Archive for March, 2009

Despite constant contact with Georgia coaches, Kentucky-bound Terrell Mitchell of McEachern said he believes UGA led him on during the recruiting process. 

“They would call me once a week,” he said. “They weren’t trying to offer, so why did they waste my time? It got frustrating after a while. I can’t imagine playing for a team like that.”

The 6-foot-6, 225-pound Mitchell, a tight end, is looking forward to playing at Kentucky. He talked to the AJC about the recruiting process.

Q. Which school disappointed you the most during recruiting?

A. LSU and Georgia. LSU was my hometown and I wanted to go back home. They were recruiting me at one point and the coach said I had a great practice, but then I didn’t talk to him for three months. They tried recruiting me again, but I told them it was too late. And UGA because I showed them a lot of interest. I wanted to go to UGA. I went to two games and brought my family up to show them where I may be playing and they never offered me a …

Continue reading Recruiting Rewind: Terrell Mitchell disappointed with LSU, UGA »

Heritage defensive back Garry Peters has Georgia on his mind. But Peters is not sure how much he is on Georgia’s mind.

Peters went to UGA’s Junior Day last Saturday, and he was hoping to walk away with an early offer. He didn’t, but he’s not complaining. He said he feels blessed to have around 12 offers, including Tennessee, Clemson, Alabama, Auburn and Tennessee.

“I have mixed feelings about Georgia,” Peters said. “I was disappointed I didn’t get offered. But Georgia is still my hometown team, and I’ll always keep them in my top 10.”

Peters said he was encouraged after being recognized by Georgia coach Mark Richt. “There were around 100 prospects there,” Peters said. “I didn’t wear my nametag and [Richt] said my name. He said ‘We need to get you up here to watch film. It’s great seeing you.’”

Peters said he plans to travel to Tennessee or Auburn next.

Continue reading Heritage DB Garry Peters has Georgia on his mind »

Southwest DeKalb defensive end T.J. Stripling received an offer from UGA during his Junior Day visit to Athens this weekend, assistant coach Damien Wimes said.

Wimes said the 6-foot-6, 215-pound junior did not commit. This was his second Junior Day visit to UGA.

“None of our players will commit early,” he said. Southwest DeKalb has three of the state’s prospects, including tailback Kendrun Malcome and defensive back Sharrod Golightly.

Stripling has nearly 15 offers, including UGA, Alabama, Auburn, LSU and Tennessee.

Continue reading Southwest DeKalb prospects taking time to evaluate colleges »

Watching the UGA team scrimmage and spending time with Georgia coach Mark Richt were the highlights for Douglass defensive lineman Garrison Smith during Junior Day.

“It was just small talk, just ordinary conversation. Everything isn’t always about football,” said Smith, whose 21 scholarship offers are from programs such as Georgia, Georgia Tech, Alabama, Florida, Florida State, LSU, Ohio State and Tennessee.

“I really like coach Richt and his strong spiritual background. That’s what I’m about, too. I really respect him.”

So did Richt try to convince the 6-foot-3, 260-pound Smith to commit on Saturday?

“They always tell me I’m family and everything,” he said. “I’m still evaluating, but I like Georgia.

“I still feel the same [about the Dogs]. They are still there.”

Continue reading Douglass DL Garrison Smith chats with Mark Richt at UGA Junior Day »

Calhoun quarterback Nash Nance received an offer from Vanderbilt during his Junior Day visit to Nashville this past weekend.

“It was an honor for [Coach Bobby] Johnson and his staff to offer me,” he said. “They are building something great at Vanderbilt and they strive for academic excellence.”

Is Vanderbilt a possibility for the 6-foot-3, 201-pound Darlington transfer?

“They are definitely a possibility because there is nothing not to like about it,” he said. “Committing right then and there was a small possibility because I still have not visited all my other schools.”

Nance has offers from Vanderbilt, Mississippi State, Tennessee-Chattanooga and Harvard.

Continue reading Calhoun transfer QB Nash Nance likes Vanderbilt »

Georgia Tech is the front-runner to land a commitment from Thomasville safety Fred Holton.

As an underclassman, the 6-foot-1, 180-pound Holton envisioned one day lining up as a wide receiver in the Jackets’ offense.

But Holton, who has scholarship offers from Georgia Tech, Central Florida, Kansas State and Ole Miss, appears destined to play in the secondary on Saturdays.

“I know he’s always been a fan of [former Tech receiver] Calvin Johnson,” Thomasville coach Richie Marsh said. “He’s always shown a lot of interest in Tech.

“He thought he was going to be a wide receiver in his early years. But he’s being recruited as a defensive back by all these schools.”

The Jackets are targeting several defensive backs in the class of 2010.

“I went up to Georgia Tech and talked to coach [Paul] Johnson last week,” Marsh said. “He said they’ve offered six defensive backs and that [Holton] is one of the ones he wants.

“I think Georgia Tech is his front-runner right now. Clemson is in the mix, …

Continue reading Georgia Tech in the lead for Thomasville DB Fred Holton »

Brookwood OL Kellen Williams got more of that family feeling at Alabama (AJC)

Holding no grudges against Georgia, Alabama commit Kellen Williams said UGA may have been a little more attractive had he been able to meet coach Mark Richt during his junior day visit.

“That was the only junior day visit I took where I didn’t meet the head coach,” he said. “I still haven’t met him. I’ve been in Coach [Nick] Saban’s house, and I just didn’t get that family feeling like we did in Tuscaloosa. I guess I wasn’t a high prospect on their radar.”

The 6-foot-4, 297-pound Brookwood offensive lineman still views Georgia as one of the premier programs in the country and he has the utmost respect for the coaching staff in Athens.

“I have the utmost respect for Coach Richt and Coach Searles,” he said. “Alabama was just the right fit for me.”

Williams talked about to the AJC about the recruiting process.

Q. If you could give a junior only one piece of advice about the recruiting process, what …

Continue reading Recruiting Rewind: Alabama-bound Kellen Williams didn’t get same ‘family feeling’ at UGA »

Valdosta OL Antonio Foster committed early to Tennessee, but ended up signing with Georgia Tech (Valdosta HS Football)

Before he signed with Georgia Tech last month, Valdosta offensive tackle Antonio Foster appeared destined to play in the SEC for Florida or Tennessee. Foster revealed that he attempted to commit to Florida last spring, but was told that all of the offensive line spots had already filled. He committed to Tennessee in July, but backed off the Volunteers when coach Phillip Fulmer left the program.

Foster spoke with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution about the path that led him to Georgia Tech:
Q: As you reflect on your decision to sign with Georgia Tech, how does it feel to be a Yellow Jacket?
A: “I feel really good. I’m ready for the 2009 season. My first day at Georgia Tech is June 10.”

Q: It looked like you were going to end up at Tennessee, but the situation there changed. Who actually finished second in the recruitment of Antonio Foster?
A: “Tennessee …

Continue reading Recruiting Rewind: Georgia Tech-bound Antonio Foster talks about switching from Tennessee »

Georgia’s scholarship offer to Gainesville wide receiver Tai-ler Jones has performed instant wonders for the Bulldogs and their chances of landing the top 2010 prospect.

UGA made the final list of seven schools on Monday with Jones, who is also considering Notre Dame (his father’s alma mater), Ohio State, North Carolina, UCLA, California, and Stanford. Jones has also pushed up his decision date, saying he could make his college choice within the next couple of months.

Jones is one of the nation’s leaders in early offers with 31, including Clemson, Georgia Tech, and South Carolina. Georgia Tech did not make Jones’ first cut of 15 schools because he did not feel like his skills were a match for the team’s offense.

A few days ago, Jones did not have an UGA offer and said he was going to attend track practice rather than Georgia’s Junior Day on Saturday. However, UGA coach Mark Richt called on Friday with an offer, and Jones quickly changed his plans to visit Athens.

Gainesville …

Continue reading UGA makes up ground quickly with Gainesville WR Tai-ler Jones »

One of the state’s most touted running backs, Southwest DeKalb tailback Kendrun Malcome, received an offer from Clemson.

The 6-foot, 213-pound Malcome has offers from Alabama, Florida State, Kentucky, Tennessee, Ole Miss and Auburn. He also runs track for Southwest DeKalb.

“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.

Continue reading SW DeKalb RB Kendrun Malcome receives offer from Clemson »