A Florida quarterback who some call “the next Tim Tebow” committed to Georgia on Monday.
Faton Bauta of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., picked the Bulldogs over offers from Louisville, Kentucky, Boston College, Maryland, West Virginia, Utah and Vanderbilt.
“Georgia is getting a football player; Faton is a QB who can run and throw the football and gets better every day,” Dwyer High School coach Jack Daniels said. “He was primarily used as a linebacker and fullback until last spring. He is very physical and will outwork everybody. He will make the Bulldogs very happy.”
Bauta, who took an official visit to Georgia this past weekend, is the Bulldogs’ 15th commitment for 2012.
“The first thing that stands out on film is his size -- he’s 6-3 and 220 pounds legit,” said Rusty Mansell, National Recruiting Analyst for 247Sports.com. “He’s a big kid, very physical and plays quarterback. Honestly, being a bigger quarterback from the state of Florida, he is going to get the Tebow comparisons but that’s unfair to do to any kid at any level after what Tebow did in his collegiate career.
“Nonetheless, the comparisons are going to be made because he’s a big and physical kid with a good arm. I don’t know how he will project at UGA. I’m sure they will give him a chance to play QB. If it doesn’t work out there, he’s the type of player that can go to another position like fullback, tight end or linebacker, and play quickly.”
Super 11 selection visits UGA
After nearly canceling his visit to Georgia because of previous speculation over Mark Richt’s coaching future, AJC Super 11 defensive end Jordan Jenkins of Harris County High School went ahead and took his recruiting trip with the Bulldogs last weekend. Georgia now may be one of the favorites to sign Jenkins.
“Jordan told somebody that Alabama and Florida are on top, and that UGA is right there with them,” his father, Ronald Jenkins, said. “But it’s really too close to call right now, I will tell you that. UGA really did impress us, and we didn’t expect them to impress us like they did. We almost canceled this trip a couple of times, and we’re glad we didn’t. I know Jordan was glad he went over there. It was a real good visit and opened up our eyes about Georgia.”
The 6-3, 250-pounder said the highlight of his visit was meeting with Georgia defensive coordinator Todd Grantham, who told Jenkins he is being recruited to play outside linebacker in a similar role to Jarvis Jones’, and that the Bulldogs’ logjam at the position isn’t really what it appears to be.
“Coach Grantham explained how he planned to utilize Jordan, as well as some things on the depth chart, that would open up some early playing time for him as long as he keeps working hard,” the elder Jenkins said. “There are some guys in the mix at outside linebacker who are outgrowing the position. They are going to be moved more toward the line in the near future.”
Jenkins will announce his college decision on Jan. 5.
Allatoona RB wants Tech offer
After Liberty County High School running back Shadrach Thornton made a surprising commitment to N.C. State over Georgia Tech on Friday, there was speculation that the Yellow Jackets may soon make an offer to Allatoona High School’s Miles Jones.
“I heard it was between me and Thornton for that scholarship at running back,” Jones said. “That’s what I’ve heard but I don’t know for sure, so I can’t really say what Georgia Tech will do now. I hope Georgia Tech offers me. It would be a dream to play there.”
The 5-10, 203-pound running back is still waiting on his first major-college offer. Jones has serious interest from Georgia Tech, TCU and Middle Tennessee State, and moderate interest from several other schools, including Georgia.
Georgia offers Seymour's son
Georgia offered a football scholarship to North Gwinnett High School junior DeVondre Seymour, the son of one of its most famous alums -- former UGA All-SEC and NFL All-Pro defensive tackle Richard Seymour. The younger Seymour is a 6-foot-6, 300-pound offensive tackle who is relatively new to the sport of football.
“He’s still learning,” North Gwinnett coach Bob Sphire said. “He never really played any football until he got here as a sophomore. I think he played freshman football at a small school in South Carolina. When Richard moved into the area and brought DeVondre up to the office, Richard was very up front and said, ‘He really doesn’t know any football. He’s a project.’ But DeVondre is learning pretty fast.”
“He has great size. All the college scouts love his size, and they think he’s pretty athletic for that kind of size. He’s got long arms, and that’s what you want at an offensive tackle.”
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