Archive for June, 2009

By DARRYL MAXIE / dmaxie@ajc.com

Brent Benedict and Derek Owens represent Georgia recruiting victories in Florida. Judging from the Orlando Sentinel’s top 100 Sunshine State players, the Bulldogs seem to be in contention for a few more blue-chippers from down south.

Benedict, a 6-foot-4, 278-pound offensive tackle is ranked fourth on the Sentinel’s list. Owens, a 6-foot, 185-pound defensive back/athlete, is No. 11.

The Dogs also have made offers to the Sentinel’s No. 1, offensive lineman Brandon Linder (6-5, 290) from Fort Lauderdale, No. 3 pick linebacker Jeff Luc from Port St. Lucie, slender defensive end Lyndon Trail (6-7, 215) from Miami, who ranks No. 7, and defensive back Cody RIggs of Fort Lauderdale, who ranks 10th. A couple of those would be considered a coup.

Including early commitments Marc Deas, B.J. Butler and a more recent one in Demetre Baker, the Dogs have pledges from five players on the Sentinel list.

Continue reading Dogs like Orlando Sentinel’s top 100, land a few »

By DARRYL MAXIE / dmaxie@ajc.com

Denzel McCoy says don’t even try it. For schools who think they can talk the Northview defensive tackle out of his commitment to Georgia Tech — and there are a few — McCoy says they have a better chance of blasting his 6-foot-4, 273-pound frame off the line of scrimmage than they do of changing his mind.

“I just tell the other schools I’m done with my decision and I won’t be taking other visits,” McCoy told Sporting News. “The only thing that I’m going to be wearing that’s football affiliated is Georgia Tech stuff. You can tell me whatever you want. A lot of schools are still after me pretty hard, preaching the same thing, trying to just get me to come on visits.”

Obviously, coaches who try to get recruits to waffle on commitments — and there isn’t a school that doesn’t try it — know that they have nothing to lose and everything to gain. For every 50 McCoys, there’s the occasional Nu’Keese Richardson, the wide receiver Tennessee snagged from …

Continue reading McCoy tells Sporting News his commitment is firm »

By DARRYL MAXIE / dmaxie@ajc.com

It once looked like ECI linebacker Dexter Moody was right around the corner from receiving a financial aid offer from Tennessee. Now, junior college looks much more imminent for the 6-foot-2, 205-pound star recruit, who was released from a letter of intent by Georgia in March.

Georgia High School Football Daily, based on an interview with ECI coach Milan Turner, is reporting that Moody “still does not have a qualifying SAT score and also was taking a summer course and appears more likely to enroll at a junior college.” GHSF Daily also had good news for Georgia fans on record-setting running back Washaun Ealey, which can be found on the Junkyard Blawg. If you desire, you can contact the newsletter at ghsfdaily@bellsouth.net.

Initially, Moody hinted to the AJC that he might end up at “maybe Central Michigan or Florida.” As time passed, Tennesssee entered the picture and Moody told the Knoxville News Sentinel on April 19, “I’m going to [sign] …

Continue reading JUCO route seems likely for ECI’s Moody »

By DARRYL MAXIE / dmaxie@ajc.com

Had he wanted to move to the offensive side of the ball, Walton defensive tackle Kyle Woestmann might be headed to Georgia Tech. Or Georgia. Or Florida.

But the 6-foot-4, 250-pound rising senior always favored defense, and that’s where he’ll play when he suits up as a Vanderbilt Commodore.

Woestmann committed to Vandy over the weekend, after settling the offensive lineman question he wrestled with for months. Offense is where Tech coach Paul Johnson envisioned him playing, and stipulated that he would give him a written scholarship offer if he agreed to play on that side of the ball. Georgia and Florida liked him on that side, too, and early on, Woestmann confessed to the AJC that deciding between the two left him “in a dilemma.”

But as he made his mind up about playing defense, Tech faded. Georgia rethought its position and settled on him playing defense, and that vaulted the Dogs in the hunt along with Boston College, Clemson, Ole Miss and …

Continue reading Walton’s Woestmann is Van-’D'-bound »

By DARRYL MAXIE / dmaxie@ajc.com

Etowah offensive tackle Reid Webster has committed to Clemson.

“I went up there and it just felt like the place I needed to be,” Webster, a 6-foot-5, 270-pound rising senior, told the AJC. He chose the Tigers over Florida State, Miami and Mississippi, all of whom he considered too far from home.

“I felt like it was a place I could play,” he continued. “It’s got a good business school and it’s close so my dad can come and see most of the home games. I always wanted to play in the ACC since the ninth grade.”

Continue reading Clemson gets commitment from Etowah lineman »

By DARRYL MAXIE / dmaxie@ajc.com

Alabama coach Nick Saban says reporters for recruiting services should be held accountable for passing incorrect — and possibly damaging — information to potential Crimson Tide recruits.

Saban’s complaint, given a voice in Ian Rapoport’s blog for the Birmingham News, comes in the wake of NCAA sanctions against Alabama. The Crimson Tide didn’t lose any future scholarships on June 11, when the NCAA placed the school on three years’ probation, forced the football team to vacate 21 victories and fined them. The school is trying to win an appeal against the NCAA.

The Alabama coach, however, says that reporters for recruiting services — ones that Saban hint have an allegiance for teams Alabama recruits against — are spreading misinformation about the NCAA sanctions and that it’s designed to hurt Crimson Tide recruiting. Moreover, Saban seems to imply, the damaging information is being laundered by coaches through the recruiting services.

But Saban …

Continue reading Saban takes aim at recruiting services »

By DARRYL MAXIE / dmaxie@ajc.com

South Paulding cornerback Ryan Ayers committed to Georgia Tech today, his high school coach Tim Glanton confirmed moments ago. It gives the Yellow Jackets their second pledge from a high-profile prospect in as many weeks.

Ayers, a speedy 5-foot-10, 175-pound rising senior, is considered the consensus top cornerback in the state. He liked Georgia Tech from the start, and even while he was receiving offers from the Georgias, Alabamas and Auburns of the college football world, had to constantly downplay the notion that the Jackets were clearly in the lead.

In the end, however, his first love won out.

Attempts to reach Ayers were not immediately successful, but Glanton, asked if his cornerback had made the commitment, e-mailed simply, “Yes.”

For the Jackets, Ayers’ commitment strengthens a 2010 class that last week was bolstered by the commitment of Jefferson County quarterback Barry Bostic, who figures to play in the secondary in …

Continue reading Tech lands South Paulding CB Ayers »

By DARRYL MAXIE / dmaxie@ajc.com

Gainesville defensive back Daunte Carr says an ESPN report hinting that Miami is holding off on offering him is news to him.

“Matter of fact, I’m on a plane right now, and I’m going to talk to the coaches and get to the bottom of this,” Carr told the AJC Friday morning.

The ESPN report, posted Thursday, stated, “Sources close to the Gainesville High program indicate that the Hurricanes aren’t quite ready to jump in with a full-fledged written offer yet. They remain highly interested in Carr.”

Carr, a 6-1, 188-pound rising senior, said Miami assistant Wesley McGriff made the offer. He has previously stated that UCLA, Stanford, Wake Forest and N.C. State — in no particular order — are his four favorites.

Continue reading Carr: Nothing’s changed with Miami »

By DARRYL MAXIE / dmaxie@ajc.com

Clemson and Georgia Tech could make things interesting for Luella receiver/defensive back Detrick Bonner.

He had 11 offers as of Wednesday, favoring Michigan the most. But it’s clear he hasn’t made a decision and Clemson, where he has  camped, made an impression on the 6-foot, 165-pound receiver.

“The fact that they gave me my own tour, they showed more love, I guess,” Bonner told the AJC.

He added that if he were to get an offer from Georgia Tech, it would make him consider it seriously. For now, though, Bonner plans to camp at Auburn in July.

Continue reading Luella’s Bonner favors Michigan, Clemson »

By DARRYL MAXIE / dmaxie@ajc.com

Buford linebacker Jessel Curry, who weeks ago committed to West Virginia and then recanted, announced his commitment to Auburn today.

“I love the people,” Curry told AuburnSports.com. “Love the football that they play — big-time SEC. It’s just an amazing campus and amazing school.”

Curry, a 6-foot-2, 215-pound rising senior, changed his mind about West Virginia because “if I would have gone to West Virginia, my family would have had to drive a long way or flown to every game. I didn’t want to put that on them.”

He is the son of Buddy Curry, who played linebacker for the Falcons during an eight-year NFL career that stretched from 1980-87. But he sees another father figure in defensive coordinator Ted Roof, who was key to securing Curry once the Mountaineers were out of consideration.

“Coach Roof is going to be like my dad,” Curry said.

Continue reading Buford’s Curry sticks closer to home this time »