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Friday, January 23, 2009
M.L. King RB Mack Brown gets early offers from UGA and Florida
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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M.L. King’s junior running back Mack Brown received offers from Florida and Georgia on Friday, coach Corey Jarvis said.
“It’s a big day for Brown,” he said. “I know he is pretty happy. He deserves it. And I know if he does what he needs to do in the classroom he can choose where he wants to go.”
The 5-foot-11, 190-pound tailback, arguably the state’s best junior running back, received the offers from UGA assistant coach Bryan McClendon and UF assistant coach Kenny Carter.
“Mack speaks highly of [UGA coach] Mark Richt and his staff, but his folks are from Ocala, Fla. and they are huge Gator fans,” Jarvis said.
Brown is attending junior day at Florida this weekend and Georgia Tech on Jan. 31.
He now has eight offers, including West Virginia, Georgia Tech, Duke, Oregon, Louisville and Arkansas.
He finished the 2008 season with nearly 1,700 yards rushing and 21 touchdowns.
Permalink | Comments (46) | Post your comment | Categories: Florida, UGA
Dacula’s Cameron Kenney narrows down to UGA and Oklahoma
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Cameron Kenney grew up in Dacula, which is located 40 miles from the University of Georgia. Kenney never imagined, however, he’d have the chance to play football for the Bulldogs.
“If you would have told me my senior year in high school that Georgia would offer me a football scholarship down the road, I would’ve never believed it,” Kenney said. “It’s just incredible how everything has turned out.”
Kenney is a rags-to-riches recruiting story. In the span of two years he has gone from a little-known player to one of the nation’s top prospects from the junior college ranks.
Kenney, a speedy wide receiver from Garden City Community College, is scheduled to take a recruiting trip to Georgia this weekend. Kenney also is considering Oklahoma, which he visited last week. He was courted by quarterback Sam Bradford, the 2008 Heisman Trophy winner.
“It’s tough deciding between the schools; I go back and forth,” Kenney said.
“The good news is that both Georgia and Oklahoma are great schools, and I really can’t go wrong with either.”
Kenney says he plans to reach a college decision after he leaves Athens. Here are a few things you might want to know about him:
A late bloomer
Kenney was an unknown prospect because he played varsity football only as a senior at Dacula.
“When Cam finally got out there on the football field, you could tell instantly he was something special,” former Dacula teammate Josh Greeson said. “He was faster than everybody, and so much quicker. Just an incredible athlete.”
Limited options
After scoring 15 touchdowns and helping Dacula reach the state playoffs, Kenney began being noticed by the scouts. His college options were limited, however, because he hadn’t taken the necessary core classes. Kenney ended up picking Garden City.
“Kansas is far away, and there aren’t nearly as many things going on here as in Atlanta,” Kenney said. “But that actually is good. I don’t have many distractions, [therefore] I can focus on my schoolwork and football.”
From soccer to football
Kenney was known more for soccer at Dacula. He played three years of varsity soccer and also handled all the kicking duties when joining the Falcons in football.
“He told me, ‘Please don’t tell anyone I’m a kicker; just say I’m a wide receiver who also kicks and punts,’” his mother, Patti Roth, said with a laugh.
How fast is he?
Kenney, at 6-foot-2 and 195 pounds, is above average size for a college wide receiver. But what sets Kenney apart is his speed (timed in the 40-yard dash at 4.4 seconds) and elusiveness. At Garden City, he faked the punt eight times and was successful on six.
The hot prospect
Kenney initially committed to Auburn last summer but opened things back up after the coaching change there. “Auburn’s [new coaches] told me I had my scholarship if I still wanted it, but they didn’t really seem as interested as the previous staff,” Kenney said. “I didn’t really know what was going to happen there for a while. But then, all of these other schools got very serious, very fast.”
Trimming the list
Kenney said Oklahoma and Georgia have advantages.
“Oklahoma, they just played in the national championship game,” he said. “What else can you say? Oklahoma needs someone who can come in and make an impact.”
Kenney has never been to a Georgia football game, but he went to bowl practice in Athens last month to speak with coach Mark Richt, who made a favorable impression on his family.
“I like a lot of things about Georgia,” Kenney said. “I would get to play in front of my family and friends, and that would mean a lot to me. Georgia is good, too. They started off last year as No. 1, and they play in the SEC.”
Permalink | Comments (6) | Post your comment | Categories: Other schools, UGA
Harvard-bound Colton Chapple of GAC aspires to be doctor
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Greater Atlanta Christian quarterback Colton Chapple has committed to Harvard.
Chapple, an aspiring doctor, was drawing interest from Duke, Princeton and Vanderbilt, but chose Harvard.
The 6-1, 180-pounder finished his career with 3,316 yards and 29 touchdowns. He also started at defensive back.
“Colton symbolizes the adage ‘players win games, not schemes,’” GAC coach Ken Robinson said. “He is smart, tough and a leader.”
Got a recruiting item? Please send an email to mcarvell@ajc.com
Here are briefs on the day’s top recruiting stories. Click on the headline of each story to read more.
Do you want to talk about UGA and Georgia Tech recruiting? Or have questions about the state’s top prospects? Then go to the AJC’s “Inside Georgia Recruiting” forum with Michael Carvell
You just want to read about UGA? Click here to go directly to all the UGA recruiting stories
You just want to read about Georgia Tech? Click on this link to go directly to all the Georgia Tech recruiting stories
Are you a senior prospect overlooked by colleges? Here’s what to do about it and it’s never too late.
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
Gwinett’s all-time passing leader learns not to be “overexcited” in recruiting
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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North Gwinnett’s Michael Tamburo had several mid-major offers and interest from many major programs. But he only took one official visit - to Boise State.
In Tamburo’s junior year, Texas Tech was really high on the 6-1, 180-pound quarterback. Vanderbilt and Georgia also were watching closely. But once Tamburo took his trip to Idaho, he knew. Two days later he called offensive coordinator Bryan Harsin and told him he “wanted to be Bronco. At that point there was no weighing. The more I got to know about them, the more I wanted to go there,” Tamburo said.
Tamburo said the recruiting process “definitely was an experience,” in which he learned “not to get overexcited and stay level-headed whether there’s good news or bad news.”
Gwinnett County’s all-time leading passer with nearly 6,500 yards, Tamburo said he contacted all the schools interested in him and let them know he was committing to Boise State but he appreciated them recruiting him.
Got a recruiting item? Please send an email to mcarvell@ajc.com
Here are briefs on the day’s top recruiting stories. Click on the headline of each story to read more.
Do you want to talk about UGA and Georgia Tech recruiting? Or have questions about the state’s top prospects? Then go to the AJC’s “Inside Georgia Recruiting” forum with Michael Carvell
You just want to read about UGA? Click here to go directly to all the UGA recruiting stories
You just want to read about Georgia Tech? Click on this link to go directly to all the Georgia Tech recruiting stories
Are you a senior prospect overlooked by colleges? Here’s what to do about it and it’s never too late.
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: Other schools, UGA
UGA reacts to TE prospect’s postponement
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Tight end Orson Charles of Tampa, Fla., is visiting UGA this weekend, and said the Bulldogs already know about him delaying his college decision until after signing day.
Charles said he talked about that specific issue earlier this week with UGA assistant John Lilly, who coaches tight ends. What was Lilly’s response to the news?
“[Lilly] said ‘We need you, we want you. If that’s the price we have to pay, then we’ll do it. We’ll hold a scholarship open for you,’” said Charles.
UGA is also holding on to hopes it can close the deal with Charles by Sunday. His quarterback at Plant High, Aaron Murray, committed to UGA and enrolled in college earlier this month. The two helped Plant win Florida’s Class AAA championship on Dec. 20.
Charles said he is bringing his mother to Athens, while Plant coach Robert Weiner said he will likely drive up to join the festivities.
The 6-foot-3, 227-pound Charles has narrowed down to Florida, UGA, FSU, Tennessee and Southern Cal. He claims no favorites and said he will announce his college choice after his official visit to Southern Cal on Feb. 13.
Got a recruiting item? Please send an email to mcarvell@ajc.com
Here are briefs on the day’s top recruiting stories. Click on the headline of each story to read more.
Do you want to talk about UGA and Georgia Tech recruiting? Or have questions about the state’s top prospects? Then go to the AJC’s “Inside Georgia Recruiting” forum with Michael Carvell
You just want to read about UGA? Click here to go directly to all the UGA recruiting stories
You just want to read about Georgia Tech? Click on this link to go directly to all the Georgia Tech recruiting stories
Are you a senior prospect overlooked by colleges? Here’s what to do about it and it’s never too late.
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 (54) | Post your comment | Categories: Other schools, UGA
Orson Charles delays college decision until after signing day
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
It’s always big news when one of the nation’s top 100 prospects doesn’t make his college decision by signing day on Feb. 4.
Tight end Orson Charles of Tampa, Fla., told the AJC that he will not sign until after he visits Southern Cal on Feb. 13.
“I’m definitely not trying to attract any attention to myself, I just want to take all five of my official visits,” Charles said. “I can’t get in all the visits until after signing day. This is one of the biggest decisions of my life, and I don’t want to be rushed into it.”
Charles said he is “a little behind” on recruiting because he was so focused on his senior season at Plant High, which won Florida’s Class AAAA championship on Dec. 20. Plant coach Robert Weiner doesn’t permit his players to visit colleges during the season, unless it’s a bye week.
Weiner defends the delay by Charles. “This is not some type of power play, or him trying to manipulate any colleges. If you know Orson, you know that’s not his type of personality.
“He’s the most uncommitted kid we’ve ever had at Plant. He really isn’t sure what he’s going to do. But that’s OK. That’s why he really needs to take all the visits so he can make the right decision. It’s a decision that will affect the rest of his life.”
The 6-foot-3, 227-pound Charles took his first recruiting trip to Florida State on Jan. 9, followed by Florida last weekend. He is visiting UGA and Tennessee the next two weeks.
“We’re not going to drag this out … Orson will have a pretty good idea about things when he gets back from [Southern Cal],” Weiner said.
Charles is ranked as the country’s No. 62 overall prospect by Rivals, and the nation’s third-best tight end by Scout.
Last year, quarterback Terrelle Pryor drew national attention when he waited until mid-March to sign with Ohio State. Georgia’s most famous player, Herschel Walker, picked the Bulldogs in April.
Got a recruiting item? Please send an email to mcarvell@ajc.com
Here are briefs on the day’s top recruiting stories. Click on the headline of each story to read more.
Do you want to talk about UGA and Georgia Tech recruiting? Or have questions about the state’s top prospects? Then go to the AJC’s “Inside Georgia Recruiting” forum with Michael Carvell
You just want to read about UGA? Click here to go directly to all the UGA recruiting stories
You just want to read about Georgia Tech? Click on this link to go directly to all the Georgia Tech recruiting stories
Are you a senior prospect overlooked by colleges? Here’s what to do about it and it’s never too late.
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 (25) | Post your comment | Categories: UGA
Jarvis Jones sets date for in-home visit with UGA coach Mark Richt
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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UGA Coach Mark Richt will make an in-house visit on next Wednesday (Jan. 28) to Carver-Columbus’ Jarvis Jones, the state’s top uncommitted prospect.
“I’m sure he wants to see where I stand with Georgia,” the 6-foot-4, 226-pound All-American linebacker said.
UGA assistants John Lilly and John Jancek traveled to Carver on Thursday to see Jones. They are trying to convince him to stay in-state and play for the Bulldogs.
Jones took an official visit to Athens in December. He has also made trips to Southern Cal and Florida. He is off to Texas this week and LSU on Jan. 30.
“I’m trying to remain humble about the whole recruiting situation,” he said. “I like to stay out of the media, and keep it all under control because I know it’s a big decision.”
Jones said he feels “blessed” to have these “big-name” schools offering him football scholarships. “Most people don’t have that chance,” he said. “This is a once in a lifetime opportunity, but it’s going to be a tough decision.”
Got a recruiting item? Please send an email to mcarvell@ajc.com
Here are briefs on the day’s top recruiting stories. Click on the headline of each story to read more.
Do you want to talk about UGA and Georgia Tech recruiting? Or have questions about the state’s top prospects? Then go to the AJC’s “Inside Georgia Recruiting” forum with Michael Carvell
You just want to read about UGA? Click here to go directly to all the UGA recruiting stories
You just want to read about Georgia Tech? Click on this link to go directly to all the Georgia Tech recruiting stories
Are you a senior prospect overlooked by colleges? Here’s what to do about it and it’s never too late.
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 (30) | Post your comment | Categories: Alabama, Florida, UGA
Georgia Tech welcomes two prospects on official visits
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Pope John Paul II running back Wesley Tate of Hendersonville, Tenn., and Cypress Bay cornerback Carl Miles of Weston, Fla., are scheduled to take official visits to Georgia Tech this weekend.
The 6-foot-1, 210-pound Tate will likely receive a scholarship offer from the Jackets during his visit.
“It’s an engineering school and pretty attractive to me,” he said. “The city of Atlanta is definitely an attraction because there’s so many things you can do there.
“I think they’ll offer when I come down there. The coaches want to meet me. Hopefully, I’ll get offered.”
Tate visited Vanderbilt last weekend.
The 5-foot-11, 175-pound Miles, who is coming off a weekend visit to Kansas State, hosted coaches from Tennessee on Thursday.
He currently holds scholarship offers from Baylor, Georgia Tech, Kansas State, Middle Tennessee State, Pittsburgh and Western Michigan.
“He’s really interested in Georgia Tech because of the academics,” Cypress Bay coach Mark Guandolo told GoPowercat.com. “I think he’d like to play in the ACC.
“He’s going to take a good look at that this weekend.”
Got a recruiting item? Please send an email to jhood@ajc.com
Here are briefs on the day’s top recruiting stories. Click on the headline of each story to read more.
Do you want to talk about UGA and Georgia Tech recruiting? Or have questions about the state’s top prospects? Then go to the AJC’s “Inside Georgia Recruiting” forum with Michael Carvell
You just want to read about UGA? Click here to go directly to all the UGA recruiting stories
You just want to read about Georgia Tech? Click on this link to go directly to all the Georgia Tech recruiting stories
Are you a senior prospect overlooked by colleges? Here’s what to do about it and it’s never too late.
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 (95) | Post your comment | Categories: Tech
Dublin DE Jack Whittle still thinking about Georgia State
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Dublin defensive end Jack Whittle, who has an offer from Georgia State and a partial offer from Georgia Southern, is visiting Jacksonville State this weekend. Whittle spoke to the AJC on his way to Jacksonville State, which also offered a partial scholarship, but wasn’t sure where he was leaning as far as commitment.
“When I got (to Georgia State) to visit, they told me I could choose which side of the ball I could play on,” Whittle said. “They said I could play tight end or defensive end; that sounded good to me.”
Jacksonville State’s renovations to the locker room and stadium caught Whittle’s attention, as well as the Jaguars’ defensive schemes.
“They run a 3-5 defense so you’re blitzing a lot of the time,” he said. “Instead of reading, I’ll just be hitting a gap and that’s what I’m good at.”
Whittle visited Georgia State last December and will head to Statesboro next weekend.
Got a recruiting item? Please send an email to mcarvell@ajc.com
Here are briefs on the day’s top recruiting stories. Click on the headline of each story to read more.
Do you want to talk about UGA and Georgia Tech recruiting? Or have questions about the state’s top prospects? Then go to the AJC’s “Inside Georgia Recruiting” forum with Michael Carvell
You just want to read about UGA? Click here to go directly to all the UGA recruiting stories
You just want to read about Georgia Tech? Click on this link to go directly to all the Georgia Tech recruiting stories
Are you a senior prospect overlooked by colleges? Here’s what to do about it and it’s never too late.
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 (2) | Post your comment | Categories: Georgia State, Other schools
Florida tries to lure UGA DB recruit Jordan Love
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
Florida was hoping momentum from winning the national championship would help them win over Jordan Love, who committed to Georgia last summer.
The defensive back from near Richmond, Va.., said the Gators called him before and after the championship game. All they wanted was for Love to take an official visit to Florida. They even lobbied his mother.
“I appreciate Florida’s interest, but I’m not interested,” Love said. “I’m 100-percent with Georgia, and my next visit will be … for Georgia’s spring game.”
Got a recruiting item? Please send an email to mcarvell@ajc.com
Here are briefs on the day’s top recruiting stories. Click on the headline of each story to read more.
Do you want to talk about UGA and Georgia Tech recruiting? Or have questions about the state’s top prospects? Then go to the AJC’s “Inside Georgia Recruiting” forum with Michael Carvell
You just want to read about UGA? Click here to go directly to all the UGA recruiting stories
You just want to read about Georgia Tech? Click on this link to go directly to all the Georgia Tech recruiting stories
Are you a senior prospect overlooked by colleges? Here’s what to do about it and it’s never too late.
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 (22) | Post your comment | Categories: Florida, UGA
Tucker’s Jonathan Davis has no weekend plans yet
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
Which college will Tucker’s Jonathan Davis be visiting this weekend? Davis told the AJC on Thursday night that he didn’t have anything set up.
However, that could change on Friday. Tucker coach Franklin Stephens is waiting to hear back from several schools he called earlier in the week.
Davis, an AJC Super 11 selection, has offers from Alabama-Birmingham and Central Florida. He made a a recruiting trip last weekend to Central Florida, where Knights coach George O’Leary offered a scholarship and gave Davis some time to think about accepting it.
Central Florida has given Davis a deadline of Monday (Jan. 26) to accept the offer, which is when O’Leary will be making an in-home visit. The 5-foot-7, 205-pound Davis initially committed to South Carolina on Dec. 17, but the Gamecocks rescinded the offer on Jan. 9.
Got a recruiting item? Please send an email to mcarvell@ajc.com
Here are briefs on the day’s top recruiting stories. Click on the headline of each story to read more.
Do you want to talk about UGA and Georgia Tech recruiting? Or have questions about the state’s top prospects? Then go to the AJC’s “Inside Georgia Recruiting” forum with Michael Carvell
You just want to read about UGA? Click here to go directly to all the UGA recruiting stories
You just want to read about Georgia Tech? Click on this link to go directly to all the Georgia Tech recruiting stories
Are you a senior prospect overlooked by colleges? Here’s what to do about it and it’s never too late.
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 (7) | Post your comment | Categories: Other schools, Tech, UGA
Whitefield’s QB Trey Miller considers seven schools
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Whitefield Academy quarterback Trey Miller has announced Navy as his favorite among the seven teams recruiting him. Along with Navy, the list includes Air Force, Charleston Southern, VMI, Western Carolina, West Georgia and Samford, which Miller visited last weekend.
While he enjoyed his visit to Samford in Birmingham, Miller said he favors the Naval Academy because of all of the opportunities that earning a degree from that institution can bring. Though he led Whitefield to the school’s first region title this season running a spread offense, Miller said he would welcome the challenge of running Navy’s triple option.
“I can run and pass,” said Miller, who will visit Navy on Jan. 30. “I think I could pick up their offense pretty quickly.”
Got a recruiting item? Please send an email to mcarvell@ajc.com
Here are briefs on the day’s top recruiting stories. Click on the headline of each story to read more.
Do you want to talk about UGA and Georgia Tech recruiting? Or have questions about the state’s top prospects? Then go to the AJC’s “Inside Georgia Recruiting” forum with Michael Carvell
You just want to read about UGA? Click here to go directly to all the UGA recruiting stories
You just want to read about Georgia Tech? Click on this link to go directly to all the Georgia Tech recruiting stories
Are you a senior prospect overlooked by colleges? Here’s what to do about it and it’s never too late.
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.
