Ogletree solid with UGA despite Martinez uncertainty
Alec Ogletree showed this past Friday night why Georgia is so excited to have had the big safety committed since this summer, and so thankful that he remains that way.
The 6-foot-3, 215-pound senior, an AJC Super 11 selection, was practically a one-man show as the Cougars recorded a dramatic 9-7 win over No. 1 ranked Grayson in Loganville. Playing both ways in the Class AAAAA quarterfinal playoff game, Ogletree went up high over a cornerback to make a one-handed touchdown grab that gave Newnan the lead in the game (one of four catches he had for 54 yards playing wide receiver). He also did his thing on defense, leading Newnan with 14 tackles and coming up with a fumble recovery. To top it all off, he blocked the Rams’ 36-yard, game-winning field goal attempt with five seconds remaining to preserve the victory.
“I’m just doing whatever I can to help my team win,” Ogletree told me modestly.
Ogletree’s twin brother Zander also had a big game. He had 13 tackles and forced a fumble.
I caught up with Ogletree Monday night and here’s some of what he had to say:
Q: What are you hearing about Georgia defensive coordinator Willie Martinez?
A: “There’s been a lot of rumors that he’s not going to be there. I don’t know if it’s true or not. I haven’t heard anything from them.”
Q: Obviously Martinez would be your position coach at Georgia. Is it important to you that he remain there?
A: “It’s important but the head coach is who you play for and I love Coach Richt. I’m sure if [Martinez] is not there they’ll bring somebody in that’s pretty good.”
Q: Did you attend the Georgia-Georgia Tech and what did you think of it?
A: “I watched it on TV. It was a great. They played much better on defense than they’ve been playing and that was good to see. I was really proud of the defense. It was a good win.”
Q: Did you expect Georgia to win?
A: “I expected it to be a close game. I knew they could play better than they’ve been playing and they could win. They can beat anybody when they don’t make mistakes.”
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75 comments Add your comment
mike on lake hartwell
December 1st, 2009
9:46 am
alec, already a true DAWG! can’t wait for u next season!
MoDAWG
December 1st, 2009
9:49 am
Wish we would offer Zander…See him as a Rennie Curran type player…..Have you heard anything on possibility of offering Zander?
Dawggie
December 1st, 2009
9:52 am
This guy has the potential to be a Thomas Davis type impact player. Brandon Smith at CB, Nickell Robey at CB, Alec Ogletree at FS and maybe, just mayb Matt Elam at SS. Wow! Thats exciting to imagine.
Can’t wait o see this kid “doing his thing” next year!
JB
December 1st, 2009
10:00 am
I firmly believe that with only 18-23 players to sign every year and Georgia being what it is( a beautiful campus with great programs for higher education and a solid football tradition ( off year now and then), we will get 15-20 excellent young men recruited to play for us. We have some great younf players in the program now and I think the next couple of years will be exciting.
NewnanDawg
December 1st, 2009
10:06 am
We cannot wait to see you play between the hedges next year. You are a classy and humble young man and will be a leader and difference maker on our D. Proud to have you as a Dawg! But first, take care of Northside Warner Robins this week and win state. Go Cougars!!!
Cuz
December 1st, 2009
10:15 am
Good column Chip, sounds like the young man is the kind I want between the hedges.
NewnanDawg, if you are still out there, thanks for your help. I think you know what I mean.
knoxdawg
December 1st, 2009
10:42 am
Glad to see he is all Dawg no matter what happens w/ Martinez. This years team left me disappointed but also excited because alot of players return. It is a young team that I feel is just starting to reach its potential. The coaches have worked very hard to get this team ready to play and have worked hard to correct the mistakes. We did not see areas improve like we wanted but the work to get better was done. Saturday night showed us how a focused team could perform. Had they done that all year the results would have been much better. Hope the youngsters learned and grew up.
dawg nation
December 1st, 2009
10:43 am
A true dawg!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thas a fact Jack
December 1st, 2009
10:44 am
Sure sounds like the kind of player we want and need at UGA!
ATLdawg, ya dig?
December 1st, 2009
10:45 am
Would Zander consider walkig on at Georgia? Is that a possibility?
GT fan
December 1st, 2009
10:45 am
This kid will be good. Had a huge game against Grayson. Wish he was coming to Tech.
P.S bith D’s need an over haul.
Johnny Test
December 1st, 2009
10:47 am
GT Fan, you are correct.
GT fan
December 1st, 2009
10:48 am
This kid will be good. Had a huge game against Grayson. Wish he was coming to Tech.
P.S both D’s need an over haul.
Football Ken
December 1st, 2009
10:54 am
UGA needs to offer Zander as well, if Alec is the “force” on a team, Zander is the “heart”. Been watchin this Newnan team a couple of years now and Zander is diffently a D-1 player. I hear the kid is pretty stout academically as well. Get them both Garner. Go Dawgs….anybody seen St. Simons?
AceDawg
December 1st, 2009
10:58 am
Good to hear Alec and congrats. Yeah, you should be in good hands at UGA regardless. The program and recruiting are on solid ground, and you’ll get a chance to do great things no matter who is coaching you.
Dave In Tampa
December 1st, 2009
11:17 am
OK, Scenario, If Willie goes who do we bring in as a replacement…. Let’s be realistic because I would love to get Charlie Strong, but we all know that will not happen. How about Charlie Weiss, I hear he needs a job! Any thoughts?
kataif mcgee
December 1st, 2009
11:22 am
alec is d truth but i wood luv to have zander tag teamin with his brother
AceDawg
December 1st, 2009
11:27 am
Not sure who the Dawgs could get. Would NFL or high caliber, well known people want to work UNDER Richt? I don’t know how his relationships go, but I’m crossing my fingers that the person is fantastic. So long as the next coach is willing to blitz and bring pressure, even a fool of a coach would bring a slight smile to my face.
GA Faithful
December 1st, 2009
11:41 am
Dave in Tampa…Weis is an offensive coach not defensive and he’ll probably go back to the nfl anyways
DamntheButcher
December 1st, 2009
11:44 am
Plain & Simple: FIRE WILLIE MARTINEZ!!!!!
MiltonDawg
December 1st, 2009
11:46 am
biggest problem will be the DT/DE positions next year.
Bamboozled
December 1st, 2009
11:47 am
Why would Charlie Strong leave Fla? Charlie Weiss is an off guy. No help there. Kirby Smart would be coup for UGA. Look for some mid-level coach to be Def Cord.
BTW… Zander Ogletree has some offers from smaller schools, but UGA has not offered a scholarship to him…yet. Possibility
Truedawg
December 1st, 2009
11:48 am
MoDAWG…..when i was watching the game that is exactly what i was thinking……he looks like a stud!!!!!
Truedawg
December 1st, 2009
11:53 am
You know what……im kinda sad i haven’t seen Taint Simmons on here lately……..wait no im not!!!!! hahahahahahaha 30-24 hahahahahahah
Dawg Fan 4 Life
December 1st, 2009
11:53 am
Sounds like a good kid and a great player. Can’t wait to see ya in the red & black! We definitely need physical safeties and he should have a strong chance to play right away. Go Dawgs!
Voice of Reason
December 1st, 2009
12:00 pm
Young men like BOTH Ogletree brothers is what we want at UGA. Great athletes, good students, nice manners and well spoken. We are all looking forward to your being a DAWG!
If CWM is relieved of his DC responsibilities, I feel Garner will be the man to take his place. He has made it very clear that he wants to be a head coach, and this step up would be a natural progression. I know he is a good recruiter, but am not sure of his organization skills. However, as recruiting coordinator there has to be good record keeping, follow up and the ability to relate well. To me, being given a chance to move up the ladder is a positive move. Whatever, CMR will make a well thought out decision. I wonder if it will come before signing day.
newnancougar
December 1st, 2009
12:17 pm
Alec and Zander are both great students and athletes. They are nice guys and arent cocky at all about their extraordinary talent. UGA will be crazy if they dont offer Zander, but if they dont he has plenty of other offers at somewhat smaller schools and even FSU so wherever he goes hell be fine. Just hope he becomes a dawg theyre both amazing
Macon Dawg in the Middle East
December 1st, 2009
12:17 pm
Just like most true-blue Bulldogs, I’m so pleased that we played good ole fashioned, smash-mouth and drive ‘em back Georgia football and beat the insects! I also agree, however, that Richt must act NOW to realign his staff. I’m concerned that Rodney Garner will leave if Richt does not promote him to DC (after dismissing Martinez, of course). Hereinafter is an entry that I posted after a Jeff Shultz column, which followed the Kentucky debacle. Can anyone shed any light on the likelihood of Garner returning to the putrid “Big Arnge” if Richt doesn’t promote him?
I’m a long, long way from my beautiful Georgia, and few people over here will care that our vaunted, proud program has sunk to such a low level. I’m sick over it! Richt should remember that Phil Fulmer refused to fire his assistants. Lots of UT-Fulmer loyalists say now that he should have been dismissed several seasons ago. Remember that horrible whipping that Kiffin’s first team gave us a few weeks ago? Remember how Kiffin vowed NEVER to lose to Georgia? He may be counting on Richt’s mulish determination to keep Martinez.
If Richt does not fire Martinez immediately after the season and replace him with Rodney Garner, I fear that we will lose Garner, probably (back) to UT. I can’t bear the thought! I remember how Fulmer beat us like a drum, year after year, with so many of our own state’s better players!! Richt has won the recruiting wars because he has had Garner. Richt should promise Garner the Defensive Coordinator’s job NOW or resign.
Even way over here, I’ve heard the troubling rumor that contractual obligations will prevent Richt from firing any of his assistants! I don’t know any Bulldog fans who want Martinez to keep his job. I wonder if a majority still wants Richt to keep his own. I realize how successful and humble he has been, and he has made us proud. Still, this debacle makes me angry. The UT game and this one are simply inexcusable. We cannot tolerate this. The pronoun “we” includes Damon Evans. He has increased the contribution demands on season-ticket holders. With that money, he is being paid quite well to make tough decisions. So is Richt.
Has anyone called Prince Charles? He has had to live too long with blame for our last home game loss to Kentucky. Richt must wear this goat’s horns. Place the call, Coach.
I’m beginning to believe the insufferable Tech blogger who laid Uga VII’s death at his coaches’ feet. Poor Uga, he couldn’t stand to see his team sink so low. It just killed him. I’m glad he was spared this latest humiliation.
Johnny DangerDawg
December 1st, 2009
12:29 pm
Dawgs are losing both of their starting safeties after the bowl game. A freshman safety could be a starter next year (alongside Rambo).
bulldawghuff
December 1st, 2009
12:49 pm
I have seen both kids play and they are worth the price of a ticket,zander is ahead of rennie at this point .(saw rennie in high school great player also)but trust me fellow dawgs if uga offer zander he will be a great FOOTBALL PLAYER a real play maker,i saw 4or5 games this year against big time opponents and he was the best player on both side of the ball.go get him dawgs
Georgia will allways dominate GT
December 1st, 2009
12:57 pm
They say the next one is important. Georgia will allways dominate GT
They said the run was over. Georgia will allways dominate GT
They said he was hurt in the 2nd qtr. Georgia will allways dominate GT
They are very, very quiet. Why???
Georgia will allways dominate GT
Georgia will allways dominate GT
December 1st, 2009
1:01 pm
They are now posing as UF fans. Georgia will allways dominate GT
They are now posing as UK fans. Georgia will allways dominate GT
They are now posing as UT fans. Georgia will allways dominate GT
They are still in denial, why???
Georgia will allways dominate GT!!!
bulldawghuff
December 1st, 2009
1:08 pm
I have seen both kids play and they are worth the price of a ticket,zander is ahead of rennie at this point .(saw rennie in high school great player also)but trust me fellow dawgs if uga offer zander he will be a great FOOTBALL PLAYER a real play maker,i saw 4or5 games this year against big time opponents and he was the best player on both side of the ball.go get him dawgs.hamliton,tree or trees,and maybe elam.wow
Newnan 1
December 1st, 2009
1:15 pm
Ive been knowing alec and zander for a very long time and they deserve and should stick together, because together they create synergy. Meaning they play much better together than they would apart. And there is all fight in these Dawgs
bulldawghuff
December 1st, 2009
1:17 pm
I have seen both kids play and they are worth the price of a ticket,zander is ahead of rennie at this point .(saw rennie in high school great player also)but trust me fellow dawgs if uga offer zander he will be a great FOOTBALL PLAYER a real play maker,i saw 4or5 games this year against big time opponents and he was the best player on both side of the ball.go get him dawgs.hamliton,tree or trees,and maybe elam.wow,and rodney garner new dc.
22 wins in a row
December 1st, 2009
1:29 pm
Safety :
Dawgs – Alec Oggletree – #34 ESPN 150
Gators – Jonathan Dowling – #8 ESPN 150, Demar Dorsey – #11 ESPN 150
Bamaboy
December 1st, 2009
1:37 pm
Don’t think it’s a good fit….haven’t heard of him having a rap sheet—won’t fit in at GA.
tcloud45
December 1st, 2009
1:40 pm
Really glad this guy is a Dawg. Saw him play against Grayson. He’ll be good. Now if we can get 20 more of him, we might, MIGHT equal Florida’s recruiting class.
tcloud45
December 1st, 2009
1:41 pm
Bamaboy he wouldn’t fit in over there either. He doesn’t kiss his own cousin.
RTR
December 1st, 2009
1:45 pm
I keep hearing that Tommy Tubberville wants back into coaching. I know that he and Richt are close. Any chance the Dawgs lure him to Athens?
juan
December 1st, 2009
1:46 pm
Hey Bamaboy. Remember Jimmy Johns?
Bamaboy
December 1st, 2009
1:50 pm
tcloud and juan
Let’s compare NC’s and SEC Championships. Mutt fans are big mouthed losers. At 7-5, maybe you should join the ACC.
Smokewagon
December 1st, 2009
1:52 pm
ALERT!!! Saint Simons is on suicide watch. If you happen to see him be sure to hand him a loaded gun.
Bamaboy
December 1st, 2009
2:09 pm
drunk dawg
Nice name, were you with your lineman the other night?
drunk dawg
December 1st, 2009
2:13 pm
Yeah Saint Simons, where are you? You giant Nerd! You are awfully quiet. Dare you to come out? Come out Nerd, say something!
Bamaboy
December 1st, 2009
2:15 pm
Hey jimmie—-you’re doing a year in jail, you were kicked off the team before. At GA, you’d become a starter. You should have gone to GA, they’ve had 4 arrests in the past few weeks. Your kind of place.
ChattaDawg
December 1st, 2009
2:19 pm
BamaBoy,
It is always funny when a Bammer shows up on this blog wanting to discuss Championships. UGA has 2 SEC in Championships 10 years. What has bama done? Got to the championship game last year and lost…same thing will happen this year. Try at least this year to win your bowl game. By the way, the first part of this decade, we would have never heard of you.
You Bammers are why I will put for the Gayturds. At least they HAVE proven themselves.
Bamaboy
December 1st, 2009
2:20 pm
Oh, now it’s winning % for JUST the past decade…LOL…you mutt fans are losers. You always talk about Series Records, EXCEPT, when it comes to BAMA, LSU, TENN, and probably AUB. Why would that be?
Bamaboy
December 1st, 2009
2:24 pm
Chattadawg
You sleep with drunk dawg? Why only the past decade???? OOOhhh how about 2 decades, you did quite well against FLA those 2 decades—3-17, LOL
Bamaboy
December 1st, 2009
2:25 pm
Courtney
Did you take lessons on “beat downs” with T. Sturdivant?
ChattaDawg
December 1st, 2009
2:27 pm
BB,
It is all about winning..that is why bama has sold it’s soul to the great Satan (no SEC Champs, one bowl win) Saint Timmy takes dowwn the Satanist Sat. night.
ChattaDawg
December 1st, 2009
2:27 pm
BB,
It is all about winning..that is why bama has sold it’s soul to the great Satan (no SEC Champs, one bowl win) Saint Timmy takes dowwn the Satanist Sat. night.
Bamaboy
December 1st, 2009
2:33 pm
Chattamutt
Having a little trouble “posting”. As for Sat. night–we will be there. Have fun in the Papajohn Bowl.
Bamaboy
December 1st, 2009
2:35 pm
Saint Timmy sure didn’t have any trouble with your mediocre team.
bulldawghuff
December 1st, 2009
2:40 pm
sorry dawgs fans about the triple post,had a few problems.go dawgs.
Upstate Dawg
December 1st, 2009
2:43 pm
Bama Boy is really “m” from Georgia Tech. LMAO
bulldawghuff
December 1st, 2009
2:51 pm
bamaboy,i will never understand why player of color would want to play in al la bama,i would be afraid that if we lost i might get run out of town or worse.just food for thought.
Jimmie Johns
December 1st, 2009
2:53 pm
Shreveport was a fun trip in 06 as well. I can’t decide which year I had more fun, 06 or 07. Probably 07 because we lost in 06.
mr me
December 1st, 2009
3:44 pm
Alec Ogletree
#2 Safety- Scout #12 prospect overall
#2 Safety- Rivals
So what if ESPN has him as #5 Safety, come with something more substantial than your one source because both of your safeties are nowhere to be found on scout or rivals.
BTW who cares what someone is rated, after watching Zander he deserves much higher than a 2 star rating, there is much more to football than size, see Rennie Curran
Frank
December 1st, 2009
3:49 pm
Maybe the coaches have offered Zander a preferred walk on status, I certainly hope so.
THWGT!!!!!!
if a frog had wings!
December 1st, 2009
4:03 pm
Coach Martinez is not going anywhere!
Coaches start falling apart when they start moving in and out their assistants!
Ask Tupperville,Donnan,Goff,Fulmer, and the list goes on forever!
Dooley's Cardiologist
December 1st, 2009
4:11 pm
Kids not going anywhere. Kiffin may fly down and put up a billboard outside his neighborhood, but he’s gonna stay with tha Dawgs.
Rocket Rod
December 1st, 2009
6:46 pm
It surprises me tha CMR is such a family man and and has not offered Zander. From what I have read, offering Zander would not be wasting an offer. Seems it could be a win win situation keeping the twins together through college and Zander would add a little fire for the Defense!
BDAWG
December 1st, 2009
8:22 pm
It is suprising that UGA hasn’t offered Zander. He seems to be a terrific linebacker and lord knows we need more linebackers. He plays with a lot of fire. His size should not be an issue. If we can offer 5ft 8in cornerbacks when most of the opponents WR are at least 6ft 2in and above, then it should not be a problem with his size. Rennie Curran is not a big guy, but he is a heck of a player.
CMR needs to make that change at DC so that we can sign those remaining few defensive players that are out there.The longer he waits the harder it will be to get those commitments. This should not be a hard decision, the stats say it all. If WM returns I think CMR is risking his job, but at the same time I heard a rumor that part of the defensive problem is CMR. I heard he won’t let the coaches get after the players like they need to. That nice guy attitude might get the job done off the field but, not on the field. Coach Saban doesn’t hesitate to get in a guys but and he still signs top players.
Red Dog 77
December 1st, 2009
11:58 pm
Damn! The people who post on this site sure are smart! I mean what swell guys, I am learning so much every time I read a new post! Bring it on guys I am a sponge about now! And Bamaboy, all I can say is WOW , dude is brainOmatic material…….Ok then I am off to the Waffle House with the change I picked up last night ,get me some scattered smothered and covered and tell Dorene how much I have learned, Thanks guys!
Red Dog 77
December 2nd, 2009
12:09 am
Hey BDAWG 8:22PM Did you just say coach Saban gets in guys Butts? Now thats where I draw the line ,typo I hope? If not you can count me out. Red.
Red Dog 77
December 2nd, 2009
12:14 am
Damn BDAWG please clarify!!! Im afraid Dorene will think I have been on a corn site, Red
Simply a dawg
December 2nd, 2009
7:58 am
I’d like to see Zander become a dawg. Just makes sense. We need defensive help. What’s not to like? Hoping Rennee stays for his senior year.
The Grapevine
December 2nd, 2009
12:00 pm
Your next defensive coordinator – Kirby Smart
Coach Richt gets to show his faithfulness to his friend and Martinez gets demoted to secondaries coach.
PurpleKobra
December 2nd, 2009
3:40 pm
@Bamboozled
Zander actually has a firm offer from Florida State. I am sure that he wants to play with his brother. Maybe something will happen in the next couple of weeks. God works in mysterious ways.
PurpleKobra
December 2nd, 2009
3:42 pm
I wouldn’t mind seeing Tay Willis in Athens.
Northgate hitter
December 2nd, 2009
3:58 pm
PurpleKobra,
Does Tay have the SAT score to get into UGA, because at 5 foot 2 inches and 125 lbs here sure ain’t gona play in the SEC.
'10 GA S Alec Ogletree (Georgia Verbal) - Recruiting Forums
December 2nd, 2009
5:09 pm
[...] Ogletree solid with UGA despite Martinez uncertainty | AJC College Sports Recruiting [...]
Freddie G
December 2nd, 2009
5:59 pm
Glad to see that Coach Richt has made the very difficult decision in order to try and find someone to improve his defense. I wish he would have replaced Bobo as well. I love the Dawgs even prior to my association with the school which started in 1992. Therefore it was painful to watch several times over the past couple of years. I wrote some years ago that if major changes were not made, the program would see sharp decline, and we would not just be trying to compete to beat Florida, but would have a difficult time with Tennessee, Alabama, LSU and Auburn. I like Coach Richt and have an even higher opinion of him today, because I know that must have been a difficult decision for him to make. He stepped up and did what he thought was right for his program and I wish him well. I only pray that we will find good coaches to replace those leaving, and that they will help to restore the discipline which has been lacking these past couple years.
Georgia’s Richt makes recruiting his top priority | AJC College Sports Recruiting
December 2nd, 2009
9:54 pm
[...] coach. Ogletree told me he had heard rumors to that effect but that whatever eventually happened would not affect his decision to commit to the Bulldogs. Georgia coach Mark Richt (R) with defensive ends coach Jon Fabris last season. (AP [...]