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Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Gainesville coach supports recruiting approach of UGA’s Mark Richt
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Gainesville has two juniors, wide receiver Tai-Ler Jones and quarterback Blake Sims, with around 40 scholarship offers between them.
However, neither player has been offered by Georgia, which has some local Bulldog fans confused. But Gainesville coach Bruce Miller said he and his prospects are just fine with how UGA is handling the recruiting process.
“This is just my impression; [Mark Richt] is such a good person, and he doesn’t want to throw any offers out there and have to take them back, like some other schools do,” Miller said. “He’s such a man of character, and he doesn’t want to do anything like that.”
At least four Georgia assistants have called Gainesville in recent days. Neither Jones nor Sims have been offered by the Bulldogs, but both were invited to Athens on March 21. “After they go over there in March, I wouldn’t be surprised if both players came home with an offer. We’ll see what happens, though.”
Jones is one the nation’s leaders in early offers with nearly 30, including Georgia Tech. He may also be state’s leader in offers without one from UGA.
If Georgia does eventually offer Jones, will it hurt the Bulldogs chances against other schools that offered earlier? “I don’t think so,” Miller said. “If Tai-Ler goes over there in March and Georgia really knocks his socks off, then I think all that other stuff will be forgotten by everybody.”
NCAA rules prevent Richt from commenting on prospective student-athletes. However, Richt did say earlier this month that “at times, we probably offer a little bit slower, in some cases, than other schools” because once Georgia offers a prospect and that particular player commits, then the Bulldogs will stand by it.
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 (29) | Post your comment | Categories: UGA
Georgia could add one more to its 2009 recruiting class with TE Orson Charles
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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While Georgia Tech appears to be finished, UGA could add at least one more member to its 2009 recruiting class.
On Tuesday, tight end Orson Charles of Tampa, who is one of the nation’s top unsigned seniors, confirmed that he will announce his college decision on March 6. Charles is deciding between Florida, Georgia, Southern Cal and Tennessee. Charles also said he will narrow down to “two or three” schools on Wednesday, but did not offer any hints.
Over the next 10 days, Charles will huddle with his family, friends and coaches to go over the advantages and disadvantages of each finalist. One of his close friends is quarterback Aaron Murray, who signed with Georgia and enrolled early in college. Murray and Charles helped lead Plant High to Florida’s Class AAAA championship in December.
Georgia has signed 19 players for 2009, adding defensive tackle Kwame Geathers of Carver’s Bay, S.C., last week. On signing day earlier this month, 21 players signed with 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.
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 (103) | Post your comment | Categories: Other schools, Tech, UGA
Henry County WR Markeith Ambles returns to the baseball field
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Markeith Ambles, the Henry County High junior who intends to be a special wide receiver in college, thinks he has potential to make a difference on the baseball field this spring.
After taking a year off from playing baseball, Ambles will start at right field for Henry County, which begins its season this week.
He says he brings athleticism to the Henry County outfield with speed (4.45 in the 40) to chase down flies and a strong throwing arm. “It’s awesome. I used to play quarterback, too,” he said. He thinks he can hit, too, but isn’t sure how he’ll do until he gets some real swings in real games.
Football is part of the reason he’s returning to the diamond. Baseball gives him a team-oriented way to stay competitively strong and also get some training in.
He has over 20 football offers, including Florida, Georgia Tech, USC, Florida State, Alabama, LSU, Clemson, South Carolina, Auburn, Tennessee, North Carolina, Arkansas, Ole Miss, Cal and Tulsa. “There’s more. I keep forgetting all of them,” he said.
The 6-foot-3, 185-pounder had 53 receptions for 993 yards and 13 TDs in Henry County’s spread offense last season.
He also hopes to make an impact on Henry County’s traditionally strong baseball program, the 2005 Class AAAA state champion.
“We’ve put some guys in the [pros]. That’d be cool if that happens,” 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.
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 (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, FSU, Florida, LSU, Other ACC schools, Other SEC schools, Other schools, South Carolina, Tech, Tennessee, UGA
Newnan’s Ogletree turns attention to basketball
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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While most top-tier football recruits have their calendars filled with Junior Day visits to college campuses, Newnan safety Alec Ogletree has had other things to do.
Like help the Cougars reach the state basketball playoffs.
A 6-foot-3, 210-pound starting power forward, he averages 10 points and 10 rebounds a game as Newnan has advanced to the Class AAAAA tournament and will play Camden County in a first-round game Saturday. The Cougars are the No. 2 seed from Region 4-AAAAA.
“Oh, I’ve got a pretty decent good game,” said Ogletree, who estimates he has 30 football scholarship offers. “The best part is probably defense. I rebound, block shots, man-up.”
Ogletree says he makes time for the frequent calls he gets about football. “I try not to let it get in the way [of basketball], but it’s definitely [hectic] being recruited,” he said. “I just deal with it and try to stay humble.”
Ogletree, who runs a 4.5 in the 40, has an impressive list of football offers, including Georgia Tech, Georgia, Oklahoma, Florida, Alabama, LSU, Florida State, Arkansas, Clemson, Oregon, Miami, Maryland, South Carolina and North Carolina. He is a top contender to be the state’s No. 1 prospect for 2010.
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 (4) | Post your comment | Categories: Alabama, Clemson, FSU, Florida, LSU, Other ACC schools, Other SEC schools, Other schools, South Carolina, Tech, UGA
Gainesville WR Tai-Ler Jones says it’s “not too late” for UGA
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
Gainesville wide receiver Tai-Ler Jones, who is one of the nation’s leaders in early scholarship offers with 27, said it’s “not too late” for UGA to get involved before he trims down to a dozen schools by the end of the week.
Georgia is one of the few remaining schools that Jones has expressed a high level of interest in but has yet to offer. When Jones told the AJC last week that he was about to narrow his list, several UGA assistants called Gainesville over the following two days. The Bulldogs didn’t offer, but heavily encouraged Jones and two Gainesville teammates, junior quarterback Blake Sims and sophomore linebacker A.J. Johnson, to visit Athens on March 21.
Why hasn’t Georgia offered Jones? It’s a question he’s asked every day by classmates. He grew up a Bulldogs fan, and UGA is located only 40 miles south of Gainesville. Jones said he walks by a picture every day of Georgia athletics director Damon Evans, who is a 1988 graduate of Gainesville High. Jones spoke with Georgia assistant Tony Ball, who coaches wide receivers.
“Coach Ball said that they just finished with the 2009 class, and that they were looking at every wide receiver they felt could play at Georgia,” Jones said. “He said they narrowed down that list, and we’re now going to stay in touch with the guys they really liked … and they really liked me.”
However, Jones said when he trims his list to a dozen, it will only consist of schools that have already made offers. “It’s just getting close to [Gainesville’s] spring football practice and the summer. The time frame to study all these schools in depth is slowly getting smaller. I feel like I need to get down to 12 by the end of the week, and then maybe five before the start of the season.”
What about Georgia? Would he still consider the Bulldogs, even though they haven’t offered? “Right now, I’m just looking at what I have on the table [in offers]. Any of the schools would have to have a serious interest in me, so I could take a serious interest in them.” When pressed further about Georgia, Jones said, “It’s not too late [for Georgia]. Probably up until the day I commit, any school would have a chance to talk with me.”
The 6-foot, 180-pound Jones admitted that before the recruiting process intensified and he was flooded with nearly 30 offers, that UGA and Clemson were his two favorites. Clemson finally offered last week. “Yes sir, that would be correct,” Jones said with a laugh. “But once everything got started, I became more open-minded, putting every school at the same level until I look at them closer.”
Jones, whose father played at Notre Dame, is an honors student who carries a 3.56 grade-point average and 25 ACT score (first attempt). He had 81 receptions for more than 1,000 yards and 21 touchdowns last year, and has been clocked at 4.45 seconds in the 40-yard dash.
Rivals reports that UGA has offered five 2010 wide receivers, including one from Georgia, Booker T. Washington’s Antonio Goodwin.
Tucker sophomore LB James Vaughters has two offers
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Tucker’s James Vaughters, one of the state’s top sophomores, has early scholarship offers from N.C. State and Central Florida.
Vaughters, 6-foot-2 and 220 pounds, can play linebacker or defensive end. He has a 4.0 GPA.
“[Vaughters] possesses an unique combination of intelligence and athletic ability,” Tucker coach Franklin Stephens said. “He’s a strong, powerful player that plays with a lot of intensity.”
Tucker High is traditionally one of the state’s top producers of college football prospects.
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 (5) | Post your comment | Categories: Other schools, Tech
