WR to visit South Carolina
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Stockbridge wide receiver Kevin Burke, a member of the AJC The Georgia 150, visited Jacksonville State and came away pondering a connection with former LSU quarterback Ryan Perriloux.
“They were talking about how he would be throwing the ball to me,” said Burke, who attended the Gamecocks’ game against Alabama A&M.
Burke is planning to visit South Carolina in the next couple of weeks.
“They’ve been talking about how they need receivers over there and how they want to pass the ball more,” he said.
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