Kell’s Randolph feeling the pull of both Tech and Georgia
Brian Randolph was NOT among the recruits to crowd the sideline at the Georgia Tech-Clemson thriller Thursday night at Bobby Dodd Stadium. Then again, there was not a whole lot he needed to see down on The Flats.
No, Randolph, a star safety at Marietta’s Kell High and one of the top junior prospects in the state, is quite familiar with Georgia Tech. His brother, Justin Randolph, is a walkon A-Back for the Yellow Jackets. Brian is also good buddies with a Tech B-back — some guy named Jonathan Dwyer — who also attended Kell.
But intimate familiarity was not the main reason Randolph passed on taking in the sights and sounds of one of the great Tech traditions — Thursday Night Football.
“I have homework,” he said with a sigh.
Apparently Randolph never skips that. Among the multiple scholarship opportunities that have been pouring in to Randolph since Sept. 1 (first day juniors could receive official offers) were letters from Vanderbilt, Duke and Stanford. So let’s just say academics won’t be an issue for this kid.
But all those connections to Georgia Tech don’t mean Randolph is going to be an easy get for the Yellow Jackets. In fact, he said, they may have to beat out another D-1 school in the state.
“There’s a a good possibility I may go to Georgia,” Randolph stated flatly. “I like Georgia.”
Say what?
Randolph explained that he has probably been more vigorously pursued by the Bulldogs. He has attended two camps at Georgia and it was the first to school to offer him a scholarship.
“I like my position coach, Coach [Willie] Martinez,” Randolph said of Georgia’s defensive coordinator. “He coaches the safeties. Him and Coach [Stacy] Searels are recruiting me. I like Coach [Mark] Richt, too.”
The Bulldogs and Jackets are going to get plenty of competition for Randolph’s services. Florida, Oklahoma State, South Carolina and Tennessee are among the teams to have offered, and more are rolling in every day. Randolph said he’s visiting Knoxville to see the Vols play UCLA on Saturday. Tennessee safety Eric Berry is the player he says he is most often compared to and the one he seeks to emulate.
Other than that trip, Randolph said he has no other visits planned, though he’s fairly certain he’ll take in a game or two at both Tech and Georgia.
“I’m open-minded,” he said.
And how.
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32 comments Add your comment
Eleanor Rigby
September 11th, 2009
6:55 am
Isn’t it a requirement that you have long, shoulder length, braided hair to be a Tech DB?
SuperB
September 11th, 2009
7:01 am
Brian– the Dawgs want you! The next Champ Bailey?
M Anthony
September 11th, 2009
7:08 am
Not really Eleanor. The braids give the guys strength. You do remember Samson and his hair. And it is also a religious thing if you read the bible. If dont read the bible it would be hard for you to know that.
Steve
September 11th, 2009
7:27 am
Very racist and stereotypical comments regarding the braids. Remember, you have to be quite intelligent to attend school at Ga. Tech.
Booger
September 11th, 2009
7:28 am
eleanor is another dogg jocksniffer. dogs have braids too. eleanor should post advice for cmr so 45-42 doesn’t happen again.
GradyGrad
September 11th, 2009
7:42 am
Actually you don’t have to be an intelligent athlete to attend Tech. Otherwise, how does one explain Reggie Ball?
If talking about regular students, then yes, I agree. One has to achieve certain standards.
Reality Check
September 11th, 2009
8:54 am
Brian I hope you watched the Tech game last night, especially the dbs for Tech. Did you see a late hit? Did you see them dance after making a tackle? Did you see them even one time, act like they were trying to start a fight with the ball carrier after a tackle?
That’s how they coach, that’s how the whole bunch of nerds think! They are afraid to show off or act like bad @sses. They “talk” about sportsmanship and grades. They even have to try to get a worthless degree from that dump. Come to Georgia, you don’t need good grades (ncaa minimum), you can party, get arrested (you may have to run a few windsprints) just win baby (or have a good excuse, but we already got those). YOU DO HAVE to celebrate after every play, hit people late away from the ball and act like you’re gonna fight someone after every play. Also it would be nice if you grew your hair out like Brian Evans, right Eleanor Rugby!
AlabamaRamblinwreck
September 11th, 2009
9:18 am
Brian: Please select your school based on what is best for your future. I would love to see you attend college and play football at GT, but wherever you choose to go, I wish you great things both in the classroom and on the gridiron.
Go Jackets!!
Geori
September 11th, 2009
9:34 am
I don’t think the long hair hurts Troy Polamalu
Dawg Lover
September 11th, 2009
9:41 am
It’s funny. Not one person making comments, other than AlabamaRamblinwreck, have made any compelling reasons for this young man to attend either UGA or Tech. In fact, I hope he doesn’t see these little snips. Are you guys trying to push him away to these other competing schools? Sure seems that way to me. I’d love for this kid to come to UGA. Wherever he goes though, just wish him the best…and leave the elementary-style bickering out of it!!!
BravesFan79
September 11th, 2009
10:00 am
As a GT and UGA fan, id like to start seeing more in state superstars going to GT. If your goal is to win the National Title, and get national tv exposure, then choose GT. The SEC schedule is just 2 hard and the chances of going undefeated in the ACC are much greater.
GT mens hoops is the real team to watch this season! GO Jackets! Final 4 bound!
Flo-Ri-Duh!
September 11th, 2009
10:07 am
Dummy he will not be the next Champ Bailey – Champ is a CB – this guy is a safety. So maybe he will be the next SAFETY at UGA. There is only one Champ Bailey and he is all-pro in the NFL.
Flo-Ri-Duh!
September 11th, 2009
10:09 am
GT looked like a bunch of pussies out there on offense. They beat Clemson because of special teams gimmicks and a bad call by the home town ref.
Hey Dogtards
September 11th, 2009
10:38 am
Wow, stay classy Flo-Ri-Duh.
Brian, we’d love to have you at Tech. Hopefully All-American Safety Morgan Burnett stays on board next year and you’ll get a chance to learn from him for a year, then become an All-American in your own right.
I’m not putting down other teams, but at Tech you’d be in the middle of a great city and get to compete for ACC and (hopefully) a national championship. Womack’s scheme has shown that it gives Safeties a real opportunity to shine, as shown by Burnett’s SEVEN interceptions last year (to lead the country). Last, Paul Johnson is a great motivator and a great coach, and will make sure you reach your maximum potential.
GO JACKETS!!!
dap01
September 11th, 2009
10:41 am
Brian: Come to Tech. Tech has a lot to offer. You will get to wear yellow. You will get to play in front of over 40,000 each week. Hey, we even get to play on Thursdays. You friends and parents will have no trouble getting tickets, they are plenty available.
read n black
September 11th, 2009
11:53 am
Geori, the braids may not hurt Polamalu but the big beefy Titan did!
I don’t think this bright, athletic kid can make a wrong decision unless he makes it for the wrong reason, such as playing in a great city. I would not use playing in the projects as a motivator to get this kid to jump on board. You would be better off teasing him with your academics. The only thing he will get out of going to Tech is mugged, free “man hole” covers, and as dap01 put it, a guaranteed seat for the family….plus an excellent education. You tech fans should stick with the education as your recruiting tool, not the Varsity. My guess…he goes to Stanford or Duke.
Not Disappointed!
September 11th, 2009
12:08 pm
Randolph, take your time. We would love to have you at Georgia Tech, but UGA is a good school. Nevertheless, study hard and get your education. I wish you the best your man.
Go Jackets!
DamntheButcher
September 11th, 2009
12:15 pm
Enough about how you have to have the GRADES to get into GT. If that were the case the AD would not have gotten in trouble a couple of years ago for creating grades for the players in ALL sports at GT.
GT GRAD
September 11th, 2009
12:49 pm
Brian: You should attend college wherever you decide is best for you, your family and your future.
I am sure you have already thought these through, but I would like to list a few obvious reasons why GT would be a better decision than UGA:
-Better Education at GT
-Better Coaches at GT
-Martinez (UGA Defense & Safety coach) will be gone within next 2 years; probably after this season
-GT Football is on the rise with a VERY bright future
-UGA Football is in decline with an uncertain future
-You will be a starter early at GT (maybe even first game as a true freshman)
-Your Brother is at GT and your family/friends will be able to attend your practices and games
I wish you the best and I hope to watch you playing great football for GT in the near future!
Go GT!
TopDawg
September 11th, 2009
1:04 pm
Glad that it sounds like we’ll get this kid but after watching him play I just can’t see him being an upgrade from the current players. Find it funny that he also likes the team that just whipped us. It is just this lack of loyalty and dedication that has led to subpar football between the hedges. We want dedicated DAWGS not the fence straglers!
Villa Rica Dawg
September 11th, 2009
1:36 pm
GT GRAD: Something you must know – Your “rise” will also be your demise. You better hope Bo Pelini takes Nebraska to new heights REAL soon. My prediction is that Nebraska will soon be offering CPJ 3-4 million/year – something GT can’t match. If it isn’t Nebraska it will be another big time program. You will be losing PJ and hiring your next Bill Lewis or Chan Gailey. Ha Ha!
Villa Rica Dawg
September 11th, 2009
1:38 pm
Nebraska loves PJ’s style of play and has the deep pockets to make it happen. GT can’t even fill a 55,000 seat stadium!
Brent Cunningham
September 11th, 2009
1:43 pm
Funny Villa dog, how Johnson goes from high school offense to 4 million a year. Puppy dog BSer are very entertaining and good for our egos.
Villa Dicka Dog
September 11th, 2009
6:54 pm
45-42
Pi$$onaDawg
September 11th, 2009
10:22 pm
Young man what is your heart, mind, and mom telling? That is all you need to know. I hated seeing Berry go to UT but it has been great for him even with all the changes. Do what you feel is best period.
GT GRAD
September 11th, 2009
11:21 pm
I wonder how many DAWG fans would really like to see Coach Paul Johnson leave GT?
95-100% I would imagine……….this verifies they are VERY concerned about the Bright future of the GT Football Program.
Many of the UGA Faithful on these blogs have been more irritable and obnoxious than usual since GT won 45-42. Some of them claim we have a “Highschool Offense”, but they are obviously concerned and primarily trying to get a rise out of GT fans………..little do they realize they sound like complete idiots! GT is on the rise & UGA is going down down down down. (I predict 4 losses for the DAWGS this year).
Go GT!
GT G
September 12th, 2009
1:18 am
Can’t wait to see Randolph out on the Flats with his brother tearin it up as the next best thing since Morgan Burnett!!
christophorm
September 12th, 2009
11:04 am
Go with your heart and the best conference in the nation SEC/UGA
Villa Rica Dawg
September 13th, 2009
1:42 pm
I find it funny that GT’s signature victory the last 25 years was a victory in which they GAVE Up 42 points. The very next game they gave up 38, but lost. Miami will have had extra days to prepare for an offense that (i admit) requires much discipline to defend. Watch out!!!
Metal Jacket
September 13th, 2009
11:38 pm
If you want to see what UGA grads are doing now take a trip to your local WAL-MART. THWG.
Chris B
September 14th, 2009
2:43 am
Please stop calling this kid the next Eric Berry or Champ Bailey. He is just a young kid who *might* become a great collegiate safety someday.
P.S. Does anybody actually know if Randolph ever returns kicks or plays WR?
Brainiac
September 15th, 2009
1:19 pm
Unlike UGA, FSU and hordes of others, some TEAMs like Ga. Tech don’t put little bones, buckeyes, tomahawks and whatever that emphasize individual stuff vs. team stuff. All that garbage reflects on the coaches’ attitudes and lack of team integrity, commitment and discipline.