AJC > Sports > Football Recruiting > Blog > Archives > 2008 > October > 17
Friday, October 17, 2008
UGA-bound QB Aaron Murray on crutches, gets cheers from teammates
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Georgia-bound quarterback Aaron Murray walked on crutches to Friday’s film session, and got a standing ovation from his high school teammates, according to the Tampa Tribune.
Murray, who is likely finished with his high school career after breaking his leg on Thursday, surprised his fellow players at Plant High of Tampa, Fla., with the appearance.
“There were about 20 guys in the locker room at the time, and when Aaron came in, everyone started applauding,” Plant coach Robert Weiner told the newspaper. “That was a pretty cool deal.”
When the play that Murray was injured showed up on the big screen, the room was quiet, according to the Tribune.
“Near the end of the second quarter, Murray completed a 10-yard pass when he was tackled cleanly by Hillsborough’s Victor Bynum, causing a dislocated left ankle and fractured fibula. Weiner quickly fast forwarded to the next play, when backup quarterback Phillip Ely took over.
“‘We knew it was coming, and we knew where it was on the film,’ Plant’s Austin Clark said. “It just stinks because that guy is our leader and the best football player I’ve seen. To see him go down like that, it just stinks.’
“Murray will have surgery next week, he said. He will have screws and a plate inserted to hold the bone in place. Only then will doctors know the extent of the damage, including any ligament damage. Ever the competitor, just after he was carted off the field with his left leg in an air cast, Murray was adamant about returning to the game. ‘When I was getting carted off, I was thinking I’ll be back in the second half,’ he said. ‘But when I got to the locker room, the doctor started messing with it and it kept clicking in and out and I knew that was not good.’”
Murray told the Tribune that he hopes to return in 6-8 weeks. “I’ll keep praying we get far in the playoffs, because I will be back … I recover fast, so hopefully God blesses me and I can recover fast with this one. I’m just going to keep praying.”
Murray suffered the injury near halftime of Plant’s 44-28 win over Hillsborough on Thursday night.
“Aaron’s probably the best player in the country and you don’t want to lose the best player in the country anytime,” Weiner said on Thursday.
Murray is UGA’s most prolific commitment in its 2009 recruiting class, earning MVP honors of the Elite 11 QB Camp last summer. He picked Georgia among 53 scholarship offers.
Before being injured on Thursday, Murray had a stellar performance, throwing for 205 yards and three touchdowns, while rushing for 95 yards and one touchdown.
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Could UGA take WR Rantavious Wooten away from LSU?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Georgia coach Mark Richt’s public plea for wide receivers is apparently being answered.
Rantavious Wooten of Belle Glade, Fla., who narrowly committed to LSU over Georgia, confirmed with the AJC on Thursday night that he will indeed make an official visit to Athens this weekend. There had been speculation Wooten was backing out on the visit because LSU coaches weren’t happy about the situation.
Andre Debose of Sanford, Fla., who is one of the nation’s top uncommitted wide receivers, will also taking a recruiting trip to Georgia this weekend, according to Rivals.
Richt recently said that “signing at least two wide receivers” was one of the top priorities for the few remaining scholarships in Georgia’s 2009 recruiting class.
Also, wide receiver Marlon Brown of Memphis, who took an official visit to Georgia for the Alabama game, revealed that he plans to return to Athens for an unofficial visit to learn more about the Bulldogs.
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Southern Cal WR Brice Butler sends message to Norcross teammate
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Southern Cal wide receiver Brice Butler recently sent Norcross quarterback Charles King a text message that simply read: “October 24, 2009 in LA.”
That, of course, is the date for next year’s USC-Oregon State game. Oregon State, which is the only team to defeat USC this year, is recruiting King, who played last year at Norcross with Butler.
Ironically, King was scheduled to make his official visit to Oregon State last month for the upset of then-No. 1 USC, but decided to postpone it at the last minute. King said he spoke with Oregon State recruiting coordinator Gary Beck to reschedule the trip for Nov. 15.
The 6-foot-2, 190-pound King has offers from Nevada, Idaho and Western Carolina. He has been invited on official visits to Oregon State, Fresno State and Arizona State, which all appear close to offering.
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Warner Robins WR Rashad Wynes sticking with UAB after Georgia trip
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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University of Alabama-Birmingham fans wanting Warner Robins two-way star Rashad Wynes to honor his verbal commitment to the Blazers can breathe easy — at least for now.
Wynes was in Athens last Saturday to watch Georgia defeat Tennessee. He liked what saw.
“I really liked how the fans supported the team,” said Wynes, a member of the AJC’s The Georgia 150. “Even when the team wasn’t doing so well, they were still cheering and supporting them.”
Wynes said he committed to UAB because he likes how they plan to use him in the slot of their zone-read based offense. He has offers from Boston College, Georgia Southern, Memphis and Ole Miss. Georgia has not offered yet.
And if the Bulldogs did?
“I’d still be committed to UAB,” Wynes said. “But [an offer from Georgia] would make me think about it.”
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Sandy Creek’s Johnson not concerned about Skip Holtz buzz
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Every season in college football there are always one or two up-and-coming coaches whose names catch fire.
One of those names this year is Skip Holtz of East Carolina, who is being mentioned on sports-talk radio and in the blogosphere as a possible candidate to replace Tommy Bowden at Clemson.
But Sandy Creek quarterback Rio Johnson, a member of the AJC’s The Georgia 150, is not concerned. Whether Holtz stays or goes elsewhere, Johnson says he will remain committed to East Carolina. The Pirates offered Johnson one day after he had a stellar performance at their camp this summer.
“It wouldn’t change my decision at all,” Johnson said. “I chose [East Carolina] because I liked the atmosphere and because it felt like a place I could fit in.”
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Alabama-Birmingham recruit Mark Speir visiting other schools
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Union Grove offensive lineman Mark Speir, a member of the AJC’s The Georgia 150, is committed to Alabama-Birmingham, but he appears open to considering other schools.
“I just want to find the best match for me,” said Speir, who is headed to Wofford for the Terriers’ game against Western Carolina this weekend. He has also visited Middle Tennessee and he plans to visit Samford. Speir has been told by Miami, Ohio, that an offer is likely.
“Their recruiter told me he liked what he saw of me on game film and he said their head coach would be impressed,” Speir said.
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Offers pouring in for East Laurens RB Terrence Lewis
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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East Laurens tailback Terrence Lewis is 6-foot-3, 235-pounds and with 4.5 speed, so he is garnering some small-college attention after his team upset previously unbeaten and fourth-ranked Jefferson County 35-7.
Bigger schools could follow in finding this Middle Georgia prospect, who has flown under the radar this season. Lewis already has offers from Middle Tennessee, Jacksonville State and Ball State. East Laurens coach Vic Thigpen said that Troy State will soon be making an offer.
Lewis is averaging 150 yards per game with a season-high 214 yards on 30 carries against Swainsboro earlier this year. Out of the Falcons’ multiple-I offense, Lewis has 793 yards on 95 carries with eight touchdowns.
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Mill Creek OL Jordan Johnson likes the mountain views
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Mill Creek tackle Jordan Johnson is liking the rural country of Middle Tennessee and Western Carolina.
The 6-5, 262-pound Johnson has taken unofficial visits to both schools and came away impressed. Johnson said he liked the fan fervor of MTSU’s Sun Belt Conference and he enjoyed Western Carolina’s beautiful campus in the middle of mountains. Both schools call him about once a week to talk about football, academics and family, Johnson said.
Johnson’s coach at Mill Creek, Shannon Jarvis, told him Mississippi State is interested in him and more schools could follow. “It would be great to play in the SEC, but that’s not one of my priorities,” Johnson said. “I’m just trying to find a program that would be a nice fit for me and a university that has something I could major in that I would really enjoy.”
Johnson expressed an interest in sports medicine and his father’s profession.
“My dad [James] is a lawyer so I’ve been around law and I could pick up on that really easily,” Johnson said.
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Lithonia’s Julian Bellinger earning college looks
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Lithonia is in a rebuilding mode but coach Earl White feels one aspect of his program has already arrived. His name is Julian Bellinger.
The 6-foot-1, 175 pounder is one of Dekalb County’s best big-play performers. South Carolina State has seen enough of Bellinger to offer him a scholarship. Several major college programs such as Memphis and Georgia Tech are keeping close tabs on the elusive senior who is being projected as a wide receiver or cornerback.
“Somebody is going to get a real steal,” said Lithonia coach Earl White. “He is a 4.4 (40-yard) guy, qualified and he is a real Div. I talent.”
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Stock rising for M.L. King’s DeAndre Davis
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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M.L. King is becoming known as a program that produces players who go from unknowns to Division I prospects.
Senior DeAndre Davis provides the latest example.The 6-foot-3, 285-pound offensive guard’s reputation has grown because of strong performances.
“He has really picked it up here lately. I think he’s worked himself to be a Division I player,” said M.L. King coach Corey Jarvis.
Davis is qualified academically and receiving increasing interest from University of Alabama-Birmingham, Western Kentucky, Louisiana Tech and Connecticut.
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Parkview’s Brandon Jacobs sticking with Auburn
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Parkview running back Brandon Jacobs said he’s honoring his committment to Auburn in the aftermath of the firing of offensive coordinator Tony Franklin.
“I’m still going to Auburn; I haven’t backed out,” Jacobs said. “I don’t mind playing in any offense they have. Hopefully they’ll get a new offense together.”
Jacobs, a member of the AJC’s The Georgia 150, said other schools had called him, but backed off when he committed to Auburn.
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