AJC > Sports > Football Recruiting > Blog > Archives > 2009 > January > 30
Friday, January 30, 2009
Brother of Georgia Tech WR going to check out UGA’s junior day
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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One of the area’s top juniors, Douglass defensive end Garrison Smith will attend Junior Day this weekend at Georgia.
“UGA was one of the first schools to offer, plus it was one of the first junior days,” he said.
The 6-foot-4, 255-pound Smith already has received offers from UGA, Vanderbilt, Florida, Georgia Tech, Mississippi State, South Carolina, Auburn, Arkansas, Alabama-Birmingham, Clemson and N.C. State.
“Offers from Alabama and Tennessee are coming soon,” he said.
Smith finished the 2008 season with 108 tackles, 14 sacks and seven forced fumbles. He runs a 4.67 40-yard dash. His brother, Greg Smith, plays wide receiver for Georgia Tech.
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 (14) | Post your comment | Categories: Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Florida, Other schools, South Carolina, Tech, Tennessee, UGA
Marietta’s safety Chris Tanzy down to Louisville and Marshall
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
Marietta safety Chris Tanzy said his college choices have come down to Louisville or Marshall.
But it may also come down to what he scored last Saturday on his second try at the SAT test. He said he needs a 950 score on the test to get into either of the schools. The first time he took the SAT he scored an 850, but added that he took it without any preparation.
The one he took Saturday at Life University came after weeks of prep work with classes and a tutor, and he said he felt confident he made the score. “My goal was 1000,” he said.
Tanzy, a 6-foot, 185-pounder, said Louisville told him it would hold a scholarship open for him. He also plans an official trip to Marshall.
Chattanooga is also an option, he said, if things don’t work out with the other two schools.
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
Lithonia’s Bellinger considered to be a “steal” by colleges
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
There is no substitute for speed. Julian Bellinger offers a prime example of that. Being able to cover 40 yards in less than 4.4 seconds will certainly open up opportunities.
As a result, Bellinger is mulling over offers from Indiana, Toledo, Middle Tennessee State and South Carolina State.
“College coaches think he is a steal,” said Lithonia defensive coordinator Clifford Browning. “He is 6-foot-1.5 with a vertical jump of 40 inches and runs a 4.35. Those are things you cannot teach.”
Bellinger is taking a visit to Middle Tennessee State this weekend and will make his decision soon after his return.
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? http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/shared-blogs/ajc/cfbrecruit/entries/2008/12/15/theajcsrecrui.html
Take me directly to all the UGA recruiting stories http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/shared-blogs/ajc/cfbrecruit/entries/uga/
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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 (8) | Post your comment | Categories: Other schools
Dunwoody’s Mitchell backs away from UAB commitment
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Dunwoody defensive end Malcolm Mitchell has backed out of his recent commitment to University of Alabama-Birmingham, according to Wildcats head coach James Teter.
Louisville, Western Kentucky and Eastern Michigan are now the leaders for the 6-foot-2, 220 pound Mitchell. Hel was named honorable mention all-state by the AJC and had a stellar game at Tuesday’s Dekalb County All-Star Football Showcase.
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
Roswell junior WR Chris Boyd visiting LSU
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Roswell wide receiver Chris Boyd was invited to Georgia Tech’s junior day, but had already agreed to go to LSU this weekend.
The 6-foot-5 Boyd does not have an early offers, but has attracted attention from Auburn, Georgia Tech, Vanderbilt, LSU, Michigan State and Wake Forest.
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: Tech
Lowndes All-America DB Greg Reid “unplugged”
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
Greg Reid, the AJC’s player of the year, might be the nation’s hottest college football prospect.
Reid, a defensive back from Lowndes, was well known in Georgia circles but propelled himself onto the national stage with his MVP performance in the Under Armour All-Star game earlier this month. Reid intercepted two passes in the ESPN-televised contest.
As a result, college scouts have staged a massive invasion of Valdosta during the past few weeks to talk with Reid.
Reid was committed to Florida almost a year ago but backed away from the national champion last month because he felt he rushed his decision. Now Georgia is one of the front-runners for Reid, who also is considering Florida State and Alabama while turning down overtures from dozens of other schools.
This weekend, Reid will take an official visit to Georgia, his last recruiting trip before signing day. He discussed the recruiting process with the AJC:
Q: What has the past month been like for you?
A: “It’s been out of control, but I’ve tried to stay calm and not let all the [recruiting] get to me. I never knew it would get this bad. I figured some more colleges would be interested in me after the Under Armour game, but never this much… . I was just thinking that was another game. I never knew this many people would want a 5-foot-8 cornerback.”
Q: You’ve never been viewed as the prototype prospect because of your less-than-spectacular size and speed, yet all these colleges want you. What gives?
A: “Any coach who knows football knows not to read too much into what a football player does without the helmet and pads on. These combines and camps are a little overrated. I mean, I did OK at them. But when I put on the helmet and pads on Friday nights, it was a whole different story.”
Q: When you backed off your commitment to Florida only days before the all-star game, you took a big gamble. If you play poorly in that game, it could have worked against you and lost you a ton of major-college offers. Why risk it? Why not wait until after the game to see how you play before backing off?
A: “What really made up my mind were the Under Armour practices. I was going up against all these players that were rated much higher than me and had scholarship offers from everybody in the country … and I was holding my own against them on every play. After that, I knew I could play, and that gave me the confidence to make the tough decision about Florida.”
Q: What really went wrong with Florida?
A: “Florida was my favorite team growing up, so I committed to them as soon as I had the chance my junior year. Then I started looking closer at the depth chart in December —- who was coming back —- and they are stacked at cornerback. Florida has a great program, and I love the players and coaches, but it’s four years of my life, and I have to do what’s best for me. There are better opportunities for me to contribute earlier elsewhere.”
Q: There were media reports that you made hand signals during the all-star game to acknowledge your father, who is in prison. Can you elaborate?
A: “My daddy is in prison in Albany and has never seen me play in a high school game except for that one on ESPN. I was letting him know that I love him. He has been in prison [for aggravated assault] for going on five years, and we’re hoping he can get out in time for my graduation.”
Q: There has been a lot speculation about you meeting college entrance requirements. What’s your academic situation?
A: “I did terrible, terrible, terrible during my first two years of high school. Then as a junior, I started turning things around. I saw I could go straight to college rather than a prep school if I got it together. I started getting tutors, and my senior year has been awesome. I made all Bs first semester. I have a 2.6 GPA. I’ve had a lot of college coaches and counselors review my transcript, and they tell me that if I keep it up second semester, then I should be fine.”
Q: Your high school team was accused of having poor sportsmanship after losing to Grayson in last season’s state quarterfinals. What was your perspective?
A: “We hate to lose at Lowndes, and we didn’t handle that situation very well… . I take the blame for that. I was a senior leader, and I should have had better control of my team… . Whatever team I play for in college, I can promise you nothing like that will ever happen again.”
Permalink | Comments (150) | Post your comment | Categories: UGA
Titans QB Hegetschweiler commits to Campbell
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
Blessed Trinity quarterback Kohl Hegetschweiler, an AJC all-state honorable mention, has committed to Campbell University.
Hegetschweiler helped Region 6-AA Blessed Trinity to a 7-3 record as a senior, including a 4-0 start with victories against Oconee County, Riverwood, Washington-Wilkes and Avondale. Among his top performances was passing for 170 yards and touchdowns of 54, 38 and 49 yards in the Titans’ 34-0 demolition of Decatur.
Campbell, located in Buies Creek, N.C., played its first football season since 1950 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 (3) | Post your comment |
Georgia Tech keeps close eye on Miller Grove WR
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Georgia Tech linebackers coach Brian Jean-Mary will be among the spectators in attendance Friday night when Southwest DeKalb plays host to Miller Grove on the basketball hardcourt.
Jean-Mary will be there to watch Stephen Hill, a 6-foot-4, 185-pound three sport athlete, whose football commitment to the Jackets remained intact after he was courted by Georgia on Monday.
Hill discussed his decision with Tech coach Paul Johnson and Jean-Mary earlier this week.
“They reacted by saying ‘thank you for staying committed to us,’” Hill said. “They said they really do appreciate it, especially the fans.”
According to Hill, Tech’s coaching staff didn’t think he’d defect to their in-state rival. “They didn’t have any doubts,” he said.
In the end, one major factor contributed to Hill’s decision to stay with the Jackets.
“It’s just the love I have for the school,” he said. “I love everything about Georgia Tech.”
Hill says he’s going to hang out with another Tech commit, quarterback Jordan Luallen of Center Grove High in Greenwood, Ind., on Saturday.
The future teammates plan to be on campus to greet prospects from the class of 2010 during junior day at Georgia Tech.
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 (55) | Post your comment | Categories: Tech, UGA
Rumor about Jarvis Jones could be true, says his coach
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
Georgia’s No. 1 remaining target from the state is Carver-Columbus linebacker Jarvis Jones, who is also considering Florida, LSU, Texas and Southern Cal.
There have always been rumors that Jones is destined to play out of state, and Carver coach Dell McGee was asked if there was any truth to it on Thursday.
“Four of the five schools that he is visiting are from outside of Georgia, so that would be a normal rumor … there’s an 80-percent chance [of it being true],” McGee said with a laugh. “So the person that started that rumor might be pretty smart.”
Georgia coach Mark Richt gave it one last shot on Wednesday, visiting with Jones for nearly six hours in Columbus. Did it help Georgia? “I guess things went well,” McGee said.
And while we’re on the topic of rumors, what about the one that Jones has already given Florida a “secret” commitment? McGee politely declined to even address that one. “Jarvis is not the kind of guy who is going to tip his hand. He’s going to wait until he takes all of his visits to make a 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 (40) | Post your comment | Categories: Auburn, FSU, Florida, UGA
Stone Mountain LB may be headed to Tennessee, coach says
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
Stone Mountain linebacker Robert Nelson is taking an official visit to Tennessee this weekend.
“He will probably commit to Tennessee during his visit,” Stone Mountain coach Charles Reeves said. “Auburn is trying to get a shot at him also.”
But it may be too late for the Tigers.
“They tried to convince him to wait and take an official visit before signing day, but I don’t think he will do that,” he said. “He likes Tennessee. He’s been up there a couple of times, and the coaches tell him he is pretty much the best linebacker they’ve seen.”
Reeves said the 6-foot, 210-pound senior is currently on an official visit to Tennessee-Chattanooga. He is leaving for Knoxville on Friday.
Nelson, a four-year starter, finished with 383 tackles and 24 sacks. He has a 3.4 grade-point average. Rivals.com ranks him as the 35th best inside linebacker in the country.
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 (11) | Post your comment | Categories: Tennessee, UGA
