Newnan's Alec Ogletree sees big future for twin

By ALEC OGLETREE

For the AJC

Newnan High School football players Alec and Alexander Ogletree are arguably the state’s most famous twins. The 6-foot-3, 220-pound Alec is rated as one of the nation’s top college prospects at safety and committed to Georgia over more than 50 scholarship offers. The 5-10, 205-pound Alexander, nicknamed “Zander” as a toddler, is an All-State candidate at linebacker but has yet to generate as much college attention as his brother because of height.

This season, AJC reporter Michael Carvell and photographer Jason Getz will follow the twins as they deal with the pressures of the recruiting process, new-found stardom, and attempting to lead Newnan to the Class AAAAA state championship.

My brother and I have been very competitive since I can remember. Since we are twins, people have always asked us which one was better in this or that our whole lives ... in video games and just about every sport.

I’d say Zander is a better basketball player, but I think I might have a slight edge in football. Then again, he’s a great football player, too, and that’s why I hope he gets his share of attention from colleges, too. He is just as good or better than a lot of big-time linebackers I have competed against at college camps or summer passing leagues.

The coolest thing about having a twin brother is that you always have someone around to do something with. The only bad thing is that we’ve always had to share things. Not clothes or anything like that because of our difference in size, but stuff like toys and Christmas presents.

My brother has a very outgoing personality. He is the one who gets our team fired up on defense. I’m more laid back. I try to get everyone pumped up with a big play or tackle.

It’s interesting that I ended up being so heavily recruited at defense because very few people know I was supposed to play wide receiver in high school. It’s a funny story. On the first day of practice as a freshman, I went to the wrong group when they broke us up. I went with the defensive backs and they kept me over there for the next four years. I guess it all worked out for the best.

I’m glad to be finished with recruiting. I didn’t plan on committing my junior year, but I visited all my favorite schools and the timing felt right to go with Georgia. I hope my brother ends up with me at Georgia. That would be a dream. But if not, I know Zander will get an opportunity to play somewhere else and be a very good college player.

Contact Michael Carvell at mcarvell@ajc.com or Jason Getz at jgetz@ajc.com