AJC > Sports > Football Recruiting > Blog > Archives > 2009 > January > 02
Friday, January 2, 2009
Lowndes DB Greg Reid, AJC Player of Year, not sure about UGA
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Lowndes defensive back Greg Reid, the AJC’s all-classification Player of the Year for the state, was asked if he would consider UGA, if he was pursued by the Bulldogs over the next month.
“Well, I don’t know about that, I can’t say,” Reid told the AJC on Friday evening. “It’s too hard to tell right now if I would consider [UGA]. I really just don’t know about that,”
The 5-foot-9, 180-pound Reid made the surprising decision to back off his longtime commitment to Florida.
“I felt like I committed way too early (last February). It doesn’t have as much to do with Florida as it does with me making sure I’m making the right ‘life’ decision,’” Reid said. “This is a decision that will affect the rest of my life, so I I want to be sure I make the right one. I don’t want to go to one college, and then be transferring to another one, stuff like that.”
What was Florida’s reaction to the news? “They were disappointed. But I haven’t dropped them. I respect them and all.”
Reid said he still plans to make an official visit to Florida on Jan. 16, and would also like to make a recruiting trip to Texas. He said he is still talking to “just about every SEC school” but said he wasn’t ready to say anything more just yet.
Georgia made an early offer to Reid, but then later got two commitments at defensive back: Early County’s Shawn Williams and Virginia’s Jordan Love. The Bulldogs are also hoping to land Booker T. Washington’s Branden Smith, who is ranked as the state’s No. 1 prospect. Smith will announce his college decision between UGA, Alabama, Florida and FSU on Sunday night.
Permalink | Comments (57) | Post your comment | Categories: Florida, UGA
Miami controversy may help UGA with TE Orson Charles
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Controversy surrounding Miami’s football program may benefit UGA in recruiting one of the nation’s top tight ends.
Orson Charles of Tampa’s Plant High has said he favors Miami over Georgia, Florida, and Florida State.
However, Plant coach Robert Weiner told the Miami Herald that “A player of mine won’t play for [Miami coach] Randy Shannon” again.
Weiner has been disappointed with Shannon’s treatment of former Plant quarterback Robert Marve. He was finally released from his scholarship at Miami this week, but with the stipulation that he cannot transfer to an ACC, SEC or Florida-based school.
Weiner told the Herald the transfer requirements were “the last line in a series of slaps in the face” toward Marve. Weiner also said Charles definitely won’t be attending Miami now.
Charles led Plant to last month’s Class AAAA championship. The team’s quarterback, Aaron Murray, has committed to UGA.
Permalink | Comments (26) | Post your comment | Categories: FSU, Florida, Other schools, UGA
Jarvis Jones wanted to play in all-star game very badly
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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How important is the U.S. All-American Bowl to Carver-Columbus linebacker Jarvis Jones?
So important that Jones opted to finish his celebrated high school career one game earlier than he could’ve in last month’s state playoffs, so he could undergo thumb surgery and recover in time to participate in Saturday’s all-star game in San Antonio.
Jones, who is ranked as the state’s No. 2 prospect by Rivals, is deciding between Florida, LSU, Georgia, Texas and Southern Cal.
While some Carver fans were privately disappointed to see Jones pull out of the playoffs, his decision was “100 percent” supported and encouraged by the team’s football coach, Dell McGee.
“It’s a big honor for our team, our school and our community for Jarvis to play in the Army game,” McGee said last month. “We’re very proud of everything Jarvis has done for Carver and he deserves to play in this game.”
Here’s what happened: Jones injured his left thumb in the first quarter of Carver’s opening playoff game against Crisp County, but finished it in a gutsy performance. In the second round, Carver was to play Woodward. McGee said doctors told Jones that he could heavily wrap his left hand and play against Woodward. But that was it.
After Woodward, Jones was advised to sit out the remainder of his senior season to avoid further injury to the thumb. What did Jones decide to do? Play against Woodward or go ahead and have surgery?
McGee said he encouraged Jones to go ahead and have season-ending surgery before the Woodward game. That scenario would allow Jones to recover in time to play in the all-star game. And most importantly to McGee, even though Jones was cleared to play for that one game, it would immediately eliminate the possibility of further injury.
How did it turn out? Carver, the 2007 Class AAA champions, defeated Woodward 21-6 in the second round with Jones on the sidelines, and eventually reached the semifinals, where it lost to eventual state champion Cairo.
Meanwhile, Jones underwent immediate surgery and recovered enough to report this week for the all-star game. However, Jones missed Thursday’s Army practice after aggravating his left hand, according to Rivals.
Permalink | Comments (15) | Post your comment | Categories: Florida, LSU, Other schools, UGA
Brunswick DB considers offer from South Carolina
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Brunswick defensive back Darius Slay is one of the state’s most talented players. Yet colleges have been holding off with scholarship offers until they get a better idea on if Slay will have a chance of meeting entrance requirements.
The 6-foot-1, 190-pound Slay says feels confident about his academic strides.
“I am close to qualifying now. It really depends on my next test result. I took it a couple weeks ago, so I’m just waiting for that,” Slay said.
“I was just offered by Mississippi State, Troy, South Carolina and Kentucky offered me earlier. I’ve got three visits in January … Troy, Kentucky and Mississippi State.”
Got a recruiting item? Please send an email to mcarvell@ajc.com
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Take me directly to all the UGA recruiting stories
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Permalink | Comments (1) | Post your comment | Categories: Kentucky, Other schools, South Carolina
Georgia Tech gives a little more time to M.L. King’s Joel Kight
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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After being told in late December that he risks having his scholarship offer withdrawn unless he makes a quick decision to commit to Georgia Tech, the Jackets now appear content to give M.L. King running back/defensive back Joel Kight additional time to decide on a college.
“Everything is still the same,” M.L. King coach Corey Jarvis said late Thursday. “Joel will visit Ole Miss, then make his decision.”
Kight, who took an official visit to Georgia Tech two weeks ago, is scheduled to visit Ole Miss on Jan. 16.
He will choose between Boston College, Georgia Tech, Oklahoma State and Ole Miss.
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 (6) | Post your comment | Categories: Tech
Norcross RB D.J. Adams serves “mean orange chicken” to Maryland coach
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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When Norcross tailback D.J. Adams was visited recently by a Maryland assistant, his family showed some Southern hospitality. Adams has committed to Maryland.
“[Tom Brattan] has been one of the best recruiting coaches that I’ve come in contact with throughout this whole process,” Adams said. “Even after I committed to Maryland, he has been great. [Coaches] have treated me the same as when they were trying to get me.”
Adams’ mother, Karen Lawrence, treated Brattan well, too, showing him some Southern hospitality. Adams said his mother makes “some mean orange chicken,” which she served to the visiting coach. At dinner, they chatted about campus life, academics and football. Adams said the relationship he and his family have formed with Brattan was a crucial factor that led to him wanting to play for the Terrapins.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Other schools
