AJC > Sports > Football Recruiting > Blog > Archives > 2008 > October > 16
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Road Trip: Miller Grove WR Hill taking official visit to Boston College
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Miller Grove receiver Stephen Hill, a member of the AJC’s The Georgia Top 150, is taking an official visit to Boston College this weekend.
Hill, who is listed as Scout.com’s 34th-best receiver in the nation, has never been to Massachusetts.
“They’re one of my top five schools, so I’m serious about Boston College,” said Hill, who is also considering Central Florida, Georgia, Georgia Tech and Tennessee. “I’m just trying to find a college that’s a home away from home and a place where I can get an education.
“The distance [to Boston] isn’t really an issue. The main thing is academics.”
Hill, who received a scholarship offer from Tech earlier this month, seems to be very impressed with the Jackets.
“I am kind of liking them,” he said. “They really surprised me with the ball throwing type thing, even though they run the triple option. I like it.”
Hill, who will fly alone to Boston Saturday morning, has scheduled official visits to Central Florida on Nov. 2 and Tech on Dec. 12.
He picked up offers from Purdue and Troy last week.
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Peach County’s Taylor not worried about Auburn rumors
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Peach County defensive back Reggie Taylor, a member of the AJC’s The Georgia 150, said he’ll be an Auburn Tiger next year, whether Tommy Tuberville is his coach or not.
“I’m not worried about any of that [coaching rumors],” Taylor said. “No matter what happens, I’m still going to go there and do my part to help Auburn win.”
Taylor said Tuberville is “a cool guy,” and Auburn players have told him that he is “a nice guy to be around and a good guy to play for.” But he committed to Auburn early and plans to honor that commitment - no matter what.
“I think it’s a nice school,” Taylor said. “I committed [early] because I thought it would be a great school to go to, and I wanted to get the recruiters off of my back so I could concentrate on the season.”
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Georgia State offers pair of Gainesville senior defensive linemen
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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The undefeated Gainesville Red Elephants are red hot both on and off the field.
Two days after Arkansas sent scholarship offers to Gainesville juniors Tailer Jones and Blake Sims, Georgia State followed up and offered senior linemen Josh Jackson and Shamond Stringer this afternoon.
“[Georgia State] sent me a text asking me to call them after practice today,” Gainesville assistant Todd Wofford said. “I called them and they put coach [Bill] Curry on the phone.
“He offered both of them on the spot.”
Stringer told the AJC on Wednesday that he felt the Panthers were close to offering.
“It feels good,” he said. “I feel like I’ve accomplished something.”
Stringer said he’s going to start researching Georgia State, which will field its first football team in 2010.
And he admitted that he knows little about Curry, a former Alabama and Georgia Tech coach who was later a commentator for ESPN.
“I’ve heard about him,” Stringer said. “First, I want to see the school and see how it fits me academically.”
If he commits to Georgia State, Stringer hopes Jackson will consider doing the same.
“Josh and I are pretty close,” he said. “We’ve played football together since middle school.”
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Schools try to lure away Clemson recruit Corico Hawkins
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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South Carolina and North Carolina State are trying to lure Baldwin linebacker Corico Hawkins, the state’s only player committed to Clemson.
The 6-foot-2, 220-pound Hawkins said the two schools contacted him after Tommy Bowden stepped down as Clemson’s coach on Monday. While Hawkins said he appreciated the interest, he said he is sticking by his commitment to the Tigers.
“I like Clemson and I want to be there for the next four years, [regardless of who is coach],” Hawkins said.
Hawkins said he was also contacted by Clemson interim coach Dabo Swinney. “He told me to hang in there. He said they are turning things around and to just hold on.”
Hawkins said he will know more about everything after he travels to Clemson for Saturday’s game with Georgia Tech.
Since Clemson’s coaching change, the Tigers have lost three commitments.
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Flowery 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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Georgia-Vanderbilt poses family dilemna for GAC’s Blake Southerland
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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To one family, it won’t just be any old football game when Vanderbilt visits Georgia, Saturday. Georgia fullback Brannan Southerland will have plenty of family in the stands, including his brother, Greater Atlanta Christian linebacker and Vanderbilt commitment, Blake Southerland.
Call it a house divided, at least for one afternoon.
“I think deep down inside they kind of want it to be close, want it to be a good game,” Blake said. “But deep down … for Brannan’s sake, they want Georgia to win.”
“Since Brannan’s playing and Blake’s not actually there (at Vanderbilt), I have to give the edge to Georgia,” said mother Jill Southerland. “Since Brannan’s still playing I want Georgia to win (but) I hope Vandy does well.”
Georgia said they wouldn’t offer Blake a scholarship, though he’s attended several games at Sanford Stadium and sat in the recruit’s section. The 6-2, 230-pound Southerland, an AJC The Georgia 150 prospect, originally wanted to follow in his brother’s footsteps at Georgia, but is satisfied with his college choice.
“(Georgia is) where I wanted to go initially, then I visited Vandy and the offered me and I fell in love with the school,” Blake said. “It’s cool being known as his little brother but I’d like to get to Vanderbilt, go up there and make a name for myself.”
The family will be wearing shirts with “Southerland” and the number 36 on the back, with “Go Dawgs” written on the front. Blake plans on adding a variation to the wardrobe. “I might try to sport a Vandy hat as well; we’ll see.”
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Stephenson LB stays committed to Tennessee despite rumors
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Stephenson linebacker Nigel Mitchell-Thornton, a Tennessee commitment who plans to enroll early in January, said the recent criticism of head coach Phillip Fulmer and the Vols hasn’t pushed him away from Knoxville. Tennessee is 2-4 after last week’s loss to Georgia.
“It’s a lot of talk around about the coaching staff not being there next year, but I am not trying to focus on that,” Mitchell-Thornton said. “I know they just got another committment from another linebacker, Jerod Askew out of Virginia. He seems to be a pretty good player. I am looking forward to playing with him in the future.
“I think we can be a great future linebacking group for Tennessee.”
Mitchell-Thornton, who received the linebacker of the week award last week from the Atlanta Touchdown Club, plans to be at next weekend’s Tennessee-Alabama game in Knoxville, the last trip he’ll make there until he goes on an official visit in December. He picked Tennessee over Georgia Tech.
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LSU offers Northview junior DL McCoy
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Northview junior defensive tackle Denzel McCoy received a scholarship offer from LSU on Wednesday.
“I found out last night,” the 6-foot-4, 270-pound McCoy said early today. “They called my dad Wednesday morning and he told me after school.
“I was a little surprised that they offered, but I’m glad they did.”
McCoy, who already has offers from programs such as Alabama, Duke, Georgia Tech, Memphis, North Carolina, N.C. State, Oregon, Penn State, Stanford, Vanderbilt and West Virginia, admitted to being interested in LSU because of former Northview teammate Cordian Hagans, a freshman defensive lineman for the Tigers.
“I talked to Cordian about the offer last night,” McCoy said. “He’s saying ‘just take your time, but when you make a decision make the right one.’
“But it would be fun to have that high school repeat and play with him again.”
McCoy, who has trips planned to Alabama and Vanderbilt, is scheduled to attend Clemson’s home game against Georgia Tech on Saturday. He’s trying to work a visit to LSU into his schedule.
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Stone Mountain LB Robert Nelson leaning toward South Carolina
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Stone Mountain linebacker Robert Nelson hopes to attend the South Carolina game against LSU on Saturday.
“My top choice right now is South Carolina,” he said. “When I went to the ‘Gamecocks Showcase’ [prospect camp last summer], I fell in love with the coaching staff and the atmosphere.”
Will Nelson commit to the Gamecocks this weekend? “I am holding off committing [to any school] just so I can weigh all my options and see who else offers.’
The 6-foot, 209-pound Nelson has nearly 30 offers on the table, including Tennessee, Auburn, South Carolina and West Virginia.
“If I can’t make it to the South Carolina-LSU game, I will go to the next home game,” he said. “I kind of have an open invitation.”
Nelson said Auburn is currently second on his list.
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SEC schools interested in Stone Mountain junior Chris Gilzeane
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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LSU wants to know more about Stone Mountain junior fullback Chris Gilzeane. Auburn, Oregon and Tennessee also have expressed interest.
“I have no idea how they found out about me,” the 5-foot-11, 220-pound Gilzeane said. “My head coach doesn’t know either.”
Gilzeane said he receives about 15 letters from LSU each day. Most of them come from recruiting coordinator Josh Henson.
“I haven’t received any offers yet, but I think LSU is leaning towards it,” he said. “I just can’t believe it. I would have never expected a big school like LSU to recognize me.”
Gilzeane, who also plays noseguard and middle linebacker for the Pirates, said he has always dreamed of playing for the Miami Hurricanes.
“I was born in Miami, so it’s like my second home,” he said.
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Roswell has another senior class full of prospects
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Despite graduating so many college prospects last season, Roswell still has several more.
The Hornets have at least four: offensive tackle Cade Yates, running back Reid Suhr and wide receivers Chuka Okakpu and Donovan Bennett.
Yates has garnered interest from Jacksonville State, Samford, Tennessee-Martin, Eastern Kentucky, Air Force, Georgia State and Furman. Okakpu has caught attention from Marshall and Georgia Southern, and Ohio University likes Bennett.
Suhr, out for the season with a broken arm, is being recruited by Elon.
A visit to Jacksonville convinced Yates he’ll need to bulk up.
“In college, everything is stronger and faster,” Yates said. “I bench 300 and squat 495, but I want to get up to 350 or 375 [bench] and 600 [squat].”
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Recruiting Q&A: Union Grove’s Mark Speir
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Union Grove offensive lineman Mark Speir, a member of the AJC’s The Georgia 150, has committed to Alabama-Birmingham and is taking visits to a handful of other schools. He talked with staff writer Jay Stone about being recruited and other topics.
— On what things he looks for in a visit: “Education is very important to me, and when I go places it’s important for them to show me the education facilities as well as the football things. I’m looking at the big picture, not just football.”
— On what school he has always been a fan of: “Georgia Tech. I grew up watching them. I went to a few games in middle school. Before that I wasn’t really interested in football.”
— On his career goals: “I’m thinking maybe pharmaceutical. I want to study pre-pharmaceutical and then go somewhere else. One of the options I have is a school where you get a good education, and I’m going to try to make the best match for me.”
— On one thing that’s a deal-breaker for him with a school: “One thing for Georgia Tech, I was disappointed in was their graduation rate for football. It was around 48 percent. It could be the athletes that aren’t applying themselves, but it could be that they’re choosing kids that aren’t as serious about getting their work done. And the offense … like Shorter was running the Wing-T and I didn’t want to be in an offense where it was all running or all passing.”
— On the first school to talk to him: “I started getting letters in January or February and probably the first school to talk to me was Marshall, I think. Marshall or Ball State … there’s so many people you meet it’s hard to keep straight who you talk to and when.”
— On interacting with kids: “The Thursday before our spring game a couple of us from the team went out to elementary schools and we had a photographer take our pictures and we signed them and gave them out to the kids. They really thought it was neat, and that’s kind of a warm feeling when you can make an impression like that.”
— On how many college games he’s been to as a fan: “Not that many. Usually I’m busy. I’d say around seven or eight. A couple of Georgia games and a few at Georgia Tech.”
— On a movie he’ll watch over and over: “’Friday Night Lights’ is one of my favorites. ‘Dumb and Dumber’ is probably number one.”
— On his spare time activities: “Hang out with my friends on the weekends. Play Xbox 360. There’s a game, ‘Call of Duty 4,’ I’m trying. I just got the Xbox two weeks ago and I’ve been playing it a lot ever since.”
— On his favorite superhero: “Spiderman going from building to building is pretty cool. Or I guess Iron Man. I saw the Iron Man movie and that was a really good movie.”
— On his mp3 playlist: “Mostly hard rock. Stuff that gets your blood flowing. “New Noise,” by Refused. I listen to that before games and it gets me really pumped up.”
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SWD’s Jacoby Mitchell: Western Carolina in lead
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Southwest DeKalb wide receiver Jacoby Mitchell says Western Carolina is probably the leader in his recruitment, but his mind is still on Eugene, Ore.
With the help of SWD assistant Ray Starks, Mitchell made contact with Oregon this week.
“Oregon said I need to send out my highlight tape as soon as I can,” said Mitchell, who has dreamed of wearing the green-and-gold Oregon uniform in college. “It doesn’t hurt to try.”
But that might just be a dream, so that’s where Western Carolina comes in. Mitchell likes Western’s spread offense and sees himself flourishing as a slot receiver there. He plans a visit soon.
Mitchell also has offers from Bowling Green, Eastern Michigan, Akron and Army. Army, which is recruiting Mitchell’s teammate, linebacker Brandon Brant, has e-mailed the receiver asking him to visit.
Mitchell said he might go on a visit with Brant, but is not interested in Army.
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Central Florida watches Berkmar LB Troy Davis at practice
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Berkmar linebacker Troy Davis, who is committed to Central Florida, said the Knights came to check on him this week.
The 6-foot-2, 210-pound Davis said Central Florida recruiting coordinator and linebackers coach Geoff Collins was at the team’s workouts on Tuesday.
“He just wanted to see how things were going, how my senior year was coming along, and look at some of [Berkmar’s] younger players” Davis said.
Davis said he will likely take his official visit to Central Florida in early December. He committed to the Knights over East Carolina. Davis says he still gets mail from Virginia Tech and Vanderbilt, but that he is sticking with his decision.
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WR Marlon Brown says he’s coming back to UGA for another look
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Georgia coach Mark Richt, who has gone public with his wish to sign two big-time wide receivers in February, is making advances with No. 1 target Marlon Brown of Memphis.
The 6-foot-5, 205-pound Brown told the AJC that he plans to return to Georgia for an unofficial visit “in the near future.” Brown took his official visit to Athens for the Alabama game.
“I’m going back there, and it’s going to be for a basketball game,” Brown said. “I’m still very impressed with Georgia, it was nothing like I thought it would be. I want to go back and meet with Georgia’s basketball coaches because I’d like to play [both] in college.”
Brown’s emerging interest is a much-needed boost of energy for Georgia in its national search. The Bulldogs have been reeling after narrowly losing out to LSU on Rantavious Wooten of Belle Glade, Fla., in August.
Other than Brown and perhaps Andre Debose of Sanford, Fla., Georgia doesn’t appear to be major players with any of the Southeast’s top uncommitted wide receivers.
Brown’s desire to return to Georgia for a second look is proof of his serious interest. He said he couldn’t name a visit date yet because of his own football and basketball schedule, along with making college visits for both sports.
Last weekend, Brown took an official visit to Ohio State, where his host was freshman quarterback sensation Terrelle Pryor. Brown said his three remaining recruiting trips are LSU on Jan. 10, Florida on Jan. 24, and Tennessee on Jan. 31.
Wednesday was a big day for UGA’s recruiting efforts. Booker T. Washington cornerback Brandon Smith, ranked as the state’s No. 1 prospect, finally scheduled his official visit to UGA.
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Flowery Branch DE Cross describes Tech as “my No. 1”
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Georgia Tech has become the clear leader in the recruitment of Flowery Branch defensive end Izaan Cross, following coach Tommy Bowden’s departure from Clemson on Monday.
Cross, whose front-runners had been the Jackets and Tigers, expressed slight frustration over not hearing from his recruiting coach at Clemson for the past 10 days. He also questioned how many of Bowden’s assistants will be retained.
“Tech has been my number one for the longest, and this helps them a lot,” Cross said. “I’m not going to pull the trigger right now, but Tech is definitely at my top.
“I’m thinking about maybe dropping [Clemson from consideration].”
Cross, an AJC’s The Georgia Top 150 choice, will spend the next two Saturdays in SAT prep classes.
He plans to attend Tech’s home game against Florida State on Nov. 1.
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