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Monday, December 29, 2008
Recruiting not always even for UGA and Georgia Tech
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Just because schools compete in the same conference doesn’t mean they recruit from the same athlete pool.
Consider ACC men’s basketball.
An Atlanta Journal-Constitution study of public university admissions standards showed Georgia Tech players had a conference-best average high school GPA of 3.0. Florida State’s had a conference-worst 2.56. Tech players’ average SAT of 948 ranked third in the ACC but was still 78 points ahead of Florida State’s league-worst 870.
Unfair? No, says Paul Hewitt, Georgia Tech’s coach.
“We don’t have a problem recruiting against our competition. I learned a long time ago not to begrudge anybody their situation,” he said, adding that each university needs to stay true to its mission and that he buys into Georgia Tech’s.
Georgia football players averaged 59 SAT points higher than their SEC rivals at Florida. Georgia’s football SAT scores ranked second among the SEC’s public schools, behind only Kentucky’s.
In SEC men’s basketball, though, only Mississippi State’s 832 average SAT ranked below Georgia’s 845. (Georgia’s scores are from the freshman classes of 1997-99, which means they cover players recruited by former coach Ron Jirsa.)
The universities reported only average SAT scores, not player-by-player numbers, so the figures don’t show exactly how low a score a school was willing to accept.
Schools don’t make their minimum requirements public, in part because specific minimums don’t always exist. Instead, admissions decisions occur case by case, using high school GPA, standardized test scores and other, non-numerical factors, such as recommendations from teachers and counselors.
At Georgia, a faculty committee reviews the applications of those recruits who would not be admitted if not for their athletic talent. About 10 to 15 percent of all Bulldogs athletes get admitted through that process, said Nancy McDuff, the university’s associate vice president for admissions and enrollment management.
That committee refers borderline decisions to the president. About 10 percent of athletes get into school that way, McDuff said.
Sometimes, rejections become public knowledge.
Receiver Jamar Bryant twice signed with Georgia but couldn’t get in even after attending Hargrave Military Academy after high school. He went on to lead East Carolina University in receiving last season. Linebacker Jamar Chaney, denied admission to Georgia after questions were raised about his standardized test score, led Mississippi State University in tackles in 2007.
‘Bypass them and go on’
Most of the time, though, the public never learns the role academic standards play in recruiting.
“There are a lot of kids, kids that sign scholarships at other schools we play in and out of our conference that we couldn’t get in our school here,” Georgia Tech assistant football coach Jeff Monken said. “We just have to bypass them and go on. That may mean we recruit them for a while and say, ‘Let’s hope he gets his grades.’ We get to December, and he gets his first-semester senior grades and we’ve got to let him go.
“I’m sure there are times we’ll get criticized, ‘You guys have been recruiting this kid all along, and then you just dropped him,’ or ‘You recruited this guy all along, and the other school signed him.’ We’re not going to embarrass the kid and say, well actually, he couldn’t get into school.”
Recruiting publications generally don’t take academic qualifications into account when ranking a school’s signing class. Rivals.com did make one adjustment; in addition to its signing day rankings, it now does a second ranking after it knows which players enrolled and which never made it to school. But whether a player is an honors student or barely meets the NCAA academic eligibility minimums doesn’t affect his school’s spot in the rankings.
“The only time a player’s academic standing comes into question with us is when he can’t get into any Division I school,” said Bobby Burton, editor of Rivals.com. “You can’t sit there and know the ins and outs of every single player’s academic situation.”
Permalink | Comments (36) | Post your comment | Categories: Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, FSU, Florida, Kentucky, LSU, Other schools, South Carolina, Tech, Tennessee, UGA
S.C. DL Geathers has UGA among four finalists
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Defensive lineman Kwame Geathers of Carvers Bay, S.C., announced that UGA is one of his four finalists, according to GoGamecocks.
The 6-foot-6, 310-pound Geathers said he will make official visits to South Carolina, UGA, South Florida and North Carolina in January.
What are UGA’s chances of signing Geathers? UGA recruiting coordinator Rodney Garner is a close friend of his family, and older brother Robert Geathers played at UGA.
However, another one of his brothers, Clifton Geathers, committed to UGA but later signed with South Carolina, where he is a current member of the Gamecocks.
Permalink | Comments (15) | Post your comment | Categories: South Carolina, UGA
Boise State coach flying in to meet with QB Michael Tamburo
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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North Gwinnett’s Michael Tamburo officially finished his high school career on Monday, playing in the GACA North-South All-Star game in Columbus.
Tamburo and his North teammates lost 17-0, as Lowndes’ Greg Reid, the AJC all-classification player of the year, returned two punts for touchdowns.
Tamburo, committed to Boise State, rotated with two other quarterbacks and completed three or four passes. Tamburo said the speed of the defensive backs and their ability to break on the ball made things difficult. Their speed reminded Tamburo of Newnan, the team that knocked North out of the playoffs in the state quarterfinals.
“The defense was pretty fast. We weren’t able to move the ball that much,” he said.
Tamburo said his longest pass was about 15 yards and that he was able to scramble and make some plays with his feet. Tamburo threw for nearly 2,200 yards and 18 touchdowns this season and, excluding yards lost on sacks, ran for 915 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Boise State offensive coordinator Bryan Harsin visited the Tamburo family earlier this month and head coach Chris Peterson is expected to visit sometime in January, Tamburo said.
Permalink | Comments (3) | Post your comment | Categories: Other schools
Collins Hill QB awaits visit from Connecticut coach
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Connecticut coach Randy Edsall will make an in-home visit on Jan. 6 with his prized quarterback prospect, Michael Box of Collins Hill.
Box, who threw for 1,486 yards and 10 touchdowns his senior season, committed to Connecticut over Wisconsin and Richmond. He recently took a recruiting trip to Storrs, Conn.
“It was really good, I enjoyed myself and got to meet my new teammates,” Box said in a text message.
Box played one season at Collins Hill after transferring from Duluth, and said he was “100 percent” committed to Connecticut.
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
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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 (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Other schools
Banneker DB to visit West Virginia and Mississippi St.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Banneker cornerback Emmanuel Lartey scheduled three official visits for January.
The 5-foot-11, 171-pound senior already made an official visit to Louisville and he put West Virginia, South Carolina State and Mississippi State on his calendar for Jan. 16, 23 and 30, respectively.
“I’m trying to schedule some more visits, I’m just not sure where,” Lartey said.
Lartey said of the nearly 10 offers he has received, Louisville and West Virginia are his top choices.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Other schools
Parkview RB Brandon Jacobs plans two Auburn visits
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Parkview tailback Brandon Jacobs has set up two January trips to Auburn . Jacobs, an AJC The Georgia 150 prospect who committed to the Tigers months ago, will make an official visit Jan. 2 and plans on going on an unofficial visit the last weekend of January.
“I’m excited,” Jacobs said in a text message. “The official one is always supposed to be your best visit.”
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 (1) | Post your comment | Categories: Auburn
Donavan Tate unavailable for all-star game
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Cartersville quarterback Donavan Tate elected not to participate in the U.S. Army All-America Bowl because of an emergency family illness.
Tate was scheduled to spend most of the holidays in Indiana with an ill family member, and did not disclose any further details. He is the son of former UGA football standout Lars Tate, and committed to North Carolina over Georgia and Southern Cal.
“Although it is an honor to be selected for the game, I feel I must be with my family at this time,” Tate said.
Tate, who is also projected to be a first-round pick in the June baseball draft, is a candidate for Army national player of the year.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Other schools, UGA
Buford RB Storm Johnson gets second early offer
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Buford tailback Storm Johnson has an early scholarship offer from Central Florida.
Johnson, who just finished his junior year, also has been offered by Stanford. Johnson projects to be one of Gwinnett County’s top prospects next year.
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 (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Other schools
Recruiting soap operas? Ridgeland WR says UGA is “true love”
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Will Ridgeland WR Michael Bowman’s true love come calling? He has said it’s his dream to play for Georgia. But when the Bulldogs didn’t offer by the start of the summer, he committed to Alabama.
Georgia recently stopped by Bowman’s school to see if he was still interested. He said he was willing to listen.
If Georgia fails to land its No. 1 target at wide receiver, Marlon Brown of Memphis, the Bulldogs could make a last-minute rush at Bowman. Will Bowman go with his heart? “We’ll just have to see how things play out,” he said.
Note: Why does college football recruiting have such a fanatical following? Some have suggested because it is a “male soap opera.” Whatever the case, if you like drama, especially among the state’s top college prospects, there is plenty of it to unravel between now and national signing day on Feb. 4. Here are the one of five recruiting soap operas to watch:
Permalink | Comments (14) | Post your comment | Categories: Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, FSU, Florida, Kentucky, LSU, South Carolina, UGA
Recruiting soap operas? Carver-Columbus LB Jarvis Jones
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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No one in the state will draw more attention on signing day than Jarvis Jones of Carver-Columbus, the super-sized linebacker. He is ranked as the state’s No. 2 prospect by the AJC and is considered to be the rare type of player who can make an instant impact on a college team’s fortunes.
The 6-foot-4, 230-pound Jones has narrowed his choices to Florida, LSU, Georgia, USC and Texas. Even the colleges recruiting Jones are saving the majority of in-home visits for January. Jones said he will announce a college decision on Feb. 4.
“Jarvis is taking everything in stride, and he’s not going to be forced into doing anything until he’s ready,” Carver coach Dell McGee said. “There will definitely be some drama involved with his decision. The colleges won’t even know where he’s going until signing day.”
Note: Why does college football recruiting have such a fanatical following? Some have suggested because it is a “male soap opera.” Whatever the case, if you like drama, especially among the state’s top college prospects, there is plenty of it to unravel between now and national signing day on Feb. 4. Here are the one of five recruiting soap operas to watch:
Permalink | Comments (49) | Post your comment | Categories: Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Tennessee, UGA
Recruiting soap operas? Alabama vs. Auburn for Douglass LB
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Perhaps no player has done a better job at stirring emotion between followers of Alabama and Auburn than Douglass linebacker Jonathan Atchison. The 6-3, 215-pound linebacker committed to Auburn over Alabama in August, but Alabama never gave up on him.
When Auburn made a coaching change, Atchison changed to Alabama. Now it’s Auburn that refuses to surrender. Atchison says he is sticking to Alabama, but he has agreed to take an official visit to Auburn on Jan. 9, then travel to Alabama the next week.
Note: Why does college football recruiting have such a fanatical following? Some have suggested because it is a “male soap opera.” Whatever the case, if you like drama, especially among the state’s top college prospects, there is plenty of it to unravel between now and national signing day on Feb. 4. Here are the one of five recruiting soap operas to watch:
Permalink | Comments (2) | Post your comment | Categories: Alabama, Auburn
Recruiting soap operas? Speculation surrounds Henry County WR
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Henry County’s Jamal Patterson, a wide receiver, leads the state with 50 scholarship offers. That’s why it was such a surprise when he committed early to Stanford, turning down offers from Florida, Alabama, Clemson, Tennessee and Georgia Tech.
If Patterson sticks with Stanford, he easily will be the school’s No. 1 prospect. But there is plenty of speculation that Patterson will go elsewhere.
Why the rumors? During the past few months, Patterson has kept a low profile while visiting at least a half-dozen ACC and SEC schools. He has agreed to take an official visit to Clemson in January and is considering others.
Note: Why does college football recruiting have such a fanatical following? Some have suggested because it is a “male soap opera.” Whatever the case, if you like drama, especially among the state’s top college prospects, there is plenty of it to unravel between now and national signing day on Feb. 4. Here are the one of five recruiting soap operas to watch:
Permalink | Comments (9) | Post your comment | Categories: Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, FSU, Florida, Tech
Recruiting soap operas? Lassiter TE listens to other schools
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Lassiter’s Philip Lutzenkirchen, a tight end, was happy with Auburn, and then the Tigers changed coaches. That has left an opening for many schools that thought they were too late.
Who are the new contenders? Florida, Florida State, Alabama, South Carolina, Tennessee and emerging interest from Georgia and Texas. He also will consider Auburn again.
Note: Why does college football recruiting have such a fanatical following? Some have suggested because it is a “male soap opera.” Whatever the case, if you like drama, especially among the state’s top college prospects, there is plenty of it to unravel between now and national signing day on Feb. 4. Here are the one of five recruiting soap operas to watch:
Permalink | Comments (3) | Post your comment | Categories: Auburn, Clemson, FSU, Florida, Kentucky, LSU, South Carolina, Tech, Tennessee, UGA
