AJC > Sports > Football Recruiting > Blog > Archives > 2009 > January > 27
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Collins Hill’s Perkins getting comfortable with Georgia Tech
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Collins Hill running back Charles Perkins will attend Georgia Tech’s Junior Day on Saturday.
Georgia Tech was Perkins’ first offer in the fall and Central Florida and Kentucky have offered since. Vanderbilt could offer soon, the player said. South Carolina, Georgia, Wake Forest and Clemson have expressed interest in the 6-0, 205 pounder.
Perkins has been to Georgia Tech four times and seems to be building a relationship. “I’ve visited Tech the most and they’ve been after me the most,” Perkins said.
Perkins ran for 1,300 yards and 13 touchdowns last season.
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 (9) | Post your comment | Categories: Other schools, Tech
Cedar Shoals LB quickly commits after SEC schools fill up
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Cedar Shoals linebacker DeDe Lattimore committed to South Florida.
“Coach [Wally] Burnham asked me if I was ready to be a Bull and I said yes,” Lattimore said.
Lattimore’s only official visit was to South Florida. He received an offer from Kentucky and was in close contact with Auburn, but when it came time to schedule an official visit with those two schools they told him they were full at the linebacker position.
The 6-foot-1, 220-pound senior said when recruiting first started he saw himself committing to Oklahoma State.
“I just saw myself at Oklahoma State,” he said. “They were one of the first schools to contact my coach.”
Got a recruiting item? Please send an email to pgiltman@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: Auburn, Other schools
Buford sends two seniors flying toward Air Force
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Buford tight end Devin Durden and running back Cody Getz have committed to Air Force.
The 6-foot-4, 220-pound Durden pledged to the Falcons after his official visit there Sunday, following his visit to Coastal Carolina. The 5-7, 150-pound Getz made his commitment on Monday.
Durden, a former Wolves backup to T.J. Pridemore (Florida) and J.T. Swanson (Miami-Ohio), was on the receiving end of much of quarterback Michael May’s 1,200-plus passing yards this season. Getz, the Journal-Constitution’s Class AA player of the year, ran for 233 yards and four touchdowns in a 45-21 victory over Calhoun that crowned the Wolves’ second consecutive 15-0 season and state championship.
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: Other schools
MIller Grove WR Stephen Hill “going to stay a Yellow Jacket”
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Stephen Hill is “going to stay a Yellow Jacket.”
Hill decided to stick with his commitment to Georgia Tech on Tuesday, turning down overtures from archrival UGA.
“It was a tough decision, because I really liked Georgia a lot in the beginning [of the recruiting process], and when they started talked to me again, it definitely made me have some second thoughts,” Hill admitted.
“But my heart is at Georgia Tech. That is where I want to be for the next four or five years of my life.”
The wide receiver from Miller Grove called the rival schools to reveal the news. Georgia Tech celebrated by passing the phone along to three coaches, including coach Paul Johnson. “He [Johnson] said ‘thanks for your loyalty, thanks for sticking with us.’”
Then Hill contacted UGA wide receivers coach Tony Ball. The Bulldogs made an offer on Saturday, and then met with Hill and his parents for three hours on Monday. “You could tell that [Ball] was a little disappointed. But he was very appreciative. He thanked me a lot for just giving them a look this late in the recruiting process. He said he wished he would’ve been recruiting me earlier.”
Hill was bombarded over the last 24 hours with text messages from both Georgia Tech and UGA commitments, urging him to sign with their respective school. “Not many kids were offered by both Georgia and Georgia Tech this year,” Miller Grove coach Jasper Jewell said. “In the end, Stephen had built a good relationship with the Georgia Tech coaches and he couldn’t pass up the opportunity to play so close to home.”
The 6-foot-4, 185-pound Hill was an early commitment to Central Florida last summer, but then switched to Georgia Tech on Nov. 3 after also considering offers from Boston College and Mississippi State.
Hill is arguably the state’s top overall athlete. In track, he was the 2008 Class AAAA champion in the long jump, while also setting a DeKalb County record by jumping 23-feet, 11 inches. He is also a prospect in basketball, but has decided to play football in college.
“He has tremendous upside,” Jewell said earlier this year. “Once he gets to college, he will put on 15 to 20 pounds. I think he will be the next Calvin Johnson. With the desire he has for the game, he can play on Sundays.”
Permalink | Comments (300) | Post your comment | Categories: Tech, UGA
Georgia is holding Matthew Stafford’s No. 7 jersey for TE Orson Charles
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Tight end Orson Charles of Tampa said Georgia coach Mark Richt doesn’t have any problems with him announcing his college choice after signing day.
“Coach Richt said he will wait … and what was really neat is that he said he would hold my No. 7 jersey for me, even if there is another player they’re recruiting that wants it and that guy is [deciding] on signing day,” Charles said. “I was really surprised and impressed with the way [Richt] was talking about everything.”
“Georgia knew before I visited there that I wasn’t going to commit, and they never pressured me, or really even brought it up. It was a relaxed situation, a lot of fun.”
The No. 7 jersey was worn by quarterback Matthew Stafford last season.
Charles will announce after taking a recruiting trip to Southern Cal on Feb. 13. He rated his UGA visit as a 10, tying the scores he gave after touring Florida and FSU. Charles is scheduled to travel to Tennessee this 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 (80) | Post your comment | Categories: Tennessee, UGA
Alabama emerges as serious contender for Lowndes DB Greg Reid
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Greg Reid wasn’t sure he was going to visit Alabama last Thursday night. He was checking out flights for Tennessee.
But Reid ended up going to Alabama the next day, and now it looks like the Crimson Tide is a serious contender.
Reid joked with friends and classmates at school on Monday, repeatedly saying “Roll Tide.” But he was very serious when he talked about his impression of Alabama coach Nick Saban.
“He wasn’t like some of these other coaches, making all these promises and promises … [Saban] looked me in the eyes and said ‘I can’t really say that you’re going to come in here and start. You’ve got to come here and be ready to compete because the best man plays.’ That’s what I wanted to hear. [Saban] is a straight-up guy. That’s the kind of coach I like.”
The All-America defensive back from Lowndes said he will make an official visit to Georgia on Friday, even though at least a half-dozen schools — including Miami, Auburn, and Tennessee — are trying to bump the Bulldogs out of the way.
Reid claims no favorites among Florida State, UGA and Alabama.
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 (81) | Post your comment | Categories: Alabama, FSU, Florida, UGA
Tennessee flirts with Auburn commitment Brandon Jacobs
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Tennessee is still interested in Parkview running back and Auburn commitment Brandon Jacobs.
“Coach [Eddie] Gran called me to talk about the situation at Tennessee,”Jacobs said. “I’m not sure if they are after me necessarily, but he did call me.”
But the 6-foot-1, 226-pound Jacobs reaffirmed his commitment to Auburn Monday night. “I was pretty confident even when I first started getting recruited that I was going to Auburn. They were the first to show interest. I have family there as well.”
Jacobs, a two-sport athlete, plans to play football and baseball at Auburn. He committed in July. “I talked with the coach and he wants me to establish myself as a football player first,” he said. “Hopefully then I’ll get to play baseball my sophomore year.”
Jacobs said he was a little disappointed having to find out he couldn’t play baseball his freshman year. “I understand I’m going on a football scholarship, and I need to establish myself as a football player before anything,” he said.
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 (9) | Post your comment | Categories: Auburn, Tennessee
Dutchtown WR may not follow in legendary father’s footsteps to Missouri
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Many people assumed Dutchtown receiver/kick returner Joe Stewart would eventually follow his father’s footsteps onto the same college home field at the University of Missouri.
But that might not happen, although Stewart hasn’t completely ruled it out.
Stewart said Sunday night that Missouri, where Joe Sr. was a record-setting receiver, is not on his final list of three schools - Navy, Mississippi State and, interestingly, Georgia State. Offers from Missouri and fellow Big 12 school Texas Tech are still on the table, but Stewart says he’s not as interested in them because he’s unsure of his chances to play right away.
“I want to go somewhere I can play right off the bat. I don’t want to sit and wait,” he said.
Stewart said Dad is, um, OK with it all.
“It’s up to me whatever I want to do. He has never really pushed me,” the 6-foot, 165-pounder with 4.4 speed said. “Wherever I go he’ll be supportive. He’ll be at every game.”
Stewart he is trying to line up quick visits to the Naval Academy and Mississippi State before national signing day on Feb. 4.
He likes the spread offense new Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen will implement next season. Mullen spent the past four seasons as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at the University of Florida. Stewart would play slot receiver in the offense, he said.
Stewart said Navy is interesting in that he has been told the program has plans to open up the offense. He said every Navy player he has talked to loves Navy life and playing for the Midshipmen. He added he’s not intimidated by the life changes he would face there and the military commitment after football is over.
As for Georgia State, which won’t play until 2010, the appeal is playing close to home and being part of the program’s first football team.
He added that he has been most impressed with how the three programs have treated him in the recruiting process.
Stewart said there’s “a good chance” he might not make his decision final until after signing day to see what options are there for him. He also is a standout track sprinter, which also could draw college interest.
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 (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Georgia State, Other schools
North Atlanta QB reveals his three favorite colleges
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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After a visit to the North Carolina mountains, North Atlanta quarterback Jamal Londry-Jackson now has Appalachian State in his top three.
App State joins North Carolina A&T and Tennessee State as the favorites of the nine schools that have scholarship offers on the table for Londry-Jackson, who was offered by App State while he was on campus. It capped a perfect time during the visit.
“It’s a winning program, I love the campus and the coaching staff and their offense fits me,” Londry-Jackson said.
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 (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Other schools
Stephen Hill watch: No decision on visiting UGA yet
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
Stephen Hill, who is committed to Georgia Tech, spent all day and night on Monday deciding whether to accept an official visit to UGA this weekend.
What did Hill decide this morning? Nothing.
Hill said needed more time, according to Miller Grove coach Jasper Jewell. “He’s not ready to decide anything yet. We talked for a few minutes [Tuesday] morning, and he’s still going over everything in his mind.
“He said he wasn’t ready, so I sent him back to class. I don’t know when he’ll make up his mind. We’re not going to rush him.”
The speedy wide receiver is scheduled to meet with Georgia Tech’s coaches on Wednesday. If he accepts the recruiting trip to UGA, Hill will go on Friday.
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: Other schools
Stephen Hill talks to parents late into night about UGA, Georgia Tech
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
Miller Grove wide receiver Stephen Hill huddled with his parents into the late hours on Monday night to discuss whether he should consider the last-minute scholarship offer from Georgia.
Hill, who is committed to Georgia Tech, and his parents spent three hours in a meeting with Georgia wide receivers coach Tony Ball and recruiting coordinator Rodney Garner earlier in the day.
The 6-foot-4, 185-pound Hill must now decide if he wants to take an official visit to Georgia this weekend.
“I’m not sure right now,” Hill said, when asked if he’ll show up in Athens later this week. “The meeting [with Ball and Garner] went well. They were saying all the right things.
“Me and my parents are talking about it. But I’m still solid with Georgia Tech right now.”
Hill plans to have a quick response. “I told [Ball and Garner] I’d let them know something [on Tuesday],” Hill said. “That’s when I’m going to make my final decision.”
After hearing of UGA’s sudden interest, Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson contacted Hill early Monday to reassure Hill that they have big plans for him. Georgia coach Mark Richt offered Hill on Saturday night.
UGA flirted with Hill earlier this year, and Hill was highly interested, but the Bulldogs never offered a scholarship. Hill was an early commitment to Central Florida last summer, but then switched to Georgia Tech on Nov. 3 after also considering offers from Boston College and Mississippi State.
The 6-foot-4, 185-pound Hill has developed a close friendship with Oconee County quarterback Zach Mettenberger, who has committed to UGA. In an all-star game at Myrtle Beach, S.C., last month, Mettenberger hit Hill in stride for a 68-yard touchdown pass.
Hill is arguably the state’s top overall athlete. In track, he was the 2008 Class AAAA champion in the long jump, while also setting a DeKalb County record by jumping 23-feet, 11 inches. He is also a prospect in basketball, but has decided to play football in college.
“He has tremendous upside,” Miller Grove coach Jasper Jewell said earlier this year. “Once he gets to college, he will put on 15 to 20 pounds. I think he will be the next Calvin Johnson. With the desire he has for the game, he can play on Sundays.”
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 (100) | Post your comment | Categories: Tech, UGA
Tucker’s Jonathan Davis accepts Central Florida offer
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
Tucker’s Jonathan Davis had until Monday night to accept Central Florida’s scholarship offer.
The AJC Super 11 selection took it, selecting the Knights over Alabama-Birmingham. Said Davis, “I love everything about Central Florida, and they have always been one of my favorites, even when those other schools [from bigger conferences] were offering me.”
Davis committed to South Carolina on Dec. 17 and said he had also considered offers from Georgia Tech, Boston College, Central Florida, Oklahoma State and Louisville. South Carolina rescinded the scholarship offer on Jan. 10, causing Tucker’s coach to say the Gamecocks were no longer welcome on campus.
The 5-foot-7, 205-pound Davis later said he had no hard feelings toward South Carolina.
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 (19) | Post your comment | Categories: Other schools, Tech
UGA cancels official visit for McEachern TE Terrell Mitchell
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
Georgia has cancelled an official visit this weekend for McEachern tight end Terrell Mitchell, coach Kyle Hockman said.
“He is going to Miami instead,” Hockman said. “I think UGA backed off because of his SAT score and academics. He is a little disappointed, but it’s not the end of the world. He has enough out there — he will be fine.”
The 6-foot-6, 225-pound Mitchell returned from an official visit to Michigan on Sunday.
“He said it went well,” Hockman said. “It was cold, but he got to meet the head coach. They told him about Michigan’s academics and the number of people in the NFL.”
Hockman said Mitchell has not received new offers, but Arkansas and Mississippi State are trying to get him to visit. “Miami will be it,” he said.
Got a recruiting item? Please send an email to pgiltman@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 judgement.
Permalink | Comments (8) | Post your comment | Categories: Other schools, UGA
Miller Grove WR Stephen Hill meets with UGA coaches for three hours
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
Miller Grove wide receiver Stephen Hill, who is committed to Georgia Tech, met with UGA coaches for three hours on Monday evening.
What was the result? Hill is considering taking an official visit this weekend to Georgia, which offered a scholarship on Saturday.
“I know it was a good, conductive meeting,” Miller Grove coach Jasper Jewell told the AJC on Monday night. “Stephen was going to weigh out the pros and cons of the situation. I know Georgia wants him there this weekend. I don’t think he [agreed] to that yet, but he’s thinking about it.”
Hill and his parents talked with UGA recruiting coordinator Rodney Garner and wide receivers coach Tony Ball. “They pretty much said they were recruiting Stephen out of necessity. They had some holes to fill, and they felt like he could come in, perform, and play right away.
“Stephen is somebody in the state that they really, really want now.”
Earlier on Monday, Jewell said he was predicting that Hill would end signing with Georgia Tech next week. On Monday evening, Jewell wasn’t as sure. “I really don’t know what’s going to happen now. Stephen seemed to be receptive to what [Georgia] was saying. But he’s a respectful kid … We’ll just have to see. It is Stephen’s decision with his family, and I know they’ll do a great job of making it.”
After hearing of UGA’s sudden interest, Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson contacted Hill early Monday as a countermeasure, to reassure Hill that they have big plans for him.
UGA flirted with Hill earlier this year, and Hill was highly interested, but the Bulldogs never offered a scholarship. Hill was an early commitment to Central Florida last summer, but then switched to Georgia Tech on Nov. 3 after also considering offers from Boston College and Mississippi State.
The 6-foot-4, 185-pound Hill has developed a close friendship with Oconee County quarterback Zach Mettenberger, who has committed to UGA. In an all-star game at Myrtle Beach, S.C., last month, Mettenberger hit Hill in stride for a 68-yard touchdown pass.
Hill is arguably the state’s top overall athlete. In track, he was the 2008 Class AAAA champion in the long jump, while also setting a DeKalb County record by jumping 23-feet, 11 inches. He is also a prospect in basketball, but has decided to play football in college.
“He has tremendous upside,” Jewell said earlier this year. “Once he gets to college, he will put on 15 to 20 pounds. I think he will be the next Calvin Johnson. With the desire he has for the game, he can play on Sundays.”
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 (78) | Post your comment | Categories: Tech, UGA
