Some of state’s top prospects fall short of Top 5 rankings

It’s Wednesday, which means it’s time to have a look around and see who’s reporting what where in regards to recruiting.

Let’s start here in our fair state, where esteemed colleagues Todd Holcomb and Chip Saye are making their e-mailed newsletter, Georgia High School Football Daily, an anticipated part of my morning ritual. These two covered preps for years and years for the AJC, so they really know their stuff when it comes to high school football in the state.

Anyway, I found it quite interesting that, in their last two editions in which they ranked the state’s top five running backs and wide receivers, respectively, some of the better known — and highly ranked — recruits were not included.

GHSF Daily addresses this with qualifying remarks immediately above the rankings: “In making these choices we value a history of production over potential.”

Its top five for running backs (listed apphabetically): MLK’s Mack Brown (Florida), North Clayton’s Clarence Jackson (Ole Miss) Wesleyan’s Kyle Karempelis, Grayson’s Ean Pemberton and Collins Hill’s Charles Perkins (Georgia Tech).

Noticeable absent: Southwest DeKalb’s Kendrun Malcome, a Georgia commitment, and Loganville’s Storm Johnson, an LSU pledge.

The top five wide receivers: Henry County’s Markeith Ambles (Tennessee)m Blake Gowder, Tai-ler Jones (Stanford), South Gwinnett’s Jonathan Krause (Vanderbilt) and Calhoun’s Da’Rick Rogers (Georgia).

Noticeably absent: Georgia commitment Michael Bennett of Peachtree Ridge, Vanderbilt Commitment Bradley Roby of Peachtree Ridge and Auburn commitment Antonio Goodwin of Washington.

Again, GHSF Daily addresses such omissions when it talks about Karempelis’ inclusion over future SEC players Malcome and Johnson. “We’re a high school newsletter, not a recruiting service, and it’s hard to argue with 1,917 yards, 458 receiving yards, 26 touchdowns and a state title.”

So there.

Now on to some links:

• A Gators wide receiver commitment is taking reporting early to a whole new level. Stephen Alli is skipping his entire senior year of high school to enroll early at Florida. . . .
• There is a terrific website for aspiring football recruits called “recruiting-101.com.” In its latest edition it does a fantastic job of breaking down an actual e-mailed letter from a coach to tell you what is actually being said therein and how a potential recruit should feel about receiving it. . . .
• Here’s one of the more complete reports I’ve seen on Carver-Columbus quarterback Devin Burns, the spurned UGA recruit, on his decision to commit to Maryland recently. As has been the case since  the mid-July incident Burns refuses to discuss the Bulldogs’ decision to rescind his scholarship offer. And I’m OK with that. . . .
• According to the Washington Post, there’s a man who makes a living teaching coaches to sell their schools to recruits.