Archive for January, 2009

Walton’s David Paulsen, who was offered a scholarship by Georgia this week, had to learn about the “grayshirt” recruiting term.

It’s when a senior signs with a college in February but does not enroll during the summer with the rest of his recruiting classmates because of a scholarship overload. Instead, the player delays his start in college until January, allowing the school to count him toward the following year’s scholarship total.

Georgia coach Mark Richt brought up the “grayshirt” issue with Paulsen when making an in-home visit on Monday. It is a creative way to try to get Paulsen to play in Athens.

The 6-foot-3, 240-pound Paulsen is a lifelong Georgia fan. But when he didn’t have an offer last month, he committed to Oklahoma State. But Richt concluded recently that he wanted to sign a fullback, and Paulsen was the No. 1 target.

Georgia has less than the normal 25 scholarships this year because of a large senior class. The Bulldogs are expected to sign no …

Continue reading Recruiting 101: Learning the T-shirt terminology »

Troup’s Chris Burnette said he was told by Georgia coach Mark Richt that he has never recruited a football player like him. Burnette, who has committed to the Bulldogs, is one of the nation’s top prospects, and he also is just as accomplished in academics. The 6-foot-3, 286-pound offensive lineman is in the running to be Troup’s valedictorian.

Chris Burnette decided against enrolling early at UGA so he could try to be Troup's valedictorian

How serious is Burnette about his schoolwork? He changed his plans about enrolling early at Georgia this month so he could stay in high school to compete for the No. 1 academic honor among his senior class of 250 students.

Georgia supported Burnette’s decision.

“Coach Richt said that as long as he has been in coaching, even at Florida State, he couldn’t remember recruiting another valedictorian,” said the player’s father, Anthony Burnette.

“[Richt] said while initially he felt it would be good for Chris to come to Georgia …

Continue reading Troup County lineman Chris Burnette decides against enrolling early at UGA to be school valedictorian »

For any wide receiver recruited by UGA, next year was shaping up to be the opportunity of a lifetime. It was the chance to catch passes from Matthew Stafford, one of college football’s biggest stars and Georgia’s best-ever pro prospect at quarterback. 

Kenney

However, Stafford decided on Wednesday to exit for the NFL, along with Knowshon Moreno. So how do UGA’s top two remaining recruiting targets at wide receiver feel about it?

“I’m happy for him [Stafford], I think he made the right decision,” said Marlon Brown of Memphis, who is deciding between Tennessee, Georgia, Ohio State and LSU.

“I kind of figured that Stafford would go … and why wouldn’t he go if he is projected to be drafted so high?” said former Dacula standout Cameron Kenney. He plays at Garden City Junior College and is mulling over offers from Auburn, UGA, South Carolina and Kansas State. “He did what he felt like he needed to do.”

The more important question is this: How will Stafford’s departure affect how …

Continue reading UGA WR targets not affected by Stafford departure for the NFL »

Why does college football recruiting have such a fanatical following? Some have suggested because it is a “male soap opera.” Whatever the case, if you like drama, especially among the state’s top college prospects, there is plenty of it to unravel between now and national signing day on Feb. 4. Here are six recruiting soap operas to watch:

Greg Reid is considering the Gators, UGA, Florida State, Mississippi State, and Texas and probably six more colleges that called by the time you read this caption.

Greg Reid, Lowndes: He may be the nation’s hottest prospect after his MVP performance in the Under Armour All-America game, intercepting two passes and nearly picking off another. Only a few days earlier, the 5-foot-9, 185-pound Reid made the surprising move to back off his longtime commitment to Florida, saying he rushed his initial decision. UGA has reminded Reid it still has a scholarship available for him. He will make recruiting trips to Florida on Jan. 16, Mississippi State …

Continue reading Six Soap Operas to Watch in the State »