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Wednesday, February 25, 2009
TE Orson Charles takes small step toward end of recruiting journey
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Tight end Orson Charles of Tampa, one of the nation’s top unsigned seniors, eliminated Florida on Wednesday and hasn’t provided a concrete timetable on when he will cut another school from his finalists of Georgia, Southern Cal and Tennessee.
About the only thing for sure is that Charles will announce his college choice on March 6. His high school coach, Plant’s Robert Weiner, confirmed the decision date on Wednesday to the AJC.
“Orson has really got no choice, I’m going to schedule a press conference for then,” Weiner said with a laugh. “If he doesn’t say anything by then, and I’m sure he’ll be ready … then I’ll just get up to the microphone and pick a school for him.”
Weiner was kidding about choosing for Charles. However, Weiner did say his revealing statement from last month was still true — that Charles “was the most uncommitted prospect he’s ever coached. He loves every school.” And that’s saying a lot, when considering that Plant High is known for producing some of Florida’s top prospects.
“I’ve never had a player that was was such a big-time recruit go this far past signing day,” Weiner said. “But Orson is handling everything very well. He’s in a good place, getting all the information he can to make the best decision for him. The good thing about his situation is that with the three schools he has left, you can’t really make a wrong decision with any of them. They are all great programs.”
Charles got a late start on recruiting because he transferred to Plant near the end of his junior year. During the high school season, Weiner requests that his players focus on team goals. Charles has said he didn’t really start to think hard about recruiting until after Plant won Florida’s Class AAAA championship on Dec. 20.
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: Tennessee, UGA
Pacelli junior OL thinks UGA offer may be out of reach
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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With Georgia’s young offensive line, Pacelli junior Taylor Dodds says an offer may be out of reach.
“UGA’s lineman are so young, I’m not sure if they are looking for any,” he said.
Of the five starters on UGA’s offensive line, three are sophomores (Cordy Glenn, Ben Jones and Justin Anderson). Clint Boling and Ben Jones are juniors.
The 6-foot-6, 240-pound Dodds is waiting patiently for his first offer. He wants to play college football and his dream school is UGA. He plays left tackle and defensive end for Pacelli.
“Coach Stacy Searles is somewhat of my idol,” he said. “I really respect the man and his method of coaching.”
Dodds said he hopes to make a college decision sometime during his senior year.
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 (6) | Post your comment | Categories: Other schools, UGA
Pepperell TE Drew Pearson has a name to remember
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Pepperell tight end/defensive end Drew Pearson and two of his teammates, quarterback Jonathan Watters and running back Marcus Jackson, were among the large group of players in attendance at Alabama’s Junior Day on Saturday.
“It was an amazing experience,” said the 6-foot-4, 235-pound Pearson. “They were really nice people and have nice facilities there. I had a lot of fun.”
Pearson, who is still waiting on his first scholarship offer, has been invited to Junior Day at Central Florida this weekend, though he is unsure if he’ll be able to attend.
“I’m getting letters from schools like Georgia, Central Florida and Tennessee,” he said. “I’ve been invited to a one-day camp at Georgia this summer.”
Pearson is excited about playing alongside Jackson and Watters, who are being heavily recruited.
“Playing with those guys is a lot of fun,” Pearson said. “There’s a lot of press. People talk about you.
“It’s something special that not many people get to do. So you try to take advantage of it and have fun. And you know that you’re going to get pushed, as far as competition.”
Pearson, who isn’t related to former NFL wide receiver Drew Pearson, said he wasn’t named for one of the players who starred for the Dallas Cowboys during the coach Tom Landry era three decades ago.
“It’s just a coincidence,” he said.
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 (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Alabama, Tennessee, UGA
Whitefield Academy RB Christian Willis has high hopes with East Carolina
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
Whitefield Academy junior running back Christian Willis is waiting on his first offer and he is hoping it will come from East Carolina.
“ECU is my top choice,” he said. “I like the facilities, the coaches and the program.”
The 5-foot-11, 185-pound junior has dreams of playing college football. He is not sure which school will be the first to offer.
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 (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Other schools
TE Orson Charles keeps UGA among his finalists
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
Georgia is still in the running for tight end Orson Charles of Tampa, one of the nation’s top unsigned seniors.
Charles removed Florida from his list of finalists, and is still considering Georgia, USC and Tennessee, according to the Tampa Tribune.
The 6-foot-3, 227-pound Charles said that he plans to reveal his college decision on March 6.
What’s in Georgia’s favor? 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. Also, Charles said UGA coach Mark Richt has saved him the No. 7 jersey, which was previously worn by quarterback Matthew Stafford.
Georgia has signed 19 players for 2009, adding defensive tackle Kwame Geathers of Carver’s Bay, S.C., last Friday.
Despite being on the nation’s top unsigned prospects, Charles has kept a low profile while mulling over his choices. Charles will huddle with his family, friends and coaches over the next week to go over the advantages and disadvantages of each finalist.
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 (56) | Post your comment | Categories: Tennessee, UGA
Georgia Tech offers Tucker 2011 prospect, LB James Vaughters
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
Georgia Tech made an extra early offer to Tucker sophomore James Vaughters on Tuesday evening.
The Yellow Jackets are now the fourth school to offer Vaughters, one of the state’s top prospects for 2011. Tech noticed Vaughters this past season while scouting other Tucker prospects. Tech assistant Brian Jean-Mary delivered the news on Tuesday evening.
“They [Tech] said they’re always looking for good defensive players, and based on James’ athletic and academic excellence, they would like to go ahead and offer him a scholarship,” Tucker coach Franklin Stephens told the AJC.
How hot is Vaughters? Stanford offered him earlier on Tuesday, while Alabama and Clemson sent Junior Day invitations. Vaughters has four total offers, including N.C. State and Central Florida.
The 6-foot-3, 220-pound Vaughters was one of the top defenders on Tucker’s state championship team this past season. Perhaps most importantly, he carries a 4.0 GPA in college prep classes.
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: Tech
Peachtree Ridge WR Bradley Roby gets his first offer
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
Peachtree Ridge wide receiver Bradley Roby, one of the state’s fastest players, got his first scholarship offer on Tuesday night.
“I landed my first offer from Vanderbilt and hope to receive more in the coming weeks,” Roby said.
The 6-foot-1, 175-pound Roby recently attended Junior Day at Clemson, and has been invited to Georgia next month. Roby was clocked below 4.4 seconds in the 40-yard dash at a recent combine.
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 (3) | Post your comment | Categories: Other schools, Tech, UGA
