Signing Day…check for updates…18 (that’s it) letters in…10:45 a.m.

I’m in the waiting room at Georgia Tech with a few dozen other folks.

As the letters of intent come in, I’ll post a bio of the player whose commitment just became official. Hopefully, we will be able to talk to some of Tech’s assistant coaches throughout the day to help add some context to the bios.

I’m going to keep adding to this blog as they come in, so check back often. I will also tweet at @ajcgatech, so please sign up there.

Coach Paul Johnson said he hopes to hire a defensive line coach soon to replace Giff Smith. He said reports that he knows who he’s going to hire are wrong, but that he has some guys in mind. He and defensive coordinator Al Groh first met to talk about the position on Sunday. He said he’s not sure who the recruiting coordinator will be. He likes the balance of the class.

Also, check these out:

AJC Player tracker for Tech, http://projects.ajc.com/playertracker/list/2010-georgia-tech-commitments/

AJC Player tracker for UGA, http://projects.ajc.com/playertracker/list/2010-georgia-commitments/

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NOTE: I’m headed over to Fox Sports Grill in a bit to try and talk to players, I hope to get back to the blog around 3 or so to answer questions, so check back then.

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First letter is in….

Quayshawn Nealy

Ht., Wt.: 6-1, 220

Position: Linebacker

Hometown: Lakeland

High school: Lakeland

Highlights: A three-star recruit, he turned down offers from Georgia, Michigan and Nebraska, among others.

How he’ll fit in: Nealy has the speed (4.7 in the 40)  to play outside linebacker, but analysts say he needs to add weight to take on offensive tackle. He also needs to improve his pass coverage skills, which is a necessity in a 3-4 scheme.

Tech linebackers coach Brian Jean-Mary said he’s going to be a “big-time asset. Has a chance to be a reallly good player. His upside is unbelievable.”

Jean-Mary said he’s big enough to play either outside or inside.

He also played point guard on the basketball team…an honor student, as well.

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Morgan Bailey

Ht., Wt.: 6-4, 298

Position: Offensive lineman

Hometown: Loganville

High school: Loganville

Highlights: A three-star recruit, Bailey was a top-50 recruit at guard. He turned down offers from Florida State and Clemson, among others.

How he’ll fit in: Strong blocking for the run, with work needed in pass-protection, according to analysts. As long as Tech’s offensive line isn’t hit by injuries, Bailey will likely redshirt in 2010. Could eventually form a solid front with Ray Beno and Will Jackson, who redshirted last year, and Alford.

Co-offensive line coach Mike Sewak says he’s “a big-time kid….start him out at a guard position.  Good lateral quickness.”

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Jake Skole

Ht., Wt.: 6-1, 175

Position: Athlete

Hometown: Roswell

High school: Blessed Trinity

Highlights: A three-star recruit, Skole runs the 40 in 4.48 seconds. He turned down offers from Auburn and Georgia, among others.

How he’ll fit in: Skole is tabbed by various analysts as a playmaker who needs to improve his coverage skills. He also played quarterback in high school and returned punts. He will join older brother Matt on Tech’s baseball team.

Coach Al “Buzz” Preston said Skole will start out in the secondary, but can also play A-back or wide receiver. .. Still could be drafted by MLB team. Preston said he’s a good student.

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Anthony Williams

Ht., Wt.: 6-4, 221

Position: Defensive end

Hometown: McDonough

High school: Union Grove

Highlights: A four-star recruit, Williams had nine sacks his senior season. He turned down offers from Auburn and LSU, among others. He’s rated the 13th-best weak-side defensive end by Rivals.com.

How he’ll fit in: He’s tall and lean, fitting the mold of past great Michael Johnson and Emmanuel Dieke, who redshirted last season. Williams can surely put in some weight if he has a redshirt season. Dieke put on more than 30 pounds, for example. Williams may move to outside linebacker.

Jean-Mary said he’s as good a kid as a football player…developed into a dominant defensive lineman as a senior…said he has a chance to be a “special, special player”… said he’s grown by at least two inches since they started recruiting him…will fill out more in college…Steven Sylvester and Kyle Jackson also from Union Grove…will have opportunity to be stand-up olb at first but could move to DE as he puts on weight.

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Tony Zenon

Ht., Wt.: 5-8, 174

Position: A-back

Hometown: Albany

High school: Deerfield Windsor

Highlights: A two-star recruit, he runs a 4.4-second 40-yard dash. He wasn’t heavily recruited by BCS schools, despite scoring 27 touchdowns and averaging more than 9 yards a carry as a senior.

How he’ll fit in: Like Marcus Wright, another smallish running back with plenty of speed. Zenon will be an A-back.

New A-backs coach  Lamar Owens says Owens is a “highlight factory” type of guy…Zenon is originally from New Orleans…ended up on Albany because after his family left the city, the first reservation they could find was in Albany…

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Synjyn Days

Ht., Wt.: 6-1, 205

Position: Quarterback

Hometown: Powder Springs

High school: Hillgrove

Highlights: A three-star recruit, Days turned down offers from Oklahoma State and Indiana, among others. He runs a 4.45 40.

How he’ll fit in: Days has the size and speed to play almost any skill position except B-back, so there’s no telling where he will end up. However, he said he will start off at quarterback. Hillgrove also runs the option offense, so Days is used to making the reads that are needed.

Coach Brian Bohannon said he’s a great leader, great character guy. Said he looks as big as his size…appreciates his experience at quarterback in high school…wants him to keep the speed, rather than getting bigger…great arm strength…lot of similarities to Josh Nesbitt, and may be a step faster…could work on decision-making, but understands the terminology…will also work to improve his fundamentals…

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Justin Moore

Ht., Wt.: 5-10, 160

Position: Kicker

Hometown: Atlanta

High school: Marist

Highlights: A two-star recruit, Moore had 48 touchbacks last season and hit 3-of-5 field goal attempts, all 39 point-afters. He was previously committed to Miami (Ohio), but switched when Tech made an offer  in January.

How he’ll fit in: He likely will  be expected to immediately compete for kicking duties with Scott Blair. Tech coach Paul Johnson didn’t hide his displeasure with his kicker’s results last season. Blair missed important field goals against Georgia and Iowa that forced Tech to change its strategy.

Sewak said he’s got an explosive leg…Sewak said he went to one game with a stopwatch and didn’t like the numbers he was seeing. As he was leaving he walked behind the end zone and one of Moore’s kicks almost hit him. That changed his mind…Gets good heights on kicks…impressed coaches at Tech’s camp…

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Denzel McCoy

Ht., Wt.: 6-3, 268

Position: Defensive tackle

Hometown: Lawrenceville

High school: Northview

Highlights: A four-star recruit, McCoy is rated the 18th-best defensive tackle by Rivals.com. He turned down offers from Alabama, Florida State and Miami, among others.

How he’ll fit in: He is possibly Tech’s best signing. Athletic and shifty, McCoy is physically similar to a high-school version of Derrick Morgan. Though he doesn’t have the same initial burst that Morgan had, McCoy is described as being disruptive between the tackles with an innate ability to slip between blockers.

Preston said he was Tech’s No. 1 recruit because he did a great job helping them recruit other players, very similar to last year’s juniors, who all recruited each other… will play on the edge at DE more than likely… Preston said McCoy has a shot at playing as a freshman because of his aptitude for the game.

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Fred Holton

Ht., Wt.: 6-1, 198

Position: Safety

Hometown: Thomasville

High school: Thomasville

Highlights: A three-star recruit, Holton runs a 4.55-second 40-yard dash. He turned down offers from Kansas State and Louisville, among others. He’s rated the 44th-best cornerback by Rivals.com

How he’ll fit in: Projected as either a safety or cornerback, Holton is an aggressive player whom various sites say can intimidate with his physical play. Physically similar to the high school-version of Morgan Burnett.

Coach Todd Spencer said Holton is a GT guy…Calvin Johnson is his favorite player.

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Jeremiah Attaochu

Ht., Wt.: 6-3, 223

Position: Linebacker

Hometown: Washington, D.C.

High school: Archbishop Carroll

Highlights: A three-star recruit, Attaochu runs a 4.6-second 40-yard dash. He was offered by more than a dozen schools.

How he’ll fit in: Attaochu will eventually be one of the outside linebackers in new defensive coordinator’s Al Groh’s 3-4 defense. When he was coach at Virginia, Groh recruited Attaochu and secured his commitment to GT soon after he was hired. Attaochu had 14 sacks his senior season.

Groh said he’s similar to many of his OLB in the past…a high motor who is very intense…said he’s goal-oriented…was on top of Groh’s list for a long time…Groh said he would like for him to be at 245 range…

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B.J. Bostic

Ht., Wt.: 5-11, 165

Position: Cornerback

Hometown: Louisville

High school: Jefferson County

Highlights: A four-star recruit, Bostic runs a 4.56-second 40-yard dash.  He turned down offers from UCLA and West Virginia, among others.

How he’ll fit in: Though a quarterback in high school, Bostic is projected to be a defensive back in college, though he has the size and speed to play A-back or wide receiver in the spread-option. Either way, he will likely redshirt unless he wins kick-return or punt-return duties.

Charles Kelly said Bostic is a great athlete..early enrollee…Kelly said Bostic is one of those guys who wanted to be in Tech’s program and on Tech’s campus…Kelly said Johnson will decide where Bostic will play…Bostic has long arms, which Kelly likes to see.

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Catlin Alford

Ht., Wt.: 6-3, 275

Position: Offensive lineman

Hometown: Adairsville

High school: Adairsville

Highlights: A three-star recruit, rated the No. 49 guard in the country by rivals.com, and one of two (Morgan Bailey) among the top 50 that Tech signed.

How he’ll fit in: Because all of last year’s offensive line signings who were redshirted this season, Alford likely will do so as well as he adds strength and learns the blocking techniques and assignments in the spread-option base. Analysts say he is strong blocking the run and is athletic for his size. He can also play defensive tackle.

Spencer said Alford is a barrel-chested player that has a zeal for excellence…is a guy they are really excited about. … his athleticism is good enough that he can play center, guard or tackle.

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Shawn Green

Ht., Wt.: 6-0, 270

Position: Defensive tackle

Hometown: Grayson

High school: Grayson

Highlights: A four-star recruit, Green turned down offers from Florida State, Oklahoma State and Wisconsin, among others. He’s rated the 58th-best defensive tackle by Rivals.com.

How he’ll fit in: Along with fellow signee Denzel McCoy, and current Tech players J.C. Lanier (who redshirted this season) and T.J. Barnes, Green will eventually give Tech a wealth of size inside. A player with a great motor, by adding a few more pounds he could eventually become the “disruptor” that Groh has said he wants to see from his nose tackle.

Jean-Mary said if he was taller he would be considered one of the best in the state…really fits with what they want to do…can play all three defensive line spots…h.s. coaches say Green was the best defensive player they faced this season…said his quickness sets him apart.

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Isaiah Johnson

Ht., Wt.: 6-2, 175

Position: Safety

Hometown: Tyrone

High school: Sandy Creek

Highlights: A three-star recruit, Johnson runs the 40 in 4.6 seconds. He turned down offers from Georgia and Miami, among others. He’s rated the 28th-best safety by Rivals.com

How he’ll fit in: Tabbed as being strong against the run and capable of covering wide receivers stride-for-stride, sideline to sideline. He may redshirt a year to add strength and weight.

Johnson is an early enrollee…Kelly likes his size and athleticism…can make plays all over the field…Kelly said he’s a good-looking athlete who will play safety.

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Deon Hill

Ht., Wt.: 6-0, 205

Position: A-back

Hometown: Phenix City, Ala.

High school: Central

Highlights: A three-star recruit, Hill runs a 4.5-second 40-yard dash. Not heavily recruited by BCS schools. He played on the Alabama All-State football team.

How he’ll fit in: Hill has the size and speed to play a variety of positions, though A-back will be his natural home.

Owens points out that he’s from same high school as Cord Howard and Orwin Smith…likes his speed on the perimeter…18 TDs last year…

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Charles Perkins

Ht., Wt.: 6-0, 205

Position: B-back

Hometown: Lawrenceville

High school: Collins Hill

Highlights: A three-star recruit, Perkins was the first in the Class of 2010 to commit. He turned down offers from Kentucky and Wisconsin, among others.

How he’ll fit in: Perkins likely will redshirt to put on weight and then compete for snaps at B-back. Already strong, Perkins is tabbed as a solid one-cut runner who may not have blazing speed, but identifies and gets through holes quickly.

An early enrollee, Perkins is a mature guy, according to Bohannon. … He’s not as fast as Dwyer, but he’s not slow, Bohannon said…Comparable to Anthony Allen.

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Ryan Ayers

Ht., Wt.: 5-10, 178

Position: Cornerback

Hometown: Douglasville

High school: South Paulding

Highlights: A four-star recruit, Ayers runs a 4.4-second 40-yard dash. He turned down offers from Alabama, Auburn and Georgia, among others. He is rated the No. 25 cornerback by Rivals.com.

How he’ll fit in: Considering the issues Tech’s pass defense had last season, Ayers could compete for playing time at either cornerback position. Various recruiting sites say he plays bigger than his size, and is not afraid to make contact.

Kelly says Ayers is a speed, cover corner who has great anticipation.

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Louis Young

Ht., Wt.: 6-1, 190

Position: Cornerback

Hometown: Washington, D.C.

High school: Our Lady of Good Counsel

Highlights: A four-star recruit, Young de-committed from Stanford. He also had offers from more than a dozen schools, including Miami and Nebraska. He’s rated the 15th-best cornerback by Rivals.com

How he’ll fit in: Described as a smooth athlete, Young is also smart and could compete for a cornerback spot immediately. Analysts say he doesn’t have burner speed, but uses his instincts to take good angles to make up steps. He has the size to support the run, as well.

Groh said getting Young is a nice surprise…Groh said he crossed paths with Young while in area to visit Attaochu…Groh said Young was out this morning shoveling snow, so his mom faxed his papers in from his mom’s work…great coverage skills…Groh said Young likes being a corner….good ball skills who can jump on the run.