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Thursday, February 26, 2009
Auburn-bound QB Dontae Aycock didn’t believe Georgia Tech would rescind scholarship offer
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Quarterback Dontae Aycock of Chamberlain High in Tampa, Fla. appeared destined to sign a letter of intent with Georgia Tech one month ago.
After privately committing to Tech during an official visit in mid-January, Aycock decided to take a last-minute visit to Auburn less than a week before national signing day on Feb. 4.
That decision didn’t sit well with Tech coach Paul Johnson, who wound up withdrawing Aycock’s scholarship offer. Johnson spoke by phone with Aycock prior to the quarterback’s trip to Auburn during the final recruiting weekend of the season.
“[Dontae and I] talked about what [commitment] meant,” Johnson told the AJC on signing day. “That commitment means, especially two weeks before signing day, is that we’re through with the recruiting process. … I’m giving you my word you’ve got a scholarship. You’re giving your word you’re coming.”
“I reiterated that to him: ‘Dontae, don’t get on that plane.’ His high school coach told him, ‘Dontae, don’t get on that plane. When he chose to do that, he was telling me, in my mind, he didn’t want to come to Georgia Tech, and so we moved on.”
Aycock, who wound up signing with Auburn, spoke with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Thursday about his recruiting adventure with Georgia Tech:
Q: Why did you give a “secret commitment” to Georgia Tech in mid-January?
A: “I knew if word was to get out, it would probably be on the front page of Rivals and everybody would know. I just wanted to pick my school on signing day.”
Q: How did Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson react when you told him you wanted to visit Auburn less than a week prior to national signing day?
A: “It was tough. When I told him I wanted to look at the school, his reaction was basically that I had committed to [Georgia Tech] and gave them my word. I had only taken one visit before visiting Georgia Tech, and that was to Louisville. And I had five visits overall [per NCAA rules]. I know it wasn’t the smartest idea. I thought Georgia Tech was the place for me at that time. But I just wanted to take that visit to Auburn just to take it and look and see.”
Q: What else did Johnson tell you during that conversation?
A: “He was like ‘how would you feel if we said we want you to be our quarterback and come to our school, but we want to go look at another quarterback?’ I thought about it, and I wouldn’t like it. That was just kind of his reaction, since I had already committed. But I just wanted to go look at another school.”
Q: Did Johnson tell you he was going to pull your scholarship if you visited Auburn?
A: “He didn’t tell me that on the phone. He told me if I was to get on the plane and take that trip to Auburn I was jeopardizing my scholarship.”
Q: How did you find out that you’d lost the scholarship offer from Georgia Tech? A: “I was on my visit [to Auburn] and my cousin told me. He had heard from my high school coach that they had pulled the scholarship.”
Q: How did you react?
A: “I was mad because I just wanted to go look at Auburn. I just don’t see how they can tell a kid ‘if you go visit another school you’re jeopardizing your scholarship.’ I don’t think that was fair. But I know it’s a business that college coaches have to go out and recruit these kids. Those kids that they are recruiting is their life for four or five years.”
Q: What was your mindset when you were on your way to Auburn for the visit?
A: “At the time, I wasn’t going to Auburn thinking I was going to go there. I was just going to go check it out and go home and think about it. Tech was leading the whole way. But when I went to Auburn, they pretty much sold me on everything. Even if they didn’t pull my scholarship, Auburn is the place I was going to go.”
Q: Did you ever talk to any of the Georgia Tech coaches after they withdrew your scholarship offer?
A: “No. I haven’t talked to any of them since that happened.”
Q: Looking back, did you think Johnson was bluffing?
A: “I didn’t believe he would really pull it. I just wanted to go to Auburn to look.”
Q: If you could go back in time, what would you do different?
A: “I would have never committed to Georgia Tech that early knowing I had time to weigh out my decision.”
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 (199) | Post your comment | Categories: Auburn, Tech, UGA
Father of Gainesville’s Tai-Ler Jones OK with Georgia’s recruiting philosophy
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Georgia’s perceived slow interest in Gainesville High’s Tai-Ler Jones, one of the state’s top wide receiver prospects for 2010, had his father a little perplexed, but Andre Jones said he’s fine with the program’s stance on recruiting.
The elder Jones, a member of Notre Dame’s 1988 national championship team, said that even though his son hadn’t heard from Georgia coaches until the past week, he won’t second-guess their actions. Tai-Ler Jones has nearly 30 offers, including several from top-flight programs.
Although restricted by NCAA rules to speak on specific prospects, Georgia coach Mark Richt recently said his program sometimes makes offers a little slower than other schools to make sure it will be a solid offer.
“I definitely understand their position,” the elder Jones said.
Andre Jones said the Bulldogs have reached out to Tai-Ler [pronounced TY-ler] indirectly through his coaches and have invited the receiver to a Junior Day on March 21. “It sounds like it will be a promising day,” he said, although he’s not sure it will result in an offer.
Recently, Tai-Ler Jones said he wasn’t bothered that Georgia hadn’t contacted him, but admitted he wasn’t sure why not.
Jones, a 6-foot, 178-pound junior with 4.45 speed, has offers from Georgia Tech, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Alabama, Ohio State, Tennessee, Clemson, UCLA, Miami, Cal, Vandy and South Carolina, among others.
Andre Jones said it will be his son’s decision, but he wouldn’t mind him selecting Notre Dame. “Notre Dame is at the top of my board, but there are four or five others I’m impressed with,” said Andre Jones, adding he knows Tai-Ler also will consider the value of a college degree in his final 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.
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 (13) | Post your comment | Categories: Alabama, Clemson, Other ACC schools, Other SEC schools, South Carolina, Tech, Tennessee, UGA
Recruiting services bullish on Georgia’s 2010 class
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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The state of Georgia’s 2010 high school football class is well represented in three national recruiting services.
Warner Robins defensive tackle Jeffrey Whitaker, Brookstone tight end Brian Vogler, Henry County wide receiver Markeith Ambles and Newnan safety Alec Ogeltree lead the way by being included in Scout.com’s top 100, Rivals.com’s top 250 and under consideration to be part of ESPN’s 150.
Meanwhile, South Paulding cornerback Ryan Ayers, Jefferson County cornerback B.J. Bostic, Martin Luther King running back Mack Brown, Washington wideout Antonio Goodwin, North Gwinnett offensive tackle JaWuan James, Loganville running back Storm Johnson, Northview defensive tackle Denzell McCoy, Gainesville wide receiver Tai-Ler Jones and Heritage cornerback Garry Peters are in two of those services.
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 (22) | Post your comment | Categories: Tech, UGA
With qualifying test score, Banneker DB prepares to sign with Louisville
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Banneker cornerback Emmanuel Lartey, one of the few AJC Georgia 150 players still on the market, got a qualifying ACT score this week and plans to sign with Louisville, says his coach, Ed Gosa.
Lartey is rated a three-star recruit and the No. 50 cornerback prospect nationally according to Scout.com. He is noted for his speed. He has been clocked at under 4.4 seconds over 40 yards.
Lartey also had offers from Mississippi State, Arkansas and South Carolina.
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 (1) | Post your comment | Categories: Other schools, South Carolina, Tech
UGA basketball signees having good seasons
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Georgia men’s basketball signees are certainly faring better than their future team.
Guard Demario Mayfield led Franklin County to its first-ever region championship last weekend by averaging 23 points during the three victories. He provided the game-winning free throws in the closing minute during the 58-55 victory against Elbert County in the title game. Mayfield also recently passed the 2,000-point mark in his career.
Mayfield now leads Franklin County into the state tournament by hosting North Hall Saturday. The Lions are ranked No. 5 in Class AAA by the Georgia Sports Writers Association.
And Loganville Christian Academy center Daniel Miller recently led the Lions to their third straight championship of the Independent Christian Schools of Georgia-Alabama while being named most valuable player for the second consecutive year.
He ended the season by averaging 20.8 points, eight rebounds, five blocks and connecting on 73 percent of his shots. In many games, he played one half because of lopsided scores.
Permalink | Comments (6) | Post your comment | Categories: UGA
UGA has birthday present for Westlake LB Michael Taylor
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Westlake linebacker Michael Taylor will never forget his 17th birthday.
“The whole coaching staff from Georgia called me to wish me a Happy Birthday and then coach Mark Richt extended me an offer,” he said. “They told me they are only taking one linebacker from class, and I’m the one they offered.”
The 6-foot-1, 200-pounder attended Junior Day in Athens. His only other offer is from Ole Miss. “I went to Alabama and the coaches told me they wanted to see my tape before they offered, so I think they will be next in line,” he said.
Taylor, a San Diego native, said the birthday wish was a nice touch and UGA is currently his top choice, but Southern Cal is his dream school. Taylor is excited to take some official visits his senior year and said he will commit “when I find the place that is right for me.”
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 (13) | Post your comment | Categories: Other SEC schools, Other schools, UGA
Vanderbilt enters sweepstakes for M.L. King RB Mack Brown
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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One of the nation’s top juniors, M.L. King running back Mack Brown received offers from Michigan and Vanderbilt.
The 5-foot-11, 190-pound tailback said he is making a visit to Georgia this weekend. Brown, who has said he slightly favors Florida, has nearly 20 offers, including UGA and Georgia Tech.
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 (1) | Post your comment | Categories: Other SEC schools, Other schools, Tech
North Gwinnett OL Austin Shepherd learning the recruiting ropes
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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North Gwinnett offensive lineman Austin Shepherd is only a junior and he already understands how the recruiting circuit works.
“Head coaches all talk about the same thing,” he said. “They tell you they are interested in you, they ask how your grades are and they just talk about life in general.”
The 6-foot-5, 315-pounder said the coaches are honest and genuine, but the conversations can get redundant. “I can they really want to get to know the kids they are recruiting, but it’s all the same,” he said.
Shepherd has offers from Alabama and Alabama-Birmingham. He is taking a Junior Day visit to Central Florida this weekend, and has also attracted attention from Georgia, which has offered his teammate, fellow offensive lineman JaWuan James.
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 (5) | Post your comment | Categories: Alabama, Other schools
