AJC > Sports > Football Recruiting > Blog > Archives > 2009 > February > 17
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Lane Kiffin says his actions have helped Tennessee’s recruiting efforts
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Does Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin think “any publicity is good publicity” when it comes to recruiting?
Kiffin told the Knoxville News that the publicity generated from his comments on other SEC schools and secondary NCAA violations have benefited Tennessee on the recruiting trail.
“It has helped a lot … For our program to be in the news so much now … not just locally but nationally,” Kiffin told the Knoxville News.
“For the players that we need to recruit that are freshmen, sophomores and juniors that are seeing our colors and our logos, it helps us out tremendously down the road.”
Also, former Stephenson linebacker Nigel Mitchell-Thornton talked about what it’s like to play under Kiffin.
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
Permalink | Comments (101) | Post your comment | Categories: Tennessee, UGA
UGA target Kwame Geathers may announce Friday, says report
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Georgia could sign two more players for its 2009 recruiting class, defensive tackle Kwame Geathers of Carver’s Bay, S.C., and tight end Orson Charles of Tampa.
Geathers, the younger brother of former UGA standout Robert Geathers, said he is considering scholarship offers from Central Florida, Georgia and Tennessee, according to TotalUGA.com. When asked about his long-awaited decision, Geathers told the website “I’ll probably do it Friday.”
Meanwhile, Charles plans to announce after he visits Southern Cal on Feb. 20. He is considering the Trojans, along with Florida, Georgia and Tennessee. Charles recently told the AJC he hopes to have a final decision by March 6, at the latest.
Charles is ranked as the nation’s No. 62 overall prospect by Rivals.
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.
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
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
Permalink | Comments (28) | Post your comment | Categories: Florida, Tennessee, UGA
Banneker’s Shawn Kitchens reflects on Georgia Tech offer
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Banneker’s Shawn Kitchens is strongly considering Georgia Tech after getting an early offer from his hometown school.
“Last Thursday, me and my mother went back [to Tech] to talk about the scholarship offer,” the 6-foot-3, 205-pound Kitchens said. “It means a lot to get an offer from Georgia Tech.”
“I put in a lot of work. For them to offer me like that, it shows that the hard work is paying off.”
Kitchens, who plays quarterback, wide receiver, linebacker, safety and returns kicks for Banneker, also holds offers from Ole Miss, Kentucky and West Virginia.
He plans to attend upcoming Junior Days at Clemson, Kentucky, Michigan and N.C. State. Though the recruiting process is just beginning for Kitchens, the Jackets are one of his early favorites.
“Georgia Tech has the advantage right now because of location and academics,” he said. “But I’m not going to commit early. I’ll look at my different options.
“I’ll [likely] make my decision on signing day.”
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.
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
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
Permalink | Comments (58) | Post your comment | Categories: Tech
Douglas RB Michael Patrick signs with Navy
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Douglass running back Michael Patrick, intrigued by the rushing prowess of the U.S. Naval Academy, signed a national letter of intent with the service academy over the weekend.
Patrick, a 5-foot-8, 190-pounder who gained 900 yards last season, signed on Saturday.
Patrick had been leaning toward Navy since January. “No. 1 rushing team in the nation [292 yards per game],” he said last month. “That sounds good to me.”
Patrick wants to pursue a career in mechanical engineering.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Post your comment | Categories: Other schools
Lowndes junior will join Greg Reid at Florida State
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Greg Reid, the AJC’s Player of the Year, said he wasn’t surprised to see one of his junior teammates from Lowndes High quickly accept a scholarship from Florida State.
Offensive tackle Ed Christian committed to the Seminoles as soon as they made an early offer. The 6-foot-5, 285-pound Christian plans to join two Lowndes seniors, Reid and defensive back Gerald Demps, who both signed with FSU.
“Shoot, Ed better come play with us at Florida State … we’re going to have the team over there,” Reid 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.
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
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
Permalink | Comments (20) | Post your comment | Categories: FSU, UGA
Former Stephenson LB reflects on new Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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What’s it like to play for Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin?
Stephenson linebacker Nigel Mitchell-Thornton has an idea. He committed early to Tennessee while Phil Fulmer was still coach, and decided to stick with the Volunteers after Kiffin took over. He was also considering Stanford, Florida and Georgia Tech. Mitchell-Thornton enrolled in college earlier this month, and spoke with the AJC:
Q. What is it like with Lane Kiffin as your coach ? A. It’s great. There’s a lot of energy and excitement about Tennessee football, and I’m proud to be part of it. I wasn’t here when [Fulmer] was coach, but I heard rumors how he was a little more laid back. Coach Kiffin is really pushing us to be the best we can academically and athletically.
Q. Have you had any interesting interactions with Kiffin? A. Not really, other than a few times at conditioning drills. They are at around 5 a.m. in the morning, and you don’t expect the head coach to be there every day. But Coach Kiffin is there every morning, walking around. A few times I was lagging behind [in drills] and Coach Kiffin screamed at me ‘Nigel, push yourself harder.’ He’s meeting so many new people, I was surprised he remembered my name since I am a freshman. But [Kiffin] is always encouraging me and other freshman, and all the players. One of his big mottos is “No one is promised a position.” He doesn’t care how many years you’ve been at Tennessee. Everybody is equal when it comes to competing for playing time.
Q. What about his rules, such as football players must sit in the front of the class? A. That’s not really a big change for me. Back in high school, I liked to sit in the front of the class. I don’t want to say I’m nerdy … I’m more of an academic guy. I want to learn.
Q. What about Kiffin’s other rules? A. It’s no earrings, no saggy pants, and no hats … it’s all “old school” stuff and I consider myself an “old school” type of player. With earrings, I already knew better not to go to practice with them on, and I rarely use them anyways. With the saggy pants, I really didn’t do that before, and I never wear hats … so the all the rules, they are OK with me. I don’t violate them at all.
Q. What about his dad, former NFL defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin? A. He is great, great, great … It is a great experience to be able to learn under him. He’s a living legend. When he talks, everybody in the room is quiet, even the other coaches. You can hear a penny drop. [The elder Kiffin] tells some great stories about his NFL days, and everybody soaks up every word he says. I can’t wait to see what we [Tennessee] look like after putting in his system on defense.
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.
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
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
Permalink | Comments (64) | Post your comment | Categories: Tennessee, UGA
M.L. King RB Mack Brown gets praise from UGA coach Mark Richt
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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M.L. King’s Mack Brown, who is considered one of the nation’s top tailbacks for 2010, said he smiled after hearing his evaluation from UGA coach Mark Richt.
“Coach Richt said ‘Mack, you’re a helluva’ back’ … I was laughing,” Brown said. “That meant a lot to me.”
Brown is one of the state’s leaders in early scholarship offers with 15, including Florida, Tennessee, and Georgia Tech. He also had a recent conversation with Tech coach Paul Johnson.
“Coach Johnson said he really wanted me to come visit the campus so we could talk,” Brown said.
Brown said he tentatively plans to visit UGA and Georgia Tech after school later this week, and then travel to South Carolina on Saturday. He is thinking about Tennessee on Feb. 28.
Landing a marquee tailback is one of UGA’s top priorities for its 2010 class. The Bulldogs only signed one tailback last week, ECI’s Washaun Ealey, who told the AJC last month he was “close to meeting college entrance requirements.” Georgia Tech already has one commitment at running back for next year, Charles Perkins of Collins Hill.
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.
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
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
Permalink | Comments (60) | Post your comment | Categories: Tech, UGA
North Gwinnett DB Trey Sims “can’t picture himself” playing for Georgia
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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North Gwinnett defensive back Trey Sims grew up in Athens, but the 6-foot-3, 205-pound junior said he can’t picture himself donning the red and black.
“UGA is one of my favorite teams, but I just can’t picture myself playing there,” he said. “I grew up in Athens, so I’m not trying to get back there. I want to get into a different system.”
Sims, who lived in Athens for 13 years, recently attended Junior Day at UGA. He has not been offered by the Bulldogs.
Sims is visiting South Carolina this weekend. He thinks, and is hoping, Duke will be the first school to offer. “I would commit to Duke right then and there,” he said. “It’s a good academic school and they may not be the best in football, but at least I can say I went to Duke.”
Sims said he wants to wait until signing day before making a decision. “I want to keep my options open,” 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.
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
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
Permalink | Comments (19) | Post your comment | Categories: Other ACC schools, UGA
NCAA rules prevent UGA’s Mark Richt from attending high school graduation
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Click here to go the story about NCAA rules preventing Georgia coach Mark Richt from attending the high school graduation of Chris Burnette. The offensive lineman, who has already signed with UGA, is competing to be Troup’s valedictorian
Roswell WR Chris Boyd remains optimistic about Georgia Tech
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Roswell junior Chris Boyd attended Junior Day at Georgia Tech and while he was “a little disappointed” he didn’t get an offer during his visit, he was optimistic one would be coming soon.
“After my visit was over I thought I was going home, but Coach Buzz Preston brought me in his office and talked to me about Georgia Tech,” he said. “He told me they didn’t have offer for me yet, but one would be coming soon.”
The 6-foot-5, 190-pound junior has received mail from more than 20 schools, but he has not received an offer. “They will come he said.”
He has received correspondence from UGA and has been invited to Junior Day at Vanderbilt, LSU, Michigan State, FSU, Oklahoma State, Central Florida and Wake Forest. He is going to Vanderbilt on March 21.
Boyd said he wants to commit before the season starts so he can focus on football. “If there are schools that haven’t offered that I’m interested in I may wait,” 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.
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
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
Permalink | Comments (14) | Post your comment | Categories: Other SEC schools, Tech, UGA
