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Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Auburn commit Harris of Lovejoy says he’s still a Tiger
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Lovejoy offensive lineman Andre Harris learned around 8 p.m. tonight that Tony Franklin won’t be his offensive coordinator when he enrolls at Auburn next year.
“I understand that they had to do what’s right for the team,” said Harris, who is rated as the 23rd-best offensive guard in the nation by Scout.com and a member of the AJC’s The Georgia Top 150. “So, I’m not going to disagree with them.”
Harris’ said his commitment isn’t impacted by the decision to replace the offensive coordinator.
“Regardless of who’s coaching me, I’m still going to be an Auburn Tiger,” said Harris, who will play on the Auburn offensive line at guard or tackle. “I can play on any offense.
“I don’t have a preference on a type of offense. My job is to block and get the running backs going and to protect the quarterback.”
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Stanford recruit Camden Wentz still considering Georgia Tech
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Lassiter’s Camden Wentz can’t wait to put on a Stanford Cardinal uniform. But the 6-foot-3, 274 pound offensive lineman has to be realistic with that dream.
“You have to keep a backup plan,” said Wentz, who has committed to Stanford. “I’m still waiting on the admissions stuff. I don’t think it will be a problem, but you never know. It’s one of the best schools in the country. You have to be prepared.”
Wentz, who is a member of the AJC’s The Georgia 150 — is still considering Vanderbilt and Georgia Tech as his safety schools. He likes both institutions but has been in love with Stanford since visiting last summer.
“I got to spend four or five days there,” Wentz said. “You can ask anyone who is committed. Guys like me or [Jamal] Patterson. It’s just a different world. But you have to be careful and know your options if the academics don’t work out.”
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Auburn target reacts to offensive coordinator’s firing
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Knoxville (Tenn.) Catholic High tight end Daniel Hood had not yet heard the news of Auburn offensive coordinator Tony Franklin’s firing when contacted by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution shortly after 6:30 p.m. today.
“Wow! I hate to see that, but you could see it coming,” said Hood, who is being recruited by the Tigers at defensive end. “The only people I had met were the defensive coaches, but it’s kind of bad to see.
“But in a competitive conference like the SEC, you have to produce or they get you out. And, unfortunately, his offense wasn’t working at Auburn.”
Hood, who has narrowed his choices to Auburn, Georgia Tech and Ole Miss, attended the Tigers’ 14-12 victory over Tennessee on Sept. 27.
He said today’s firing will have little impact on where he commits.
“It won’t effect my decision much, but I’m still interested in seeing who they hire to replace him,” Hood said.
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Norcross’ Adams keeping an eye on Maryland
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Maryland recruit D.J. Adams won’t visit the school again until the homecoming game against Florida State on Nov. 22, but he is keeping an eye on his 4-2 Terrapins.
He has watched three games on television.
“I’m looking at the talent, as far as the defenses we play in the ACC,” the Norcross running back said. “I’m also looking at the running backs, their talent level and the depth of the running backs.”
Maryland’s top two running backs are a sophomore and a freshman, but Adams was told during the recruiting process that he could see playing time as a freshman.
That was a small factor in his decision to choose Maryland.
Still, other schools continue to contact Adams, who has rushed for nearly 600 yards and seven touchdowns in five games this season. LSU, Kentucky, Rutgers and others call, e-mail or send letters to the 5-10, 212-pounder.
“It doesn’t bother me,” Adams said. “I really don’t respond. It’s just kind of one of those things. I am definitely firm on Maryland.”
Adams committed in early August so that he could focus on the season, and he said he’s enjoying taking on a leadership role as a senior. “It’s weird now being the oldest in the huddle,” he said. “At first it was a bit of a change, but it’s pretty cool being able to know that guys look up to me and just kind of leading by example.”
Norcross, the defending region 7-AAAAA champs, currently are in fourth place (2-1), but have games remaining against two of the three undefeated teams ahead of them.
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Lowndes DB Greg Reid: Five things worth knowing
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Greg Reid of Lowndes, who has committed to Florida, has a special ability to make things happen, even when it comes to awards.
When voting on all-region teams last year, coaches couldn’t figure out how to properly honor Reid because of his all-around versatility. They eventually decided to name Reid the overall Region 1-AAAAA player of the year, an honor which had not been given out in many years.
The 5-foot-9, 186-pound Reid might want to clear out some more space in his trophy case this year.
He is a member of the AJC Super 11 and is the early front-runner for the state’s all-classification player of the year through six games for Lowndes, ranked No. 1 in Class AAAAA and the defending state champion. The speedy Reid also could push for the state’s No. 1 college prospect.
What does Reid do? What doesn’t he do? He plays tailback, quarterback and wide receiver on offense. He also plays cornerback (his college position) and returns all kickoffs and punts.
In front of a national television audience in last week’s 24-7 victory against Northside-Warner Robins, Reid set up two scores with a 41-yard run and 49-yard punt return, while finishing with 118 yards and two touchdowns on nine carries. He’ll be on ESPNU on Friday, when Lowndes plays Valdosta.
Here are five things to know about Reid:
1:. He loves Florida: Reid is a lifelong Florida fan who was one of the first commitments for the Gators’ 2009 recruiting class.
“There’s nothing like being in The Swamp on a Saturday night,” he said. “It’s so loud and packed, the type of atmosphere I’ve always dreamed about playing in. I’ve been a Florida fan since I was born.”
What could change his mind? Georgia offered Reid, who said he looked closely at the offer but never gave it serious thought. Georgia defensive coordinator Willie Martinez was on the sidelines last Friday. “I know Coach Martinez; we made eye contact,” Reid said. “But I’m 100 percent with Florida.”
2: He should make the grade: While talent is not a topic of debate, even Reid admits school hasn’t always been his priority.
“I’m like a lot of kids — I could always do the work, but I wasn’t always motivated,” he said. “But it’s different now. Once you realize what you have in front of you, you straighten up and do whatever it takes.”
Reid said Florida checked on his academics last week and said he was on pace to meet college entrance requirements.
“I’ve got to make all Bs in my classes, which I’m doing, and I’m taking the SAT next month,” Reid said. “Florida feels good about my situation, and so do I.”
3: He can run: Reid appeared to hit a different gear against Northside, which boasts one of the state’s top defenses with AJC Super 11 selections Abry Jones at tackle and Eric Fields at linebacker. Reid’s bursts of speed often make defenders look like they are in slow motion. But he’s not as fast as you would think.
“I don’t know, I probably run the 40-yard dash in 4.4 or 4.5 seconds,” he said. “But there’s track speed and field speed. When I get on the football field, I feel like I run a 4.3 or 4.2 with the pads on.”
4: He leads with emotion: Reid said it’s not his dazzling plays that are most important to Lowndes, but his role as one of the team’s emotional leaders. He often raises his hands to stir his teammates and the crowd. And he doesn’t shy from trash talk.
“If my team isn’t pumped, then I can’t get pumped,” he said. “With the other stuff, if you only knew some of the unbelievable things other teams and players say and do to me during games. I need to get used to it, but it’s hard. I’m trying better to keep my cool.”
5: He’s a normal kid: Teammates say he’s low-key off the field. Reid said he has a “laid-back personality” and is just fine with staying home and watching football on weekends, while eating his mother’s cooking. He earns spending money by working for his uncle’s concrete business.
“Wow, now that’s some hard work, I promise you,” he said.
It’s one of the few activities that Reid doesn’t make look too easy.
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Kell tailback looking forward to seeing Air Force
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Kell tailback Justin Randolph will get something extra when he travels to the Air Force Academy on Nov. 15. He’ll get to see the school he’s most interested in and one of the best football teams in the country.
The Falcons welcome Brigham Young in their final home game of the season. The atmosphere should give Randolph just the taste of Division I football he has been looking for.
“I’m very excited,” said Randolph, who also is interested in Duke, North Carolina State and Furman. “BYU is a really great football team. That makes it different for sure. I’m looking forward to seeing what the campus and everything is like.”
Randolph is a member of the AJC’s The Georgia 150. He has also visited Furman, which he enjoyed. The prospect of playing for a military institution isn’t a problem either.
“It’s unique place,” Randolph said. “You have to get used to the discipline, but I have that at home. So it wouldn’t be much of a change for me.”
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