AJC > Sports > Football Recruiting > Blog > Archives > 2009 > March
March 2009
Recruiting 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.”
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 (33) | Post your comment | Categories: UGA
Top recruit Bryce Brown signs with Tennessee
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Standout high school running back Bryce Brown has signed a letter of intent with Tennessee.
Brown, who is ranked as the nation’s No. 1 prospect by Rivals, announced his decision from the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame in Wichita on Monday.
The Wichita East High School star had narrowed his final choices to Oregon, Miami, Tennessee, Kansas State and LSU. Brown told the Knoxville News-Sentinel that his return trip to Tennessee last weekend made a big difference.
“I asked God before I went down there to reveal it to me,” Brown told the News-Sentinel. “When I first went down there, I really wasn’t feeling it. Before I left, I got the sign. That right then and there told me I would be a Volunteer.”
He committed to Miami a year ago but chose not to accept the school’s scholarship offer before it expired on Feb. 18. His brother is Miami linebacker Arthur Brown.
During his announcement, Bryce Brown first pulled out a Miami hat, then handed it to his brother before pulling out a Tennessee hat.
Brown waited nearly six week after signing day to make his college choice. Tight end Orson Charles of Tampa also delayed his decision, signing with Georgia on Friday.
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 (78) | Post your comment | Categories: Tennessee, UGA
Sandy Creek DB Johnson nearly committed to Georgia Tech
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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RESET YOUR BOOKMARKS - THIS BLOG IS MOVING: Don’t worry. You won’t miss a second of the AJC’s college football recruiting coverage. Visit our brand new College Recruiting updates blog and see what’s new. CLICK HERE and set a bookmark on your computer: http://blogs.ajc.com/recruiting/
Sandy Creek safety Isaiah Johnson admits that he nearly committed to Georgia Tech shortly after receiving a scholarship offer from the Jackets during Junior Day on Jan. 31.
“I wanted to commit,” Johnson said. “But my [godfather] said ‘it’s a good school, but wait.’
“He just wants me to get some other looks. He wants me to make sure.”
Johnson, who also has offers from Duke and East Carolina, is aware that the Jackets will sign only 12 to 15 players in the class of 2010.
But Johnson said his Tech recruiting coach, Buzz Preston, hasn’t given him a deadline to commit or move on.
“When Georgia Tech offered me, they said they weren’t going to offer any other safeties,” he said. “They don’t want to rush me into making a decision, but I guess there could be a time distance [to commit].”
The 6-foot-2, 185-pound defensive back is also being recruited Auburn, Central Florida, Mississippi State, Vanderbilt and UCLA.
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: Auburn, Tech
Heritage cornerback Peters has 10 offers
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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RESET YOUR BOOKMARKS - THIS BLOG IS MOVING: Don’t worry. You won’t miss a second of the AJC’s college football recruiting coverage. Visit our brand new College Recruiting updates blog and see what’s new. CLICK HERE and set a bookmark on your computer: http://blogs.ajc.com/recruiting/
Garry Peters, a cornerback from Heritage High in Conyers, is up to 10 offers after getting invitations from Mississippi State and Ole Miss last week.
Peters hasn’t indicated any favorites, but he is planning to visit Georgia, Alabama, Georgia Tech and Auburn in the new few weeks, according to Heritage defensive coordinator Andy Szatkowski.
Szatkowski said many offers have been made based on video alone.
“Some of the schools have seen his highlight video we posted on YouTube.com and have made offers off that,’’ Szatkowsi said. ”It makes it easier on everyone instead of having to wait for the film in the mail. … Some schools have said they need some more film to make an offer, and some have said all it took was a few plays to know they wanted him.’’
Peters is 6-foot, 175 pounds, with sub-4.5 speed. He also has offers from Clemson, Maryland, South Carolina, Tennessee, Central Florida and East Carolina. Georgia and Georgia Tech have not offered.
Permalink | Comments (7) | Post your comment | Categories: Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Other ACC schools, Other SEC schools, South Carolina, Tech, Tennessee, UGA
Oklahoma State moves Georgia up on the recruiting priority list
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Oklahoma State, which plays UGA in the season-opener, said recruiting the state of Georgia has moved up on the priority list after the Cowboys had so much success this past year. Georgia has rocketed up to third.
“Right now, Georgia is third for us,” Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy told the AJC. “Oklahoma, Texas and then Georgia are the states we’re going to work hard on. In the spring, we’re going to put a [couple of assistants] there. We’re actually going to double up our recruiting efforts in the state of Georgia.”
Oklahoma State signed three of the state’s top players last month, including Carver-Columbus linebacker LeRon Furr, Walton fullback David Paulsen and Mill Creek defensive end Ryan Robinson. Paulsen selected the Cowboys over an offer from Georgia.
Photos: Meet the three Georgia recruits Gundy signed to the OK State Class of 2009.
“We feel like we had a great year in our first season of really recruiting Georgia,” Gundy said. “Because of Georgia’s population and level of high school football, it gives us 20-30 prospects to evaluate. If we’re able to get two out of there per year, then it’s certainly worth flying down there. We can fly direct out from Oklahoma City or Tulsa into Atlanta.”
UGA plays at Oklahoma State in the season-opener on Sept. 5.
Paulsen, who is a lifelong Georgia fan, said on Sunday night he was first offered as a conditional grayshirt, meaning if the Bulldogs had signed too many players he would’ve delayed his enrollment until January. However, Paulsen said Georgia coach Mark Richt called on the dawn of signing day to say it was a regular offer.
Photos: See who won last time UGA and OK State hooked up in 2007 at Sanford Stadium in Athens.
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 (66) | Post your comment | Categories: Other schools, UGA
Vanderbilt and Wake Forest pursue Georgia Tech commitment Charles Perkins
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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RESET YOUR BOOKMARKS - THIS BLOG IS MOVING: Don’t worry. You won’t miss a second of the AJC’s college football recruiting coverage. Visit our brand new College Recruiting updates blog and see what’s new. CLICK HERE and set a bookmark on your computer: http://blogs.ajc.com/recruiting/
Collins Hill junior Charles Perkins’ commitment to Georgia Tech is firm. But that fact hasn’t slowed Vanderbilt and Wake Forest from courting the 6-foot, 195-pound running back.
“After I committed to Tech [in February], I got offers from Vanderbilt and Wake Forest,” Perkins said. “They continue to recruit me, even though I’ve committed to Georgia Tech.
“They both call me and send e-mails. They’re also sending handwritten letters to say they’re still going to continue to recruit me.”
And he continues to receive letters from Georgia, Michigan, South Carolina, Stanford and Wisconsin.
Perkins will return to Tech’s campus on Friday for the first time since he committed to the Jackets. He’s scheduled to participate in an invitational track meet at Tech next weekend.
He’ll return to Tech later in the month to attend several of the Jackets’ spring practice sessions.
“[Tech assistant] coach [Jeff] Monken said he wants to get me down there to watch practice,” Perkins 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 (119) | Post your comment | Categories: South Carolina, Tech, UGA
Northview juniors meet with Auburn’s Chizik
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Northview defensive lineman Denzel McCoy and tight end Cameron Fordham each enjoyed one-on-one time with coach Gene Chizik during their visit to Auburn on Friday.
“We each met coach Chizik at separate times,” said McCoy, who received a scholarship offer from Central Florida on Friday to push his total to 32. “He’s a great guy. We met the entire staff.
“They have great people down there. We both left there very impressed.”
McCoy said Auburn’s campus exceeded his expectations.
“The campus was phenomenal,” he said. “It looks brand new, to be honest. From the practice field to the locker room, it was just awesome.
“I had heard people talk about the town being small. But from what I saw it’s nowhere near being small.”
McCoy, who has an offer from the Tigers, said he hopes to return Auburn to watch spring practice on April 4.
Fordham’s lone offer is from Central Florida.
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 (9) | Post your comment | Categories: Auburn, Other schools, Tech
North Gwinnett OL JaWuan James counts 26 offers, including Georgia Tech and UGA
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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North Gwinnett’s JaWuan James, who is considered the state’s top 2010 prospect at offensive line, has added offers from LSU, Kentucky and Boise State. He now counts 26 early offers, and Louisville could be next.
“I heard some people saying I had narrowed down to six schools but that’s really not the case,” James said. “There are six schools that I’m really focused on, and now it’s five because Oklahoma just got a commitment from an offensive lineman. The five I’m focused the most on are Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, and USC. I’m going to re-evaluate and find another school to take the place of Oklahoma.”
Georgia Tech and UGA have both made James a top 2010 recruiting target.
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 (24) | Post your comment | Categories: Other schools, Tech, UGA
Washington DT Garrison Glass likes how UGA plays ball
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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One of the area’s top juniors, Booker T. Washington junior Garrison Glass is hoping for an offer from UGA.
“Georgia is close and I like how they play ball,” he said.
The 6-foot-1, 255-pound Stephenson transfer is waiting on his first offer. Garrison finished the 2008 season with 83 tackles and four sacks. He also plays baseball for Washington.
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 (29) | Post your comment | Categories: Other schools, UGA
Union Grove DE Anthony Williams gets offer No. 13
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Union Grove’s Anthony Williams, one of the state’s top prospects at defensive ends, is up to 13 offers after hearing from N.C. State.
Williams has said his early leaders are Georgia Tech and Auburn.
His other scholarship offers are from Central Florida, Stanford, West Virginia, Vanderbilt, Ole Miss, Oklahoma State, East Carolina, Indiana, Clemson, Wake Forest.
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 (5) | Post your comment | Categories: Auburn, Tech
Dalton DE Jalen Fields says his top choice is UGA
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Dalton junior defensive end Jalen Fields, who is rapidly becoming one of the state’s top 2010 prospects, said he wants to play in the SEC because it most resembles the NFL.
“It’s the speed of the SEC,” he said. “You don’t see that in any other conference.”
The 6-foot-5, 250-pound currently has offers from UGA, Ole Miss, Alabama, West Virginia and Florida State. Georgia is his top choice, and he is going to Athens for Junior Day next weekend.
“UGA was the first school to offer me,” he said. “I’ve been a Bulldog fan since I was little. I have dreamed of playing on Saturdays.”
So why doesn’t Fields commit? “I’m keeping my options open,” he said. “I want to see some other schools and find the program that fits me best.”
Fields said Alabama and Tennessee are also high on his radar. “Alabama was the first Junior Day I attended,” he said. “I like FSU as well.”
Fields said he thinks Arkansas or Florida will be the next 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 (21) | Post your comment | Categories: UGA
UGA and Florida catching up with Georgia Tech on South Paulding DB Ryan Ayers
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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South Paulding’s Ryan Ayers, who is considered by some college recruiters to be the state’s fastest player, will miss Georgia’s Junior Day on March 21. The reason? The speedy Ayers will be participating in a high school track meet.
“He’s going to reschedule his visit to Georgia and go sometime during their spring practice,” South Paulding coach Tim Glanton said.
The 5-foot-10, 170-pound Ayers has scholarship offers from programs such as Georgia, Georgia Tech, Auburn, Florida and Oklahoma. His most recent offers arrived last week from Louisville and Syracuse.
“And LSU called this week,” Glanton said. “They’ve got a big interest in him.”
Ayers has previously said that Georgia Tech was his early leader. However, Glanton said Ayers now is taking closer looks at three schools. “The ones he’s talking a lot about is Georgia Tech, Georgia and Florida,” Glanton said.
Ayers ran the 40-yard dash in 4.31 seconds in January. But Glanton said the junior defensive back isn’t a one-dimensional player. “What [college coaches] get to see is him play safety for us and just how physical he really is,” Glanton said. “Nearly everybody is recruiting him as a corner. Most corners aren’t physical guys. They are coverage guys.
“They get to see him in coverage as a safety and they see his ball-handling skills with interceptions, they see his physical ability, his open field- tackling ability and the mentality he brings.
“And then there’s the speed. That’s what they see.”
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 (82) | Post your comment | Categories: Florida, LSU, Tech, UGA
What’s your question for Lane Kiffin for ESPN’S ‘Pardon The Interruption’ guys?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin is scheduled to be on ESPN’s “Pardon The Interruption” at 5:30 p.m. today.
PTI’s Twitter website says “Lane Kiffin has agreed to join us for 5GM on Friday’s show. What would you like us to ask him?” Click here to go the link
If you could ask Lane Kiffin one question, what would it be?
Permalink | Comments (101) | Post your comment | Categories: Tennessee, UGA
Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin says he avoids negative recruiting
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Tennessee’s Lane Kiffin said he instructs his staff to avoid “negative recruiting.”
“If I ever catch them even saying something close to it, I stop them and move them on just because I don’t think when you’re at Tennessee with this offense, this defense, this staff and these facilities, there’s no need to use negative recruiting,” Kiffin told the Knoxville News-Sentinel.
Kiffin denied ESPN’s report that he told wide receiver Alshon Jeffrey that he would “end up pumping gas like all the other players from (South Carolina) who had gone to South Carolina” after Jeffrey decided to sign with the Gamecocks over Tennessee and Southern Cal. Jeffrey’s high school coach was also in the room when the comment was made, according to ESPN.
Also on Thursday, Tennessee recruiting coordinator Ed Orgeron told the Knoxville paper he was with Kiffin during his conversation with Jeffrey. “I was in the room. I never heard anything as such. I’ve worked with Lane for years. Never heard him say anything like that. It came as a complete surprise.”
Related: Two weeks ago on Tennessee’s Junior Day, several assistants pulled a shirt-ripping stunt to get prospective recruits excited about Tennessee football.
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 (95) | Post your comment | Categories: Florida, Tennessee, UGA
Buford DT Kolton Houston doesn’t have to follow dad’s footsteps to UGA
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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With nearly 15 offers including Georgia Tech, Buford defensive tackle Kolton Houston said he is not upset Georgia has not come around.
Houston’s father, Shane Houston, played two years for the Bulldogs in the late 80’s.
“If they offer I will keep them in the loop, but if they don’t it isn’t going to ruin my day if you know what I mean,” he said. “I don’t have to follow my dad.”
The 6-foot-5, 248-pound is off to Auburn this weekend for their Junior Day. He is expecting an offer during his visit. “Auburn has been wanting me to come out for a while with just me and my family with no other recruits,” he said.
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 (9) | Post your comment | Categories: Tech, UGA
Northview DL Denzel McCoy surprised to leave Clemson without offer
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Northview defensive lineman Denzel McCoy participated in Junior Day at Clemson on Saturday.
“It was awesome,” said McCoy, who saw his scholarship count climb to 31 earlier this week when he received an offer from Purdue. “They really emphasize academics at Clemson. And I like the way they were really organized and how the players were where they needed to be.”
McCoy didn’t meet Clemson coach Dabo Swinney one-on-one. But he did hear him give a speech. “He talked to us as a group,” McCoy said. “He’s a great guy who is energetic.”
The only disappointment was that the Tigers didn’t offer him last weekend. “I was kind of surprised,” McCoy said. “But I went with the flow. It was alright.”
McCoy predicts that his next offer will come Clemson, Florida, Nebraska or Oklahoma. “Florida wants me to come down before they offer,” he said. “I’ll try to make my way down there.”
Georgia Tech continues to make a major push for McCoy. “They’re probably the school that sends me the most mail, as far as handwritten letters,” he said.
McCoy isn’t sure when he’ll take another visit to Tech. “I’ve seen everything I want to see about them,” he said. “I do want to see if they’re the right fit for me.”
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 (4) | Post your comment | Categories: Clemson, Florida, Tech
M.L. King RB Mack Brown gets hefty praise from Florida
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Florida coach Urban Meyer wants very badly to sign M.L. King’s Mack Brown, one of the nation’s top tailbacks.
Brown said he was pleasantly surprised by some of the things Meyer has told him. “Coach Meyer told me I was the No. 1 target at running back. Then he said I was the No. 1 overall athlete on their entire recruiting board. I couldn’t believe it. When he said that, I was like ‘for real?’ He said yes. I told him thanks and that it meant a lot coming from him.”
Brown has nearly 20 scholarship offers, including UGA and Georgia Tech. He said he grew up a fan of Florida and Georgia, but claims no favorites.
“That meant a lot coming from [Meyer]. He’s the coach of the national champions. He also knows about all of those Florida prospects. That’s exciting to hear from him.”
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 (37) | Post your comment | Categories: Florida, Tech, Tennessee, UGA
Heritage’s Garry Peters gets Ole Miss offer
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Heritage junior defensive back Garry Peters has received an offer from Ole Miss, assistant coach Chris Pack said.
The 6-foot-1, 173-pound Peters recently returned from a Junior Day visit to Clemson.
“He had a real good time,” Pack said.
Peters has offers from nearly 15 schools, including Alabama, Auburn and Tennessee.
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: Clemson, Other SEC schools
UGA-bound Orson Charles says he’s focused on Bulldogs, not Florida
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Orson Charles said a “horrible” recruiting effort by Florida’s former tight ends coach was one of the major reasons he didn’t sign with the BCS champions, the Palm Beach Post reported.
The tight end from Tampa signed with Georgia last Friday over Southern Cal and Tennessee. Charles had also considered Florida earlier in the recruiting process.
When the AJC asked Charles about the comment on Wednesday night, he said, “I’m not trying to stir anything up. I’m trying to get ready to go to the University of Georgia. The only thing that really turned me off about Florida was I had a gut feeling it wasn’t the best place for me. However, I wish Florida the best. Right now, my only focus is getting ready to play at Georgia.”
According to the Post’s Ben Volin, Charles said the Florida assistant John Hevesy, who left the Gators in January for Mississippi State, was one of the biggest reasons Charles isn’t a Gator. The story said that Florida later assigned another coach to recruit Charles, but it was too late.
“John Hevesy, when he came, that was just horrible. That turned things around,” Charles was quoted by the Post. “He just wasn’t a good recruiter. He wasn’t really recruiting me, just calling me once a month.”
Charles said he has met three out of the last four days with Aaron Murray to study Georgia’s playbook. Charles and Murray played together at Tampa’s Plant High, which won Florida’s Class AAAA championship last December. Murray, who plays quarterback, signed with Georgia and enrolled early in college. Murray returned to Tampa this week for Spring Break.
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Permalink | Comments (105) | Post your comment | Categories: Florida, UGA
Hillgrove QB Days makes school history with offer from Oklahoma State
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Hillgrove junior quarterback Syjyn Days made history earlier this week when he became the first football player in the school’s three-year history to receive a Division 1 scholarship offer after receiving a phone call from Oklahoma State.
“He’s probably our first athlete in any sport to receive a Division 1 offer,” Hillgrove coach David Ironside said of the Powder Springs-based school.
“Something like this is always good because it boosts the morale for kids to want to come and play.”
For Days, the offer from Oklahoma State will give him even more confidence heading into spring practice.
“He’s a highly-recruited player, but nobody had offered,” Ironside said. “That put a lot of pressure on him.
“Now he’s got that comfort in knowing he’s got the first offer. It will make it a lot easier on him.”
The Cowboys are recruiting the 6-foot-1, 205-pound Days as a safety and outside linebacker. Days starts at quarterback for Hillgrove and plays part-time at free safety.
“Synjyn mentioned prior to getting the offer from Oklahoma State that he thought it would be an exciting place to go,” Ironside said.
Days is also being heavily recruited by Georgia Tech and N.C. State.
“And there’s a lot of other schools sending mail, like Alabama, Louisville, East Carolina and Duke,” Ironside said. “He’s going to a lot of junior days and will going to camps this summer.”
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Permalink | Comments (11) | Post your comment | Categories: Alabama, Tech
Henry County’s Markeith Ambles a big fan of Lane Kiffin
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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It’s been nearly two weeks since Henry County’s Markeith Ambles attended Junior Day at Tennessee.
But the positive impression made by Volunteers coach Lane Kiffin that weekend remains fresh on the 6-foot-3, 185-pound wide receiver’s mind.
“I think he’s pretty cool,” said Ambles, who currently hold just over 30 scholarship offers. “He’s different from all the other coaches.
“I like him. I think he’ll change that program a little bit. And I like the offense they’re going to run, the pro style like Southern Cal.”
Ambles went on to proclaim that he’ll make another trip to Knoxville.
“I will go back there for another visit,” he said.
His newest offer arrived from UCLA. Ambles said he’s intrigued by the thought of playing for the Bruins.
“It’s a great possibility,” he said.
Though he doesn’t have an offer from Georgia, he still plans to visit Athens for the Dogs’ Junior Day on March 21.
“We’ve been talking lately, but there’s nothing really new with Georgia,” he said.
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Permalink | Comments (30) | Post your comment | Categories: Tennessee, UGA
Recruiting Rewind: Perry OL didn’t believe Steve Spurrier about academics
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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When it comes to recruiting, college coaches will pull out all the stops. Some pray, some disrobe, and some may even bend the truth.
Steve Spurrier fell in the latter when he drove to middle Georgia to try and convince Perry offensive lineman Johnnie Farms to recommit to South Carolina by explaining that the SEC is academically superior to the ACC.
“It’s not even close,” said Farms, who committed to South Carolina before committing and eventually signing with North Carolina. “I knew all along the ACC is better academically. I just wanted to see how far he would go. He didn’t go too far, but he went far enough.”
With signing day over, Farms shares the real story:
Q. Any regrets about the recruiting process? A. “No regrets, but I wish I would have explored my options a little more. I wanted to look at some other schools like Oklahoma, Texas and LSU. I had offers from OU and LSU, but I never looked at them. I thought they were too far, but they are the same distance as North Carolina.”
Q. How did you end things with Spurrier? A. He is a cool guy. Recruiting is a big game and someone has to win. Everyone is coming after you saying the same things trying to get you. You can’t let them get to your head. [Steve] Spurrier tried to tell me the SEC was better academically than the ACC, but I knew all along it wasn’t. I just listened to what he had to say. No hard feelings.
Q. What one piece of advice would you give a junior going through the recruiting process? A. Weigh all your options and make a decision early so you don’t lose the school you want. (Farms received an offer from Alabama and when he tried to commit Crimson Tide coaches told him they were full at his position).
Q. Was decommitting from South Carolina hard? A. It was hard, but I got through it.
Q. What happened with Georgia and Georgia Tech? A. Tech came in my sophomore year, and I told them I wasn’t going to Tech. I didn’t want to play in the ACC, but I ended up going to an ACC school. I don’t know why that is. I don’t know why I didn’t go to UGA. I can’t give you an answer. I just got off the phone with [UGA commit] Abry Jones and I couldn’t give him an answer either. Maybe I wanted to get out of state.
Q. Which head coach was the nicest? A. Urban Meyer. He is just a cool guy. We did a lot of talking.
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Permalink | Comments (38) | Post your comment | Categories: South Carolina
Recruiting Rewind: Izaan Cross admits Georgia Tech was once fourth on list
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Flowery Branch defensive end Izaan Cross, who signed with Georgia Tech last month, admits that he had “no faith” in the Jackets at one point during the recruiting process. Tech plunged to fourth on the list of schools he was considering.
But his official visit to Tech helped put the Jackets back on top. Cross plans to attend part of Tech’s upcoming spring practice and sit in on team meetings.
With signing day over, Farms shares the real story:
Q: With Jaybo Shaw and Daniel Drummond and the way they’re recruiting Connor Shaw, Flowery Branch seems to have a deep connection with Georgia Tech. Did that play into your decision to sign with Georgia Tech? A: “Not at all. I’m the type of person that wants the individual stuff. I didn’t like hearing the pipeline stuff. I want to the make the best decision for me.”
Q: Did you maintain any secrets while you were being recruited? A: “There was one time in my recruiting process when I absolutely had no faith in Georgia Tech. I had them fourth on my list. They were number one at first and I thought ‘how am I going to do there academically?’” At one point, they were totally out of the equation. But ultimately, they were the best fit when I started to evaluate. I talked to a bunch of the players when I went on my official and they said ‘you really get helped out [academically] when you are a football player. They try to help you out with every obstacle to get your grades right.’ And I kept thinking if I get a Georgia Tech degree, I’ll be pretty solid no matter if I play football or not after college.”
Q: There was a lot written about you and Clemson. Who actually finished second in the recruitment of Izaan Cross? A: “That’s tough. It might have been Central Florida. I don’t know if [Central Florida] could have done anything different. There wasn’t anything I didn’t like about Central Florida. I just knew that Georgia Tech was the one.”
Q: What was your best overall recruiting experience? A: “When I went on my official visit to Georgia Tech. I’m glad my family went with me on that trip because we ate like kings. We ate at the Capital Grille and they fed us on campus in one of the suites above the stadium. I tell you, the meal in the suite might have given the Capital Grille a run for their money.”
Q: What else stood out about Tech? A: “Six coaches from Georgia Tech came to my house at the same time. I was like ‘whoa, they’re not playing games. They really want me at Georgia Tech.’”
Q: What are your thoughts on Tech defensive line coach Giff Smith? A: “My take on coach Smith is that he’s a real straight up guy. I like people telling me how they feel and what I need to work on. He’s a great guy to be around. With coach Smith, you can talk to him about anything.”
Q: Do you recall a funny moment while being recruited? A: “The best laugh I had was when I was talking to [Florida] coach [Urban] Meyer on the phone. My parents had wanted me to go to Mississippi State to see [former Bulldogs] coach [Sylvester] Croom instead of going to Florida’s Friday Night Lights. Coach Meyer told me ‘it’s not as good as Mississippi State or anything they’ve got going on over there. We only have about 85,000 fans or so [for games], but it’s nothing as good as they have at Mississippi State.’”
Q: What’s the best piece of advice you can offer juniors who are being recruited? A: “Don’t slack off in the classroom because that’s only going to make things harder in the long run. You get those first few [scholarship] offers and it makes it easy to lose focus on the academics.”
Q: Who was the best player you faced in high school on another team? A: It was the tight end from Ridgeland, [Michael Roberson]. He did a particularly good job blocking me when we played them in the state playoffs [last fall]. I wound up breaking two middle fingers in that game, so I don’t know if that was effecting me. It was cold, but I couldn’t shake him.”
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You just want to read about UGA? Click here to go directly to all the UGA recruiting stories
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Permalink | Comments (31) | Post your comment | Categories: Tech
Lane Kiffin denies “pumping gas” accusation, says ESPN report
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin denied telling South Carolina recruit that he “would end up pumping gas for the rest of his life” on Tuesday, according to ESPN.
Alshon Jeffrey of St. Matthews, S.C., one of the nation’s top prospects at wide receiver, signed with South Carolina after an intense recruiting battle with Southern Cal and Tennessee.
On Tuesday, Kiffin told ESPN, “I never said that to Alshon, nor would I say anything like that… That’s just not something I would say.”
ESPN’s Chris Lowe had reported, “Kiffin told Jeffrey during the wee hours of the morning on national signing day that he would end up pumping gas for the rest of his life like all the other players in the state of South Carolina if he signed with the Gamecocks.”
Two weekends ago on Tennessee’s Junior Day, several assistants pulled a shirt-ripping stunt to get prospective recruits excited about Tennessee football.
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Permalink | Comments (76) | Post your comment | Categories: Tennessee, UGA
Calhoun WR hopes UGA will be his sixth early offer
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Calhoun wide receiver Darick Rogers scheduled his first Junior Day visit to Georgia the weekend of March 21.
The 6-foot-3, 208-pound Darlington transfer currently has offers from LSU, Alabama, Mississippi State, West Virginia and Central Florida.
“I think Georgia or Oregon will be the next to offer,” he said. “I have been in contact with Florida as well and I think they will offer sometime over the summer.”
Rogers said Georgia Tech has not contacted him, and he does not think they will. “They run a Wing-T and triple option, so I’m not sure if they are interested,” he said.
Rogers said if he could play college football tomorrow he would want to play for Nick Saban’s Crimson Tide. “I visited Alabama a couple of times, and I really like the coaches and facilities there,” he said. “I know they have already offered, but I want to weigh my options and see how everything pans out.”
Rogers, who said he most likely sees himself playing in the SEC, hopes to make a college decision during the upcoming football season.
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Permalink | Comments (22) | Post your comment | Categories: Alabama, Florida, LSU, Other schools, Tech, UGA
Recruiting Rewind: Stone Mountain LB tells what happened with South Carolina
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Stone Mountain linebacker Robert Nelson thought he was going to be a South Carolina Gamecock. But in the cut-throat world of college football, coaches come and go, communication lines break down, and often times players fall through the cracks.
“All I have to say about South Carolina is they better be ready when we play them,” said Nelson, who will be playing for Tennessee next year.
With signing day over, Nelson shares the real story:
Q. What happened with South Carolina? A. “[Former South Carolina assistant Ron Cooper] led me to believe that he was giving Coach [Ellis] Johnson all the information he needed about me. But he wasn’t and when Cooper left for LSU they didn’t know much about me. I ended up not having a scholarship offer. I was forgotten about.”
Q. What one piece of advice can you give juniors who will be going through this recruiting process next year? A. “Keep in touch with the schools you have on the back burner. You never know what could happen.”
Q. What kind of guy is Lane Kiffin and how did he influence you to come to Tennessee? A. “He seems fired up about the up and coming season. He wants to make a change and he is passionate about it. He told us it’s easy to come into a winning program and continue winning, but it’s a lot harder to come into a losing program and turn it around. I’m ready to help him out with that. He wears his passion for football on his sleeve.”
Q. What was the best single experience you had on any of your recruiting trips? A. In Monte Kiffin’s office we had a meeting with just the linebackers and Coach Monte got right in my face and told me I’d be playing exactly where Derrick Brooks played. He had me ready to go and hit somebody right then and there. For an older guy you can really see his passion for defense and the game of football.
Q. Who was the best player you ever played against in high school? Tucker’s Jonathan Davis [who had his scholarship rescinded by South Carolina after committing to the Gamecocks]. He is a hard runner and he is a good friend of mine. We were both going to go to South Carolina, but it didn’t work out that way for either of us.
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You just want to read about UGA? Click here to go directly to all the UGA recruiting stories
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Permalink | Comments (36) | Post your comment | Categories: South Carolina, Tennessee
Lane Kiffin told prospect “he would end up pumping gas,” says ESPN report
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin had some stinging last words for Alshon Jeffrey, one of the nation’s top wide receivers, according to ESPN.com.
Jeffrey of St. Matthews, S.C., signed with South Carolina last month after an intense recruiting battle with Southern Cal and Tennessee.
According to ESPN’s Chris Low, “Kiffin told Jeffrey that if he chose the Gamecocks, he would end up pumping gas for the rest of his life like all the other players from that state who had gone to South Carolina.”
To read the rest of the ESPN article, please click here.
Two weekends ago on Tennessee’s Junior Day, several assistants pulled a shirt-ripping stunt to get prospective recruits excited about Tennessee football.
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Permalink | Comments (235) | Post your comment | Categories: Tennessee, UGA
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.
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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.
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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.”
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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.
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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.”
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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.
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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.”
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Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Other SEC schools
Auburn offers Southwest DeKalb RB Kendrun Malcome
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Southwest DeKalb junior tailback Kendrun Malcome received an offer from Auburn on Saturday.
The 6-foot, 215-pound junior now has offers from Kentucky, Florida State, Tennessee, Alabama, Ole Miss and Auburn.
Malcome said earlier he is hoping for an offer from Georgia, but he could see himself playing out-of-state.
“UGA is one of my top schools, but I want to go out of state,” he said earlier. “I’ve liked FSU for a long time, but if UGA is the best fit then I will take a look at them. I’ve been in Georgia my whole life, so I’d like to see new schools and be in a different atmosphere.”
Malcome attended Junior Days at UGA and Alabama.
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Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Alabama, Auburn, FSU, Other SEC schools, Tennessee, UGA
UGA’s other TE recruit Arthur Lynch, glad for addition of Orson Charles
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Orson Charles was the second tight end to sign with Georgia for its 2009 recruiting class.
The first was Arthur Lynch of Dartmouth, Mass. Lynch said on Friday night that he was just fine with Georgia adding another player at his position.
“I’m glad he picked Georgia over the other schools, especially Tennessee,” Lynch said. “I heard he was a good player.
“It really doesn’t affect my situation. It will be good to have somebody else to compete against. I know once you get to college, it really doesn’t matter what you did in high school. Even with the players already at Georgia, you have to go out there and compete every day. The only thing I’m concerned about, or can control, is doing the best I can.”
Lynch signed with Georgia on Feb. 4, and talked later that night with one of his childhood heroes, Benjamin Watson, the former UGA standout who plays with the NFL’s New England Patriots. They two are supposed to meet up later this spring.
“I couldn’t believe it was [Watson],” Lynch said. “He has a reputation for being one of the nicest guys, and he sure seemed that way over the phone.”
Lynch said he also got an email from Georgia on Friday confirming that he met college entrance requirements.
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Orson Charles signs with Georgia after lengthy recruiting process
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Orson Charles did some shirt-ripping of his own on Friday.
Dressed in a silver suit with pinstripes, Charles took off his sportscoat to reveal the winning season with his No. 7 Georgia Blackout jersey.
Charles signed with the Bulldogs over Tennessee and Southern Cal, ending one of Georgia’s longest recruiting battles since Herschel Walker, the 1982 Heisman Trophy winner who signed in April of his senior year.
“The first thing I’d say is that it was long, and I’m happy that it’s over,” Plant High coach Robert Wiener said. “The second thing that I would say is that Orson went about it the right way to make the best decision.”
Charles got a late start on recruiting because he transferred to Plant during his junior year. He focused on his senior season of football, finally turing his full attention toward recruiting after Plant won the Florida’s Class AAAA championship on Dec. 20.
The 6-foot-3, 230-pound tight end took his final recruiting trip to Southern Cal on Feb. 20. He signed the scholarship papers with Georgia on Friday night, about a month after signing day.
“We’re thrilled to have Orson join our signing class,” Georgia coach Mark Richt said in a statement. “He comes from a state championship high school team … a team that knows how to win and I’m sure Orson will come in and be ready to compete.”
Charles is recruit No. 20 for Georgia’s 2009 recruiting class. He is the second prospect at tight end, joining Arthur Lynch of Dartmouth, Mass.
Georgia had a lot working in its favor for Charles. The quarterback on Plant’s championship team was Aaron Murray, who signed with Georgia and enrolled early in college. Murray’s recent success with Charles helped the Bulldogs win the recruiting battle.
“It wasn’t the factor, but it definitely was a factor,” Weiner said. “Orson is a guy that catches the ball. He knows that the place he is going (Georgia), the guy there can throw some pretty good passes. There’s definitely a comfort level there, and Aaron has something to do with it.”
Charles said that all three of his finalists had reserved the No. 7 jersey for him.
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Permalink | Comments (336) | Post your comment | Categories: Other schools, Tennessee, UGA
DL Garrison Smith still considering Georgia Tech despite brother’s departure
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Garrison Smith, who is considered the state’s top 2010 prospect at defensive line, said his brother’s decision to leave Georgia Tech won’t prevent him from considering the Yellow Jackets.
Greg Smith, who played A-back, left Georgia Tech’s football team and will likely transfer and use his final season of eligibility elsewhere.
“My brother never told me anything negative about Georgia Tech,” Garrison said. “He always told me great things, especially about coach Paul Johnson. My brother said Georgia Tech was still going to be a great choice for me for football … there’s no bad blood.”
The younger Smith is a junior at Douglass High and is one of the state’s leaders in early offers with 17, including both Tech and UGA. He was offered by LSU on Thursday. He politely declined to go into specifics about his brother’s situation with Georgia Tech, but said, “I think my brother had to make a hard decision about graduating. He’s already told them that education is first, before football, because there’s always life after football. I’m proud of my brother. He’s graduating on May 2 with a business degree from [Tech].”
Smith was also asked what his brother told him about archrival UGA. “He says real good things about Georgia, too. He went to school with [UGA defensive end] Rod Battle. He knows [safety] Reshad Jones. All those boys are products of Atlanta Public Schools.”
Smith said he hasn’t had any recent contact with Tech, but talked UGA recruiting coordinator Rodney Garner last Saturday while he was driving back from Junior Day at Tennessee. “Georgia was one of the first schools that offered me.”
“I really liked what [Mark Richt] said about using prayer for his recruiting. I liked it, as did my family. The reason is that I think it’s very, very important for a coach to have a great spiritual background. It means a lot to me because you spend so much time with your coach, practicing and playing football. The gifts and talents I have been blessed with, none of it would’ve been possible if not for God.”
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Permalink | Comments (30) | Post your comment | Categories: Tech
Southern Cal sweetens the deal in late push
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Southern Cal appears to be sweetening the deal in a last-minute charge to sway tight end Orson Charles, one of the nation’s top unsigned seniors.
Charles told the AJC that he talked with Southern Cal coach Pete Carroll on Thursday afternoon, and that Carroll was reserving the No. 7 jersey if he signs with the Trojans.
“Now, everything is really up in the air,” Charles said.
On the surface, Southern Cal’s actions don’t appear to be a big deal. However, it may be enough to give the Trojans a tiny dose of critical momentum going into the final hours with Charles, who is torn between offers from Georgia, Tennessee and Southern Cal. Charles will reveal his college decision at 4:30 p.m. Friday at Tampa’s Plant High.
There’s some history with Charles and the No. 7 jersey at Southern Cal. It is reserved for Matt Barkley, who is ranked as the nation’s No. 1 quarterback prospect by Rivals. Barkley signed with the Trojans and has developed a friendship with Charles. When Charles took a recruiting trip to USC on Feb. 21, he tried to negotiate the No. 7 from Barkley.
Charles has said both Georgia and Tennessee have also reserved the No. 7 jersey. At Georgia, the number was previously worn by NFL-bound quarterback Matthew Stafford.
Aaron Murray, who is also considered one of the nation’s top quarterback prospects, has already signed with Georgia. Murray and Charles were teammates this past season at Tampa’s Plant High, which won Florida’s Class AAAA championship.
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Permalink | Comments (159) | Post your comment | Categories: Other schools
North Gwinnett more than just the “Big Two”
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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North Gwinnett linemen Jawaun James (6-foot-6, 295 pounds) and Austin Shepherd (6-foot-5, 310) are two big young men who have garnered most of the recruiting attention for the Bulldogs’ Class of 2010.
James has at least 30 offers from schools in every BCS conference. Shepherd has an offer on the table from Alabama, among others. But the class of rising seniors at North Gwinnett is more than just the “Big Two,” according to head coach Bob Sphire.
He thinks linebacker/defensive back Trey Sims (6-foot-1, 190) and receiver Cordero Dixon (6-feet, 170), both of whom have been offered by UAB, ultimately will receive plenty of Division I-A offers. Linebackers David Park (6-feet, 195) and John Gibson Green (6-foot-3, 215) will be highly recruited players as well, according to Sphire.
“Sims is probably the fastest player on our team, especially in his change of direction speed. He’s just extremely explosive,” Sphire said. “Cordero is smooth. He just glides and he has great ball skills.
“David has worked really hard in the weight room, and it shows,” Sphire said. “He’s really put together physically now, to go with the [speed and agility] he always had. And John Gibson is an extremely powerful, explosive player.”
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Iowa is first big-time offer for Lassiter QB Hutson Mason
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Lassiter junior quarterback Hutson Mason received his first offer from Iowa on Thursday. “Iowa is a historic program with a great coaching staff,” he said.
The 6-foot-2, 190-pound junior said he thinks Purdue will be the next to offer. “I have leadership on and off the field and I have the skills it takes it to be a Big 10 quarterback,” he said.
Mason said he has nearly 15 Junior Day visits scheduled but none to Georgia or Georgia Tech. “Tech is not my type of offense and Georgia is the only SEC school that has not contacted me at all,” he said.
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Permalink | Comments (13) | Post your comment | Categories: Other schools, Tech, UGA
What’s in a name? Tai-ler Jones is no ‘everyday Joe’
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Sooner or later, the question comes when a recruiter makes his first call to the home of Gainesville wide receiver Tai-ler Jones, one of the state’s top-rated football prospects for 2010.
“Now, how do you pronounce it?” says father Andre Jones of the most common question regarding the unusual spelling of his son’s first name.
For the record, it’s pronounced TY-ler, though most first-tries pin it as TAY-ler.
“You name it, we’ve heard it,” said Andre Jones, a member of Notre Dame’s 1989 national championship team. “It definitely sets him apart from the everyday Joe. But all in all it’s been a great conversation piece.”
The name was the idea of Andre Jones, who thought the spelling was a fitting way to honor his wife’s Asian heritage. Michele was born in Korea, according to Tai-Ler. Her father is Korean and her mother is from Hawaii.
“I remember doing an interview and he called my Taylor, then asked how to pronounce it,” Tai-Ler said. “Then [he] was like, wow, he’s never seen it spelled that way.
“I like the name because it’s unique. Everyone, once they see my name, because it’s so different they remember it and can put my name with my face. All the recruiters say they like my name and have never seen it spelled the way I spell it.”
Jones hasn’t needed the unusual spelling of his name to get noticed. He caught 81 passes for 1,000 yards and 21 touchdowns. He runs a 4.5 time in the 40. He scored a 25 on the ACT.
His resume has attracted around 30 offers, which he recently narrowed down to the top 15: Ohio State, Oklahoma, North Carolina, UCLA, Alabama, Notre Dame, California, South Carolina, Miami, Auburn, Tennessee, Clemson, Michigan, Michigan State and Vanderbilt. Jones said he is no longer considering the scholarship offer from Georgia Tech, while Georgia has yet to offer.
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Permalink | Comments (6) | Post your comment | Categories: Alabama, Clemson, Other ACC schools, Other SEC schools, South Carolina, Tech, Tennessee, UGA
SEC school is first to offer Southwest DeKalb DB Sharrod Golightly
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Southwest DeKalb junior defensive back Sharrod Golightly received his first offer from Ole Miss, according to his coach.
The 5-foot-11, 185-pound strong safety runs a 4.6-second 40-yard dash.
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Douglass DT Garrison Smith waits for Oklahoma, Miami and USC
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Douglass defensive tackle Garrison Smith, who has been offered by both Georgia and Georgia Tech, has picked up an offer from Ohio State.
The 6-foot-3, 250-pound junior, whose brother Greg plays at Georgia Tech, said “the [offer] papers are being mailed to my house,” in a text message sent Wednesday night.
The latest offer ups his list to 17 schools, including from most of the SEC and several ACC programs.
Smith also is expecting offers from Oklahoma, USC and Miami.
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Permalink | Comments (10) | Post your comment | Categories: Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Other ACC schools, Other SEC schools, Other schools, South Carolina, Tech, Tennessee, UGA
Worth County’s Tukes invited to Junior Day at Georgia Tech
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Worth County tight end/defensive end Justin Tukes has been invited to visit Georgia Tech early next month.
“He’ll be coming up to Georgia Tech in April,” Worth County coach Scotty Ward confirmed. “That’s what [Tech co-offensive line] coach [Todd] Spencer is telling me.”
Though he’s still waiting on his first scholarship offer, the 6-foot-5, 220-pound Tukes is generating plenty of interest.
“He gets something everyday from somebody,” Ward said. “As far as anybody making a hard effort at him, Georgia Tech and Duke have sent quite a few things to him.”
Tukes, who also plays basketball for the Rams, scored a 1020 on the SAT and carries an 86 average in the classroom.
“Georgia Tech is one of the schools he’s definitely interested in,” Ward said.
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Henry County junior LB Holland has three offers
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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One of the area’s top juniors, Henry County linebacker Jonathan Holland, received offers from Connecticut, Akron and Ole Miss.
“I also received a questionaire from South Carolina,” he said.
The 6-foot-1, 210-pound junior has offers from Clemson and North Carolina. “I’ve been to Clemson, and I really like it there,” he said earlier. “Florida would be my dream school. I love the atmosphere down there.”
Holland, a Georgia native, said he feels Georgia State will be the next to offer. He hopes to make a college decision at the end of next season.
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Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Clemson, Florida, Other schools
Southwest DeKalb DE T.J. Stripling hopes Georgia knocks on his door
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Southwest DeKalb junior defensive end T.J. Stripling is hoping for an offer from Georgia.
He attended Junior Day in Athens and loved touring the campus and seeing the facilities.
“The coaches told me they were finishing up with the 2009 class, and they are just starting to look at 2010,” he said.
The 6-foot-6, 215-pound Stripling has offers from Virginia Tech, Alabama, Clemson, Tennessee, West Virginia, Kentucky and Florida State. He is optimistic UGA will be next in line. “Being from Georgia, I really like UGA, and I hope they are the next to offer,” he said.
Stripling went to Alabama’s Junior Day last week, and he is visiting Clemson this weekend.
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Permalink | Comments (19) | Post your comment | Categories: UGA
Carver-Columbus LB hopes to follow in footsteps of Jarvis Jones
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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One of the state’s top juniors, Carver-Columbus linebacker Corey Crawford, hopes to take on a leadership role next year when Jarvis Jones heads to Southern Cal.
“It’s something I’ve always wanted to do, but I need to be the leader of the defense,” he said. “I want to be a big part of the team, like he was.”
The 6-foot-6, 240-pound Crawford has offers from Auburn, Alabama-Birmingham, Mississippi State and Oklahoma State. He is not sure which school will be the next to offer. He has been in brief contact with Georgia Tech and has not heard from Georgia.
Crawford said he always wanted to go to LSU but would not commit if he were offered tomorrow. “I want to see what else is out there,” he said.
Crawford just finished the basketball season and he is beginning to line up his Junior Day visits. He is supposed to go to Auburn on March 10.
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Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Auburn, LSU, Other SEC schools, Other schools
Orson Charles to choose between UGA, Tennessee and Southern Cal
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Georgia could add one more member to its 2009 recruiting class on Friday. That’s when tight end Orson Charles of Tampa will announce between the Bulldogs, Tennessee and Southern Cal.
Georgia is a top contender for Charles, who is one of the nation’s top unsigned seniors. UGA coach Mark Richt had a lengthy phone conversation with Charles on Tuesday night, according to TotalUGA.com.
“He just wanted to make sure I didn’t have any questions on how I was going to be used and what positions I’d be playing,” Charles told TotalUGA . “We talked about the history of the tight ends under him and all the players he’s put into the [NFL].”
What are Georgia’s chances for Charles? His teammate at Plant High, quarterback Aaron Murray, signed with UGA and enrolled early in college. Charles has also said the Bulldogs are reserving the No. 7 jersey, which was worn previously by Matthew Stafford.
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Permalink | Comments (62) | Post your comment | Categories: Tennessee, UGA
Woodward’s DeShields considering two sports at Georgia Tech
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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It’s too soon to know if Woodward Academy junior Delino DeShields will attempt to earn his living as a professional baseball or football player.
So the 5-foot-9, 180-pound running back/outfielder is keep all options open.
“Right now, I’ve got [football] offers from Georgia Tech, Stanford and Central Florida,” DeShields said. “Maryland hasn’t offered yet, but they’re coming on strong.”
The son of former major league baseball player Delino DeShields, the Woodward Academy standout and his parents met with Tech coach Paul Johnson and several of his assistants last week.
Part of the discussion centered on whether he would be allowed to play baseball and football for the Jackets.
“They said they would like to have a two-sport athlete,” DeShields said. “They said they’ve had a couple of people that have done it and they think it’s good for them.”
DeShields plans to spend the upcoming summer playing baseball for the Atlanta Bluejays, which will allow him to travel around the country and participate in showcase and college events.
DeShields, who will likely be selected in the 2010 major league baseball draft, said his father wants to see him continue to play two sports, at least for now.
“My dad wants me to go into the draft and see where I stand,” he said. “If it doesn’t go like I want it to go, he wants me to go to college and play both sports and see which one I like, then go from there.”
If he goes the college route, DeShields said he can picture himself at Tech.
“I like the school,” he said. “It’s not too far from home. I think it would be a good fit.”
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Buford DT Kolton Houston offered by Wake Forest
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Wake Forest made an early offer to Buford defensive tackle Kolton Houston.
The 6-foot-5, 265-pound Houston attended Georgia Tech’s junior day and was offered by the Jackets. He also lists offers from Clemson, Maryland, Stanford, Vanderbilt and South Carolina. He is also under consideration by UGA.
“[UGA assistant] Stacy Searles really likes him, and he is definitely on their radar,” Buford coach Jess Simpson said earlier.
His father, Shane Houston, played two years for the Bulldogs in the late 80’s.
Simpson said Houston has the frame and athleticism to play on either side of the ball, but Houston said he wants to be on the offensive line.
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Permalink | Comments (6) | Post your comment | Categories: Other ACC schools, Tech, UGA
Lane Kiffin “felt bad” about accusing Urban Meyer of cheating, says dad
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Lane Kiffin “felt bad” about wrongly accusing Florida coach Urban Meyer of recruiting violations, his father told the Orlando Sentinel. “Yeah, he screwed up,” said the elder Kiffin, Monte Kiffin, who also serves as Tennessee’s defensive coordinator.
“In Tennessee they liked it, but when it was out there on the ticker tape — ‘Kiffin says Meyer cheated!’ — it looked worse than it was … and Lane felt bad about it,” Monte Kiffin told the Sentinel in Monday’s edition. “I just hope people understand. He respects coaches. He wasn’t trying to come across as arrogant. He’s not arrogant. He respects Urban Meyer. He respects all coaches.”
Florida is the reigning BCS champion.
Here’s a quick recap from the AP: Last month, Kiffin apologized for accusing Meyer of violating recruiting rules in pursuing wide receiver prospect Nu’Keese Richardson. “At an energetic breakfast with some of our donors and alumni I made a statement that was solely meant to excite the crowd,” Kiffin said in a statement. “If I offended anyone at the University of Florida, including Mr. Foley and Urban Meyer, I sincerely apologize. That was not my intention.” Kiffin was reprimanded by the SEC. Kiffin told a group of fans at a signing day breakfast celebration last month that Meyer phoned Richardson while the recruit was making his official visit to Tennessee recently. Richardson, a Pahokee, Fla, native, signed with the Volunteers on Tuesday, despite having indicated he would sign with the Gators. Kiffin told the crowd, “I love the fact that Urban had to cheat and still didn’t get him.”
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Permalink | Comments (73) | Post your comment | Categories: Florida, Other schools, Tennessee, UGA
Henry County WR Markeith Ambles not concerned by lack of UGA offer
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
Henry County wide receiver Markeith Ambles says he’s not fretting who’s offering football scholarships and who’s not.
That includes whether or not he’ll attract an offer from Georgia.
The 6-foot-3, 185-pound senior has more than 20 offers. “I don’t think I’ve hit 30 yet,” he said.
The offers are from most of the SEC schools. Ambles said he has had conversations with Georgia recruiters and believes he may get an offer eventually. But first, a visit.
“I need to pick a day and go there and talk to the coaches,” he said, offering no specifics of when that might be. “I ain’t really worried about it right now.”
Ambles is focusing on baseball and working out. He has no unofficial visits planned.
“I’m not in any rush to make any decisions,” he said. “I’m just chilling.”
Ambles had 53 receptions for 993 yards and 13 TDs last season. His offers include Florida, Georgia Tech, USC, Florida State, Alabama, LSU, Clemson, South Carolina, Auburn, Tennessee, Ole Miss and West Virginia.
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Permalink | Comments (29) | Post your comment | Categories: Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, FSU, Florida, LSU, Other ACC schools, Other SEC schools, Other schools, South Carolina, Tech, Tennessee, UGA
Other schools follow UGA with offers to Booker T. Washington WR Antonio Goodwin
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
Georgia was the first school to offer Booker T. Washington wide receiver Antonio Goodwin.
It was at UGA’s prospect camp last July. Goodwin, one of the state’s top 2010 prospects, traveled to Athens with teammate Branden Smith (who later signed with Georgia), and left with an extra early offer.
While things slowed down during Goodwin’s junior season, they are picking up quickly, according to Washington coach Stanley Prichett. Goodwin has offers from Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, Oklahoma State, Auburn and Ole Miss, while he could pick up his seventh from Clemson at Junior Day on Saturday.
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Permalink | Comments (1) | Post your comment | Categories: Clemson, Tech, UGA
Is Florida on the brink of offering Stephenson LB Cornelius?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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When asked to look into his recruiting crystal ball, Stephenson junior linebacker Tyrone Cornelius wasted little time predicting the origin of his next scholarship offer.
“I’d say my next offer will be from the University of Florida,” said Cornelius, who already has offers from Auburn, Georgia Tech, Miami and South Carolina.
“They’re on me real hard. Florida is my number one school right now.”
The 6-foot-2, 195-pound linebacker, who became a Gators fan at the age of 8, has been a regular fix at Florida’s summer camps for the past six years.
But if the Gators offer, Cornelius admitted that he won’t rush to pull the trigger on a commitment.
“I would still take a look at my other schools,” said Cornelius, who attended Florida’s Junior Day on Jan. 31. “As far as the depth charts, I know that Florida is pretty deep.
“Early playing time, that’s a big deal. The first priority is academics. And second is how quickly can I be on the field? I want to get my exposure out there as quickly as I can. I want to get a lot of experience during my first year.”
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Permalink | Comments (32) | Post your comment | Categories: Florida, South Carolina, Tech
Douglass DT Garrison Smith could get Ohio State offer
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
Douglass defensive tackle Garrison Smith has a connection that reaches to Columbus, Ohio, but he only recently found out about it.
The 6-foot-4, 250-pound junior has 16 scholarship offers, including Georgia and Georgia Tech. He expects to add Ohio State to the list. “Yeah, the Buckeyes,” he said excitedly Sunday night.
The potential offer has come through a connection from one of the Douglass assistant coaches who knows a member of the Ohio State staff. He provided the program with highlight video of Smith.
Smith called Ohio State safeties coach Paul Haynes and chatted about Smith’s talents and the school’s interest in him.
“They loved my highlight tape and they’re waiting on my transcripts,” said Smith, who has a 3.5 grade-point average and a 1,280 score on the SAT. “Then they said they would offer me.”
Smith, whose brother Greg Smith is a senior A-back at Georgia Tech, said he wasn’t ready to narrow down his offers list. He has offers from most of the SEC and several ACC schools. “I like all the schools,” he said.
Smith also is expecting offers, perhaps this week, from Oklahoma, USC and Miami.
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Permalink | Comments (6) | Post your comment | Categories: Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Florida, Other ACC schools, Other SEC schools, Other schools, South Carolina, Tech, Tennessee, UGA
M.L. King RB Mack Brown takes closer look at Michigan
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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M.L. King junior running back Mack Brown, one of the state’s top prospects in the class of 2010, added a long-time favorite program to his growing list of offers.
Michigan, which he called, “in my top 10 schools,” offered Thursday via an e-mail. Brown then spoked with Michigan assistant Jay Hopson. Michigan was one of four offers he received last week (Vanderbilt, Ole Miss and Rutgers were the others).
“They want me to come up there to the spring game in April,” said Brown, who said former Michigan star Mike Hart is one of his favorite running backs of all-time. “I like them a lot, but I also really like Georgia and Florida [both have offered].”
The 5-foot-11, 190-pound junior has 19 scholarship offers, including Georgia Tech and nine SEC programs.
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Permalink | Comments (8) | Post your comment | Categories: Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Other ACC schools, Other SEC schools, Other schools, South Carolina, Tech, Tennessee, UGA
Gainesville WR Tai-Ler Jones narrows to 15, eliminates Georgia Tech
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
Gainesville wide receiver Tail-Ler Jones, one of the nation’s leaders in early offers with around 30, trimmed his last to 15 schools on Sunday evening.
Ohio State, Oklahoma, North Carolina, UCLA, Alabama, Notre Dame, California, South Carolina, Miami, Auburn, Tennessee, Clemson, Michigan, Michigan State and Vanderbilt made the cut.
“I think I’ve taken visits to most of these schools,” Jones told the AJC. “I’m just going off my visits, the background information I have about academics, and the relationships I’ve developed with the coaching staffs. That’s how I got my list.”
Jones eliminated Georgia Tech. “They have a great program and great coaches. However, with the triple-option offense, I just don’t think it would be a good fit for me.”
Jones also didn’t include Georgia, where he is scheduled to make an unofficial visit on March 21. “They have yet to offer. But if they do offer, like with any school, I’ll assess them and look at all those aspects. If I feel like that school is good for me, then I will put them on the list and bump another school off.”
Jones said he hopes to narrow down to five schools by the end of the spring, and then announce his college decision on his birthday, July 19.
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Permalink | Comments (113) | Post your comment | Categories: Tech, UGA
RB Storm Johnson offered by LSU after visiting Tennessee
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
Saturday was a big day for Loganville tailback Storm Johnson, one of the state’s top 2010 prospects. After returning from Junior Day at Tennessee, Johnson was offered by his childhood favorites, LSU.
“That is really exciting about LSU,” Johnson said. “LSU was my team growing up. They compete for national championships. It means a lot when a top program like that wants you.”
Earlier in the day, Johnson made an unofficial visit to Tennessee, which has also offered. The 6-foot-1, 215-pound Johnson said he got to spend a few minutes with Vols coach Lane Kiffin. “He liked my size, and said that they were really pursuing me.”
What were Johnson’s impressions of Kiffin? “He seems very confident and spontaneous. You can tell he’s having a lot of fun at his job.”
Johnson said he was glad he made the trip to Tennessee. “It’s a very good program that has a lot of eyes on it next year. They have a new coach and everything. A lot of people will be watching them very closely next year to see what they do.”
Johnson has 10 early offers and does not claim any favorites.
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Permalink | Comments (5) | Post your comment | Categories: LSU, Tennessee, UGA
Southwest DeKalb RB Kendrun Malcome receptive to UGA’s interest
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
One of the area’s most touted juniors, Southwest DeKalb tailback Kendrun Malcome is anticipating an offer from Georgia but said Florida State is where he likely sees himself in college. Things could change, though.
“UGA is one of my top schools, but I want to go out of state,” he said. “I’ve liked FSU for a long time, but if UGA is the best fit then I will take a look at them. I’ve been in Georgia my whole life, so I’d like to see new schools and be in a different atmosphere.”
The 6-foot, 215-pound junior currently has offers from Kentucky, Florida State, Tennessee, Alabama and Ole Miss. He attended Junior Days at UGA and Alabama.
“I think UGA or Michigan will be the next to offer,” he said. “I haven’t heard from Georgia Tech.” Malcome, who also runs track at Southwest, hopes to make a decision during or shortly after the football season.
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Permalink | Comments (14) | Post your comment | Categories: FSU, Other SEC schools, UGA
Tennessee makes big impression on Northview DL Denzel McCoy
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin and his father, Volunteers defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin, made it clear over the weekend to Northview defensive tackle Denzel McCoy that he is one of their major targets in the class of 2010.
McCoy, whose 30 current scholarship offers include one from the Vols, was among more than 100 athletes who attended Tennessee’s Junior Day on Saturday.
“The visit was great,” McCoy said. “I got to spend time with coach Monte and Lane Kiffin. We talked for a while and about me coming to school there.
“I left there very impressed. The Tennessee coaching staff is awesome.”
Lane Kiffin, one of the SEC’s most vocal coaches, didn’t say anything McCoy interpreted as being controversial.
“Oh, nothing like that,” McCoy said. “He met with me and my parents. I liked the attitude he has as far as ‘I want to win next year.’”
McCoy said a weight lifting competition may prevent him from attending Junior Day at Auburn on Saturday March 7.
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Permalink | Comments (7) | Post your comment | Categories: Auburn, Tennessee
Bobby Bowden’s age not a major concern to Gainesville QB Sims
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Florida State is the latest offer for Gainesville junior quarterback Blake Sims. He said the age of Seminoles coach Bobby Bowden, who turned 79 in November, won’t have an impact on him heavily considering Florida State.
“He’s a great coach,” Sims said. “His age is a concern, but at the same time it’s good because he knows so much about the game and he can teach me a lot before he leaves.”
Sims, who now has eight offers, speaks frequently with FSU offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher, who is slated to succeed the legendary Bowden when he retires.
Sims hopes to visit FSU soon.
“I’m just waiting for them to let me know when Junior Day is so I can go for a visit,” he said.
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Permalink | Comments (2) | Post your comment | Categories: FSU
Heritage DB schedules Junior Day visit to Clemson
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Heritage junior defensive back Garry Peters will take a Junior Day visit to Clemson this weekend, assistant coach Chris Pack said.
The 6-foot, 173-pound cornerback has offers from Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Maryland, South Carolina, Tennessee, Central Florida and Eastern Carolina.
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Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Clemson
Lafayette WR Dimitri Miles thinks Duke may be next to offer
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Categories
Lafayette junior wide receiver Dimitri Miles received his first offer from Central Florida.
“Duke has been showing a lot of interest, and I think they will be the next to offer,” he said.
The 6-foot-1, 200-pound junior is optimistic more offers will come. “It’s a matter of time before I show everybody I’m one of the best in the state and nation.”
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Permalink | Comments (2) | Post your comment | Categories: Other schools
Another SEC offer for Westlake LB Michael Taylor
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Westlake linebacker Michael Taylor added Mississippi State to his list of offers.
The 6-foot-1, 200-pound San Diego native now has offers from Mississippi State, Ole Miss and Georgia.
He attended Junior Day at UGA and received an offer from coach Mark Richt and his coaching staff on his 17th birthday.
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Permalink | Comments (2) | Post your comment | Categories: Other SEC schools, UGA
M.L. King RB Mack Brown says Georgia Tech and UGA reserving No. 33 jersey
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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M.L. King’s Mack Brown, one of the nation’s top tailbacks for 2010, said both Georgia Tech and UGA are reserving his No. 33 jersey if he signs with either in-state school.
Brown had hinted that Florida was an early leader but now claims no favorites. He has nearly 20 early offers, with Ole Miss and Rutgers being the latest schools. Brown made an unofficial visit to Georgia on Saturday.
“I’ve been wearing 33 since I was five years old,” Brown said. “Every time I get offered by a school, I ask that coach about 33 to see if it’s available.”
What if 33 is taken by another player? Is that a dealbreaker for Brown? “No. I mean, I would love to have it. But if it’s taken, then I’ll just have to work hard. Hopefully when it becomes available, I can earn it.”
At Georgia Tech, 33 is worn by senior Troy Garside, who is listed as safety and A-back, while junior tailback Kalvin Daniels has the number at UGA.
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Georgia Tech’s Paul Johnson responds to Dontae Aycock
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Quarterback Dontae Aycock of Tampa, who “secretly committed” to Georgia Tech in mid-January and then had his scholarship revoked by the Yellow Jackets after taking an official visit to Auburn, told his version of events to the AJC’s Jeff Hood on Thursday. Aycock, who signed with Auburn, admitted “I didn’t think [Tech] would pull [the scholarship]. I just wanted to go to Auburn to look.”
To read the story about Aycock, please click here.
On Friday, Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson was asked this question: When did you develop your “commitment” philosophy?
“We tell kids all the time in our office ‘Look around and make sure this is what you want to do,’” Johnson said. “I am not trying to keep kids from looking around. I think they need to look around. But when you decide and commit, then you’re giving people your word that you’re coming. It’s not a game. It’s not ‘Ok, I’ll take this one unless I can find something better. Or let me lock this down there so I can shop around for some other spots.’ If you’re doing that, you’re not committing.”
“Why don’t you say this school is leading? Or this school is way out in front? It’s the same thing with Dontae. Had Dontae not committed, we would’ve continued to recruit him probably up to a point where we would’ve said something like ‘Hey we’ve got to know something or we have to move on.’”
“There’s this fallacy out there that everybody is going to take five visits and decide on signing day. We know that’s not going to happen. That’s all it is. Commitment to me means if they tell me they are coming, then I expect that they are coming. If they tell you you’re coming, then why are they taking more visits?”
“I view anybody that’s still visiting [other] schools as not committed. That’s just me. That’s just the way I do it. Well, people say ‘That’s a double standard because you let other kids visit [Tech] who are committed [to other schools]. That’s not my problem. Maybe it’s a soft commitment. There may be a [college] coach somewhere else saying ‘Give me a soft commitment and go ahead take your visits.’”
“We recruited Dontae for a whole year. Nobody twisted his arm and made him commit to Georgia Tech. I didn’t say ‘If you leave here, I’m moving on or anything. He [Aycock] came to me on [the Sunday during his official visit to Tech], and said ‘Coach, this is what I want to do. I’m coming [to Tech].’ I said ‘Are you sure? He said ‘Yeah, I told my [high school] coach yesterday. I called him.’ I said ‘Is he good with you doing this?’ Yeah he’s good with it. ‘You know this means no more visits? Recruiting is over?’ He said ‘I know coach, but I want to keep it quiet.’
“That’s not right either. If the whole story was told, Dontae would tell you that I made him call Lousville and tell them that he wasn’t coming. I told him that’s only fair to Louisville. He went [the following day] and did that. There was a lot more to it. Then he got some bad advice. And maybe not. Maybe he wanted to go to Auburn anyways. That’s what I took it as. If he wanted to visit Auburn, then he wanted to go there.”
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Permalink | Comments (117) | Post your comment | Categories: Tech
