AJC > Sports > Football Recruiting > Blog > Archives > 2008 > December > 21
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Flowery Branch DE Izaan Cross commits to Georgia Tech
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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How about those Yellow Jackets?
Georgia Tech’s football program is riding a wave of momentum. The big news on Sunday was Flowery Branch defensive end Izaan Cross committing to the Jackets.
Cross was one of the southeast’s top uncommitted prospects, picking Georgia Tech over Clemson, North Carolina and N.C. State. Earlier in the year, Cross had offers from Oklahoma and Florida State. He announced his college decision after making an official visit to Tech.
“I think this weekend was just icing on the cake,” Cross told the AJC. “Georgia Tech has always been my No. 1.”
“Truthfully, I really thought if it all went well this weekend I would commit. I think I fit in well at Georgia Tech.”
Before leaving campus, Cross broke the news to Tech coach Paul Johnson.
“I told [Johnson] I was going to commit,” Cross said. “Then I started asking him about the academic part and schedule.”
It was Tech’s second major recruiting victory within the last few days, following the commitment of Centennial defensive end Euclid Cummings, who picked the Jackets over North Carolina, with emerging interest from Florida and Georgia. Last Thursday, Cummings was scheduled to visit Georgia’s bowl practice, but canceled the trip and committed to Tech instead.
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Permalink | Comments (60) | Post your comment | Categories: Tech, UGA
UGA-bound QB Aaron Murray completes amazing comeback with state championship
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Quarterback Aaron Murray of Tampa, Fla., has yet to step on UGA’s campus, but is already approaching legendary status in the Bulldog Nation.
With UGA defensive coordinator Willie Martinez watching on, Murray finished off an improbable comeback in dazzling style, leading Plant High to a 34-14 win over Lincoln in Saturday’s Florida Class AAAA championship at Orlando’s Citrus Bowl.
Murray completed 18 of 30 passes for 344 yards and three touchdowns, according to the Tampa Tribune. He also had one interception.
“I never thought I would put on a Plant uniform again after I got hurt,” Murray told the Tribune. “I had a lot of people helping me to get back, and I’m glad I did because this is special.”
Murray, who committed to UGA over 53 scholarship offers, suffered what was thought to be a season-ending leg injury on Oct. 16. Doctors expected Murray to be out for 3-4 months, but Murray pushed himself as hard as possible, and returned in seven weeks. He made his comeback in the state semifinals, throwing a touchdown on his very first pass.
In Saturday’s championship, Murray’s top target was tight end Orson Charles, who caught six passes for 134 yards and two touchdowns. Charles is entertaining an offer from Miami, along with Georgia and Florida.
Back to Murray: There were concerns among some Georgia fans that he may have rushed back too soon. However, UGA coach Mark Richt called Murray this week to both endorse his decision to play and wish him well in the championship.
“He [Richt] said if he was in the same situation, he would definitely be playing, too,” Murray said. “He said you never know how life works out, and you may never again get to play for a championship. And if you have the chance to play for one, you’ve got to go for it.”
Doctors gave Murray the clearance to play the week of the semifinals, providing that he heavily wrap up his left ankle. In 21 career starts at Plant, Murray set a county record with 84 touchdown passes, breaking the mark previously held by celebrated South Carolina quarterback Stephen Garcia.
Permalink | Comments (128) | Post your comment | Categories: UGA
N.C. State lands two of state’s top OL
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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N.C. State picked up commitments from offensive linemen Duran Christophe of Woodstock and Camden Wentz of Lassiter on Sunday evening.
The commitments were delivered following their official visit to N.C. State this weekend.
“We both loved Louisville, but we actually committed to N.C. State on our way home [from Raleigh],” Wentz said Sunday evening. “N.C. State and Louisville were kind of comparable in where they were headed.
“But we realized that [N.C. State] coach [Tom] O’Brien had put a lot of players into the NFL. That was kind of a tipping point.
“When Coach O’Brien was at Boston College, he had five offensive lineman drafted and all five are starting in the NFL.”
O’Brien learned about the commitments during the Wolfpack’s practice on Sunday.
“They were practicing when we called,” Wentz said. “They noticed that his phone was in the office and had been vibrating.
“So they took the phone out to him on the practice field and he called me back. He was excited. He told all of the other coaches.”
Wentz was committed to Stanford earlier this year, but backed off it. Georgia Tech showed interest in Wentz, but did not offer.
Got a recruiting item? Please send an email to jhood@ajc.com
What are the day’s biggest recruiting stories? Do you wish to join the recruiting debate about any prospect or college? Click here to go to the AJC’s Recruiting Central
Take me directly to all the UGA recruiting stories
Take me directly to all the Georgia Tech recruiting stories
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 (1) | Post your comment | Categories: Other schools, Tech
Indiana RB leaves Georgia Tech without offer
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Luke Swift, a running back for Center Grove High in Greenwood, Ind., arrived in Atlanta on Friday with hopes of receiving a scholarship offer from Georgia Tech during his official visit this weekend.
He returned to the Hoosier state on Sunday disappointed, but remains hopeful that an opportunity with the Jackets will materialize.
“They didn’t offer, but it was pretty awesome,” said 6-foot-1, 163-pound Swift, whose host was A-back Roddy Jones. “I like the players and the whole staff. Every time I go, I like it even more.”
Swift, who is also being recruited by Purdue, spoke with Tech coach Paul Johnson about the possibility of a scholarship.
“They’re going to try to make it work,” Swift said. “They just don’t have the numbers right now. They told me to be patient.”
Got a recruiting item? Please send an email to jhood@ajc.com
What are the day’s biggest recruiting stories? Do you wish to join the recruiting debate about any prospect or college? Click here to go to the AJC’s Recruiting Central
Take me directly to all the UGA recruiting stories
Take me directly to all the Georgia Tech recruiting stories
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 (36) | Post your comment | Categories: Tech
Salem OL Sam Watts approves of Mississippi State’s new coach
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Salem’s Sam Watts was sorry to see Sylvester Croom leave Mississippi State, but he’s more than happy with his replacement.
Watts visited Starkville last week to attend his brother’s graduation, and had a chance to meet with Mississippi State’s new coach Dan Mullen.
“It was good,” Watts said. “He’s a very high-energy guy, just like the stuff I read and heard about him. I’m really excited about playing for him.”
Watts, a 6-4, 295-pound offensive tackle, loved that Mullen told him that he’s going to work the players extra hard.
“He’s going to test us like we’ve never been tested before,” Watts said. “He said to make sure during the break that not a single day goes by without running. I like going full speed. If I’m not working hard, I’m not getting better, so I’m pretty excited to play for him.”
Watts, a 6-4, 295-pound offensive tackle, finished with finals on Wednesday and will graduate early before moving into his campus dorm on Jan. 2.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Post your comment | Categories: Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, FSU, Florida, Kentucky, Other schools, South Carolina, Tennessee
UGA’s short list of prospects for Santa
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Here are the top five prospects that Georgia has targeted to complete the 2009 recruiting class:
Marlon Brown, WR, Memphis: New Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin said he wants to build a fence around the state. Will Brown leap over it?
Orson Charles, TE, Tampa: Miami is the leader, but Charles is best buddies with teammate Aaron Murray, who has committed to Georgia.
Jarvis Jones, LB, Columbus: All signs point to Jones going out of state.
Bobby Massie, OT, Hargrave Military, Va.: It’s Georgia, Miami and Alabama in the chase for the nation’s No. 1 prep-school prospect.
Branden Smith, DB, Atlanta: Georgia appears to be the team to beat, but no one will know for sure until Jan. 4.
Got a recruiting item? Please send an email to mcarvell@ajc.com
What are the day’s biggest recruiting stories? Do you wish to join the recruiting debate about any prospect or college? Click here to go to the AJC’s Recruiting Central
Take me directly to all the UGA recruiting stories
Take me directly to all the Georgia Tech recruiting stories
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 (14) | Post your comment | Categories: UGA
Tennessee coach not backing down from Spurrier
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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New Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin couldn’t resist making one little joke about Steve Spurrier. It comes with the territory as coach of the Volunteers.
The South Carolina coach, who had a history of making jokes at former Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer’s expense, questioned earlier this month whether Kiffin contacted recruits before he had passed the NCAA test that allows him to do so.
He had this to say: “I’m not concerned about that. If Steve’s concerned about my test, I got a 39 out of 40. I’d like to see what he got.”
Kiffin said earlier this month that he took the NCAA recruiting test several days before he was introduced as coach and began contacting recruits on the first morning he was allowed to.
Spurrier once famously quipped “you can’t spell Citrus without UT” as a way of mocking Tennessee’s appearances in the Citrus Bowl after regularly losing to his Florida teams.
Permalink | Comments (5) | Post your comment | Categories: South Carolina, Tennessee, UGA
Heritage TE Justin Jones schedules visit with SEC school
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Heritage tight end Justin Jones scheduled his first official visit — to Vanderbilt on Jan. 30.
“[Vanderbilt] coach [Des] Kitchings invited me out there,” the 6-foot-7, 250-pound senior said. “We’ve talked a million times.”
Jones, who also plays basketball for the Patriots, backed away from his commitment to Kentucky earlier this year and is entertaining offers from Akron, East Carolina, Alabama-Birmingham and South Carolina. But he said South Carolina is not high on his list.
Jones said he wants to play for an SEC school, but also hopes to take official visits to Michigan State and Virginia Tech.
“They haven’t offered, but they did request film, and my coach said they were impressed with what they saw,” he said.
Jones played tight end and defensive end for the Patriots. He finished the 2008 season with 72 tackles and 10.5 sacks.
Rivals.com ranks him as the 35th best tight end in the nation.
Permalink | Comments (2) | Post your comment | Categories: Kentucky, Other schools, South Carolina
