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DEL.ICIO.USFlowery Branch turning into recruiting hotspot for Georgia Tech
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Flowery Branch coach Lee Shaw laughed when asked if his program had turned into the state’s flagship school for Georgia Tech recruiting.
“Yes, I’ve had people ask me, ‘Is Flowery Branch creating a pipeline for sending players to Georgia Tech?’” Shaw said. “That perception is out there, but it’s not like that. We try to get our kids the best opportunities, and it happens that things worked out very well at Georgia Tech with a least a couple of them.”
There are numerous connections between the Hall County school and Tech. Flowery Branch’s quarterback from last year and the coach’s oldest son, Jaybo Shaw, started for Tech against Duke two weeks ago. The team’s current quarterback and coach’s other son, junior Connor Shaw, recently received his first early scholarship offer from Tech.
The Falcons have two members on the AJC’s The Georgia 150 —- fullback Daniel Drummond, who said he intends to sign with Tech in February, and defensive end Izaan Cross, who confirmed that he is leaning toward the Jackets.
How did this “pipeline” develop? Both football programs run similar triple-option offenses, allowing Tech coaches the rare opportunity to see how high school players would project in their complicated schemes.
“We’re a lot alike in the offense we run, the [fast] tempo at practices and how we coach them to play hard and with discipline,” Shaw said. “So it’s an advantage for [Tech] to recruit our players, because it’s an easier transition. Our kids won’t have to start from scratch there.”
Here’s the breakdown of Tech’s ties to Flowery Branch:
The coach: Lee Shaw
Before taking his oldest son to Tech games last year with recruiting tickets, Shaw can’t remember the last time he watched the Jackets play in person. “Does TV count?” he asked.
Shaw is a longtime fan of Air Force and envisioned his sons playing for the military academy. He remembers sending Jaybo off to kindergarten wearing No. 12 jerseys of former Air Force quarterback Beau Morgan, the 1996 Heisman Trophy candidate.
Everything changed when Tech hired Paul Johnson, and Jaybo signed with the Jackets. Shaw has attended every game this season. He says he doesn’t push Tech on any of his current players.
“What is the best fit for Jaybo may not be the best fit for the next player,” he said. “I try to get my players as many college opportunities as possible, and then stay out of the way.”
The first: Jaybo Shaw
Tech’s lovefest with Flowery Branch began with Jaybo Shaw. Johnson and his staff had tried to recruit Shaw while at Navy, but Shaw was not interested in Navy or Air Force because of post-graduate military requirements. But Shaw did dream about playing in the ACC and became Johnson’s first commitment at Tech.
The commitment: Daniel Drummond
Drummond didn’t waste any time with his college decision, committing only minutes after being offered at Tech’s June prospect camp. He picked the Jackets over Arkansas and Oklahoma State.
The 6-foot-2, 230-pound Drummond is ranked as the nation’s No. 5 fullback by Scout and projected to play B-Back (fullback) or defensive end at Tech. He transferred to Flowery Branch from West Hall last spring.
The best: Izaan Cross
Izaan Cross is the most prolific recruit since Flowery Branch opened its doors in 2002. He is ranked the country’s No. 17 defensive end by Rivals, with more than a dozen offers, including Oklahoma and Florida State. The 6-3, 250-pound Cross told the AJC that is leaning toward Tech.
“Coach Shaw did me right, helping me get a lot of offers,” Cross said. “I know there’s a lot of people at school and in the community that would love to see me at Georgia Tech, too. I hear about it every day.”
The future: Connor Shaw
Connor Shaw said he didn’t mind following in his brother’s footsteps at Flowery Branch and said he wouldn’t mind doing the same in college.
Shaw has an early offer from Tech. He said the Jackets currently are No. 1 on his list. Vanderbilt may be the next to offer, and many other ACC and SEC schools have requested film.
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By Wreck7
October 17, 2008 12:48 AM | Link to this
Coach Shaw is one heckuva coach. I like that we are getting some nice connections with Flowery Branch because I always know that those kids will be well-coached and talented enough to play at GT.