Ten@10: Uncertainty of Stanford’s future has James Vaughters weighing options, including Tech
THE TEN AT 10:
1. AJC Super 11 linebacker James Vaughters said he would have to reconsider his options if Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh leaves for another job and one of those options would be Georgia Tech.
Vaughters, a 6-3, 230-pound outside linebacker from Tucker, has been committed to the Cardinal since June. He has remained steadfastly pledged to the program despite rampant rumors attaching Harbaugh’s name to potential head coaching positions in the NFL and at other colleges. But Vaughters is starting to waver ever so slightly as we head into the New Year.
“I’ve talked to a lot of the other commits,” Vaughters said. “Basically, the way we’re looking at it is if he stays we’re good. But a lot of us still like [Stanford] minus Coach Harbaugh, too. We all like the school and they’ve put together a good class. So I’m just not sure right now. It’s hard to ignore that he’s won more games there than any other coach.”
The Cardinal arrived in Miami Wednesday to play Virginia Tech in the Orange Bowl. Harbaugh was peppered by media with questions about his interest in several job openings but declined to comment, according to the San Jose Mercury News. “I only talk about the job I have now,” Harbaugh said.
“I’ve heard a lot of stuff,” Vaughters said. “I’ve heard he’s going to Michigan, I’ve heard he’s going to the NFL. A lot of people are saying a lot of different things. But you don’t know how much there is to it.
Vaughters said Georgia Tech coaches have remained in contact throughout the fall and want to have an in-home visit with him. To this point he said he has not met with them in person but he said he is considering it. Vaughters said he would also have to consider Ohio State, which finished second to Stanford at the time of his commitment, Florida and “maybe Miami” if he decided to re-open his recruitment.
2. Another elite recruited committed elsewhere remains on Georgia Tech’s radar. Monroe Area defensive end Stephon Tuitt, a four-star prospect who committed to Notre Dame in September, took a visit to Auburn earlier this month and is considering an official visit to The Flats in January, according to IrishSportsDaily.com.
“I’m still committed to Notre Dame, but I am looking around,” Tuitt told ISD. “. . . Another school would have to knock me off my feet to get me to change my mind. If they did that I have a feeling I’d move them to the top. I just have to make sure about my decision, because signing day is right around the corner.”
3. Despite landing its 17th commitment recently — linebacker Tyler Marcordes of Normal, Ill. — it appears Georgia Tech’s has plenty of room for some of these major recruits. A total of 10 players have left the program for reasons other than graduation or exhaustion of eligibility in 2010, according to JacketsOnline.com. The good news is that leaves them with just 62 returning letterman for next season.That means they could sign as many as 23 players in the current class. One of their current commitments, OL Trey Braun of Tallahassee, Fla., will enroll next month.
4. Speaking of elite recruits, several of the top ones in Georgia are expected to make their college decisions in early January. AJC Super 11 DB Damian Swann of Grady, AJC Super 11 DE Xzavier Dickson of Griffin, RB Quan Bray of Troup and WR Malcolm Mitchell of Valdosta at or shortly after national all-star games over the next week or so, according to various Internet reports. Bray, Dickson and Mitchell are among 10 Georgians playing in the Under Armour All-America Game next week in Florida. Swann is playing in the U.S. Army All-America game on Jan. 8 in San Antonio.
5. Taylor Heinicke recently committed to Old Dominion, but he may soon find himself with even more offers after his performance in the GACA North-South All-Star Classic on Wednesday in Columbus. The Collins Hill quarterback earned MVP honors while leading the North to a 22-0 victory. Heineke completed 22-of-26 passes for 254 yards and three touchdowns. Heineke (6-1, 185) established a Gwinnett County record when he passed for more than 4,194 yards and 45 touchdowns this past season.
Scoring off his aerials were Carrollton’s Broderick Snoddy, a Georgia Tech commitment, North Gwinnett’s C.J. Uzomah, an Auburn commitment, and South Gwinnett’s Kent Rollins, a quarterback who played receiver in the game and hauled in a 64-yard pass.
6. Kitray Solomon, an all-state defensive end from Baldwin, was named South’s MVP. He had two sacks. . . . M.L. King’s DeMarco Robinson, a Kentucky commitment, led all receivers with 83 yards on five catches. Valdosta tight end Jay Rome had 6 for 34 and teammate Malcolm Mitchell added four for 25. . . . There’s a full report in the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer.
7. I haven’t yet had a chance to catch up with Whitewater running back Josh Clemons, but the three-star prospect committed to Kentucky on Christmas, according to CatsPause.com. Clemons (5-11, 200), the AJC’s Class AAAA Offensive Player of the Year, had over 3,000 career yards rushing. He chose the Wildcats over Maryland, Mississippi State and Northwestern.
8. One of the reasons Clemons cited for choosing Kentucky is his relationship with new assistant coach Steve Pardue. Pardue, the longtime head coach at LaGrange High, joined the Wildcats’ staff earlier this month. While under Pardue’s tutelage, LaGrange was known as a Kentucky recruiting pipeline. Six former Grangers are currently on the Kentucky roster. Other notables Pardue sent UK’s way include All-SEC linebackers Wesley Woodyard and Braxton Kelley. The question now is if LaGrange will continue to be a UK pipeline without Pardue there to open the valve.
9. Georgia State currently has two public commitments and one signee. CB D’Mario Gunn of Locust Grove signed a letter-of-intent on Dec. 15 and will transfer from Georgia Military College in January. The Panthers also have commitments from WR Nick Henderson of Roswell and DE Roderick Thompson of Mays.
10. THIS & THAT: Bailey, the UGA football commitment, apparently is pretty good at basketball, too. The 6-5, 250-pound had 11 points and 17 rebounds in East Hall’s victorious championship game in the Lanierland tournament last week. . . . Nick Waisome pulled a switcheroo over the holidays, de-committing from Florida and committing to Florida State, according to the Orlando Sentinel. At one time he was considering Georgia. . . . Another postseason high school all-star game to keep your eye on is the inaugural AT&T Rising Seniors Bowl. The game for current juniors will be played Jan. 8 at Hallford Stadium in Clarkston. . . . LB Kent Turene of Lauderdale Lakes, Fla., is slated to visit UGA on Jan. 21, according to Dawgs247.com. The website also reports that Georgia leads for LB Ramik Wilson of Tampa.
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201 comments Add your comment
UGA Insider
December 30th, 2010
12:21 pm
If you are an elite LB you should look hard and consider UGA. At present we have no depth and are counting on a converted rb who has had constant knee swelling and a guy who was told as USC that his career was over via a neck injury. Besides those two we have Marcus Dowtin and C. Robinson who are undersized in the 3-4. If you are a Shannon Brown or a James Vaughters come to UGA and play immediately! We need you.
GTBob
December 30th, 2010
12:24 pm
@Dawggie, the poster above pretty much just insinuated that being a Tech fan means you are going to get raped, even if you aren’t in Atlanta. All this in a sports recruiting blog. If you can’t figure out how horrible and classless that is then you have problems as well.
bill
December 30th, 2010
12:25 pm
LMAO!
He is only saying what Dog fans have been saying about their team all year as well. We both suck this year.
Brooksdawg
December 30th, 2010
12:34 pm
We need an early signing period for football. I also agree–Josh Clemmons of Whitewater will open some eyes at the next level. Whitewater is in my district—good running back—good work ethic—-wanted to be a Dawg.
GT's last important games and the result
December 30th, 2010
12:40 pm
GT is looking very bad lately. Counting the 2009 UGA game and the ACC Champ game and the Urange Bowl and then the 2010 6-6 season and add in the humilating loss to itty, bitty AF, and CPJ and GT are 7-9. With 10?? GT players quitting in droves …………………..GT and CPJ are in a downward and
seemingly irreversible spiral. AT GT they install a new coach about every 4.3 years and 2011 will be CPJ’s 4th. Gulp >>>>> history is hard to buck. Dodd, Fulmer, Carson, Rodgers, Curry, Lewis, Ross, O’Leary and Chan the Man, and now CPJ all in 43 years. Do the math.
THe 2009 ACC thing? A once in a 43 year lifetime FLUKE. The LAST TIME GT particiapted in a bowl of that magnitude was the 1967 Urange Bowl and another humiliating defeat for them. Then and now GT is in trouble.
7-9 tells the entire story.
The Sham
December 30th, 2010
12:50 pm
@LMAO – I’m LMAO! Nice!
@dawggie – careful man… until you mentioned the service academy you could have been writing our synopsis if we don’t handle our business tommorow afternoon.
@GT class of ‘13 – Man I’m proud of you! You must be like 119 years old? You caught on to the whole computer thing! Proof that learning is a life long journey…
Chip Towers
December 30th, 2010
12:51 pm
Einsteindawg: Hard to gauge his level of interest. He has said he likes the Dogs and Auburn and those are his only two official visits so far. So who knows?
The Sham
December 30th, 2010
12:52 pm
@CHIP – not that you need the self assurance, but once again – good job! Glad to have these nuggets to get us through…
Chip Towers
December 30th, 2010
12:55 pm
Fire Paul Johnson: According to the AJC’s Doug Roberson . . .
Underclassmen to NFL:
Dwyer
Thomas
Burnett
Morgan
Three players transferred out of season:
Shaw
Gilbert
Yandell
Three players transferred during the season
Luallen
Taylor
Sims
Lost to injury before the season
Wilson
Lost during the season
Moore
Nesbitt
Lost for the final game
Edwards
Hill
Glenn
December 30th, 2010
12:56 pm
I think it’s hilarious all of these Georgia fans are coming onto the GA Tech blog acting like Yellow Jacket fans, trying to run Paul Johnson and the program down, and trying to start a “fire Paul Johnson” campaign. If THAT doesn’t show all of the Jacket Nation how RIGHT Coach Johnson is for the job, I don’t know what will be.
If UGA fans are so frightened of Paul Johnson being the Yellow Jacket Head Coach that they have to resort to trying to act like Jacket fans and “encourage” other Jacket fans that he’s a bad Coach and needs to be fired, then that just reinforces the fact that he’s a better Head Coach than the one grinning on their sideline every Saturday afternoon…
Sandman053
December 30th, 2010
1:01 pm
UGA fans complaining about CPJ is about as likely and as effective as Florida fans complaining about Richt.
Brooksdawg
December 30th, 2010
1:03 pm
Glenn–is that a misprint?? “Yellow Jacket fans”… are you sure thats not the pot calling the kettle black?
Sandman053
December 30th, 2010
1:11 pm
LOL Brooksdawg….they gotta get torqued up about something.
Fire Paul Johnson
December 30th, 2010
1:24 pm
Thanks Chip!
South Florida Jacket
December 30th, 2010
1:30 pm
Chip- You said yesterday that you would look out for those that are posting under many different screen names. You just answered a question from the main culprit on all ajc blogs pertaining to college football. One of his many different screen names is Fire Paul Johnson. Check on the number of screen names taken by his IP address.
Proud-to-be-a-Dawg
December 30th, 2010
1:30 pm
Vaughters and Tuitt re-considering is good news for Tech. These players are difference makers, and Tech needs some playmakers. I would rather Tuitt attend GT than Auburn.
I feel good about Richt and UGA finishing strong with one of the best classes ever in Athens. Once one of the big names commit, there will be a domino effect.
Justin
December 30th, 2010
1:30 pm
Harbaugh is as good as gone with all the nfl openings. Come play at the flats for a nfl coach.
South Florida Jacket
December 30th, 2010
1:33 pm
Chip Towers
December 29th, 2010
12:51 pm
GTfan2011: It’s hard to prove someone’s allegiances but we frown upon multiple aliases and ban abusers. I’ll keep an eye out.
Ramblin Man
December 30th, 2010
1:58 pm
It would be huge if GT could land some of these recruits to finish out this class and I am excited about some of the kids already signed. The defense has the ability to be really good with the kids that are there now and could get really good with a few more blue chip players, if they pan out. This season was horrible, but I believe CPJ can right the ship and look forward to next season.
Chip,
I read yesterday that Ray Drew got hurt and was just wondering on his condition.
RichmondDawg
December 30th, 2010
1:58 pm
ESPN posted an article today claiming Dickson, Mitchell and Rome UGA leans, with Crowell and Bray up in the air between Bama and UGA. What is everyone else hearing? Is next weekend going to be a good one for the Dawgs?
Daniel
December 30th, 2010
2:07 pm
LOL Dawggie and you are 6-6 with 4 and 5 star recruits. Nobody does less with great talent than Richt HAHA
lawdawg
December 30th, 2010
2:09 pm
Chip,any news on Jeoffrey Pagan,Lonnie Gosha or Deion Barnes?
Jesse Stone
December 30th, 2010
2:23 pm
Damn,Schultz’s Weekend Predictions blog went to hell in a handbasket. Thanks for never mentioning politics, Chip.
buzzwax
December 30th, 2010
2:24 pm
LMAO – Know how to read?
Ramblin Man
December 30th, 2010
2:37 pm
Chip,
I meant Ward not Ray Drew. Sorry still reeling from this bad season and can’t think straight.
buzzwax
December 30th, 2010
2:43 pm
Do the math? Very funny, Coach Dodd (included in YOUR list) coached from 1945-1966. If you are including him in your averages this is 10 coaches in 65 years for 6.5 average turnover per coach, NOT 4.3. Since Dodd left GT has had NINE coaches in 43 years. This is 4.7 years/coach average. Don’t let higher math get you down….
JB
December 30th, 2010
2:44 pm
Chip…. How many spots have the Dawgs got left. 10? You know they probably have 3-4 silent commits, but we need beef, LB’s and 2 RB’s…….
@buzzwax
December 30th, 2010
2:51 pm
Lets not forget Chan was recruiting while Tech was on probation, the damage Johnson is doing will linger for years.
RRTDawgs
December 30th, 2010
2:58 pm
D. Barnes stays up north i hear he heavily leaning to Penn State i say Pagan right now is a Clemson lean .
Reality Check
December 30th, 2010
3:06 pm
Once CPJ leaves in a couple of years, it will set GT back again. The new coach will have to convert back to a more traditional system and that will take totally new style of lineman, receivers, QB’s. The GT program could be looklng at times pre Bill Curry, similar to the Pepper Rogers teams in the late 70’s. GT is in a greater flux than UGA because of its inability to restock with 3-4 star talent. That kid from Illinois/Indiana? who is converting from QB was not even offered by any solid MAC teams. Looks like my AU tigers will clean the clocks of GT and UGA in the next few years recruiting.
RRTDawgs
December 30th, 2010
3:12 pm
I saw that ESPN article to with Jamie Newberg were he says UGA is the team to beat for Malcolm Mitchell and X. Dickson the Dawgs has come on strong for there services and getting Jay Rome will seal the deal go dawgs .
gtfanfrom1951
December 30th, 2010
3:30 pm
All these calling for CPJ job must be UGA Fan because the program is on the way up not like their’s it’s on the down. UGA can not win with top 10 classes. Special teams and defense will be fixed before next year. CPJ will throw the ball when he gets a QB who can. He knows how to win and will not accept anything less.
Reality Check
December 30th, 2010
3:37 pm
Not calling for CPJ’s job but stating facts. GT is declining, the talent base is going down without Chan Gailey’s recruits, and the team looked poorly coached this year. GT and UGA battling out for the 6-6 cup as perennial losers. Enjoy watching a real team play on January 10th for the NC.
Cuzzo
December 30th, 2010
3:50 pm
The scoop missing here is Vaughter’s could end up at PITT!!!!!!!!
GT45
December 30th, 2010
4:03 pm
It would be sweet to see these kids stay home and play for the old gold and white. I hope it works out for them, either way! Go Jackets-
JB
December 30th, 2010
4:12 pm
I’m not bashing Tech today, my Dawgs have plenty of problems themselves, but Tech people have every right to be concerned about their recruiting. I don’t put a lot into rating ( David Pollack was a 3 star fullback) but rivals has his first two classes at mid 40’s. You’ll always find a gem or two, but paul has got to get that rating at least in the 20’s. You don’t have to be a hater to see the difference in Tech this year vs his first year.
Stinger2
December 30th, 2010
4:13 pm
GT has a lot work to do to remain above the level of Wake and Duke in the ACC. Unless there is significant improvement in every area, I think they will be lucky to win three ACC games in 2011. I will be surprised if they do not get worse before they get better.
godogs365
December 30th, 2010
4:16 pm
I see so many of you tech fans crying about how uga recruits 4&5 star athletes and claim they havent done anything with them do you smart people not realize the every school in the sec recruits top talent the way you people talk you would think uga was the only program that had top recruits with the exception of these last two seasons uga has been in the mix with every top team in the sec! instead of worrying about uga why dont you keep up with fsu or mia or va tech believe it or not they recruit top notch athletes and they have dominated your conf for years.
dap01
December 30th, 2010
4:18 pm
Did any recruit watch the GA Tech bowl game? It was horrible football. It was bad, it was ugly, it was football set back 40 years. Why would anyone want to join Tech if he had any other options.
1eyedJack
December 30th, 2010
4:37 pm
Curious thing. Scout lists the offers of all the commitments. Not a single Tech commit was offered by Georgia or Florida or Alabama. They did manage to wrest some away from the likes of Toledo, Furman, Northern Illinois, Jacksonville St, Air Force, Navy, W. Kentucky, Marshall, Middle Tenn St, Duke AND Buffalo.
Coach Fish Fry, you’re not in Statesboro anymore. Al, lose your SB ring?
Fire Paul Johnson
December 30th, 2010
4:44 pm
1eyedJack,
Excellent point. In fact of the 28 players who received offers from both UGA and GT for the 2011 class, ZERO have committed, or are showing any inclination to committing, to GT.
http://bit.ly/hP1uvg
Sandman053
December 30th, 2010
4:46 pm
I’m just hoping for some late Christmas presents next week from some uncommitted futre Dawgs!
Sandman053
December 30th, 2010
4:47 pm
Sorry…should be future Dawgs.
Ramblin Man
December 30th, 2010
4:47 pm
godogs what have you been watching? In what year has Miami or FSU dominated lately? Miami has not done squat since entering the ACC and FSU has been down for years. VT has been a steady winner, but that has more to do with Bud Fosters defense than anything else. I just do not get why so many people think the recruiting problem with GT has anything to do with CPJ. GT hardly ever gets top tier talent and just because Gailey recruited one decent class means nothing concerning CPJ. The team had a down year after lossing a lot of talent and since GT has never and will never be a top recruiting school it usually struggles to replinish talent.
Ramblin Man
December 30th, 2010
5:06 pm
1eyedjack,
Are those the only schools worth mentioning in your eyes? I admit I am skeptical about some of the recruits, but some did get offers from other major schools.
Bruan – Ark,
Caldwell – Miss, Miss St., USC, WVA oh and UGA asked for his tape which he said no to since he was firmly commited to GT,
Chamberlian – UGA looked at him and Bobo was looking to recruit him
Days – UAB, UGA tried but knew since last year he was more than likely going to GT, KY, Ohio, USC
McNair – USC, Ark
Milton – USC, UAB, Tenn and UGA also looked at him but RBs know who UGA really wants
Noble – Ark
Waller – KY
RichmondDawg
December 30th, 2010
5:06 pm
I’ve been up in Virginia for 20 plus years, and Foster’s defenses are every bit as good as advertised. Wish the Dawgs could have lured him away, but I think he wants a shot at va tech. I doubt he would leave unless he knew he had no shot at that job.
godogs365
December 30th, 2010
5:09 pm
@ramblinman before the acc expanded that conf was a one team show and that one team was fsu and didnt they play for the conf championship this yr oh yea thats what I thought, didnt mia wax tech this yr oh yea they sure did and I dont have to mention va tech! So pre expansion fsu dominated this conf va tech controlled it for a few yrs and the was things are looking its about to back to fsu! One 10+ win season does not make you a power house! How many teams win the conf championship then the very next season has a losing record with a senior qb and dont blame it on guys going pro because uga lost 85% of the offense after stafford and moreno left and still managed 8 wins in the toughest conf in football!
Ramblin Man
December 30th, 2010
5:13 pm
richmonddawg,
Foster is screwed with that coach in wait contract. VT will always be in games due to his defense so Beamer looks good and gets credit for having winning seasons and will stay until he retires. It is a shame and I would take Foster as a head coach any day.
Ramblin Man
December 30th, 2010
5:22 pm
godogs,
FSU made it to the ACCCG in a very weak atlantic division and did it mainly on Ponders arm. How many years have passed since they were last there. Because Miami beat GT that makes them a powerhouse? I guess that’s why some UGA fans still think UGA is a powerhouse. Seriously make up your mind does GT suck or are they good and if you beat them it means something? Oh and UGA got 4 wins in the mighty SEC after Stafford and Moreno left the others came against GT, Arizona St, Tenn Tech, and ATM nice try though.
not lowndes25
December 30th, 2010
5:22 pm
Im sorry Uga fans as bad as i want Bray, everyone of my sources say he is all Auburn. Crowell is a Uga lean, Mitchell and Dickson are not Uga leans Bama is tied with us.