Hamilton chooses Georgia
By DARRYL MAXIE / dmaxie@ajc.com
The word Georgia fans have been waiting to hear came in a noontime announcement Saturday at an Augusta restaurant: Junior college All-America safety Jakar Hamilton is committing to the Bulldogs, becoming the team’s 14th commitment from the recruiting class of 2010.
Hamilton, 6 feet 1 1/2 and 205 pounds, earned first-team National Junior College Athletic Association All-America honors after recording 50 tackles, four interceptions and eight pass breakups as a freshman last season for Georgia Military College.
A graduate of Strom Thurmond High in Johnston, S.C., Hamilton originally had designs on attending South Carolina. But he failed to qualify academically and was advised to go to the Milledgeville school instead.
Auburn, Illinois, N.C. State and Tulsa also offered Hamilton, but he narrowed his choices to Georgia and Alabama as the recruiting process reached its conclusion. Three weeks ago, he decided it would be Georgia, but waited to make the announcement.
“Really, it was the coaches and the academics,” Hamilton told the AJC Saturday. “The coaches are great, the facilities are great, but the coaches really wanted to know me as a person. The fans of Georgia are just ridiculous.”
When Georgia offered to pay for his master’s degree as well, Hamilton was sold.
“Once they told me that if I went pro and wanted to come back and get my master’s that they would pay for it, that showed me the character of their coaches right there,” Hamilton said.
Hamilton gives the Dogs their third defensive back from the Class of 2010, along with Newnan’s Alec Ogletree and Derek Owens of Jacksonville, Fla.
“I think they’re going to get not just a total player but a total person, the kind of guy who you want to be in your program,” GMC coach Bert Williams said. “He clearly gets it done on the field. He’s got the tools to be an outstanding player, whether it’s the SEC, ACC, Big 12 or whatever. He’s got a good work ethic, he’s mentally tough and he’s a competitor. He does everything you want him to do — he’s worked hard in the classroom, not just to get by but to excel.”
The fact that Georgia wears red and black didn’t hurt. “Red and black, those are my favorite colors,” Hamilton said.
Turning down Alabama was tough, though.
“It was hard to tell Coach Kirby [Smart, the defensive coordinator],” Hamilton said. “Alabama’s a great school with great coaches. I can’t take nothing from them. So big ups to Alabama, I want them to have a good season.”
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190 comments Add your comment
Tide Rising
July 11th, 2009
3:22 pm
No surprise. We were recruiting heavily Jakar and Jarrick Williams(no. 4 rated safety in the country and #2 overall prospect in Alabama). We knew once we secured Jarrick a week or 2 ago that it was gonna be really tough to get Hamilton to come over also. Georgia was obviously a better choice for him.
Very good pickup for the dogs.
Gator in the Hootch
July 11th, 2009
3:44 pm
It is funny how Georgia fans have a new #1 “hatin” team in Tech since Georgia can’t beat the real them they really hate, the Gators. But is only takes one year in ten for the hatin to change its course. So, Dawg fans, you only have 8 or 9 more years to wait. By the way, you want to talk safeties, take a look at the current Gator roster and the commitments already for this year to the Gators. That is scary. And, we don’t have to wait for the future for a gread defensive backfield…the best DB’s in the country already reside in Gainesville. And, to answer the question one more time, this is NOT a Dawg blog. It is a recruiting blog. Just yesterday, there was a story about a Florida recruit and every Gerogia bloggers this side of Waycross was on it. So shut up about this being a Georgia blog site. The AJC cover the south like the dew still, bullpups!
Paul Finebaum
July 11th, 2009
3:48 pm
Big mistake if he chose UGA over Almighty Alabama!!! Everyone knows that it’s only a matter of time before the Mighty Nick Saban dominates the entire world and I’m not just talking about football!!! Move over Obama!!! Nobody, not even that lyin’ cheatin’ Urban Meyer compares to Sexy Sabie!!!
Harry Dawg 73
July 11th, 2009
3:48 pm
Most of the hate UGA crowd that post on this site, I will guarantee NEVER,EVER attended any school, not even some third rate JC somewhere.
They berate UGA out of jealousy, boredome and ignorance. UGA is so widely respected for all sports ( except basketball ) and they are jealous. Besides, it is a fabulous college experience to attend at UGA in Athens > They would not know. They could not score the appropriate SAT, even though it is easier than when my class took it in the late 60s. They made is simpy for the whimpy obamarons of today.
As only ONE example, college is about academics, so with that in mind, what school has two Rhodes Scholars in the last year or so on campus? Hmm?? How many championships has UGA won just in the last 5 years???? Hmmm?
Pathetic these clowns are.
Go DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAWGS !!!
Answer- UGA
Paul Finebaum
July 11th, 2009
3:49 pm
I am such a fool!!!!!!
Paul Finebaum
July 11th, 2009
3:50 pm
Butt, you have to admit…he looks so good in Khakis!!!
Uga dog
July 11th, 2009
3:54 pm
No need to even play the next 3 seasons– we’re so loaded, we will automatically be National Champs—go ahead and print the trophies up!!!!
Dawg Pound
July 11th, 2009
3:54 pm
Congrats big man!! Can’t wait to see you b/t the hedges. GATA DAWGS!!
william cranman
July 11th, 2009
3:54 pm
When is this kid eligible to play?
SamoanDawg
July 11th, 2009
4:04 pm
Welcome aboard Jakar Hamilton! Wow! paying for his master too.. that’s a no brainer.
hop
July 11th, 2009
4:05 pm
charles, we have only one senior starting,but there is chance some may go early,my concern is not enough corners,especially when playing teams who line up 3-4 wide-outs.
you need more than a safely to ocver these types of receivers.
JDB
July 11th, 2009
4:06 pm
GatorintheHootch:
Make no mistake, I absolutely-positively-without -any- question- whatsoever despise the FL Gators more than any other team. The bees are just that, a temporary annoyance that is swatted away…similar to the way we have recently been disposed of by your Gators. I can’t speak for all UGA fans, but I was never dumb enough to gloat to UF fans after 97, 07 wins.
Gator Growl
July 11th, 2009
4:07 pm
Easy there Hootch! We’re going to need a little caution and humility to achieve all of our goals this year, otherwise another Ole Miss situation is a definite possibility. Lets not forget that we still play in the toughest conference and on any given Saturday… If Florida fulfills its ability and talent then we’ll have to build another trophy case but lets not get ahead of ourselves!!!
Tom Davis
July 11th, 2009
4:08 pm
DAWGS RULE!!!!!!!!!! It’s great to be a GA Bulldog.
SamoanDawg
July 11th, 2009
4:09 pm
Cortney… they haven’t sign yet. They gave their “verbal committ”. Nothing is official ’till they sign the dotted line in Feb.
SamoanDawg
July 11th, 2009
4:10 pm
Sorry Courtney.. sp
SamoanDawg
July 11th, 2009
4:13 pm
william cranman… he’ll be avail in 2010. I heard he might be able to enroll early in December. If he does, we’ll see him the spring game if God willing.
who cares
July 11th, 2009
4:19 pm
Tide rising, u r a typical bama fan that cant admit that the mighty saban gets outrecruited by Richt time and time again. Maybe u should do a little research before u come on a UGA site and spew about how alabama wasnt a good choice for this kid. Or maybe u should accept the fact that UGA has commitment from the #1 safety in country in Olgetree, who bama wanted much more than this kid from Alabama. Funny how UGA gets #1 safety, yet the kid still wants to go to UGA, but Bama gets the #4 safety, and the kid shouldnt want to go to Bama. U r in a dream world, and you are out of touch with reality like all Bama fans. Being in denial is something that all Bama fans have been the past decade. Bama has won nothing this decade, no SEC titles, no BCS titles, and Oh i forgot one butt whipping in the SECC game in ten years. Very impressive even for Bama fans that are in denial. Say hey to the idiot Stan who is more in denial than yourself.
Sweet Home Alabama
July 11th, 2009
4:22 pm
sounds like another strong student athlete for them dawgs.i am pretty sure alabams was scared if he could do the work or not.
it dont matter we will spank them dogs anywere they want to strap it on .it will be a beat down watting to happnen.\\\
sweet home is out….
TechSux!!
July 11th, 2009
4:24 pm
Hey Tech Fans, How did your bowl game go against LSU by the way??? LOL, just thought I’d ask. And which one of you morons said the ACC is a real conference and the SEC is not? Man, I bet you like plastic over the real thing to, don’t ya son? And I guess Sean Jones, Thomas Davis, Greg Blue, Tim Jennings, Paul Oliver, Asher Allen, were all terrible UGA DB’s since last time I checked they all got drafted by NFL teams. Hmm, yeah, UGA def is behind Tech now a days, I am so scared to play them I may not even watch TV that day. HaHa, have fun losers!
KJ
July 11th, 2009
4:27 pm
I never heard of this guy, but given the way the gnats and gaytors are pi$$ing themselves on this blog, he must be quite a force.
SamoanDawg
July 11th, 2009
4:33 pm
We’re sitting pretty good for 2010 depth at safety:
Nick Williams-jr
Bacari Rambo-so
Makiri Pugh-so
Shawn Williams-fr
Quintin Banks-jr.. hopefully he’s healthy enough to play this year.
Alec Ogletree-fr
Jakar Hamilton-jr
Sanders Commings-so.. may stay at CB after all.
Dawgtime
July 11th, 2009
4:51 pm
The thing that I find funny is that GT and Gator? fans keep up with UGA recruiting more than most DAWG fans. As soon as a young man makes his decision, GT and Gator fans start posting negative blogs. They are truly hopeless. They are totally obsessed with UGA. I suggest they get a life. I could care less who signs with GT or UF. They realize that UGA is on a roll recruiting and they know that the old “Mo” is on the side of UGA and that scares them. I know that they are to pathetic to admit that, but it is true. Why else read read UGA recruiting blogs on a daily basis? In terms of this young man, I am very impressed. He struggled with academics in high school. As he matured, he realized the importance of academics and adapted his focus. Great story and young man. Welcome to the family.
Denver Dog
July 11th, 2009
5:05 pm
Good to see another young man make a choice. You fools from Tech and Florida that keep wishing kids bad luck and injury are the epitome of what is wrong in our country. Whay don’t you just wish folks well and see how they do in life. I’ve never wanted anybody to get hurt, and want your teams to do thier best and win, except when they are playing UGA. I’m sure you can find somethng good to say about these young men. I believe it is what CPJ would want, UM would want, and Tebow would want.
Find the good, and move forward
Auburn Recruiting: Hot or Not?,Chavez coach Rattay denies recruiting allegations,Recruiting Mailbag,Spartans even up recruiting,Hamilton chooses Georgia,The New Face of IT Recruiting - Vestigo Staffing Brings Industry …,
July 11th, 2009
5:08 pm
[...] Hamilton chooses Georgia Atlanta Journal Constitution – GA, USA Auburn, Illinois, NC State and Tulsa also offered Hamilton, but he narrowed his choices to Georgia and Alabama as the recruiting process reached its … [...]
Jason
July 11th, 2009
5:12 pm
Darryl
Could you give us an update where all this puts the 2009 Recruiting Class?
I believe we were in the top 15 a few months ago but with all the recent signings we should have moved up a notch or two
Just Wondering Why...
July 11th, 2009
5:16 pm
JDB and TRUE FAN- So i dont stand behind my team??? Thats why ive been a tech fan from birth and i stuck be them during the 6 loss seasons and the four years of nightmare we had from reggie ball… Im actually not a “nerd” from north avenue, Im not smart enough to have gone to tech, but im a loyal fan who will stand by my jackets through the good and bad. And yes, true fan, mediocrity is a ppreseason rank of 1 followed by 3 losses. AND losing to a team that was predicted to go 3-8. Oh and if you want to talk about class, tell the rest of your fellow uga bums to get off the tech recruiting blogs talking about the tech recruits being trash and sucking and how uga wouldnt give them the time of day because they only recruit “five star athletes”. Looks like a bunch of 2 an 3 star athletes got it done in athens last year. But it wont be like that for long… paul johnson is getting some solid recruits this year.
Just Wondering Why...
July 11th, 2009
5:23 pm
Oh and JDB- We have denzel mccoy (a four star DT on rivals and espn 150 recruit) ryan ayers (4 star cb and espn 150) fred holton at safety (espn 150) Isaiah Johnson (4 star safety on rivals) and were about to pull in a 4 star linebacker and 4 star defensive end. NO, they may not be as good as some of the UGA recruits, but tech has never had a better recruiting class than uga, but thats ok, cause paul johnson will take these solid recruits and ACTUALLY COACH THEM
Sanford Drive
July 11th, 2009
5:29 pm
Just wondering,
Looks like you’re the bum on our blog. Do you enjoy being two-faced?
Sports Fan
July 11th, 2009
5:39 pm
One word says it all.
Woof
dawgstephen
July 11th, 2009
5:39 pm
Ok, so he originally wanted SC but didnt qualify, and wouldnt have qualified at other schools either. After being at GMC decided on the dawgs. Guess he got his grades up and decided to come to GA. Those bashing him and his decision and throwing in stupid comments have no business on here. Why cant we just be happy for him? Why cant the AJC have a monitor to edit some of the posts here? Anyway, just my thoughts. wanna read more, come to my blog. where i DO have administration and comment approval. Come on AJC, you can do it too.
www,dawgstephen.blogspot.com
Ali Akbar Allah
July 11th, 2009
5:45 pm
You will lose all your game to Georgia Tech. And your cologne stink.
Brooks
July 11th, 2009
5:45 pm
Hamilton and Ogeltree are the safeties of the future. We need to get another big-time corner to go along with Branden Smith. I think that our D is looking very solid in the future. I remember 10 years ago when getting Hamilton would have been unbelievable. Now it is expected. We have come a long way. We are looking promising for the future. Murray, Charles, A.J., Brown, Smith, Ogeltree, Hamilton, and Ealey. Wow that is pretty solid. Oh yeah and Tebow won’t be there either. GO DAWGS!
Luke
July 11th, 2009
5:47 pm
rolling @ those Tech fans. A gimmick offense is all you boast…although I do like that LB pickup from 08 in Julain Burnett
Luke
July 11th, 2009
5:48 pm
Brooks, Cody Riggs might be committing soon.
Luke
July 11th, 2009
5:49 pm
I thought Makiri Pugh was a CB
HIT MAN !!! The new bug Terminator !! WOOF !!!
July 11th, 2009
5:53 pm
Welcome to the BulldogNation Mr Jakar Hamilton. Wish you nothing but the best now & in the future. you sir are what UGA stands for Charactor & Determination. again Welcome to the Bulldog Family. Jakar say it with me….. IT’S GREAT TO BE A GEORGIA BULLDOG !!!! GATA HIT MAN !!!
dawgstephen
July 11th, 2009
5:56 pm
Good post Brooks. I do think that the coaching staff is doing a VERY good job of recruiting this year, and getting the commits early and sticking by them when we offer is very big. I will be posting this on my blog soon. Go dawgs
http://www.dawgstephen.blogspot.com
Brooks
July 11th, 2009
6:06 pm
Luke, Looks like Cody Riggs is leaning towards Notre Dame. Hope your right though. If we can land T.J. Stripling, Neiron Ball, and Mack Brown our class will be about done before August. GO DAWGS!
yellow fuzz
July 11th, 2009
6:24 pm
“So big ups to Alabama”.
You will fit right in at Georgia snoop dawg. Good choice.
Real Dawg
July 11th, 2009
6:32 pm
Ali Akbar Allah,
“You will lose all your game to Georgia Tech. And your cologne stink”
You will lose your game to Georgia. And your motel lobby stink. So does your 7-11 and Dairy Queen. Now STFU before we ship your Ali-Akbar-Allah-azz back to Pakistan where it belongs towel head.
spider
July 11th, 2009
6:56 pm
wow another great recruit signed by uga, let me be the 1st to congradulate UGA and the AJC on their up and coming national championships
GaDawgFan
July 11th, 2009
7:41 pm
Georgia’s signing so many high school superstars, I actually feel sorry for florida, tennessee and tech in future years. These dawg teams will be loaded with talent—look for some big things in the next few years, including SEC and national titles, and the beginning of domination of florida and tech—their fling is over.
bamabelle in ga
July 11th, 2009
7:48 pm
His choice, his loss.
heeldawg
July 11th, 2009
7:51 pm
Tech fans are scared, and they should be. Their paranoia and frustration is reflected in their increasingly histrionic posts in the AJC, as evidenced by the above. You see, they know what’s coming. The once-in-a-decade planetary alignment that allows Tech to beat Georgia has ended, and the order of the universe will be restored this fall.
Keep right on posting your 45-42 score. Maybe you can have a t-shirt made to go with that ring. It’ll keep the memory alive until the next Tech win over Georgia–in 2018 or so.
The Law
July 11th, 2009
8:06 pm
Not scared. Half of your so called 5 star recruits will be in jailed before the season starts.
Dawg Man
July 11th, 2009
8:08 pm
That tech win over a flat, overconfident UGA team was a fluke, and will not happen again for at least 10 years–mark it down! Ga will beat tech this year in an easy blowout, and head to the BCS while tech goes to another minor bowl somewhere named after a farm animal or weed cutter. The Dawgs will be winning it all soon with all this talent. Tech will be lucky to win 7 games this year. Georgia 45 Tech 20
Doyle, Winder
July 11th, 2009
8:33 pm
Good to have ya, son! Like so many of us you had to decide what you really wanted and once you knew, you gave it all you had. Never seen you play football, but you already have a fan man-to-man. Welcome to DawgNation and GO DAWGS…WOOF! WOOF! WOOF!
Wake The Sleeping Giant!!
July 11th, 2009
8:42 pm
Take all of the trash talk away from the outside teams and take a close look at our program. Richt had better find a Defensive Coordinator and Offensive Coordinator to support his recruits! UGA year in and year out has some of the best tallent in the nation sign on to play ball at UGA. Why then can’t we win the National Championship?? History has taught us that a GREAT coach can take average tallent and win championships. Why then can’t UGA win championships with the quality (above average) atheletes they successfully recruite every year?? Take a good look at your face. Seems the lines look out of place. If you look closer it’s easy to trace the tracks of failure!
Rebel Rouser
July 11th, 2009
9:07 pm
I just watched the replay on CSS of the Ole Miss win over Florida this past year…my favorite part was watching the Florida fans cry when the game ended and Urban “Cryer” start to blame everyone except himself for the loss…..I only wish I could have seen the replay of Tebow crying like a baby at the press conference after the game……Hotty Toddy…Go Rebels!