Alpharetta’s Bennett commits to Dogs
By DARRYL MAXIE / dmaxie@ajc.com
Considered by many to be one of the more underrated receivers available, Alpharetta High’s Michael Bennett is one thing today.
No longer available.
Bennett, a 6-foot-3, 186-pound rising senior, has committed to Georgia, choosing the Bulldogs instead of Syracuse and a bevy of Big Ten schools — Michigan State, Wisconsin, Indiana and Purdue — all of whom had offered him.
“Getting that first SEC offer, and it was right in town, I just loved the school and loved the coaches, it just felt right when I got the offer,” Bennett told the Athens Banner-Herald.
Bennett impressed Georgia’s coaches at a camp over the weekend.
“When it came time for the 1-on-1’s, I have to admit I was pretty much unstoppable out there,” he told ugasports.com.
Actually, Bennett made his decision at the camp, and confirmed it to ugasports.com on Monday night. The web site held off on publishing his commitment until today at Bennett’s request. Now that he plans to be a Bulldog, he has at least one wide receiver friend he’d like to see join him.
“I am good friends with [Peachtree Ridge's] Bradley Roby, and I hope UGA offers him soon so I can call him up and recruit him to UGA,” Bennett told ugasports.com. “I know a couple other targets, and I plan to let them know big things are going to happen in Athens over the next few years.”
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84 comments Add your comment
dap01
June 16th, 2009
2:22 pm
Congratulations. Great future!
Diamond Dawg
June 16th, 2009
2:30 pm
Welcome aboard Bennett!! The bulldog nation is happy to have ya!!
tenn.DAWG
June 16th, 2009
2:42 pm
Congrats Michael,sounds like you’re a Dawg all the way and UGA is getting another recruiter.GATA!
spectator
June 16th, 2009
2:42 pm
Wow! Big recruiting coup for the dogs! They got a guy with an offer from Syracuse. Also a few weak Big 10 programs were after him. Funny, no offers from any SEC/Acc program. I guess recruiting services will now move him up from 2 star to 5 star.
sswinfordawg
June 16th, 2009
2:59 pm
Congrats durham… oops i mean Bennett.
Flo-Ri-Duh!
June 16th, 2009
3:11 pm
For you jerks making fun of a recruit because he was not recruited by Florida and LSU …. just remember there was an All-American safety at UGA not long ago who is now in the NFL that was not recruited by anyone but Georgia either – does the name Thomas Davis sound familiar SMART ASS!!!
WTF???
June 16th, 2009
3:15 pm
BAAAAA BA BA BA BAAAAA!!!
GOOOOOOOO GEORGIA BULLLLLDAWGS!
WTF???
June 16th, 2009
3:17 pm
Spectator, were you recruited by an SEC/ACC school?
No? Then STFU!
RoswellDawg
June 16th, 2009
3:19 pm
Spectator/sswinfordawg: Rivals southeast recruiting analyst said PRIOR TO HIS COMMITMENT and prior to UGA offering that he could move up as far as the #2 WR in state (above Tai-ler Jones and above Ambles). If you have any doubts…just watch his video. Until then you’re simply ignorant.
bill_in_atl
June 16th, 2009
3:22 pm
I would much rather offer guys that have good films, lots of stars and fit the stereotype for the position.
Not sure what our coaches were thinking in offering a kid just because they actually watched him compete against talented DBs in their own camp. UGA coaches are obviously clueless at this recruiting business.
Theophilus
June 16th, 2009
3:26 pm
I saw Alpharetta play a few times this year and Michael was by far the best player on the field. The kid is a true playmaker. I am very excited about him attending UGA. Georgia is getting a first class player and young man.
Clint
June 16th, 2009
3:31 pm
Bill you’re a moron. These camps are where a lot of players get noticed. Look at Ben Jones, nobody had heard of him until he dominated a camp. UGA offered, he signed, and started last season. I’d rather take a chance on a kid like Bennett, who beats some of the top DBs at a camp, than a kid who dominates kids who won’t be playing college ball on film.
RoswellDawg
June 16th, 2009
3:33 pm
Clint…Bill way laying a hefty dose of sarcasm on.
JB
June 16th, 2009
3:40 pm
I guess he put Tech off his list pretty quick…..Where WR’s go to die..
Derrick
June 16th, 2009
3:46 pm
So Richt is offering this guy but not Ambles? I’m starting to think Richt may be overrated.
JST
June 16th, 2009
3:47 pm
Thanks for your keen insights on talent scouting bill_in_atl, I trust your credential are stellar….you can now go back to wrangling buggies in the parking lot….wait….hold on….I think I just heard them announce that there is a clean up in Aisle 4….you are going to need to jump on that first
RoswellDawg
June 16th, 2009
3:55 pm
Derrick…Ambles will NOT get offered by UGA and it has nothing to do with what kind of WR he is. Notice that GT did not offer and Southern Cal rescinded their offer.
bill_in_atl
June 16th, 2009
4:08 pm
I tried to make it painfully obvious that it was sarcasm, but I seem to have failed. By any chance do either of you guys post on the rivals site under the name Harlon Pepper?
Trip
June 16th, 2009
4:20 pm
Bill… Id take them recruiting over your sorry a**. Pretty sure they have forgotten more about this “business” than you will ever learn.
spectator
June 16th, 2009
4:21 pm
WTF….in answer to your question, yes I was, by several. How about you?
spectator
June 16th, 2009
4:44 pm
I only posted to let everyone know just how stupid I am. I had the 1st stupid post on this thread and really feel proud of myself.
MilitaryDawgInDC
June 16th, 2009
4:50 pm
Spec. Sure you were. I’m sure you made a good Ninetendo all star
JST
June 16th, 2009
4:56 pm
Bill — apologies, the quantity of children on here tend to foster an itchy finger and the art of sarcasm gets lost
ThaDawgdude
June 16th, 2009
5:23 pm
Bill you’re such an A’hole! You must be a terrible person to want to torment these poor defenseless uninformed patrons of this blog. I hate you Bill, I hate you with such passion it burns my eyes looking at the words you typed on this screen Im looking at on my computer right now in front of me at my desk.AHHHHHHH!!!!
ThaDawgdude
June 16th, 2009
5:26 pm
And if anyone thinks that’s sarcasm, I dare you to question the words that I type with your own typed words through this screen of infinite possibilities! Do it! I DARE YOU! I DOUBLE DOG DARE YOU!!!
Jaded Jacket
June 16th, 2009
5:32 pm
Congrats UGA!! You beat out powerhouses like Syracuse, Indiana and Purdue. You’re moving up in the world.
UGAdawg
June 16th, 2009
5:37 pm
I guess we’re gonna field 6 receivers four linemen and a QB on every play. How many receivers do we need?
GT Dog
June 16th, 2009
6:22 pm
This kid reminds me a lot of Durham. A little shorter but more athletic. As far as his recruiting rating, I put more faith in the coaches’ evaluation than whether or not the kid has attended x number of camps sponsored by whatever recruiting services. As someone mentioned earlier in this blog, Ben Jones is a great example of a kid who wasn’t on the radar until he attended the camp at UGA.
One fallacy that seems to appear on these blogs frequently is that these recruiting services have teams of analysts attending thousands of HS games each fall evaluating talent. Not true. The bulk of the evaluation comes from camps sponsored by the services where the players are “measured” during drills. If you don’t attend the camps, it’s hard to get “rated”.
bill_in_atl
June 16th, 2009
6:28 pm
No we get word of a ZERO star (rivals site) OLB committing to UGA today. Get ready for a revolt.
BG
June 16th, 2009
7:17 pm
This kid will be an excellent wideout.
BILLY JACK
June 16th, 2009
8:03 pm
I coached high school football for 23 years in Georgia and Texas.I coached against this kid he is a excellent football player.Georgia looks like they are heading for another top 5 class great job coaches.
bank walker
June 16th, 2009
9:49 pm
I don’t care how many stars someone has, I trust Mark Richt. If Richt wants him and he commits, then he’s a brother, period. For all the haters out there; he just got a FULL RIDE to one of the top football programs in the country! He will get a great education, maybe go pro and make millions. I could give a dam less how many stars I had, if I were him! GATA BENNETT!! GO DAWGS!!
GT...... Seriously?WTF
June 16th, 2009
10:10 pm
Spectator, i believe i hear your mother calling for you. Im pretty sure its your bedtime. So go to sleep you D!ck Junk!e.
Maddog
June 16th, 2009
10:55 pm
UGA received a commitment from Demetre Baker.
UGAHt: 6-0 Wt: 200 40: 4.45
Position: OLB
Year: Class of 2010
High School: Orange Park HS
(Orange Park, FL)
Rated 4 star and #17 OLB in country. No ratings from Rivals. Go figure.
SamoanDawg
June 16th, 2009
11:01 pm
Yeah, good point, on Ben Jones.. we beat out Troy for his service. Now we beat out Syracuse for Bennett’s service. So, it dudn’t matter how many stars you have. If you’re a football player, then, that’s all it matters… stars are overrated! We need more big body movers like Benedict. Searels did a heck of a job luring Benedict to verbally commit. He deserves another raise. I hope we lock him down for 44 more years…
When you catch up....
June 17th, 2009
6:39 am
Florida was/is going to offer Bennett. As far as the LB Baker, he is a 4* on Scout.com. Rivals has only had his tape for a couple of weeks, that is why there is no ranking on him. Back to Bennett, the kid will end up passing both Ambles and Jones in the state, giving UGA the top two WR in Ga. Also, UGA will get one more. If you follow the team at all, you will know we are thin at WR…
Bamafan
June 17th, 2009
6:51 am
The dawgs are starting to put a top ten recruiting class together as usual!!
GO DAWGS!!!
More on Yesterday’s Recruiting Commitments | MrSEC.com
June 17th, 2009
9:21 am
[...] Also (free articles):– Georgia adds 2 commitments – ABH– Bennett commits to Dawgs – AJC– Bennett commits to UGA – ESPN– Border crossing. Four leave state for UGA – [...]
Flo-Ri-Duh!
June 17th, 2009
10:03 am
UGA is on a roll and Tech has rolled over …. the jealousy coming from that landfill called Tech is amazing and I love it!
Ben
June 17th, 2009
10:09 am
I like how everyone is like “He reminds me of Durham!” Funny stuff, because his game is a lot more athletic than Durham to me… he’s got quicker legs, as opposed to Durhams lengthy strides and rangy arms… looks a lot more like a prototypical WR prospect…
Recruiting
June 17th, 2009
11:04 am
UGA will not have a top 10 class becasue they will only be able to offer 12-15 kids. Other schools will sign 25-28 kids and pass both UGA and GT in the rankings (for what they are worth). UGA’s and GT recruiting classes look very similar right now.
Jaded Jacket
June 17th, 2009
11:05 am
UGA is putting together another top-notch recruiting class, but as usual will do nothing with it.
The Grinch
June 17th, 2009
11:42 am
To Recruiting
You said “UGA’s and GT recruiting classes look very similar now”. BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! Based on WHAT, the fact that they’re all “verbal”? BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!
UGA will offer 18-20 scholarships for the Class of 2010. Bet you our class and tech’s won’t even resemble each other when all is said and done.
According to Scout (I know, I know, you don’t care about rankings, right?), UGA is presently rated 11th in the country and that’s with only 8 commitments. Tech is rated 26th with 7 commitments. With the exception of Penn State, virtually all of the other teams ranked ahead of UGA have almost twice as many commitements as we do. That being said, only Texas and Penn State have a higher average rating per recruit.
Like tech if you will, but geez, don’t twist the truth to support your argument.
Recruiting
June 17th, 2009
11:56 am
Grinch, please tell me how they don’t look similar? Please understand the diffrence between the word similar and same. If your going to leverage star rating at least use Rivals. They are the ‘gold standard’ when it comes to recruiting services.
Recruiting
June 17th, 2009
11:59 am
One more point, Grinch. Its not about the teams currently rated in front of you. Its more about the teams behind you who are planning on signing large classes. They will jump you once their numbers grow. Thus, you move down.
The Grinch
June 17th, 2009
12:45 pm
To Recruiting
I know full well how the final ratings are determined and how total numbers can affect said ranking. Scout, Rivals, etc, they’re all pretty much the same, right?
Let me ask you this – if you could ask ANY coach (other than UGA or tech) whose committed recruits they would prefer to have at this point, UGA or tech, I doubt you’d find many who would take tech’s over UGA’s. THAT’S why I don’t think the two groups of recruits are similar.
For those who wish to trash the recruiting rankings, let me ask you this: if rankings have no impact, then why (for the most part) do the Top 10 recruiting colleges traditionally finish in the Top 10 final season football rankings? There IS a correlation.
The Grinch
June 17th, 2009
12:50 pm
To Recruiting
By the way, I looked at the Rivals recruiting rankings for this last class. UGA was rated 6th. With the exception of Florida, EVERY OTHER TEAM in the top 20 signed more players than us. Just another example of how larger signing classes does NOT determine the final rankings. To sum it all up, I still stand with my comment about UGA and tech NOT having similar recruiting classes at this juncture.
Wide Receiver Michael Bennett Commits to Georgia
June 17th, 2009
12:54 pm
[...] Alpharetta’s Bennett Commits To Dogs – AJC.com Bookmark and Share: [...]
Recruiting
June 17th, 2009
1:15 pm
Not sure I agree with your logic, Grinch. Looking at the current recruits on board for both teams, classes are similiar. Per your point, this could change.
Bill
June 17th, 2009
1:15 pm
Great kid and pick-up for UGA. Best of luck Michael!
Roll Tide
Cuz
June 17th, 2009
1:31 pm
Sounds like a great kid. He should be a great Dawg.
SEC
June 17th, 2009
1:44 pm
I agree with Grinch. They are not similiar as far as talent and rankings. These two teams have two completely different schemes. I’m sure they are recruiting what fits best. I am glad to see these tall WR coming to UGA cause we have two talented arms waiting to get them the ball in the future
bank walker
June 17th, 2009
1:49 pm
Actually Grinch, I think UGA will be able to sign 22, maybe 23.
The only thing Durham and Bennett is alike in, they are both white! Bennett is quicker and faster than Durham.
Recruiting
June 17th, 2009
1:56 pm
SEC: In Tech’s current recruitng class their talent is more on the defensive side of the ball, not offensive.
SEC
June 17th, 2009
2:02 pm
I agree with that. UGA needs to pick it up on that side of the ball. But as far as overall talent on both sides of the ball. UGA has the edge so far this year.
Recruiting
June 17th, 2009
2:10 pm
I can’t argue that, SEC.
Jaded Jacket
June 17th, 2009
2:11 pm
It doesn’t matter. UGA will squander the talent anyway.
SEC
June 17th, 2009
2:21 pm
Jaded,
Do u even know anything about football or do just like acting like you do? I’m not sure how you squander talent when you have a 10 win season. We finished about where we ranked in recruiting almost every year. We even finished in the top 3 after our victory in the sugar bowl. I know ya’ll beat us last year so ya’ll have some bragging rights but be smart about it cause yall do have to play us every year.
SEC
June 17th, 2009
2:26 pm
I guess the Lions and the Broncos thought we did too considering Stafford and Know were taken 1st overall and 12th overall. The problem was we put too much emphasis on those guys to get everything done
Jaded Jacket
June 17th, 2009
2:27 pm
SEC, remind again when UGA’s last National Chamionship was again.
SEC
June 17th, 2009
2:30 pm
hahah ok so you just answered my question. U like to act like you know. Its has been a seriously long time. And yours was 19 years ago. Neither one of us have an arguement in that subject. Both is an extremely long time considering the talent in this state.
The Grinch
June 17th, 2009
2:30 pm
To Jaded Jacket
You got me. I can’t remember the last time UGA won a National “Chamionship”. BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!
The Grinch
June 17th, 2009
2:35 pm
To Jaded Jacket
By the way, UGA’s 1980 team was undefeated, untied, and was the consensus NC.
Tech, on the other hand, took a different route. In the event you’re in denial, let me refresh your memory.
At the end of the 1990 regular season, tech was ranked #2, Colorado was #1. Colorado went on to beat Notre Dame (#4 I think) in the Orange Bowl. Tech, on the other hand, defeated a down Nebraska team (#19 I believe) in the Citrus Bowl. The Citrus Bowl?? BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!! That was one of the biggest dud bowls in the country and that’s the best the ACC champ could get?? BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!
End of story – Tech wins a split “chamionship”. BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
SEC
June 17th, 2009
2:49 pm
well stated grinch
Jaded Jacket
June 17th, 2009
3:01 pm
So the moral of the story is that GT has won a NC more recently than UGA has. Thanks for clearing that up for me.
SEC
June 17th, 2009
3:06 pm
Jaded,
You really couldnt come up with anything better than that? Where you even born when GT split the national title?
SEC
June 17th, 2009
3:07 pm
Were*
LT Dawg
June 17th, 2009
4:14 pm
A couple of things.
On Rivals as least, they only take into account the best 20 recruits for a class. Therefore the numbers above 20 don’t matter.
Second, UGA’s class so far is much much better than GT’s. GT might be putting together a fine class but it will not compare to UGA’s and it really isn’t debatable. Bostic is good (grew up a UGA fan) but we have other CBs higher. Isaiah Johnson is very underrated and we wanted him for sure. Denzel McCoy is the product of good marketing by his coach to get the offers he has. I know we were never very interested, I hear he is a ‘looks like Tarzan but plays like Jane type’.
The Grinch
June 17th, 2009
4:23 pm
To Jaded Jacket
Glad I cleared it up for you. Yes, tech has won a split NC with a blemished record more recently than UGA’s undefeated, untied, consensus NC. BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!
swampjacket
June 17th, 2009
5:49 pm
grinch and the rest of you brilliant football “analists” that probably never played a down in your life! recruit and class ratings are nice, but the numbers that matter are 49-10 and 45-42!!!!!! I understand your need to look ahead and not dwell on the past. I guess if I were you I would become obsessed with a bunch of high school boys too! Though for the record I find it very disturbing!
SEC
June 17th, 2009
6:26 pm
Actually swamp those numbers dont really matter anymore. It has already happend and yes we got beat. Now the focus is one what is UGA doing to help make sure that doesnt happen again. I will take your concern into consideration but the fact of the matter is that yes i do get excited when we get talent like this to join bulldog nation. I guess that makes me a ummmm whats the word oh a “DAWG FAN”!
TeeBlow is my super hero......i dont think so!!
June 17th, 2009
7:28 pm
Let me see if my calculations are correct (damn ???….i sound like a nerd !! ….that’s scary !! If my calculations are right it would mean that SWAMP+JACKET =CrocodileousMAGGOT. DAMN I’ AM GOOD !!!!! GOOOOOOO DAWGS & THE HELL WITH TECH !!
Hi. my name is swampjacka$$
June 17th, 2009
7:33 pm
Welcome to Crystal’s my name is swampjacka$$. how can i help you !! GATA DAWGS !! & THE HELL WITH THE MAGGOT’S !!!!
swampjacket
June 17th, 2009
8:40 pm
Ouch! Seems those numbers touched a nerve!! I really didn’t expect a reaction because I didn’t think most of you could read. But your frustration is understandable considering you will lose to both TECH and UF for the considerable future. and sec the word may be “a dawg”, but the “Good Word” is “TO HELL WITH GEORGIA!”
Camden Mark
June 17th, 2009
9:03 pm
I heard yesterday another kid from Orange Park (Jax) is also coming out for UGA early.I can’t spit his name out to save my life but I do remember from the Jax radio guys (1010XL again) that he was a 6′2″ 205lb Lb/rb and probably a 4 star guy.Another Jax guy being recruited by UF and going to UGA instead.Our HS boys have an interesting game on the schedual on 9/11.Got Hoover Alabama coming to town.They should be out for blood,we gave them thier worst home loss in program history (44-16) last season.I expect we’ll send them home wondering why they even bothered to cross the border.
Angry Black Man
June 18th, 2009
1:36 pm
We need more athletes of color!
Why are we recruiting a honkey wide receiver?
BRING BACK TERRENCE MOORE!!!!!!!!!!
brick
June 18th, 2009
6:39 pm
I want to congratulate the Jacket fans on their win over UGA last season. To tell you the truth I was getting pretty bored beating your a$$e$ every year. Thanks for adding a little interest to the game and for giving our players a little motivation. Of course that offense will be better because no one can stop it no matter how many times they see it right? I guess LSU missed that memo after having a month to get ready for it. But the thing that really makes me happy is seeing the Jacket fans are just as clueless about football and they are about what makes a lady happy.
SEC fan
June 18th, 2009
9:59 pm
Wonder if the AJC will write anything about Under Armour pulling their invitation to M. Ambles to play in the All American game this year? Short article on ESPN site today but no details other than invitation to play was withdrawn.
rashad
June 20th, 2009
3:00 pm
ok for the clown who doesnt play football but is hating on my boy bennett learn your stuff before making a comment because the universites of florida, tennesse, vanderbilt, and the whole damn acc were recruiting him
JC
June 21st, 2009
11:13 pm
For angry black man: UGA recruiting a honky is because we have an abundance of coon receivers.
eric
June 22nd, 2009
1:02 am
ya dont hate on whities if a white man disrespected a black reciever like that obama would have them executed..
Hairofthedawg
June 22nd, 2009
1:29 am
Welcome aboard MR. Bennett. Wish u luck and gald you are a Dawg! Sickem
Often Disappointed/Never Surprised!
June 22nd, 2009
8:23 am
Angry Black Man and JC should really ease up. This is not the forum for foolishness! I am even more surprised that these two comments were even permitted. We have a long way to go people!
Monty
June 23rd, 2009
1:17 am
Dear ignorant tech fan that thinks he is good with numbers. What does one out of ten give you? 9 AWESOME YEARS FOR GEORGIA!!!