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Monday, December 1, 2008
UGA defensive coordinator Willie Martinez “upbeat as usual” on recruiting trail
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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If the loss to Georgia Tech is bothering UGA defensive coordinator Willie Martinez, he didn’t show it when visiting the state’s top prospect on Sunday night.
Martinez, who has been criticized for UGA’s defensive lapses, led a parade of six assistant coaches into the living room of Booker T. Washington cornerback Branden Smith on Sunday night. It was the first day of a three-week NCAA contact period allowed between college coaches and high school prospects.
Martinez and Smith have developed a close relationship because Martinez, along with being defensive coordinator, also coaches UGA’s defensive backs.
“Coach Martinez was upbeat and energetic as usual, he didn’t seem ‘down’ or anything,” Smith said. “He didn’t really talk long about the Georgia Tech loss. He said just said they made mistakes and got beat.”
“[Martinez] said if they had a player like me at cornerback and returning punts, then I could make a big difference in a game like that. Then he started talking about other things [involving recruiting]. The whole visit went really well.”
UGA’s entourage of assistants spent Sunday making lengthy visits with the top two remaining in-state targets for its 2009 recruiting class, Smith and Carver-Columbus linebacker Jarvis Jones. Smith has Georgia, Florida, Florida State and Alabama as his four finalists.
The Bulldogs were represented by Martinez, Rodney Garner, Mike Bobo, John Jancek, John Lilly and Stacy Searels. Earlier on Sunday, Georgia coach Mark Richt said he didn’t expect any changes among his staff for next season.
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Permalink | Comments (151) | Post your comment | Categories: Tech, UGA
Spurrier to visit Perry OL Johnnie Farms
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier will visit Perry High School on Tuesday to try to persuade offensive guard Johnnie Farmsto come back to the Gamecocks, Farms told the AJC.
Farms, an AJC Super 11 selection, decommitted from South Carolina last weekend and committed to North Carolina after his official visit to Chapel Hill, N.C.
Farms first committed to South Carolina on Sept. 29. Alabama was his top choice, but Crimson Tide coaches told him they were “full” at his position.
Rivals.com ranks Farms as the eighth best offensive guard in the nation.
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Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Other schools, South Carolina
Mother of state’s No. 1 prospect endorses UGA
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Branden Smith, who is ranked as the state’s No. 1 prospect by the AJC and Rivals, said if was up to his mother, he’d be headed to UGA.
Smith laughed on Monday morning when he was asked about his mother’s first meeting with UGA’s coaches on Sunday night. Six assistants, including defensive coordinator Willie Martinez and recruiting coordinator Rodney Garner, filed into Smith’s living room around 7 p.m. for the 90-minute meeting.
There were so many people that Smith’s mother, Teresa Wynn, had to bring in two extra chairs from the kitchen.
“My mom had those coaches laughing because she kept saying how much she liked Georgia and how much she would like to see me play there … and she said it at least four times,” Smith said with a chuckle.
“The Georgia coaches really liked hearing that. They said ‘if your mom keeps saying that, then it must be a good thing for us.’”
When Smith was asked if he was going to follow his mother’s advice, he said, “I love my mom and I listen to everything she says. She really likes Georgia, but she also wants me to go to the school that is the best fit for me. She said she will love and support me with whichever school I choose.”
Smith, who plays cornerback at Booker T. Washington, said he has no favorites among his four finalists of Georgia, Florida, Florida State and Alabama. He will announce a college decision on Jan. 4.
Got some recruiting news? mcarvell@ajc.com
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Are you a senior prospect “overlooked” by colleges? Here’s what to do about it
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Permalink | Comments (36) | Post your comment | Categories: Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, FSU, Florida, LSU, Tennessee, UGA
Clemson-bound OL ends flirtation with UGA
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Offensive lineman J.K. Jay of Greenville, S.C., has ended his flirtation with UGA, according to The State (S.C.) newspaper.
“He took a couple of visits and researched some things,” Jay’s father told The State. “He grew up Orange. He sat down and did some soul searching and he came to that decision and stuck with everything he started with.”
The 6-foot-7, 280-pound Jay was a longtime commitment to Clemson, but began looking around after the departure of Tommy Bowden. UGA seized on the opportunity, convincing Jay to make an unofficial visit last week to meet with coach Mark Richt.
Jay canceled official visits planned for UGA and Vanderbilt.
Got some recruiting news? mcarvell@ajc.com
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Are you a senior prospect “overlooked” by colleges? Here’s what to do about it
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Permalink | Comments (9) | Post your comment | Categories: Clemson, UGA
New Clemson coach secures Baldwin LB Corico Hawkins
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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New Clemson coach Dabo Swinney wants Baldwin linebacker Corico Hawkins, so Hawkins is sticking with his commitment to the Tigers.
“Corico wants to be there with the coaches who recruited him,” Baldwin coach Jesse Hicks said.
Hawkins, a member of the AJC’s The Georgia 150, took his mother to the Clemson-South Carolina game Saturday.
“That was the first time she went to a Clemson game, and I think that sealed the deal,” Hicks said.
Hawkins was an early commitment to Clemson, and was only looking at other schools in case the Tigers hired an outsider as coach.
“If you bring in a new coach, they may start going through the recruiting process again,” he said. “They may not run the same scheme and they may look for a different kind of player.”
The 6-foot-2, 220-pound Hawkins finished the 2008 regular season with 102 tackles, 16 for loss, three sacks and two interceptions. He was named the Region 3-AAA Player of the Year.
Got some recruiting news? pgiltman@ajc.com
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Are you a senior prospect “overlooked” by colleges? Here’s what to do about it
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Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Clemson, Tech
UGA assistants visit with Branden Smith and Jarvis Jones
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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UGA’s top two remaining in-state recruiting targets are Booker T. Washington cornerback Branden Smith and Carver-Columbus linebacker Jarvis Jones.
UGA sent six assistant coaches into the homes of both players on Sunday, which was the first day of a three-week NCAA contact period. Smith said actions speak louder than words, and the fact that UGA visited on the opening day meant a lot.
“They said they came straight here after talking with Jarvis,” Smith said. “They feel like if both of us came to Georgia, that they might have the best recruiting class in the country.”
Ironically, both Smith and Jones spent the previous day together at Florida State: Smith was making an official visit, while Jones was on an unofficial trip. The two have developed a friendship after making the rounds on the recruiting circuit over the past year.
“I asked Jarvis how recruiting was going and he said ‘just fine’ and that he had ‘no idea which college he was going to pick,’” Smith said. “So we’re sort of in the same situation. I feel like I have four great colleges to choose from, and I really can’t go wrong by picking any of the four.”
Smith has made official visits to FSU, Florida and Alabama, and will go to UGA on Dec. 12. He plans to make his college announcement on Jan. 4.
Smith said he got soaked in the rain while watching FSU’s loss to Florida, but still had fun. He met with FSU coach Bobby Bowden.
“[Bowden] said all I had to do was to watch the game to see how badly they need some defensive backs,” Smith said. “He said they really needed me, and very quickly. He made a point of telling me how many defensive backs Florida State has put into the NFL over the years.”
Smith again said he has no favorites among his four finalists. Jones has taken only one official visit (USC) and said he will travel to Texas, Florida, Georgia and LSU in January.
Got some recruiting news? mcarvell@ajc.com
Click below to see the following:
Are you a senior prospect “overlooked” by colleges? Here’s what to do about it
Note: Any inappropriate comments will not be tolerated, along with offensive “screen names.” Your posts are identified by the AJC with logging your IP address, not your screen name or email address. We encourage your comments and opinions, and only request that you use good judgment.
Permalink | Comments (6) | Post your comment | Categories: Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, FSU, Florida, Tennessee, UGA
How It Went: Stephenson LB sticking with Tennessee, wants to meet new coach
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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One week after visiting Stanford, Stephenson linebacker Nigel Mitchell-Thornton traveled to Knoxville on Saturday to witness coach Phillip Fulmer’s final game at Tennessee.
His commitment to the Volunteers appeared to be somewhat shaky for the past several weeks following Fulmer’s recent decision to step down. But Mitchell-Thornton says he intends to sign with Tennessee in February.
“It was a great visit,” he said. “I really enjoyed it. Although it was coach Fulmer and some of the other coaches last game there, it was nice.
“And yes, I’m still solid with Tennessee.”
Mitchell-Thornton is eager to meet Fulmer’s successor, Lane Kiffin.
“I hear he’s pretty good,” he said. “I’m excited to see how he’ll lead the Vols.”
Got some recruiting news? jhood@ajc.com
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Permalink | Comments (1) | Post your comment | Categories: Tech, Tennessee
