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Monday, March 9, 2009
Auburn, Georgia Tech in the lead for Union Grove DE Williams
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Auburn made a favorable impression on Union Grove junior defensive end Anthony Williams during his visit there on Saturday.
“I really liked it,” Williams said. “Meeting with the coaches was good. I could see myself playing for Auburn.”
The 6-foot-4, 230-pound lineman says he has a verbal offer from the Tigers.
“In speaking with the [Auburn] coaches, they want to build chemistry with me,” Williams said. “I say that when that chemistry builds, the written offer will come through.”
Williams currently holds scholarship offers from Central Florida, East Carolina, Georgia Tech, Indiana, Oklahoma State, Stanford and West Virginia.
He said two programs have jumped ahead of the others.
“I would usually say that everybody is even, but I would say that Georgia Tech and Auburn are my leaders right now,” Williams said.
He is scheduled to visit Georgia on Saturday.
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 (46) | Post your comment | Categories: Auburn, Tech, UGA
Jackson’s Neiron Ball thinking about following brother to UGA
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Jackson junior Neiron Ball, brother of Georgia defensive end Neland Ball, said he is surprised he has not received an offer from UGA. But he thinks one is coming real soon.
“I’m going to UGA’s Junior Day on March 21,” he said. “I think they will offer then.”
The 6-foot-4, 210-pound defensive end said he has about 10 offers, including LSU, Alabama, Clemson, Tennessee and Stanford.
He said he does not think having a brother at UGA will affect his decision to go to Athens.
“I like UGA, but I’m weighing my options,” he said. “Even my brother tells me that it’s my decision.”
Ball has attended Junior Days at Clemson and Tennessee, and he really enjoyed the Lane Kiffin fiasco when he and his coaching staff took off their shirts.
“It was crazy,” he said. “It got me excited, but it didn’t really change my opinion of Tennessee. It was just kind of funny.”
Ball said he hopes to make a decision after the upcoming football season, but he knows he wants to play in the SEC.
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: UGA
Calhoun LB commits to Central Florida rather than wait
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Calhoun linebacker Cody Ralston had dreams of playing for Georgia Tech. However, when Central Florida was his first offer, he quickly committed to the Knights.
“I didn’t want to wait,” he said. “UCF has brand new facilities, and it’s a great place to go to school and have your education paid for.”
The 6-foot-190 Ralston has yet to be offered by Georgia Tech. Signing day is nearly a year away. What if Georgia Tech eventually offers? Will he stick by his commitment to Central Florida?
“I think so,” he said. “I gave them my word and I don’t want to go back on it. Plus I don’t want to pursue engineering or business. Tech’s academics are great, but they are limited. UCF has everything. I always grew up thinking I would play for Tech, but academically they don’t have what it is I want to do after school.”
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: Tech
North Gwinnett OL Austin Shepherd commits to Alabama
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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When North Gwinnett junior offensive lineman Austin Shepherd phoned Alabama coach Nick Saban and assistant coach Kirby Smart on Monday to accept a scholarship offer, part of the discussion centered on the Crimson Tide’s definition of commitment.
Saban made it clear to the 6-foot-4, 310-pound Shepherd that his commitment to Alabama includes not visiting any other schools.
“Yeah, that’s one thing coach Saban mentioned,” said Shepherd, who had previously taken visits to Alabama, Auburn, Central Florida, Florida State and UAB. “He just wanted to be certain that I’m committed to their school.
“I am 100 percent committed to Alabama and I’m not taking any more visits.” Signing day is nearly a year away.
How did Saban and Smart react to the news?
“They said they are really excited about me coming,” Shepherd said. “I just decided I wanted to get it out of the way, and Alabama is the school for me.
“The coaching staff at Alabama made the difference. The coaches there are great.”
Shepherd said his next visit to Tuscaloosa will be for the Tide’s A-Day spring game on Saturday April 18. He is projected to play guard for Alabama.
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 (22) | Post your comment | Categories: Alabama
Meet Orson Charles — Georgia tight end signee, Class of ‘09
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Orson Charles, of Plant High (Fla.), signed with Georgia to play tight end. Here’s a little bit more about this new Bulldog in the recruiting Class of 2009. Welcome him to Bulldog Nation with congratulations below in our “Comments” area.
Why he likes UGA:“I feel very comfortable with the coaches. They [recruited] me the longest, one full year. I like how they attack at practice. They get after it. Every time [fellow UGA signee Aaron Murray] and I went to watch practices last year, they’d always have at least one fight. That’s not hatred; that’s tough love which builds character.”
Check his bio: Orson Charles AJC PlayerTracker page
See him in action: Orson Charles VIDEO highlights on YouTube • More of Orson
Inside College Recruiting: News & views from AJC recruiting expert Michael Carvell
More UGA recruiting news: Complete Signing Day updates • Photos, signee lists & more • AJC PlayerTracker • Meet the Class of ‘09
More UGA news: Georgia Bulldogs news
Permalink | Comments (73) | Post your comment | Categories: UGA
UGA-bound Orson Charles already preparing for college career
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Tight end Orson Charles of Tampa signed with Georgia on Friday, ending one of UGA’s longest recruiting battles since Herschel Walker signed in April of his senior year.
How did Charles celebrate the end of the long journey? He immediately began preparing for his arrival at Georgia later this summer.
Charles said he spent several hours this weekend pouring over the Georgia playbook with his high school teammate, quarterback Aaron Murray, who also signed with the Bulldogs. Murray enrolled early in college and returned to Tampa for Spring Break.
“I just got back from Aaron’s house,” Charles said on Sunday night. “I’m supposed to be over there the whole week. We’re going over routes. Aaron and I just want to win again. We’re looking over the playbook so we can get on the same page again.”
Charles was asked what he thought of the college playbook. “Oh my gosh. Man, is it complicated? That thing is huge.”
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 (17) | Post your comment | Categories: UGA
Brian Vogler talks about Tennessee’s shirt-ripping assistants at Auburn Junior Day
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Brookstone tight Brian Vogler said Tennessee’s infamous Junior Day with shirt-ripping assistants was a topic of conversation during his unofficial visit to Auburn on Saturday.
“I thought they Auburn coaches would joke about it, but they never did … they just talked about Auburn football,” said Vogler, who had traveled to Tennessee last weekend.
“However, some of the other prospects and recruiting hosts brought it up,” Vogler said. “They just couldn’t believe that happened, with coaches ripping off their shirts. They were all making fun of it, laughing.”
The 6-foot-8, 245-pound Vogler was asked how he reflected on Tennessee tactics a week later. “They were just trying to get everybody fired up about Tennessee and with the new coaches they have. It was both fun and an awkward experience.”
“I don’t any other Junior Day will be like Tennessee. Somebody might do something completely different that brings out the same type of intensity. I don’t know about any more college coaches ripping off shirts and all that.”
What happened at Auburn for Junior Day? “It was pretty fun. I got to meet some of the coaches, and understand the offense a little bit more.
Vogler has 14 offers, and claims no favorites.
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: Auburn, Tennessee
SEC offer for South Gwinnett speedster Jonathan Krause
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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South Gwinnett wide receiver Jonathan Krause, one of the state’s fastest players, finally had his first scholarship offer catch up with him.
Krause was offered by Ole Miss. He also has generated interest from Alabama, Central Florida, Vanderbilt and Florida.
“He can go,” South Gwinnett coach John Small said. “He is a tremendous athlete and he has tremendous speed. He’s a 4.3 [in the 40-yard dash] kid. He’s a football player that runs track.”
Small said Krause led Gwinnett County with 62 receptions, while racking up 665 yards and three touchdowns. He also had a kickoff return for 95 yards.
“I think the sky is the limit with him,” Small said. “I’m sure there’s going to be a lot more offers pouring in.”
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: Other SEC schools
