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DEL.ICIO.USRecruiting Rewind: Boise State-bound QB has no hard feelings toward UGA
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Despite being No. 2 on Georgia’s recruiting board during his junior year, North Gwinnett quarterback Michael Tamburo said he was a little disappointed but holds no hard feelings towards the Bulldogs. He signed with Boise State.
“They were honest with me,” Tamburo said. “I don’t feel slighted. They told me they were going to expand their search nationally and they saw guys like Aaron Murray and AJ McCarron. At that time I was a few inches shorter and 20-25 pound lighter.”
The 6-foot-1, 190-pounder threw 88 career touchdowns for the Bulldogs. Tamburo talks about the recruiting process.
Q. Do you feel you got overlooked by Georgia Tech and UGA? A. “No. They both looked at me. I think with my style of play I’m a better fit at Boise State than UGA or Tech. Tech didn’t recruit me that hard. And UGA told me straight up that they were going to go national and offer guys like Tom Savage, Aaron Murray and AJ McCarron. I have no hard feelings towards UGA. It’s definitely a school I liked, but I’m not sure if I would have committed there.”
Q. If you could give a junior ONLY one piece of advice about the recruiting process, what would it be? A. “Find a school that you would be happy to go to no matter what happens with football.”
Q. Why Boise State? A. Overall it’s a perfect fit. I like the coaches, the competition and where they are going with the program.
Q. What school came in second? A. “Tulsa. I never even took a visit out there, so I knew it didn’t feel right. When Boise State recruited me I knew I wanted to go out there.”
Q. What is the funniest thing a head coach said to you during the recruiting process? A. “When Ohio offered, the head coach made me yell, ‘Go Bobcats.’ It was 9:30 in the morning and I was half asleep. He asked me if I knew the fight song. I told him I didn’t, so he told me to learn it. It separated them from other schools.”
Q. What was the best single experience you had on any of your recruiting trips? A. “My official visit to Boise State. The way they treated me … it was like I won the Heisman. I’ve never been that far west. It’s different out there. I liked the team, the atmosphere, the coaching and the blue turf.”
Q. What’s the biggest secret you kept during the recruiting process? A. “Until Boise offered I was really hoping an offer like that would come because the schools I received offers from weren’t where I wanted to go. They are not bad programs i just didnt feel it was the spot for me.’
Q. Which school disappointed you the most during recruiting? A. Texas Tech did a great job recruiting me and they almost offered my junior year. After they lost to Missouri, they ended up pulling back and wanted me to come to camp. When I went to the camp I had a couple of private sessions. I did well and was on top of their list behind one other kid and the other kid committed on the spot. They did everything they could. It was an in-state kid that was a little taller. I was also hopeful UGA would offer since I was No. 2 on their board, but they were honest with me.”
Q. If you were in charge of the NCAA, what’s the one rule you would change with recruiting? A. “Let recruits take official visits earlier because kids are committing so early now. You should be able to take official visits as a junior. They should push it up a year.”
Q. Who was the best player you ever played against in high school? A. “Brookwood’s Rennie Curran. He plays for UGA now. He’s really fast and really strong. He had about two or three sacks on me and was in my face on every ball I threw.”
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Permalink | Comments (33) | Post your comment | Categories: UGA
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By Gwinnett Coach
March 17, 2009 1:43 AM | Link to this
Mikey congrats on Boise State. I’m pretty sure you would’ve committed to Georgia if they had offered. I thought you were good enough, at least better than Mettenberger, but it’s Georgia’s loss. With Georgia Tech, I’m sure they didn’t offer you because they probably didn’t feel like they had a good shot at you. You’re better than all the QBs they signed. Make us proud son.
By Dawg Mania
March 17, 2009 1:45 AM | Link to this
Georgia Tech didn’t offer Tamburo because they weren’t going to make his top 15, just like with Tailer Jones lolololol. That’s so funny
By UGA
March 17, 2009 7:50 AM | Link to this
Good luck at Boise….I’m sure we’ll see you in a BCS game soon. Wish you had the chance to play at UGA. GO DAWGS!
By St simons
March 17, 2009 8:12 AM | Link to this
45-42!!!!!! hahahahahahahhaahahhaahhahaha
By DawgFan
March 17, 2009 8:40 AM | Link to this
SS
It is funny to me how the gtu fans have replaced scu fans as the most delusional in college football. I must admit that scu has had more success against UGA during the last 18 years (with out cheating as per the NCAA) than has gtu. I really don’t hate tech, it goes much deeper than that. THWGT
By John
March 17, 2009 9:02 AM | Link to this
DawgMania,
You’re part of the problem, not part of the solution. Stop baiting the bees and they will buzz off. Or, they’ll get just desserts and properly smacked down for mouthing off as soon as they get the chance, once every eight years or so.
Florida is our biggest problem, not Tech. Picking on Tech is kind of like picking on Vanderbilt; where’s the sport in that? This is best settled on the field, not on a blog.
By PMC
March 17, 2009 9:09 AM | Link to this
I really think Boise State is going to work out very well for Tamburo. It is a great fit that plays to his strengths. I hope he wins some playing time early on. Having seen both play I definately liked Tamburo’s game much more but I think all wound up best for all parties involved.
By gdawginkalamazoo
March 17, 2009 9:49 AM | Link to this
Good interview. Good luck to the kid at Boise. Good to see a positive story about recruiting.
By GW
March 17, 2009 10:10 AM | Link to this
“They were honest with me.” Every kid that plays in this state does not have a birthright to a scholarship to UGA or Tech. I congratulate Tamburo for realizing that. Of course if he becomes a star at Boise St. naysayers will critically say Richt let him leave.
By UGAs...NewOwnerIsGT
March 17, 2009 10:26 AM | Link to this
DawgFan doesn’t like its owner. Thats okay as long as you remember to “rollover and play dead” like last year. You have learned to listen to your new owner so well. New Owner GT really likes DawgFan because UGA makes such good dawgie pets.
By Snipes25
March 17, 2009 11:59 AM | Link to this
Boise State fan here - This guy seems really mature mentally and from the recuiting vids I watched he looks FAST and has a strong arm. My guess is he ends up as a WR/HB hybrid that can run options and end arounds with the threat to throw it deep. BSU has always had a dual threat type player and it sets up perfectly for trick plays and misdirection. He fits the Vinny Perretta mold to a T. Good luck Mikey and we’ll take good care of him up here in Boise!
By Snipes25
March 17, 2009 12:02 PM | Link to this
Boise State fan here - This guy seems really mature mentally and from the recuiting vids I watched he looks FAST and has a strong arm. My guess is he ends up as a WR/HB hybrid that can run options and end arounds with the threat to throw it deep. BSU has always had a dual threat type player and it sets up perfectly for trick plays and misdirection. He fits the Vinny Perretta mold to a T. Good luck Mikey and we’ll take good care of him up here in Boise!
By MoDawg
March 17, 2009 12:38 PM | Link to this
John You are partially correct in your post, however…even if DawgMania hadn’t posted anything at all, the folks like st. simons would have posted their little bright spot from last year, regardless. It just shows the difference in the fan bases, really. UGA is used to success, Tech got a taste of it last year and doesn’t know how to handle it.
I agree, Florida should be our main focus this year. We have a tough schedule, but we will be better this year than last, I honestly believe that.
That said, I wish this kid all the best. He sounds like another quality “product” from the state of Georgia and a good guy. Good luck to him! I’ll be pulling for him when he plays on the Smurf Turf!!
By marseilles mutt
March 17, 2009 1:41 PM | Link to this
Main focus for UGA is Spring Practice and THEN Oklahoma State. UGA could be 0-5 with their schedule next year! UGA fans are sometimes unfocused, delusional, or both; you have to play every single game one at a time.
Nice article, and if this young man has any love for the outdoors, he ought to be right at home out there. Always kind of liked the “Murf Turf’ too.
Best of luck to him.
By DAWES
March 17, 2009 1:53 PM | Link to this
the quarterback is a big cry baby
By DAWES
March 17, 2009 1:53 PM | Link to this
the quarterback is a big cry baby
By Voice of Reason
March 17, 2009 1:55 PM | Link to this
Why does the focus of the fans matter. The players have to be focused and play one game at a time moron, not the fans. The fans don’t “have to play every single game one at a time” because fans don’t play. Do you mean “smurf turf”?
By marseilles mutt
March 17, 2009 2:48 PM | Link to this
“Voice of reason”
Yep, I did mean Smurf turf. Thanks for the correction.
I also meant that the fans have to allow the team to play one game at a time and not to allow themselves to have ‘Unreasonable’ expectations such as guaranteeing we will be NC, or be in thus and such BCS game prior to the season predicated on said expectations.
Having been on both sides,you might be surprised that even some ‘moron’ UGA lineman can read. ( Although that might come as a shock to some of the GNATs bloging here.) Sometimes it is extremely hard to concentrate- remain focused-when all you read about yourselves is how great you supposedly are.
These young men, most of them, are under 21 and are not as fortunate to have had the life experiences that you seem to have been privy to.
Speaking of which, perhaps you would like to share a bit more of your expanded knowledge at the Football Lettermen’s BBQ after the G-Day game. Being the ‘morons’ that we are, we’re always in the mood to be enlightened.
By Spike
March 17, 2009 4:06 PM | Link to this
Nice article. Best of luck to him. He seems like a nice kid.
By Ogeechee Dawg
March 17, 2009 5:14 PM | Link to this
Good article - the kid should have no hard feelings unless he was dealt with in a dishonest way.
Good luck at Boise State - I have traveled that area on business.
Boise kind of reminds of Colorado Springs or even Chattanooga. Very cool town - and the fans are very RABID about the Broncos. Can’t help but root for these guys and the Smurf Turf.
By rshell
March 17, 2009 5:27 PM | Link to this
Tamburo was not physically big enough and his arm is not big, so there was no place in the SEC for him.
By marseilles mutt
March 17, 2009 6:33 PM | Link to this
There have been few games at the college level- or any level at that matter- better than the Boise State, Oklahoma game a couple of years back.
Talk about an instant legacy! It would appear to be an outstanding program with which to be associated. The Georgia connection just makes it that much easier.
By SickandTired
March 17, 2009 6:54 PM | Link to this
Tamburo could definately have played in the SEC. It was Georgia that should have offered the kid. I’ve seen him play personally several times and the problem was he didn’t fit the profile in his height. Ridiculous is what I say…bottom line he was a football player, just like David Pollack was a football player.
By Snipes25
March 17, 2009 7:06 PM | Link to this
Getting FOOTBALL PLAYERS that don’t fit the “big school” profile is what Boise State is all about. They work harder and have more desire and heart than most of the RivalsTop100 5-star kid who’s been told his whole life he will be an All-American in college and an NFL Pro Bowler someday. Watching 17 year old kids holding pressers to sign their LOI and dragging it out through the media making a circus of it disgusts me. See: Terrell Pryor last year and Bryce Brown currently. It’s too bad and it’s not good for college football in my opinion.
By ImaTitleTownBaby
March 17, 2009 11:28 PM | Link to this
He said Rennie Curran…im surprised he didn’t say my boy Greg.
By Dawgman
March 18, 2009 7:58 AM | Link to this
GwinnettCoach…your an idiot. No way he is better for Tech’s system than that Luallen kid. Tech did not pursue Tamburo because he did not fit there system.
As for my beloved dogs…he simply lacks top level skills. I am sure he is a fine young man but he is certainly not in the league with the two qb’s we signed.
I am surprised the Vandy, Duke or NC State did not pursue him harder. I felt these schools would certainly benefit from him.
By Preston
March 18, 2009 11:11 AM | Link to this
You’ll always have people saying that UGA should have gotten him after he starts doing well at Boise. Fact is, he’ll look a LOT better at BSU than he would at Georgia becaue of the level of competition. I wish him luck and hope he throws for impressive numbers because that’s what the WAC is all about.
By Tennessee Board of Trustees
March 18, 2009 2:45 PM | Link to this
I want to hear about Ed Orgeron’s nipples and those other scantilly clad assistant coaches. Why waste their talents on under age boys when we are here and ready—and I mean READY!!!!
By jeff grady
March 18, 2009 8:35 PM | Link to this
According to LV odds for 09 FB Champs, UGA is tied for 13th place with UNC in terms of odds (50/1) to win championship.
By golfman22
March 20, 2009 12:44 AM | Link to this
Tamburo is a nice player, has more speed than I thought. I saw him outrun Mill Creeks whole squad a couple of times and he threw 2 long bombs. However, the kid at Boise started last year as a freshman and was pretty impressive. May not see Tamburo play until 4 years from now.
By golfman22
March 20, 2009 12:45 AM | Link to this
Tamburo is a nice player, has more speed than I thought. I saw him outrun Mill Creeks whole squad a couple of times and he threw 2 long bombs. However, the kid at Boise started last year as a freshman and was pretty impressive. May not see Tamburo play until 4 years from now.
By mark
March 22, 2009 7:36 AM | Link to this
This kid was and still is way over-rated by a still extremely biased AJC staff. I said that he would never sign with a major program and I was correct.
By Dave
March 29, 2009 10:18 AM | Link to this
Mark, not sure why you’d have so much anger and jealousy directed towards a 17, 18 year old kid, but you look like a real douche. Boise is easily a top 20 program. I seem to recall them playing and winning a BCS game not too long ago. I doubt any team you claim has played in a BCS game more recently. And if you think the AJC is “biased” towards North Gwinnett in a good way, then you clearly never read their high school coverage. NG gets the least amount of coverage of any Gwinnett school. If anything, I’d say you’re right about the AJC bias, but it’s in the other direction than you’re implying.