Tampa CB Mitchell: ‘I’m liking Georgia a lot right now’
Georgia plucking a couple of these four- and five-star recruits out of Florida might not be such a long shot after all.
Tuesday, four-star cornerback Cody Riggs of Ft. Lauderdale gave the Bulldogs very high marks after his official visit last weekend. Then I talked to four-star corner Terrence Mitchell of Tampa yesterday and he was basically raving about what he saw on his trip to Athens. As it turns out, Mitchell and Riggs are friends that have known each other for years and wouldn’t mind playing together.
“I’m liking Georgia a lot right now to tell you the truth,” Mitchell said Wednesday afternoon. “I’ve got to take some more visits. I’ve got to look at Florida State a little more and see what’s going to happen with them over the next couple of years. But I really liked what I saw at Georgia.”
It was the first official visit of the fall for Mitchell (5-10, 165), who also plays wide receiver for Hillsborough High. He said he was blown away by the crowd and the atmosphere at Sanford Stadium for the LSU game. He was also impressed by the sales pitch of Georgia’s coaching staff, who he said told them they really needed him bad in the secondary.
But it was Saturday night, well after the game was over, that really captivated Mitchell.
“It was nice. I had a real good time,” Mitchell said. “I got along with all the players. I didn’t realize Athens was such a nice town. We got to go out a little bit. Branden Smith was my host and we went out with Prince Miller and Bryan Evans and A.J. Green. Me and Cody Riggs have been knowing each other for years. He was with us and his host was [Bacarri] Rambo. They all talked about how much they liked it at Georgia and we just had a good time.”
By all appearances there is nothing for Georgia not to like about Mitchell. He was nicknamed “T-Rex” because of his penchant for standing up and roaring after big hits. As a junior last season he knocked himself out cold when he collided with a teammate coming up to tackle Plant tight end Orson Charles. He’s a track star who reportedly has run a sub-4.5-second, 40-yard dash.
“When you coach a long time, you see a lot of players who have a part to the puzzle, but Terrence has all the parts,” Hillsborough coach Earl Garcia told the St. Petersburg Times. “That’s what makes him a special guy. He can do lots of things. He could start for anybody in America as a wideout, as a defensive back, as a return man. There’s no mystery why he’s one of the more highly recruited players we’ve had in quite some time.”
Mitchell said he did not currently have any plans to visit anywhere else until after the season. He hopes to get to North Carolina and South Florida and Florida State in December and is “trying to work something out” with Tennessee.
Until then, Georgia definitely left an impression.
“They’re short at the cornerback position; they need me bad,” Mitchell said. “Not only is it a university I want but they’re one that needs what I got. That’s a pretty good situation.”
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56 comments Add your comment
69 Dawg
October 8th, 2009
6:06 am
By next year Willie will be gone and you’ll have a real defensive coordinator. I believe Georgia will make a quality hire after the season and we’ll see the passion, fire and take no prisoner mentality return to the d. I’m just ready for this season to be over. Looks like we may be headed to the PaPa John’s Pizza bowl. I’m still saying the best thing for CMR to do is FIRE WILLIE NOW!!!!!
GarDner
October 8th, 2009
6:15 am
Wonder if he is waiting on an offer from the Vols since he said “trying to work something out” with Tenn? You know Riggs brother played at Tenn. This could sway him to Tenn much like Berry’s dad did because he played at Tenn. Bottom line…..these articles are silly.Spin them any way you can.
Carl Spackler
October 8th, 2009
6:52 am
That was a scary moment when Mitchell got knocked out (he later said that he had an out of body experience),lying there motionless on the field, no movement, getting collared, strapped to a board and being taken away by ambulance…BTW, this was he same game Murray broke his leg…Mitchell’s coach (Earl Garcia) jumps thru hoops to get his players to the next level (pretty good dude) and if they aren’t prepared grade wise, he’ll contact junior colleges, get them in and give them a chance…this kid is fastttttttttttttt, quick and makes people miss…don’t know about his personal make-up…
dawgfan1911
October 8th, 2009
7:02 am
There will be several changes at UGA after the season. This season will produce 7 or 8 wins and a mediocre bowl. The heat will be on Marc Rict. He will get rid of Willie and Fabris. Bobo will be on a short lease. I think Rict sghould start back calling plays again personally. Rict and Georgia will try to pay top dollar for the best coordinators and they need to spend some of this season getting Aaron ready for the jobnext year because I think Logan is just a good kid who got a scholarship. If the coaches are smart they start preparing for next year while sharpening players skill the rest of this year. Washuan looks like the future starting back and the recceiving core is young but looks like a lot of talent is there. To be honest I dont know what to say about the offense and defensive lines. They both are playing so poor this year, I dont know what to expect.
Topdawg
October 8th, 2009
7:16 am
Enter your comments hereThoughts on Tommy Tuberville becoming the new Defensive coach next year for the dawgs?
B. Van Gorder
October 8th, 2009
7:32 am
Fire WILLIE NOW !! (at halftime)
chazzo
October 8th, 2009
7:33 am
I think Saban would make a great D coordinator. We could probably get him to leave Bama midseason and start tomorrow. Then we could get Brett Favre to coach QBs. Maybe Tony Dungee could do some recruiting for us. The point is we have to totally give up on our team. Screw these kids’ and their hopes. Fire everyone. I think Bruce Willis would make a good HC. He may not know football, but he has a certain charisma that would be good for recruitment.
PT
October 8th, 2009
7:41 am
Willy is not going anywhere. The only coach they may be gone is janz. Martinez has done a good job this year for what he has. Average D Ends, wehave not had a good one since 07. What I mean by good is NFL caliber. Houston may be emerging. We are still young at corner, and Prince is not a good corner. He is undersized and eradic. But our LB play is not good and that is position coaching. The Talent is there but they play uncoached. I believe the special teams needs to be taken over by Lilly.
Naganole
October 8th, 2009
7:42 am
If Mitchell chooses UGA, consider it a gift from Bobby Bowden. He’s killing out ‘10 class. Mitchell has wanted to be a Nole since he was little. Hard to commit to FSU right now. If Mitchell isn’t going to in Garnet and Gold, I’d prefer him in Red and Black over anything else. I was glad to hear how much Riggs enjoyed his visit. I would LOVE to see him at UGA over UF…
theTruth
October 8th, 2009
8:01 am
The sky is falling! Gheesh, you people do realize that we can still win the SEC East, right? Most want different QB’s,RB’s, etc in the game. This year is not lost and no, we’re not going to the ‘papa john’s bowl’. We were 60 seconds away from being ranked in the top 10 last week. This team has talent and tons of it. They only need to become a TEAM and all phases work together at once.
AKA, if this team puts together a complete game where everything is clicking, they will pound whoever that opponent is, YES, FLORIDA, I’m talking about YOU.
Paddy
October 8th, 2009
8:04 am
FSU’s ‘10 class is falling apart right now. What started out to be one of the top 5 in the country has turned to mush. Bobby is done or about done. There are now ?? about Jimbo Fisher being the correct “coach in waiting” The rebuilding at FSU has been cancelled.
chazzo
October 8th, 2009
8:58 am
LB play not good? Curran is one of the top tacklers in the SEC. He is everywhere. Dowtin is coming on strong. We are down a guy back there due to a hamstring injury (actually 2 this week), but I would say the LBs have been pretty tough.
Corners may have blown some coverage, but the big blown coverage against LSU (if you watched on of the replays) was clearly set up by a pick/hold by another LSU receiver.
We have great players. We have good coaches. They are all working to get better every week. I predict UT is the first game we see them fire on all cylinders. It takes time with young players.
As far as Bowden is concerned, this is another prime example of fans, media, alums, and administrators screwing everything up. It is like politicians trying to run a war instead of the generals. Bowden deserves to step out on his own terms. Plain and simple. Even if someone is itching to get him out of there. Do it in an office, and let him exit gracefully. All the FSU idiots (I am an alum btw)have done is turn it into a contest of wills that will result in stabbing the man in the back that built your program. No class. No spirit. No soul.
Paddy
October 8th, 2009
9:01 am
the truth….If we play a complete game we should beat UT by 2 td’s. We have high quality players at virtually every position with good depth. The question remains, CAN we field a dominate football squad? This is not UGA football as we all remember it. We are a good team just not a real good team. There are many who say we will just be good, I hope they are wrong.
David
October 8th, 2009
9:08 am
Chip, who is the biggest Ga homer, Matt Stewart, Tony Bryant or yourself? You are not Rivals and the Dogpound. What the hell are you doing? Same old article every day where recruits are Gah Gah about Ga. What am I missing here? How do you get paid? Ga has a good recruiting class every year, they don’t need your help. You do realize your articles are laughable, right?
Paddy
October 8th, 2009
9:09 am
chazzo…I agree. But the problem at FSU is not unique. This behavior happens at all schools every now and then. Bobby does deserve better but the patient is bleeding and it appears no one can stop it. The president at FSU tried to help but I am afraid it was too late to stop “old MO’ from running its course.
Phil
October 8th, 2009
9:26 am
69 Dawg,
I hope you’re right in that Wille will not be back next year. But I’m afraid Richt doesn’t have ut in him to ditch Willie.
Topdawg,
I’m with you on Tubberville, I think he would be a great choice for DC.
Chip Towers
October 8th, 2009
9:39 am
David: I’m guessing “Tony Bryant,” because I don’t know who that is.
Nick
October 8th, 2009
9:40 am
I’m concerned about all the guys we have hurt that are gonna miss that UT game. T. King & Dowtin are the biggest losses for sure. But add to that C. King and Dent still out, it worries me a great deal.
GATOR CHOMP
October 8th, 2009
9:54 am
Riggs-GATORS/ Mitchell-FSU “BOOK IT”
Joey
October 8th, 2009
10:16 am
69 Dawg,
You’re assuming Papa John Pizza Bowl will offer us a bid when we are 6-6?
Paddy
October 8th, 2009
10:16 am
gator chomp….looks like another “book it” perdiction is about to go south for you. You need a better source, it is embarrassing. Nobody is going to FSU anytime soon.
Joey
October 8th, 2009
10:31 am
Dawgfan1911, that all sounds good to me, but Richt will not fire Martinez. In a Mark Bradley blog yesterday, he wrote that he heard Richt say that the dawgs’ red zone defense this season had been “fantastic.” Does that sound like someone ready to fire his DC?
Brian Asselstine
October 8th, 2009
10:59 am
As a Georgia fan, I agree that Willie is a weak link. This said, I am not sure the talent level is what people expected. I know UGA has a top recruiting class every year. Maybe the rankings are a little off. I also think the recruiting services want the SEC teams to have the highest ranked classes and often scew the ratings of players to allow the power house teams to rank high in recruiting. They do not seem to be as physical or have the fire inside other SEC teams have. I watched Auburn play at UT. They were fast, aggressive and physical. UT at Florida played the same.
Notice I did not say they were talented. I think it is OK for CMR to be calm and cool on the sideline but some assistants and coordiantors need to provide energy and DEMAND aggressive, physical play.
No one thought Chizik was a good hire and AU probably will not win the West but he has brought a physcial 100% style of play and AU will be back in the hunt sooner than later. As much as a UGA fan hates to admit it, Kiffin has brought the same attitude and within a couple of years, they will be closing in on Florida’s level.
This team will continue to struggle on D. I know LSU. In the end we will all probably see just how bad LSU’s offense really is.
Just a thought.
Call it Like It Is
October 8th, 2009
10:59 am
Who cares?
Let’s see if he can get in. As I’m sure FL does not want him for those reasons. Second, he has got to prove he can play at the Div 1 level unlike Caleb King.
Enough Said!
Herman Archie
October 8th, 2009
11:18 am
Call it Like It Is… You bafoon, Caleb payed with a BROKEN JAW and a CONCUSSION against LSU. He was instrumental with several catchs in screen passes. I bet the only footbal you played was on a video game!
Flo-Ri-Duh!
October 8th, 2009
12:00 pm
Three scholarships left to offer by most accounts – unless somebody gets kicked off of the team or quits – strong possibility the Jawuan James and either Cody Riggs or Terrence Mitchell will be two of them and DT Whitaker or Thornton will be the other – however RB Lattimore and LB Jeff Luc are long shots but have not ruled UGA out. Jawaun James is a 4 star but not a high 4 star – meaning he has the physical height and agility but needs a red shirt year to gain strength and weight. Christian Green, rated 4 star athlete (5.9 rating) is currently playing QB but plays WR also and UGA would love to have him.
Flo-Ri-Duh!
October 8th, 2009
12:05 pm
You heard it here first – Tebow will dress out but not play against LSU unless Brantley gets injured. LSU will be a 3 point dog but take LSU and the points at Death Valley. This will be a mid-range scoring affair and the first one to 24 points should win. LSU 24-17. UGA MUST beat Tennessee to stay in the SEC east race and will be tied for 1st in the east after this week. UGA 24-17 also.
kevin
October 8th, 2009
12:40 pm
Delusional ppl crack me up….delusional UGA fans are worse…Something has the change…its not the players but the level of coaching. Everyone in the SEC has top notch coordinators except UGA…The only good ones are Garner, Lilly, and the strength and conditioning coach, and Searels….the rest are garbage….special teams, defense, linebacker, secondary, and DC are all sorry and inept…..
We need to push hard for Kirby Smart for the defense or Jon Tenuta from Notre Dame. Or offer the house for Will Muschamp….but yeah…something needs to change….I hate not having punt returns…i hate when logan gray comes in, I hate when #3 evans gets burnt every game…..argghhhhh
258DAWG
October 8th, 2009
12:52 pm
Hire John Gruden and Muschamp.
Albert the Alligator
October 8th, 2009
1:36 pm
If you want to get beat by Florida 3 of your 4 years at Georgia then by all means son go to Georgia.
Herman Archie
October 8th, 2009
2:02 pm
Albert the Alligator… Tebow (bag?) is 1-1 as a starter against UGA. 1-2 aftre this year. Book it.
jeffrey d
October 8th, 2009
2:29 pm
Same old article every day where recruits are Gah Gah about Ga. What am I missing here? How do you get paid?
Possibly because he works for a newspaper that covers Georgia sports. But what do I know?
Paddy
October 8th, 2009
2:36 pm
Herman Archie…try and stay away from “book it”. It has caused gator chomp many a sad moment around here. He can never get anything right. Would hate to wish the same on you.
Naganole
October 8th, 2009
2:46 pm
Bowden most certainly does not deserve to “go out on his own terms” He is sticking it to to FSU because they forced out his son Jeff, then made Jimbo HCiW. He choose to be bitter, he checked out on HIS JOB years ago. He’s only around for the $$$ and the D1 wins record (which he has no shot at). /end rant lol
shankit
October 8th, 2009
2:47 pm
If you want to win 8 out of your last 10 bowl games go to Georgia
If you want to win 4 out of your last 10 bowl games go to Florida.
Call it Like It Is
October 8th, 2009
3:15 pm
Hey Moron Herman Archie
King sucks like GA!
Enough Said!
Call it Like It Is
October 8th, 2009
3:19 pm
Hey shankit,
If you want to win NC, then go to Florida.
If you do not want to make the NC then go to GA.
Enough Said!
shankit
October 8th, 2009
3:32 pm
Call It Like It is
I admit Florida has had a couple of good wins and seasons under Tebow,
but their record for the last ten years sucks, .633 winning average vs. .850 for Ga.
Also, Florida has the lowest SAT ratings in the SEC among student athletes,
and fifth lowest in the country.
If you want to get a good education and play football go to Georgia.
Herman Archie
October 8th, 2009
3:35 pm
Call it Like it is… Your boyfriend T-bag won’t play 2 weeks after a concussion. He’s real tough, just like you.
shankit
October 8th, 2009
3:44 pm
Call It Like It IS
Clarification – Gators have had one good year with Tebow and one good year with Leak.
I almost forgot Tebow lost 4 games year before last and Michigan in a bowl game.
T-Rex
October 8th, 2009
4:15 pm
Riiiight- just what UGA needs; a player that stands up and roars after a tackle. He’s another 15 yard taunting penalty in the making.
T-Rex
October 8th, 2009
4:16 pm
UGA has had one good year with Belue. Same logic.
Flo-Ri-Duh!
October 8th, 2009
4:31 pm
Cody Riggs and Terrence Mitchell to the Dawgs and UGA will be set at CB for the next 3 years. They also have two safeties coming in that are starting material which is good because the safeties this year are having problems partly due to poor tackling and coverage and partly because of inconsistrent pass rush.
Flo-Ri-Duh!
October 8th, 2009
4:33 pm
T-re what a dorky name. You are a Dork/Nerd aren’t you?
Gator in the Hootch
October 8th, 2009
6:03 pm
SHANKIT…Tebow has not won or lost any games to Georgia. He did not lose a game to Michigan in the bowl game either. Tebow plays for a team…you spell that capital..T..capital..E..capital..A..Capital…M
Florida has won 2 out of the last 3 national championships because the coach there gets the plays not to play for themselves, but for each other. They win and lost together, not as one player. That also spells CHAMPIONS.
Tampa Gator
October 8th, 2009
6:34 pm
Hey, Shankit, where the heck did you study math in college. Here is Math 101 again for you. Since 1999 (that would be 10 years from 2008 to 1999)…Georgia has won 98 and lost 30 for a winning percentage of 76%. Florida has won 96 and lost 33 for a winning percentage of 74%. During those 10 years, Florida beat Georgia 8 out of 10 times…that beating Georgia 80% of the time. During that time they have won 2 national championships…that is winning the National Title 20% of the time. Georgia has won no national championships…that is 0% percent of the time. Yeah, Florida’s record really “sucks” over the last 10 years. NO. Your math and thinking sucks.
TechFan
October 8th, 2009
9:16 pm
Yep,
Cody Riggs is right about one thing. UGA is short at the cornerback position, and with him they’d be even shorter. 5-10 160, are you kidding me?
Red Dog 77
October 8th, 2009
11:29 pm
Like these two dbs , But man do we need to find a stud out there somewhere who can run the rock! GO DOGS!
keith
October 9th, 2009
4:05 am
Richt should fire Martinez and take over playing calling again like he did 2 years ago.. Then hire Kirby Smart and bring the GA. boy back home where he belongs as D-cord…
Dawgtime
October 9th, 2009
7:51 am
Okay let me get the ignorance cleared up yet again. Again, why are Gator and GT fans reading UGA recruiting blogs? You either have no life or you have some need to get attention. Poor things. You act like this stuff is going to change the world. Some of you really need to get a life. You sound like a bunch of junior high school girls starting drama and gossip about another girl. Grow up. None of this drama changes anything. I too like Kirby Smart but he is totally loyal to Coach Saban. I am amazed that fans are still concerned with recruiting rankings. Those things mean nothing more than a means of marketing a product. How can you decide which 17 year old is going to start as a freshman and another as a seasoned senior? Those rankings are made by recruiting “gurus” that never played or coached the game unless you are talking about the recreational leagues. It means nothing. You can have a 2 star that suddenly gets offered by a great program and he suddenly becomes a 4 or 5 star. I attended high school with a young man that played at UGA. Late one afternoon, one of these “gurus” reported that he had just spoken to the young man and reported that he was leaning to FSU after an unoffical visit. I spoke to him the next day and it was revealed that he had never heard of the “guru” from Texas and never visited FSU. Yes, this “guru” is still spewing nonsense. I’m sure some of you remember the giant DT from GA that ran like a 4.6. You had all these “gurus” claiming to having to scoop on this kid. One problem, a fan created this kid. No such person. I kept the recruiting guides and listed this awesome ghost. It’s all a bunch of bull. Trust your coaches. You had a “guru” from Alabama reporting that the Watts kid could go straight from high school to the NFL. The kid never played in the NFL. They tell each group of fans what they want to hear to get you to buy your product. The Bostic kid that is committed to GT is the best player that I have seen this year. What is he ranked? This kid is incredibly explosive. Very fast. I have actually seen him play twice. I’m amazed at the number of 6′4 225 athletes that run sub 4.3’s yet we can’t beat Jamaica’s sprinters in the 100 meter dash. Yes, the 6′4 kid is really 6′1 and weighs 198 pounds and runs a 4.66. What happens when they get to the NFL combines? Very few sub 4.4’s are ever recorded. It’s all a bunch of bull.