AJC > Sports > Football Recruiting > Blog > Archives > 2008 > October > 03
Friday, October 3, 2008
Northside LB Eric Fields returns to game after early injury
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Northside-Warner Robins linebacker Eric Fields, who had some strong things to say about Lowndes earlier in the week, was injured early in Friday’s 24-7 loss but returned in the second half to finish the game.
[Note: Click here to see video of Northside-Warner Robins All-State linebacker Eric Fields]
In the first quarter, the AJC Super 11 selection went down with a leg injury and had to be helped off the field by teammates. He did not play the rest of the half and there was speculation he might be done for the evening.
However, Fields returned to action in the second half in the loss, which snapped Northside’s 35-game winning streak. Fields, who is leaning toward Clemson over Georgia, and Lowndes cornerback Greg Reid, another AJC Super 11 selection who has committed to Florida, had several verbal exchanges in the game’s final quarter.
Earlier this week, Fields told Scout.com, “They [Lowndes] haven’t really played anybody. A lot of the teams that they played had big opportunities, but didn’t come through. It has made them [Lowndes] look better than they actually are.”
“I haven’t seen a defense like ours yet. I think we’re gonna shut the run down. Then they’ll have to start passing. We’ll shut that down, too. I see us making a big upset. We’re gonna win.”
Fields made the comments at the end of Scout story about his unofficial visit to Georgia last Saturday.
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Southern Cal, UCLA pursue Henry County’s Patterson
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Henry County wide receiver Jamal Patterson is the one of the country’s leaders in scholarship offers with nearly 50.
Despite Patterson’s commitment to Stanford, he is still being pursued by many of the runner-up schools, as is expected with any top prospect.
Patterson made an unofficial visit to Georgia Tech two weeks ago and Georgia last week. He is also hearing from Southern Cal, Clemson, Auburn, and UCLA, among others.
“The West Coast schools have really picked it up,” Patterson said. “I guess they saw how distance was not going to be a factor for me after committing to Stanford. But I’m still solid with my decision to Stanford.”
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Tennessee, Oregon ask for film of North Gwinnett QB Michael Tamburo
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Tennessee, which recently had one of its two quarterback recruits back out of a commitment, and Oregon have requested senior film of North Gwinnett quarterback Michael Tamburo.
“[Tennessee] told my coaches they still want to probably sign two quarterbacks, and asked for some film,” Tamburo said. “Oregon said they are real interested and they would get back to me as soon as they watch the tape.”
The Volunteers had two commitments at quarterback, Josh Nunes of Upland, Calif., and Bryce Petty of Midlothian, Texas. Nunes told VolQuest that he had changed his mind because of distance, and committed to Stanford.
The 6-foot-1, 185-pound Tamburo has offers from Tulsa, Air Force and Louisiana-Monroe.
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Road Trip: Miller Grove’s Gilstrap and Hill to visit Tech
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Miller Grove wide receiver Stephen Hill, who received a scholarship offer from Georgia Tech on Thursday, will be accompanied by teammate Kenneth Gilstrap when he attends the Jackets’ ACC home opener against Duke on Saturday.
“[Georgia Tech assistant] coach Brian Jean-Mary called and invited me and my best friend, Steve Hill, to come to the game,” said Gilstrap, a defensive back and member of the AJC’s The Georgia Top 150.
Gilstrap, who runs the 40-yard dash in 4.31 seconds, has track scholarship offers from Kentucky and South Carolina.
He hopes to be the second Miller Grove senior to grab a football scholarship offer from the Jackets this week.
“I’m very interested in Georgia Tech,” Gilstrap said. “They’ve been recruiting me hard since I was a sophomore. They just never pulled the trigger.
“If they offer, I will schedule an [official] visit instantly.”
Gilstrap already knows his way around Tech’s campus. He’s attended junior day, several practices and a summer camp over the past two years.
His focus on Saturday will be more on the coaches and less on the facilities.
“My gut is they will offer,” Gilstrap predicted. “I have proven myself and they want me in track.
“But they’ve seen me play and know I can play big-time football.”
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Road Trip: Walton DE Paulsen visiting Miami-Ohio this weekend
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Walton’s David Paulsen will visit Miami (Ohio) of this weekend, taking advantage of the Raiders’ bye week. The 6-foot-3, 240 pound defensive end considers the Redhawks, Tulane, Oklahoma State, Duke and Georgia his top five.
“I’m really excited to see the campus and Oxford [Ohio] on a game weekend,” Paulsen said. “I’m excited to see how the team bounces back from the loss last weekend.”
Miami (Ohio) lost at Cincinnati last weekend and faces Temple on Saturday. Paulsen has already visited Tulane and plans on visiting Oklahoma State later in the season. He is a member of the AJC’s The Georgia 150.
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Road Trip: Carver-Columbus LB Furr visiting Oklahoma State
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Carver-Columbus linebacker Leron Furr is off to Stillwater this weekend to watch Oklahoma State take on Texas A&M.
“Coach [Glenn] Spencer asked what I was doing this weekend and he knew we had a bye, so he said come on out to the game,” Furr said.
Furr, a member of the AJC’s The Georgia 150, has 14 offers. His top three are Arkansas, Duke and Oklahoma State.
“They are recruiting me the hardest,” he said. “But if I had to pick now it would be Duke because I went to summer camp there and had a good experience.”
Furr said Alabama and Florida State have contacted him, but have not offered.
“They just call to talk to me, ask how I am doing and see how recruiting is going,” he said. “I think they will offer eventually because I have stepped my game up since last year.”
Furr said he is trying to schedule his second official visit to Duke Oct. 18 for the Miami game.
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Washington DB Branden Smith sets five official visits
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Booker T. Washington cornerback Branden Smith, who is ranked as the state’s No. 1 prospect by Rivals, has revealed his five official visits.
Smith, a member of the AJC’s Super Southern 100, will take trips to Florida next weekend, Tennessee on Oct. 25, Auburn on Nov. 15, Clemson on Nov. 29, and Georgia (date to be determined).
“Right now, all I want to say is those are my top five visits, not my final five schools [because] I’m still open to everybody,” Smith said before his game on Friday.
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Georgia Tech coaches hit the road to recruit
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Georgia Tech’s coaching staff is traveling far afield to scout high school games this evening.
Tonight is the third Friday that coaches have been to schools and games in metro Atlanta and beyond to check on potential recruits.
Tech coaches are going to visit schools and scout games in Kentucky, Tennessee and South Carolina. Also, coaches will be at Jefferson County-Swainsboro, Riverside Military Academy-Jefferson, Gainesville-West Forsyth, Ola-Jonesboro, North Clayton-Forest Park and Cook-Fitzgerald.
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Carrollton DB holds onto dreams of college football
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Carrollton’s Cortez Wicker offers a reminder to those who have hopes of playing collegiately but has struggled to get on the field and never quit.
The senior cornerback was a backup throughout his career for the Trojans until this season. And only after five games as a starter, Wicker has impressed college coaches enough to receive interest that virtually assures he will play football next fall.
“He was behind two seniors and he finally got his chance this year and has really played well. I think he’ll now end up getting a scholarship at a Div. I-AA program or even lower Division I from college coaches I have talked to,” said Carrollton coach Rayvan Teague.
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Walton kicker holding off on visit to Vols
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Walton kicker Brady Biggars is still waiting on his first scholarship offer, but one of the schools showing the most interest in his services will have to wait to see him again.
Biggars cancelled a trip to Tennessee this week to see the Vols play Northern Illinois. He’ll be staying at home to take the SAT and wait for the gas crisis to improve. The Raiders talented specialist said he plans on returning to Knoxville later in the season.
“I’m hoping for a chance to get back up there,” Biggars said. “They’ve shown interest in me for a while.”
Biggars visited Tennessee on Sept. 13 for its home game against UAB. He’s received interest from South Carolina, Tulane, LSU and a variety of Northeast schools. Waiting for a scholarship offer is just part of the process, he said.
“I’ve learned it’s just different for kickers,” said Biggars, who was 6-of-7 for touchbacks in his last game. “Most of the schools I’m talking to haven’t really gotten a chance to see what I do, so they’ll probably wait until the end of their regular season to start offering. It’s slow, but it’s just part of it.”
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McEachern TE skips college games for test
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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McEachern’s Terrell Mitchell has high stakes riding on Saturday’s exam.
The 6-foot-6, 220-pound Mitchell will take the SAT for the first time. Georgia has promised an offer if he scores well.
“I’ve been studying for the SAT for months,” Mitchell, a tight end, said. “I could’ve taken it at the end of last school year, but I didn’t because I know wasn’t ready for it. I’m ready for it now.”
Mitchell, an AJC The Georgia 150 selection, already has offers from Michigan, West Virginia, Kentucky, Louisville, South Carolina and Clemson. He has rescheduled an official visit to West Virginia from last weekend to Oct. 11. He said he also has tentatively set up a recruiting trip to Georgia for Nov. 29.
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Stephenson QB considers UGA opportunity
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Stephenson quarterback Carisseion “CC” Gilbert says he’ll wait until the end of the season before making a final decision on where he’ll play college football.
The 5-foot-8, 180-pound senior, projected as a running back/kick returner at the next level, says he’s still leaning toward walking on and earning a scholarship at Georgia.
His only offer is from Alabama-Birmingham, which stays in regular contact with him. “I’m just waiting to see how this season plays out,” Gilbert said.
In the meantime, he may visit UAB on Oct. 18, when the Blazers host Marshall.
Part of Gilbert’s reason for waiting to make a college choice is how well Stephenson is playing. The Jaguars, ranked No. 10 in Class AAAAA, is 4-0 after Friday’s 26-7 win over Newton. As quarterback, he has passed for five touchdowns and rushed for another.
As leader of the offense he wants to focus on Stephenson’s run in Region 2-AAAAA and then the state playoffs.
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Recruiters finding out about Twiggs County players
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Very few Class A programs have produced Division I players like Twiggs County has the last six years or so.
Offensive lineman Chris Little was the latest. He signed with the University of Georgia in 2007.
College coaches are now finding their way to back to Jeffersonville, according to coach Dexter Copeland. Senior quarterback Javarus Mallard (5-foot-10, 185 pounds) is getting the most interest after completing 45 of 71 passes for 773 yards and 12 touchdowns with one interception through the first four games.
“College coaches are just now finding out about him. The Citadel, Georgia State and Coastal Carolina have shown the most interest, but I think several others will as we get more tapes out,” said Copeland. “He’ll probably end up playing in the secondary in college, and he may have a chance to go Division I.”
Many of Mallard’s passes have gone to junior Darqueze Dennard (6-1, 185), who has eight touchdown catches. Copeland thinks Dennard and junior linebacker Deon Stanley (6-1, 195) will be major-college prospects next year.
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South Forsyth’s Adams marvels at Kentucky
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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University of Kentucky commitment Brian Adams attended a Kentucky game and called the experience “awesome.”
Adams, a quarterback for South Forsyth, watched Kentucky move to 4-0 last week against Western Kentucky. He enjoyed the opportunity to schmooze with other highly regarded recruits, including receivers Jordan Aumiller and LaRod King of Kentucky and quarterback Morgan Newton of Indiana.
Adams attended a team meeting and meal, and even spent time in the locker room. The excitement kept him wired for the midnight drive home with his dad, arriving back home around 5 a.m.
“I hadn’t seen the stadium before, but I loved it,” said Adams, a The Georgia 150 player projected to play receiver for the Wildcats. “It was a small game but still had a lot of fans show up. It was packed out and pretty loud.”
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It’s wait and see for Griffin’s Jackson
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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College recruiters are concerned about the health of Kentorius Jackson’s knee, the Griffin linebacker said, despite the fact that he’s averaging more than nine tackles a game.
“They want to get more film on me,” said Jackson, a member of the AJC’s Georgia 150 and younger brother of Toby Jackson, who signed with Georgia this spring before winding up at Hargrave Military Academy. “They want to see film to see how my knee is. I feel 100 percent, but it’s all up to the recruiters.”
The 6-foot-1, 190-pound linebacker missed Griffin’s season-opening loss at Dunwoody while recovering from surgery to repair two meniscus tears in his right knee.
Jackson said he is scheduled to take the ACT on Oct. 25. While Troy seems to be taking the most interest in him, he said he’s also received emails from Miami and Georgia.
“I’d love to play for Georgia,” he said, “If I could play with Toby again, I’d love that.”
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Road Trip: Stockbridge’s Burke to visit Jacksonville State
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Stockbridge wide receiver Kevin Burke is heading to Jacksonville State on an official visit this weekend to see the Gamecocks take on Southeast Missouri.
“It’s close to home,” said Burke, a member of the AJC’s Georgia 150. “It’s just two hours away and it seems like a fine program.”
Burke is scheduled to take the ACT on Oct. 11, and he said other schools are asking for highlight tapes. While those are mulling his merits, he thinks Jacksonville State is about to make a scholarship offer.
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