Tucker’s Vaughters cleared to play, heading to USC-Ohio State

Tucker junior linebacker James Vaughters, who has been out all season with a broken right wrist, plans to play in Friday night's game against Lithonia, then head up to Colmbus, Ohio, to watch the Ohio State-Southern Cal game on Saturda. (AJC Photo by John Spink)

Georgia Tech and Georgia both have huge football games this week but one of the state’s top recruiting prospects will be attending neither of them.

Tucker linebacker James Vaughters, a Class of 2011 prospect who earns a 5-star rating in Rivals.com’s early rankings, is actually going to be in Columbus, Ohio, for the Southern Cal-Ohio State game. But don’t worry Dogs and Jackets fans, he plans to get around to you guys, too.

“He’s not going tonight [to the Georgia Tech-Clemson game] because it’s Thursday and he has school obligations,” said Jonathan Vaughters, James father. As for USC-Ohio State, Mr. Vaughters said, “Well, obviously it’s a big game and he’s interested in both schools. We plan on going out to USC, too.”

The Vaughters will be accompanied by Tucker teammate Chris Sanders, a junior who plays quarterback and defensive back for the Tigers.

Mr. Vaughters was speaking on behalf of his son Thursday afternoon because at that moment James was having his injured wrist checked out by a doctor. Mr. Vaughthers anticipated that his son, who has not been able to play this season, was going to be cleared to play for Friday night’s game against Lithonia. That’s at least a week ahead of schedule.

“He’s chomping at the bit to play,” Mr. Vaughters said.

As of Thursday, James’ plans are to visit Florida next weekend, then Tech-North Carolina on Sept. 26 and Georgia-Tennessee on Oct. 10. He also plans to go to North Carolina at some point and, as mentioned before, Southern Cal.

Asked if that was an accurate portrayal of his son’s favored suitors — the 6-2, 215-pound linebacker was offered by virtually everybody — Mr. Vaughters said, “I’d say that’s a good subset. Not to say that others have been eliminated.”

Wherever Vaughters ends up visiting, his father said his plan is to make a decision before next season. Tech and Georgia, he said, are serious contenders.

On Tech: “They’ve got a great program academically and football wise. It’s close to home. Sometimes that’s good, sometimes it’s not.”

On Georgia: “He’s been up there at least three different times and likes it a lot. He knows them well.”