July fireworks to come?
By DARRYL MAXIE / dmaxie@ajc.com
Now that Georgia and Georgia Tech have secured commitments from some of the state’s premium Class of 2010 talent, the ones that haven’t committed are drawing increased interest.
With the dawning of July, more attention likely will fall on guys like Douglass defensive tackle Garrison Smith, Henry County receiver Markeith Ambles, M.L. King running back Mack Brown, Southwest DeKalb defensive end T.J. Stripling and Warner Robins defensive tackle Jeffrey Whitaker –- some of the state’s best available talent.
Brown may be the first to commit. Though recruiting services have reported his preferences as Georgia and Florida, Brown himself was careful to include Alabama, LSU and Oklahoma in a conversation with the AJC. But he’s planning to visit the reported favorites next week.
Stripling also favors Georgia and Florida. Now that SWD teammates Jonathan Mincy (Auburn) and Kendrun Malcome (Georgia) have committed, Stripling likely won’t remain uncommitted for long.
Whitaker is planning to go next door and visit both Alabama and Auburn, which are high on his list. Georgia remains in the mix, but no visit has been scheduled.
Ambles hasn’t expressed that any visits are imminent, but he’s told rivals that Tennessee is his favorite. (It’s a pay site; a subscription is required.)
And Smith isn’t going anywhere anytime soon, but could easily spend the month sorting through his scores of offers.
THE NEXT STEP
Hillgrove defensive end Brandon Chubb is looking forward to the chance to go to the playoffs for the first time. A rising junior, Chubb understands that his natural athletic ability won’t be enough to sustain him on the next level. So he’s working on his pass rush skills.
Raw ability has already gotten him noticed by Georgia, Georgia Tech, Florida, Florida State, Auburn and Vanderbilt, though it’s still too early for any to offer him a scholarship. He took part in the Football University camp last month in Stockbridge.
“I learned more techniques,” he told the AJC. “If I just bull rush, offensive linemen are sometimes two times stronger than you.” Chubb said his goals for this season include winning a defensive player of the week award, becoming all-county, “getting offers, more sacks and more tackles.”
QB GETS HIGH MARKS
Lassiter quarterback Hutson Mason, who has told the AJC that Iowa is high on his list because the coaches make the most of their players, drew the praise of coach Chip Lindsey in an interview with Georgia High School Football Daily.
“He can fit in any type of pro-style or spread offense,” Lindsey told the newsletter about Mason. “His strengths are accuracy and understanding the game. His weaknesses, he doesn’t have a lot except he wants to get physically stronger. He’s got a high ceiling at the next level.”
ETC.
Blue-chip receiver/defensive back Matt Elam committed to Florida last October, but told Adam Gorney of Gatorbait.net that it won’t stop him from taking a just-in-case official visit to Georgia this month. … GHSF Daily is reporting that LaGrange kicker Joe Mansour has committed to Kentucky, where several former Grangers also play. … Chad Simmons of scout.com is touting Christian Conley, a rising junior at new school North Paulding, as one of the best receivers from the Class of 2011. Check out his video evidence by clicking on the link by Simmons’ name above, and remember it’s a pay site, subscription required.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Guides
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2009 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
51 comments Add your comment
Bamafan
July 2nd, 2009
11:18 am
Why is the Ambles kid stock falling lately? Jeffrey Whitaker would be a good pickup for the crimson tide if he commits to Alabama!
stoopid
July 2nd, 2009
12:07 pm
just make Mack a DAWG and ill be ok
Maddog
July 2nd, 2009
12:14 pm
UGA is not pressing Ambles for a commitment. This is not to disparage the kid, but we’ve already picked up 3 receiver commitments, so he’s no longer a priority.
DAWG
July 2nd, 2009
12:18 pm
Ambles will probably choose UT. The coach for Henry County just recently had his son walk on as QB, after being released from the Boston Red Sox. I’ve seen the kid play numerous times, and he is a great athlete, but has a very hot head, and poor sportsmanship. Good luck to him. Keep HCo on the recruit map.
elephant slayer
July 2nd, 2009
12:25 pm
I am a member of the Gator Nation and I have to admit UGA is doing a fine job of recruiting. We will just have to wait and see if the coaching staff can get the most out of the fine players you are picking up. I hope Willie Martinez doesn’t get replaced, he has made life easy for the Gator Nation! Mark needs to evaluate his coaching staff quickly, or he may be on the way out. He must produce W’s with the atheletes his is getting.
Gator Slayer
July 2nd, 2009
12:44 pm
Who’s the elephant slayer? Can’t be Florida. We’ve won 3 of the last 5 vs Florida including 2 humiliating blowouts 34-7 and 31-3. We own the head to head also by a wide margin. Elephant slayer my azz! When you catch up to us head to head then maybe you can brag a bit. Winning one or 2 in a row doesn’t qualify you as a “elephant slayer”.
All Knowing
July 2nd, 2009
12:52 pm
Ambles is not that great ive watched him play. He wasnt anywhere near to what is team mate Patterson was.
#1 BAMA FAN
July 2nd, 2009
1:05 pm
Elephant slayer…..what are you ten years old or so old your memory is failing?
AJ
July 2nd, 2009
1:11 pm
I don’t know what is going on with the Ambles kid, but he had two offers pulled and was droped from the all american game. I hope he can work out his issues what ever they are and get into a good shcool. Good luck to him.
Too Easy
July 2nd, 2009
1:33 pm
But, gator slayer, you didn’t beat ‘em when it mattered and you had your first decent team this century (humiliating blowout in the SECCG), and then you went and lost to UTAH (humiliating blowout in the Sugar). Give the gators their due – they are on an incredible run. You haven’t proven you are.
#1 BAMA FAN
July 2nd, 2009
1:36 pm
Too Easy, you must be a crackhead. BAMA did lose to the GATORS but led going into the fourth quarter (I was there). The loss in the SUGAR BOWL was humiliating and I have always given the other SEC teams their due….but SLAYER????
sswinfordawg
July 2nd, 2009
1:37 pm
Ambles has baggage and isn’t that great. He is slow and vertical is less than impressive. Why was this kid ranked as high as he was? UGA was smart to not offer this kid. Besides we got the best WR in the state. We don’t need this kid.
Mack Brown will be choosing between UGA and UF. The kid lives like half an hour away from UGA and is really good friends with our latest commit Malcome. Actually a day or two after Malcome committed Brown almost committed (did not specify who he was committing to though).
Stripling looks to be a lock for UGA. UGA has been his favorite all along and now his cousin Malcome will be playing there. Don’t see him going anywhere else.
Garrison Smith grew up a UGA fan and I’m hoping that works in our favor but it doesn’t look like he will be deciding any time soon. Take your time big guy. It’s a very important decision.
Don’t know much about Whitaker. Tech should really pursue this guy if they want to pick up a big one. He looks like he could be within their reach. I hope Tech gets him if we don’t.
Reality Check
July 2nd, 2009
1:51 pm
Maddog – UGA has never recruited Ambles and has never offered him. He apparently has some issues from the past that caused the schools that were recruiting him to back off.
bank walker
July 2nd, 2009
2:02 pm
Whittaker will be a Dawg! He is in Athens all the time. Garner and Jeff are twisted they are so tight.
Pay Attention
July 2nd, 2009
2:12 pm
Ambles does NOT have an offer from UGA. Never did. His offer at USC, the real one, was pulled. That is why it isnt suprising to me that he has Tennessee list first. UTk is notorious about taking the Kelly Washington’s, Jason Respert’s, of the world. Ambles will fit right into that zoo up there. Maybe he liked Ed Bulgerons naked chest or something.
reservoirDAWG
July 2nd, 2009
2:18 pm
Bulgeron. That’s funny.
JaxDawg
July 2nd, 2009
2:54 pm
Hopefully the excellent recruiting additions willl continue strong. However, we must rememeber that nothing is binding until signing day, I hope those who have given their verbal follow through and get to UGA to make the Team better. Mack Brown, Jeff Luc and Garrison Smith would be just too good to wish for but hey, you never know right? Also, does anyone know when DB from Hargrave Jakar Hamilton is going to decide? I`m hearing that it`s down to UGA and Bama right now. GO DAWGS!!
Me
July 2nd, 2009
2:54 pm
I believe even the Gators have backed off a bit from Ambles because of some issues already noted. Sounds like a great talent but a bit of a head case. Sounds like a perfect fit for the Vols!
Gator Growl
July 2nd, 2009
2:59 pm
Mack Brown needs to go where his talents best fit, no matter who else has committed or whatever…
Tide Rising
July 2nd, 2009
3:00 pm
If the homestate school Georgia didn’t offer Ambles then something’s wrong and its usually character issues which is usually something the home state people would know more about as opposed to out of state recruiters.
From what I understand on the Bama boards he and another player did something at school and now several schools have pulled offers from him including USC, UF, and I think Bama has also cooled on him. Of course I didn’t think we were in his top 2 to begin with anyway.
Mack Brown. Supposedly he has Bama, OU, and one other team in there along with UGA and UF. But I think this is really a UGA-UF battle with UGA probably holding a lead. He probably ends up a dog.
As of now several SEC programs have top 10 classes and at Bama I think we are already getting close to full and will offer 5 or 6 more 4 or 5 star recruits and then we’re done. Right now scout has Bama rated no. 2 class, and I think UF was 5th or 6th, LSU was maybe top 5, UGA was 8th I think. All will end up certainly with top 10 classes though and probably a couple of us will finish in the top 5.
Elephant slayer, Something must have happened to you for you to hate Bama that much, a team that you’ve actually beaten 2 in a row. Only you would call that seccg game a blowout considering we were actually leading in the 4th qtr. You had the amazingly good fortune of no turnovers in the game I think and no big special teams mistakes(we had 2) that changed the complexion of the game.
The reason we collapsed against UTAH is that after reviewing the film of the UF game our players were disgusted because in their minds they realized the better team had lost. The myriad number of mistakes: 2 special teams plays that momentously changed field position or the touchy facemask call when we stopped you on 3rd down in the 4th qtr.
You have to admit. Florida pretty much had to play a perfect, mistake free game in order to beat us. You also had to convert quite a few 3rd down passes. I won’t call it luck but clearly you had good fortune on a lot of key plays. That kind of good fortune doesn’t happen often.
Doesn’t matter now but more than likely we will get a second shot at you this year. And given our history(even recent history 3 out of 5) of dominance of the gators this is the one SEC team that not only has zero fear of the gators but actually expects to win when we play you.
I’m guessing that you went to one of the recent Bama games where we blew Florida out really bad and the memory is just etched in your mind. Get over it, move on, and get a handle that uplifts Florida rather than trying to mock someone else.
follow the money trail
July 2nd, 2009
3:37 pm
some of these bloggers need to go write books instead.
sswinfordawg
July 2nd, 2009
4:04 pm
Whitaker just announced that he will be trimming his list soon. Will be interesting to see who he drops.
The money trail
July 2nd, 2009
4:13 pm
follow the money,
Its a free world. You don’t have to read everyone’s diatribe. If you don’t want to read their litanys then don’t
Trust Nick Saban
July 2nd, 2009
4:31 pm
I guess I have to say it. I’m not going to be the Alabama coach. … I don’t control what people say. I don’t control what people put on dot-com or anything else. So I’m just telling you there’s no significance, in my opinion, about this, about me, about any interest that I have in anything other than being the coach here
m
July 2nd, 2009
4:31 pm
Was funny as hellle to watch the Utes biotch-slap the tide in the sugar bowl.
sec…most overrated conference in history.
The truth hurts...
July 2nd, 2009
4:32 pm
Notice there is not one bit of interest in Tech from any of these blue chip prospects….shocker!!!
n
July 2nd, 2009
4:42 pm
Notice UGA can’t even lock up all the in-state talent? GT sucks, but that doesnt mean UGA doesnt.
UGA is a 3rd tier program. Always has been, always will be. I put you right up there with the BYUs of the world…congrats
sswinfordawg
July 2nd, 2009
5:12 pm
N, is that why UGA gets top 10 recruiting classes every year? What makes you think UGA hasn’t and won’t get the top talent in Georgia. They have in fact done that every year for a long time. They continue to do that this year. Need evidence? Try #1 recruit in GA Darick Rogers and #2 recruit in Ga Ogletree have already committed to UGA. You might want to hold on on making that evaluation this year. There is plenty of time for UGA to grab the rest of the top talent in Georgia.
“3rd tier program”. I was unaware that consistently having 10 win seasons and getting top tier recruits in georgia and now florida was 3rd tier. You learn something new every day.
Trust Nick Saban
July 2nd, 2009
5:12 pm
No. You can’t trust me to keep my word and stay at Bama.
Never mind that I just initiated contract talks with Bama to get my contract extended a few years through 2016. Never mind that little factoid.
Never mind also that I committed 1 million to the general scholarship fund to be distributed 100k per year over the next 10 years. Why commit that kinda money if I’m leaving in a year or 2? Never mind this little factoid also.
Bottom line. Some fans mostly Auburn and UT fans just can’t stand the fact that it looks like I’m here to stay. At least that’s what all the FACTS point to. Deal with it and get used to it. I’m here to stay!
The Grinch
July 2nd, 2009
5:37 pm
To m
The SEC went 5-2 in their bowl games last year and won the NC.
And the ACC??….BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!
Halsey
July 2nd, 2009
6:19 pm
Everytime I see Whitaker’s face I swear he looks familiar. Someone help me with who he looks like. Possibly an NFL player. I just can’t think of who…
Gator Growl
July 2nd, 2009
6:20 pm
Tide Rising!?!?!? Are you serious????? Your post basically said that Florida was “lucky” to beat Bama and Bama was really the best team??? Is this THE Alabama, the team that played Utah in the bowl game?? You can make all the excuses you want but great teams don’t get BLOWN OUT by Utah! And meanwhile, back at the ranch, that inferior Florida was shutting down the most prolific offense in the history of modern football, Oklahoma. Oh, I’m sorry…I think Utah just scored again! Brother, just when you think you’ve heard it all! No WONDER Saban demanded a get out of town with no penalty contract!!! Obviously the man is smart enough to realize how delusional and unrealistic Tide fans really are!!
Me
July 2nd, 2009
6:35 pm
Growl, I’m still laughing at Tides post too. He said Florida was lucky because they played mistake free football, made critical plays on third down and took advantage of the other teams mistakes. I guess my question is, isn’t that what national championship teams do? I guess so, because I see you over there……. holding that trophy!
TampaGator
July 2nd, 2009
8:44 pm
Florida completely physically dominated Bama in the fourth quarter, and that is what great teams do (and they did it without Harvin). Florida had the best conditioned and most athletic athletes in the conference last year and proved it against both Bama and OU. No luck involved. Training, execution, coaching, and tons of talent won both the SEC and National Titles last year. As far as Bama, no one should put the Tide down, not based on the number of SEC and National Titles they have won over the years and their tradition. And there is no tougher place to play that over there. But you would think Georgia had Bama’s record based on how Dawg fans talk on these blogs.
BigMike
July 2nd, 2009
10:40 pm
Martinez, no excuses this year, yuo’ve had a year to beef up your ‘D’, with players like Tyson,Harmon, and a fresh J.Owens and Kade Weston back. Coach Martinez mess up this year, and it won’t be CMR’s decision if you stay! This is BullDawg nation, and we expect(like USC,Texas, and UF) to win. Lose and you will be the biggest loser!
PTC Jacket
July 2nd, 2009
11:24 pm
I’ll give UGA credit for getting top recruits from the state, but don’t forget that:
1) Tech has too. Denzel McCoy? And we got the best CB also. We’ve done well for Paul Johnson’s official first class.
2) UGA hasn’t made the most out of their players. Blame it on the injuries, I don’t care. Or Willy Martinez. Whatever.
elephant slayer
July 3rd, 2009
8:02 am
I just call it as I see it. We entered the SEC Championship Game with one loss facing the undisputed #1 elephants. We killed your chances for the National Championship and took that trophy home as well. What do the elephants not understand about having their “azz” handed to them? You had the upperhand entering the game but were out coached and out played by better talent. Saban needs to get use to this position. The elephants believe they will make it back to the SEC Campionship game this season. This will not happen due to the Ole Miss Rebels OR LSU. We will not have the gift of facing the lowly elephants for a EASY SEC Championship victory again. The Gator Nation will win the SEC and National Championship this season. 3 out of 4. GO GATORS!
sswinfordawg
July 3rd, 2009
8:16 am
PTC,
I wouldn’t go as far to say that Tech is getting tip notch talent across the board in georgia. You got Ayers. Props for that. He is the best corner in Ga and I wish he would have chosen UGA but he probably wouldn’t have seen the field until 2011 or 12. He doesn’t even have close to the ability that Smith and Boykin have. I don’t blame him for going to GT where he can probably get immediate playing time.
Your other corner commit this year looks to be pretty good. UGA didn’t pursue him. We’ll see how that plays out.
I’m not too sure about this Denzel McCoy kid. Rivals has him with a pretty good rating but scout has him rated much less. Says it is because of Disengaging Skill and Lateral Range. Watched some video of this kid and he seems okay but i didn’t see anything too special.
Yall picked up a safety that UGA went after. Props for that too.
I’m impressed that PJ got these guys to come but I would hardly call your class as a whole impressive. Especially since you haven’t committed an offensive player that is worth a crap since the 2007 class (except for Uzi). You have top notch athletes in key positions on that offense (Dwire, Nesbitt,Thomas, had some on o-line). PJ better get rolling on the other side of the ball or else he might just have to put one of those DBs at QB. Come talk to me when PJ recruits some offensive players.
mike
July 3rd, 2009
10:33 am
Blame it on the alc0 alc alcohol Blame on the henny…
FRED
July 3rd, 2009
12:06 pm
UGA HUGH FAN. I DONT CARE HOW MANY TOP RECRUITED WE GET WE NEED TO COACH THEM UP OR WE WILL ALWAYS BE # 3 BEHIND FL AND BAMA.
James T
July 3rd, 2009
1:24 pm
ROLL TIDE ROLL.
bank walker
July 3rd, 2009
1:59 pm
Fred, did you just start watching football last year? UF is the only one we have come up short on. Jesus, bama has a good year and people think they are unstoppable! Fred, if you are gonna be that big of a pu$$, I would appreciate if you turn coat and become a bama fan. UGA is gonna win! Our state puts out 2 times the athletes if tennersee and bammer combined! If you don’t believe me look it up! We are gonna get the best players from this state, and some raw talent elsewhere! You can take that 3rd and ram it! GO GAWGS from a REAL DAWG!!
brick
July 4th, 2009
12:01 am
Fred, always be behind Bama and UF, wtf last year was the first year we were behind Bama in about 10-12 years, we beat UF the year before. As for Bama and Saban talking extension, has anyone took time to consider how many scholarships Bama will lose when the kids from Sabans first 3 classes fail to graduate? I don’t know the exact formula, but he has signed 85-90 kids in 3 years, if a certain percentage of those don’t graduate scholarships are lost. Bama fans are quite proud of the fact Saban encourages 3rd year kids not at top of depth charts to leave the program. When this catches up to Bama and ships are lost because of grad rates will Saban still be there? Does he care? Probably not, wouldn’t surprise me if he is at ND next fall.
Paddy
July 4th, 2009
9:24 am
How can hundreds of thousands of people go to a Michael Jackson memorial??? He was a “short eyes”. This country has lost its rudder. Happy 4th. Try and remember what made this country great and it was not tollerance for “short eyes”. Now back to football.
Gator forever !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
July 4th, 2009
10:54 am
Dawgs are definitely ahead of the Gators right now but I look for us to have a strong finish and kick the dawgs in the rear. I was at a sports Bar in “Gator nation” the other night and we were talking of that Smack down we gave the dawgs last yr. We all gave a toast to, GET THIS, your defensive cordinator W. Martinize. We love him at the “Gator Nation”. Please don’t ever get rid of him. Please, Please, Pretty Please! We love the way the defense runs around like they are lost LOL! I mean, they just are not a nasty bunch, ‘Junkyard Dawgs’, are a thing of the past. It left with your last Def. Cord., Van Gorder! GO Gators!!!!
Denver Dog
July 4th, 2009
11:14 am
Tide rising,
The reason you lost to UTAH was becuase your team was not prepared to play a team that wanted to beat you worse than you wanted to beat them. It is nothing to be ashamed of, it happened to Oklahoma in the Fiesta bowl a few years ago. Kind of like UGA was against Bama.
SEC championship game. Florida, as much as I hate to say it, just as they did UGA and many other teams, wanted it more than your team did. That is not just the players, but the coaches on down.
Recruiting, you will do well. Fla and Alabama played most of last year without injuries. I hope you do again. That is one of the critical parts of winning big.
If the SEC continues to dominate the rest of the country, there will undoubtedly be calls by the other 107 schools to change something. Just wait and see, hearings start in congress next week.
Christopher Robin Eggwhite
July 4th, 2009
11:42 am
Paddy I am all about your comments about short eyes. No place on this planet for those types. Michael Jackson has no place in our household any longer.
Paddy
July 4th, 2009
1:38 pm
Just the name Mack Brown sounds like it belongs in the UGA backfield. Wish Munson was still doing the games and work his verbage with that one. “MACK BROWN, MACK BROWN’, were did this kid come from?? Remindes me of “you know who”. Back to you Loren.
obomaisaclown
July 4th, 2009
7:06 pm
SECOND LOI AT BAMA COMING . YOU CAN NOT GIVE CARS TO PLAYERS AND GET AWAY WITH IT . EVEN IF THE CARS ARE RETURNED . THEY ARE TRYING TO KEEP THIS ONE UNDER THE TABLES JUST LIKE THE LAST LETTER !
South Georgia Dawg
July 5th, 2009
8:08 pm
I don’t like schools who make excuses for losing. That said, how many top programs could win at the top level with that many injuries(16). Georgia is not expected to be too good this year, but they have a lot of talent coming back, the team is hungry, and nobody is expecting miracles. This is a good situation to be in. Also all those negative remarks about out D coach make me think they are really from one of our “enemies” We all know the recruits read these blogs.
snapshot
July 7th, 2009
6:22 am
Recruits need to remember this, attend Tech and work hard you can party the rest of your life. Attend ugag and party hard you work the rest of your life. Go Yellow Jackets!!!!!!