AJC > Sports > Football Recruiting > Blog > Archives > 2009 > February > 25 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USTE 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.
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Permalink | Comments (29) | Post your comment | Categories: Tennessee, UGA
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By John
February 25, 2009 8:42 PM | Link to this
Orson is coming to Athens…no doubt in my mind.
By JM
February 25, 2009 9:28 PM | Link to this
I think he’s coming to Athens too.
By tom
February 25, 2009 10:32 PM | Link to this
Agree completely. Enough already!
By bank walker
February 25, 2009 10:38 PM | Link to this
I’m not gonna say for sure, because of a potential jynx, but I feel pretty confident as well. Two tight end set w/Charles and Lynch!! GO DAWGS!!
By thetruth
February 25, 2009 11:24 PM | Link to this
Orson is all Orange… there is a 10% chance he might go to Athens… the Orange Swarm has only started to get it all… as in any recruit they want!
By Maryland Dawg
February 25, 2009 11:29 PM | Link to this
Pete Carrol is a great recruiter, but you know I think he sees the potential for something great in Athens… I hope so.
By kendall
February 25, 2009 11:33 PM | Link to this
Yeah, like with Brown and Long…#1 and #2 in Tennessee…oh and with Kwame Geathers…yeah, the big urnge is coming on strong. LOL…what a joke.
By corn dawg
February 25, 2009 11:40 PM | Link to this
You can drive Tampa to Athens in just under 7 hours if you don’t mess around. One stop in Valdosta for gas and Steak n Shake. Another stop near Millidgeville for boiled peanuts and to take a leak. Cue up the ipod. change of seasons of north georgia. nirvana. great downtown. great food. great music. great facilities. great people. great school.
By GooseDawg78
February 25, 2009 11:42 PM | Link to this
I already feel like he’s a Dawg, just cause he said NO to the Gators. Oh, and he broke the Gators 2006 BCS trophy; on that note, he could be a Dawg or a Vol. Anyhows, I really hope he’s Athens bound but it’s anybodys guess.
thetruth, OC might end up in Knoxville, if so, congratulations but then the burning question will be, whose gonna throw him the ball again, that kid, what’s his name? But SERIOUSLY, UT w/the Kiffin’s and Orgeron are definitely making strides in recruiting but NOBODY, I repeat, NOBODY (as in, NOT UT, nor UGA, nor USC, nor UF, nor Bama, nor Texas, nor ND, nor OSU) again NOBODY gets “any recruit they want”! Surely you realize this if you’ve followed CFB more than a few weeks. If your 10% is as accurate as your last statement, I REALLY like our chances of seeing OC don the Red & Black!
By Rhinochaser
February 26, 2009 2:06 AM | Link to this
Don’t count out Pete Carroll - Coach Charisma and Kiffin’s Sensei. Given that he rejected FL, maybe he’s thinking of something a bit more off the radar. Maybe The OC is the zip code of choice. As a Dawg and Trojan alum., either school would be fine for me. I think getting playing time at TE for ‘SC would be sketchy given that Blake Ayles is a 5 Star stud from the ‘08 class. He could get some playing time at WR but not for another year or so. My bet is that he’ll join Murray as a Dawg.
By WILL
February 26, 2009 4:24 AM | Link to this
THERE IS ANOCEAN IN FLORIDA,AND IN CAL ONLY THING UGA HAS IS SWAMPS, HE IS GOING TO USC THEY WILL PLAY FOR NC,S THE NEXT 20F 4 YEARS, UGA WILL PLAY FOR SMALL BOWLS THE NEXT 4YEARS,BECAUSE THEY CANT WIN AGAINST FLORIDA ON A CONSISTANT BASIS.FACT.IAM A GEORGIA FAN,AND NO DONINANT DEFENSIVE ENDS WERE BROUGT IN AGAIN THIS IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE.
By WILL
February 26, 2009 4:25 AM | Link to this
THERE IS ANOCEAN IN FLORIDA,AND IN CAL ONLY THING UGA HAS IS SWAMPS, HE IS GOING TO USC THEY WILL PLAY FOR NC,S THE NEXT 20F 4 YEARS, UGA WILL PLAY FOR SMALL BOWLS THE NEXT 4YEARS,BECAUSE THEY CANT WIN AGAINST FLORIDA ON A CONSISTANT BASIS.FACT.IAM A GEORGIA FAN,AND NO DONINANT DEFENSIVE ENDS WERE BROUGT IN AGAIN THIS IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE.
By WILL
February 26, 2009 4:25 AM | Link to this
THERE IS ANOCEAN IN FLORIDA,AND IN CAL ONLY THING UGA HAS IS SWAMPS, HE IS GOING TO USC THEY WILL PLAY FOR NC,S THE NEXT 20F 4 YEARS, UGA WILL PLAY FOR SMALL BOWLS THE NEXT 4YEARS,BECAUSE THEY CANT WIN AGAINST FLORIDA ON A CONSISTANT BASIS.FACT.IAM A GEORGIA FAN,AND NO DONINANT DEFENSIVE ENDS WERE BROUGT IN AGAIN THIS IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE.
By rob
February 26, 2009 6:54 AM | Link to this
Uhh WILL, You might want to have a cup of coffee before you type. Have you ever been to Athens? Have you ever been to Gainesville, FL? I believe there are more swamps in FL than in GA. Why this has nothing to do with football, you still sound like an idiot. You might also want to look at a globe to see if maybe GA might actually have an ocean, I think they call it the Atlantic. It’s not the biggest coast line, but, we also have some nice hills in the north.
By Scot Waldrop
February 26, 2009 7:50 AM | Link to this
He’s just a tight end? I can’t remember the last time a tight end led his team to the National Championship. This is a perfect example of recruiting gone bad. This kids had years to make a decision, but he’s stringing out the process for added publicity which is ultimately laughable..
By DDawgdavis
February 26, 2009 8:11 AM | Link to this
Orson is not just a TE, he’s really a WR with some size (which kind of defines the TE position). If we do end up with Orson, it’ll create a solid WR corp with great flexibility for Joe and Co. at QB. I’ve heard he’s got the speed and hands, but blocking could use some work. Unless your a converted lineman, all WRs need a little coaching at WR. This will be a great addition to UGA.
By DDawgdavis
February 26, 2009 8:16 AM | Link to this
Actually, he’s not just a TE. He really is a WR who has some size (of course that’s kind of what a TE is). He’s suppose to have great hands, speed, and strength. Needs coaching at blocking, but what WR/TE doesn’t. Orson will be a great addition to UGA and it will create a better Offense for our QB Arm Race that is developing.
By downeastgator
February 26, 2009 8:38 AM | Link to this
He’s headed to Athens and has been…if he qualifies. No qualifying test score yet so he may need to make a pitstop at Georgia Military College or a Mississippi JC.
Too bad the pups did not land Greg Reid as with Brown, Charles and Reid, you would have a good drama squad.
By Willie in Tampa
February 26, 2009 8:39 AM | Link to this
He’ll sign with UGA, but won’t qualify. Welcome to 13th grade and then the fun of re-recruiting Mr. Charles. He ditched his teamates to join Plant High for his senior year. Don’t be surprised if he doesn’t end up playing for the 1st team he signs with.
By Dawg Fud
February 26, 2009 8:57 AM | Link to this
i thought for sure he was going to be a Gator.
WILL, if you are such a know it all then you would know to only hit the “post” button once
By Frosted Orange
February 26, 2009 9:07 AM | Link to this
The only thing you Orangies are getting are recruiting violations and 5 win seasons. Better get used to it.
By Smitty Dawg
February 26, 2009 9:14 AM | Link to this
Leonard Pope, Randy McMichael, Ben Watson, Jermaine Wiggins…all Georgia Tight Ends over the last 10 years that went pro! No brainer to come to UGA.
By Otto
February 26, 2009 9:29 AM | Link to this
UF’s scheme did not fit him. UT has alot of questions. UGA and USC are most likely the top 2. Who knows he may go to UT where he can be the star. UGA has had some great TEs and only USC and Texas can compete on have more consecutive seasons ranked in the Top 10 at the end of the year. UGA has a down year and goes to the highest paying non BCS bowl. As Smitty says UGA has had plenty of great TEs and QBs lined up to make the next one great too.
By Clay
February 26, 2009 10:11 AM | Link to this
I am sure it is between UGA and USC because who with any sanity and even the slimmest of common sense would go to Tennessee with that nut job Lame Kiffin as coach?
By Dawggone
February 26, 2009 10:54 AM | Link to this
If you cannot read or write proper english…nor know how to use a dictionary..then you should not be allowed to leave comments. Plus if you cant spell a word correctly..then dont use it. Just makes you look like an unedumacated idiot!!
Go Dawgs!!!
By JMO
February 26, 2009 10:30 PM | Link to this
Why was my post of 24 hours ago removed? There was NOTHING inappropriate in the post! Please respond to my email. It was the 3rd post and what Tom responded to.
By bobby
February 28, 2009 1:30 PM | Link to this
charles is headed to Knoxville.
By bobby
February 28, 2009 1:30 PM | Link to this
charles is headed to Knoxville.
By AJC loves UT
March 2, 2009 11:21 AM | Link to this
OC going to UT!