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DEL.ICIO.USWalton FB David Paulsen turns down UGA, sticks with Oklahoma State
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Walton’s David Paulsen says he is a lifelong Georgia fan and holds UGA coach Mark Richt in the highest regard.
That’s why he carefully worded his comments on deciding to stick with his commitment to Oklahoma State over accepting a delayed Georgia scholarship offer.
“I am not saying ‘no’ to Georgia, but I am saying ‘yes’ to Oklahoma State,” Paulsen said.
The 6-foot-3, 240-pound Paulsen was scheduled to visit Georgia on Jan. 23 to learn more, but cancelled the recruiting trip. What changed his mind?
“I sat down and talked to my parents, prayed and thought about it for days, and decided what was in the best interests of my family and me at heart … and I landed on Oklahoma State, even though I have the utmost respect for [Richt] and Georgia,” Paulsen said.
“I just don’t think Georgia is what I’m destined to do.”
Paulsen, who will play fullback or defensive end in college, admits he was there for taking by Georgia. He attended several UGA prospects camps and always impressed the coaches. But the best the Bulldogs could offer early was the chance to be a “preferred walk-on.”
Other major colleges began offering football scholarships, with Paulsen taking an official visit to Oklahoma State and committing on Oct. 31.
Meanwhile, Georgia decided in early December that it indeed wanted to sign a fullback this year, and Paulsen was the No. 1 target. Richt made an in-home visit and offered a “grayshirt” scholarship, meaning Paulsen would delay his enrollment until January 2010 to count against the following year’s scholarship numbers.
What if UGA increased the stakes by offering a regular scholarship? Would Paulsen be open to considering the Bulldogs again?
“I think if Georgia had offered me a full scholarship before Nov. 1, it would be a different story … but now I feel right about the [situation] and I feel comfortable,” Paulsen said. “My recruiting journey has come to an end [with Oklahoma State].”
Ironically, UGA and Oklahoma State play each other in next season’s opener.
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Permalink | Comments (23) | Post your comment | Categories: Other schools, UGA
Comments
By 78 DAWG
January 20, 2009 5:21 PM | Link to this
If you’re afraid of the competition and don’t want the pressure of making a block for the nc, the big 12 will be good for you.
By Jimmy
January 20, 2009 5:33 PM | Link to this
Youre looking at this the wrong way, 78 Dawg.
I say good for the kid. It would have been nice for him to choose UGA, but you know what? He made a commitment and stuck w/ it. Unlike this CB Reid kid, who seems to be backing out of his commitment to FU. These kids today don’t seem to know the meaning of the word.
By big o
January 20, 2009 5:44 PM | Link to this
As an East Cobb resident I am disapointed. Just make sure you are not going osu because of fear of failure in front of the home folks. Man up kid !!! come to Uga. But either way May God bless ya
By The Ole Ball Coach
January 20, 2009 6:01 PM | Link to this
Excellent wording - a master
“I am not saying ‘no’ to Georgia, but I am saying ‘yes’ to Oklahoma State,” Paulsen said.
I am a David Paulsen and a Dawg fan for Life.
This is the type of kid I like ……….very intelligent…
By Jack
January 20, 2009 6:04 PM | Link to this
Simple local inspired yokals, saying a kid chose to stick to his original decision because he was in “fear of failure in front of the home folks” or “competition”. Please, Georgia made it quite apparent to the kid for months that he really wasn’t in their plans, so he moved on with his life and made a choice for himself. Now that UGA either thinks he’s better and doesn’t want out, oh, they suddenly want him. He’s just supposed to jump on that. It’s like when you’re in school and you had a crush on a girl but she wouldn’t give you the time of day. So after finally getting over the fact that she didn’t like you the way you did, you moved on, and found you someone who liked you. Then, months later, suddenly that original crush decides she does like you [with strings attached], you’re just supposed to dump the girl that’s liked you from the start. Translation: Most here wouldn’t just dump their wives for some old fling. Why should this kid do the same with his football and scholastic career. Get over yourself Bulldogs fans.
By George
January 20, 2009 6:40 PM | Link to this
Once again, a misleading title for the article (big surprise). When you read the fine print, it is clear that Georgia first offered him the chance to be a “preferred walk-on” and we then decided to offer him a “grayshirt,” meaning that he would have to delay coming to Georgia until Jan 2010. We have not offered him a regular scholarship for the 2009 entering class. Which does say something about Georgia’s priorities and where the kid stands. So good for him — he should go to the program that wants him enough to give him a scholarship effective this fall. And frankly, it’s just not a priority to bring in a scholarship fullback for Georgia this year when Chapas and Munzy are rising juniors and there is a growing stable of other RBs.
By DoseOfReality
January 20, 2009 6:52 PM | Link to this
Translation: Most here wouldn’t just dump their wives for some old fling. Why should this kid do the same with his football and scholastic career.
Bad analogy. If Georgia did indeed offer this kid a full scholarship for 2009 (not a grayshirt), he would be wise to dump Oklahoma State as fast as Brad Pitt dumpled Jennifer Anniston for Angelina Jolie. Why eat chuck when you can have filet mignon?
But unfortunately this kid is not good enough for Georgia to rearrange its plans and offer him a scholarship this year — at least not to this point. So it’s a moot point. Good luck to him at Oklahoma State. Georgia has bigger fish to fry.
By anotherdawg
January 20, 2009 7:13 PM | Link to this
I admire the young man for sticking with his commitment, but no way do I fault UGA for not offering sooner. Mark Richt is a class guy and would rather wait and take a chance losing a recruit, rather than doing as Spurrier and withdraw a commitment. The availability of scholarships can change, as well as the needs of the program.
By dawgsrule
January 20, 2009 7:35 PM | Link to this
Not a big loss—-UGA can do much better than this kid at fullback.
By Ted Striker
January 20, 2009 8:09 PM | Link to this
Best wishes to David Paulsen at Oklahoma State. He sounds like a class guy, and either UGA or Oklahoma State would be proud to have him on their team — as evidenced by his recruitment.
By the way, it’s a shame so many ‘fans’ feel the need to demean student athletes and recruits because of their school choices. However that’s what happens when people who were never recruited for anything live life vicariously through those more talented than themselves.
By Leedawg
January 20, 2009 8:12 PM | Link to this
We’d like to have Paulsen, but big ups to him sticking to his committment. If we had wanted him bad enough, we’d have found a scholarship for him to begin with. Big 12 is just behind SEC in talent and competition, 78 Dawg. You’d be an idiot not to see that.
By Matthew
January 20, 2009 8:23 PM | Link to this
Kudos to Paulsen for making a commitment and sticking with it… good luck in having a successful career.
By n,y dawg
January 20, 2009 8:38 PM | Link to this
This young man is not Zerbie Sanders! Best of luck at OSU!
By Carter
January 20, 2009 9:34 PM | Link to this
greyshirt at UGA or full ride immediately at Ok St. NO BRAINER…..CAN’T BLAME THE KID
By Top Dawg
January 20, 2009 9:40 PM | Link to this
Congrats to the young man on his scholarship offer from a Div. I school and for sticking by his commitment.
By T
January 20, 2009 9:40 PM | Link to this
A “Gray Shirt”, and Richt is upstanding??? Give me a break.
I dont blame the kid.. Georgia is on decline, and will NEVER win another SEC East as long as Urban is around… Go Gators !!
By Dawg92
January 20, 2009 10:38 PM | Link to this
Ted, I’m pretty sure idiots like “dawgsrule” are either 12 years old or rival fans posing as dawg fans.
Good luck to the young man (except Sept. 5).
By RealityYech
January 21, 2009 8:06 AM | Link to this
UGA is in a great spot with the FB’s. You know when you get turned by kids that know they’ll be fighting for practice team time you’re loaded at that particular position. Unlike Yech who is getting turned down by guys that could start for them next year, LOL!!
By SecIsFootball
January 21, 2009 8:37 AM | Link to this
78 Dawg…who was the last UGA FB to block got a NC? Give me a break. You are getting upset over the decision of a 17 year old kid. A kid who made a commitment and is man enough to stick to it.
By The Ole Ball Coach
January 21, 2009 9:09 AM | Link to this
Gray shirt means he would wait a year then get a full ride ………which really means Georgia likes this kid alot ……………… UGA has committed or plans for all their ships for this year - plan A’s and B’s.
David doesn’t want to wait a year…. when UGA will have ships for a FB available. Would be great but does not met both UGA and Davids agendda sometime that happens.
This kid would be perfect for UGA, and as hard as it is to say Oklahoma St. Hopefully UGA could give him a full ride this year if he would consider. but it is most likely over.
By jacks long lost lvoe
January 21, 2009 5:21 PM | Link to this
LOL get over it retard I never liked you and never came back except that time I made a bet that I could take anyone out and still look good, sorry jack your a loser and have been since jr high. Keep going to tech as your a life long student who still wont get a job. Call me when you move out of your mothers basement and I’ll be sure to turn you down just like in school loser.
LOL retard!!!!!!!!!!!!
By jacks long lost LOVE
January 21, 2009 5:22 PM | Link to this
LOL get over it retard I never liked you and never came back except that time I made a bet that I could take anyone out and still look good, sorry jack your a loser and have been since jr high. Keep going to tech as your a life long student who still wont get a job. Call me when you move out of your mothers basement and I’ll be sure to turn you down just like in school loser.
LOL retard!!!!!!!!!!!!
By heeldawg
January 24, 2009 8:08 PM | Link to this
This article is misleading, as other posters have said. Georgia didn’t offer a full scholarship; they offered a “grayshirt,” meaning a scholarship next season after a pay-your-own-way first year. So this is not really an apples-to-oranges comparison.
And congrats to the kid. Not fair for anyone to run him down over his choice. I’m wishing him luck at Okie State (but I hope his Cowboys get roped in the first game next season!).