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Washington wideout Zack Witchett ready to put a rap on recruiting

5:25 am June 2, 2010, by Chip Towers

You can call Zack Witchett a lot of things and he will answer: Zachary, as in his full first name; Demonta, another given name; Zach with an ‘h’ on the end; Zack with a ‘k;’  Yung Zack. Or perhaps Superstarzackthrashin.

The last one is one of the names he uses in his rap group, “Yung Superstars.” Witchett and about a dozen guys from the long-since-demolished Harris Homes area of downtown Atlanta get together four or five at a time pretty much every week and rap about the way things are or shouldn’t be or oughta be.

Or whatever, he says.

“We just do few songs together,” said Witchett, a rising senior at Booker T. Washington High School. “It’s just something to stay out of trouble.  When I don’t have anything to do I’ll call up one of my partners and go rap. We’ve got some good songs, too. ”

Such as “Swagga Back,” one of Witchett’s personal faves.

But that’s just something Witchett and his friends “play around with.” This football thing? He’s pretty serious about that.

In fact, a two-way star as a wide receiver and defensive back for Washington, Witchett is just about ready to lock up one of the scholarship offers he has been dragging around for a while now.

The 6-foot-1, 192-pound athlete says he’s not quite ready to go public with his decision. That, he said, will come later this week. But he doesn’t make much of secret about where his heart lies.

“Since I’ve was a young kid I always knew what college I wanted to go to,” Witchett said. “Then Georgia was first to offer and I was like, ‘I already know what school I’m going to.’ But I didn’t really know what the recruiting process really was then. A lot of teams started coming on and I was really confused there for a minute. But I just feel like now I know what I want and I’m just going to go ahead and commit.”

Witchett didn’t want to say to whom. “I’m trying to keep it secret right now,” he said. But he is scheduled to be in Athens on the University of Georgia campus this Friday to participate in a 7-on-7 camp.

The reality is, Witchett hasn’t been widely recruited. His offers to date are from South Carolina, Maryland, Minnesota, West Virginia and Toledo.

Then again, Witchett said he hasn’t really shopped himself around much or attended many camps outside of UGA’s.

“They’ve been in my head and in my face the most and I’ve been to their campus the most,” he said. “I just feel at home every time I go there.”

It doesn’t hurt that Witchett’s good buddy Branden Smith also goes to UGA. Witchett and Smith, a Washington grad, have known each other for years .

Not surprisingly, the two players are extremely competitive.

“We’re kind of similar,” Witchett said. “I’m a little bigger than Branden was when he was a senior and a little more physical. We both have speed but he’s just a little bit faster.”

Like Smith, Witchett believes he can play on either side of the ball. He’s being recruited by Georgia and most every school as a wide receiver. But a recent conversation with coach Mark Richt made Witchett think he may want to give cornerback a shot.

“A while back when I went to visit Georgia, Coach Richt and I were just joking around and made the comment that I could jam A.J. Green and wouldn’t let him off the line,” Witchett said. “Coach Richt just kind of laughed. He said, ‘if you can come down here and learn receiver and show me you can keep A.J. Green on the line, then I’ll let you start both ways.’”

Witchett could have some influence on another downtown Atlanta college prospect. He and Grady defensive back Damian Swann are tight.

“Damian is one of my best friends,” said of the state’s top-rated cornerback. “We’ve been friends for a long time but we’ve never had a chance to play on the same team. So we’ve talked about playing on the same college team. I’m trying to get the inside scoop on who leads for him, but he says he’s going to keep it quiet until later on. But I’m going to try to get him to come with me.”

Just exactly where, Witchett’s not saying right now. But he’s expected to be rapping about it soon.

Oh, and for the record, it’s Zack with a k. At least that’s how he spells it.

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66 comments Add your comment

dawg26

June 2nd, 2010
5:44 am

A decent pick up for the Dawgs! ;)

AJGREENFAN

June 2nd, 2010
6:28 am

He is an athlete. Good speed and size. He lacks serious route running ability and may not have the best hands. Fortunately, he want have to jam AJ Green, but if he can jam other SEC receivers play him at D-back with his boy Damian.

Bulldog59

June 2nd, 2010
6:30 am

A good one on his own, but if Swann comes with him, that’s even better.

destin dawg

June 2nd, 2010
7:06 am

we’re going to have a great recruiting class… new defensive coaches.. Grantham plus Dbacks & LB’s coaches will bring back Junkyards dawgs of old days !!!!

snellville jacket

June 2nd, 2010
7:15 am

He may be the best player to ever come out of Atlanta, however why would any program go after anyone with nicknames that he has, especially a program that in the past couple of years has had the off field problems. Does character not mean anything naymore?

JB

June 2nd, 2010
7:33 am

WOW!

Who cares what his nickname is???

Sheeesh!!!

I can understand how losing 8 or the last 9 would make you bitter but can’t you do any better than ragging on a nickname?

HBTD!!!

G

June 2nd, 2010
7:39 am

First off Tech is a dump. Sounds like another tall db to add to the class. So glad to see we are not reqruiting db’s that are 5-8 they can go to Tech.

Vick=Dog killing thug

June 2nd, 2010
7:43 am

Got a couple typo’s Chip….

gdawgy

June 2nd, 2010
7:44 am

Lookin at the recruiting rankings that just came out, how the hell is Jeff Driskel rated higher than Christian Lemay? He had a worse comp %, and TD/INT ratio. I think his team only won 4 or 5 games. Just because he’s 6′4 225, does that make him a better QB?

Walker, Texas Ranger

June 2nd, 2010
7:58 am

gdawgy, if Lemay had committed to Florida, he would be #1. They are biased based on commitments

Bdawg

June 2nd, 2010
8:02 am

Let’s home he adds to a already great recruiting class and is able to work on some other recruits that haven’t made up their minds. Who cares what his nickname is if he can jam the best WR’s on the line?

Albert the Alligator

June 2nd, 2010
8:02 am

They are just considering how Driskell will be developed and coached and not wasted.

midland Dog

June 2nd, 2010
8:11 am

Sometimes we just need to let the coaches worry about these players. After all, it is what they are paid to do.

Bulldog59

June 2nd, 2010
8:11 am

Snellville jacket, Are you kidding me? “why would any program go after anyone with nicknames that he has” “does character not mean anything anymore?”

So any kid that likes or sings rap music is of questionable character? I’d better take a closer look at my 15 year-old that carries a 4.0 GPA. I must be missing something b/c he loves that rap-crap too!

Really Albert

June 2nd, 2010
8:11 am

“They are just considering how Driskell will be developed and coached and not wasted”.

IF I RECALL mATHEW sTAFFORD WAS THE #1 DRAFT PICK…WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME FLORIDA HAD A QB TAKEN #1

ANSWER:::::WAIT FOR IT:::::WAIT FOR IT

NNNNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEVVVVVVVVVVVVVEEEEEEEERRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!

naganole

June 2nd, 2010
8:15 am

@ Really Albert. It depends what you want from your QBs. Stafford went #1 overall after winning 0 SEC titles. Tebow went 15th after winning 2 SEC and 2 MNC…

suwaneedawg

June 2nd, 2010
8:20 am

This class on paper is going to be a top 5 for sure. I feel a lot better with a top 5 class with these new assistants then I have for the past 2 years. Like I have been saying, we have to be able to weather possibly another 8-5 season with a freshman qb and a new defensive scheme. I sure hope some Dawg fans are realistic about this season. I for one am concerned about the talk that we can run the table of we will win the east. Way to early for this talk, lets see how we develop. Just my opinion of course.

Bulldog59

June 2nd, 2010
8:25 am

suwaneedog, agreed, a lot of change to digest for one off-season…. coaching, schemes, and personnel. But, I’m still hoping for 10-2 and a wide-open East.

Jack

June 2nd, 2010
8:28 am

Toledo?
Will they steal one from the Dream Team?

Albert the Alligator

June 2nd, 2010
8:31 am

Soooooooo….Matthew Staffords claim to fame as a Georgia Bulldawg is getting drafted by the Detroit Lions?? Put THAT in your UGA trophy case! Maybe Richt will go to the NFL after he’s canned next year.

Albert the Alligator

June 2nd, 2010
8:41 am

Just a reminder…you recruit to win games and championships. Not so you can establish a farm system for the Pros. I’m sure the Lions aren’t writing that 2.8 million dollar check for Mark Richt anymore than they’re writing that 4 mil for Meyer. Of course you want your players to have the opportunity to go on and be successful. UF does both…nine players to the NFL last year. But I’ll personally take a championship…anyday.

suwaneedawg

June 2nd, 2010
8:42 am

Bulldog59, hope springs eternal. I just want our fan base to be realistic about this coming year. Leave the unrealistic to the techies. The fact is, we have a lot to be excited about for our future and that is more then some programs can say.

1970 Dawg

June 2nd, 2010
8:44 am

Hey Snellville jackazz, great comment about his nickname. That may be the reason GT never recruits well; they judge talent by a recruit’s nickname. Comments like that are the reason nobody takes GT seriously on this blog.

suwaneedawg

June 2nd, 2010
8:51 am

Fellas’, we are giving snellville jacket to much credibility here. Ignore the stupidity and keep on topic. Like why we own GT and people like snellville keep shootin’ their mouths off. If ignorance was money a lot of techies would be damn wealthy but, we know most of them work for UGA grads.

1970 Dawg

June 2nd, 2010
9:01 am

Suwannee.. you’re right. Back on topic, Zack sounds like a great pickup for the Dawgs. Multi-talented and a true Dawg fan already. We don’t have to worry about these kind of recruits backing out.

JB

June 2nd, 2010
9:06 am

people just don’t realize the impact of Willie and company gone and Grantham and co. here.
The Berlin guy and Latkos (sp?) are going to be tremendous and Grantham has a little ‘Erk” in him after hearing reports from Spring. Now, do they have the talent? Maybe. But, , we have better athletes ( bigger and faster) and way better coaching in the secondary. Bottom line, the defense will be much improved and with 10 starters coming back on offense with a deep,experienced OL and TWO better than average RB’s, Murray can grow into that job, and HE will be a upgrade over Cox. Dream team coming in next year. We will sign 25, and 18 or so will be 4 and 5 stars. GATA

CONFEDERATE DAWG

June 2nd, 2010
9:19 am

SNELLVILLE IS DEF JOKING, ATL IS THE GA MECCA OF RECRUITING. YOU THINK THERE IS GOIN TO BE A HS BLACK KID FROM ATL THAT AINT DOWN WITH RAP? SOUNDS LIKE A GOOD KID TO ME. ALWAYS WANTED TO BE A DAWG BUT WAITING TILL HE WAS POSITIVE SO HE DONT GO BACK ON HIS WORD. LIKE ALL THE SPEED DB/WR WERE GETTING. BUT LETS START GETTING SOME WEIGHT ON THEM LINES DAWGS!!!

suwaneedawg

June 2nd, 2010
9:24 am

I think with the recruiting we are doing with the qb’s, wr’s, and rb’s, we will get top notch linemen. They will want to come and play for the balanced attach that we are producing. Only will help their NFL dreams.

Jack

June 2nd, 2010
9:27 am

this one is a 3 star at best guys but he appears to want to be a dawg

long way to go

suwaneedawg

June 2nd, 2010
9:35 am

I am not one who puts a lot of emphasis on the number of stars on a high school player. To many variables like who their competition was in high school. It comes down to coaching up the players and bringing them into SEC quality. I will take a coachable 3 star over an uncoachable 5 star all day.

1970 Dawg

June 2nd, 2010
9:45 am

Amen on the coachability comment. We’ve all seen players who had the ability but thought they needed no more preparation to improve.

RxDawg

June 2nd, 2010
9:58 am

Well all of that sounds like he’s going to commit to the Dawgs. So if he does, welcome to the team youg man.

MustangJacket

June 2nd, 2010
10:04 am

Good pickup Dawgs.

Good luck young man!

(6-5)..(6-4)..(25-6)..Still own you

June 2nd, 2010
10:52 am

BUT HE WILL BE PART OF THE GEORGIA BULLDOG HISTORY OF CHOKERS…HEHEHE

kingster

June 2nd, 2010
10:56 am

Yea 1970 Dawg you are right about my Jackets, what have you done for me lately, in the las two years the Dawgs have a first rate recruting class, but its makes no difference how many 4 and 5 stars you get, your Dawgs have prove that does not add up to championships, but its does add up to the number of outlaws (arrest) you can get in a year)You guys just do your thing and leave Tech out of your silly games, you guys have everything, but greed will get you no where, soon or later you will want CMR to win a championship of some kind, but it would be nice to just win their SEC division, thats a start and maybe beat Florida and hold down Tennessee, I believe Auburn will get you guys this year, please D. Rogers is going, so let that go, nobody said anything when you signed Marlon Brown……oooooooppps

Timmy Dog

June 2nd, 2010
11:43 am

Great news! Another 3 star candidate for our Dream Team! Richt is rolling them in!

(6-5)..(6-4)..(25-6)..Still own you

June 2nd, 2010
11:49 am

That SOB Tebow made out with both of you. I thought I was special…

Really?

June 2nd, 2010
11:55 am

Albert the Alligator – Really? “They are just considering how Driskell will be developed and coached and not wasted.”

Developed! Really? Is that why Tebow had to go get help from other coaches after he left UF to prove he can play in the NFL? Everyone knows that Urban and company did notthing to develop or prepare Tebow for the NFL. Your statement holds no water!

Corch Meyers & Percy Harvey

June 2nd, 2010
12:22 pm

Go Gator. Gradilations. 1 2 3 4 5 that dem gator dont take no jive.(must be proud of your UF Alumni)

Bruce Mac

June 2nd, 2010
12:42 pm

Thanks harold, your moronic diatribe is very insightful. Is all of your family retarded or just you?

Jack

June 2nd, 2010
1:05 pm

in other news, UGA AD: “Coach Richt not on hot seat”
Not sure how other teams will feel about that

Also, Tebow is gone. Those 3rd and shorts just got alot tougher
for Meyer. Get the punter ready

fishook dawg

June 2nd, 2010
3:06 pm

Hey Chip, do you know who is going to be at the 7 on 7 drills this week @ UGA?

Prison Mike

June 2nd, 2010
3:06 pm

“But a recent conversation with coach Mark Richt made Witchett think he may want to give cornerback a shot.”

I kid you not without even seeing this kid play a lick he just looks like a defensive player. Big and thick shoulders, hopefully he has fluid enough hips to make the transition.

BLEED BLUE AND WHITE

June 2nd, 2010
3:19 pm

IF YOU GET TWO WASHINGTON HIGH BULLDOGS(BRANDEN AND WITCHETT) AND A BEN HILL TIGER(SWANN SON DANK) ON THE SAME TEAM THEN THAT SECONDARY IS FULL OF SPEED AND TALENT NOT TO MENTION SIZE!!!! WE ARE TURNING WASHINGTON AND THE HILL FEEDERS SYSTEMS FOR UGA!! WE KEEPING IN STATE TALENT IN STATE!!! SORRY TENN,FLA,ALA,SC,VANDY,LSU, AND AUB.

Best of Atlanta

June 2nd, 2010
3:44 pm

——————————
NESBITT for HEISMAN
——————————

Too tough 44

June 2nd, 2010
3:59 pm

UGA ALL THE WAY! HOPE TO WELCOME YA TO THE BULLDAWG NATION!!!!!!!
WHAT EVER YOU DO, WE WISH YOU WELL!!!! GO DAWGS!

AltamahaDawg

June 2nd, 2010
4:15 pm

Albert, I never realize that alligators could crawl backwards so well.

DRC

June 2nd, 2010
5:06 pm

Now we can have some rapping going on the sidelines with the dancing we did during last years games. Should be pretty to watch.

1eyedJack

June 2nd, 2010
5:16 pm

Don’t think we need any more rappers…could use another big cornerback though.

long dog

June 2nd, 2010
5:35 pm

Don”t buy BP products

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