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
GTfan2011
December 30th, 2010
5:27 pm
How about Ken Wisenhunt? I would take him as a coach, too. But seriously, why would Wisenhunt (GT grad with CE degree!) or Bud Foster take this HC job? Give me one good reason, and don’t just say money because lots of other schools would throw $$$ around too. I can’t believe that people don’t realize that we hired Paul Johnson because “we are who we are.” We are a 15,000 student research-focused technical institute. If you look at GT objectively, I think you see that CPJ is the best coach for us right now.
Ramblin Man
December 30th, 2010
5:37 pm
godogs,
Can you also please explain to me how two players are 85% of the offense. I have no idea who else UGA lost after that season but GT lost 5 starters on offense and three of them were lineman that allowed Dwyer and Thomas to look as good as they did. Oh and incase you missed it GT has been without that senior QB since the VT game GT was dominating before he got hurt.
Tide Roll
December 30th, 2010
5:38 pm
Hey Chip, Why can’t Richt anticipate the problems looming for the offensive line and act on it. He buries Kiante Tripp on defense after publicly predicting he would be a first round draft pick at Offensive Tackle. He moves Bean Anderson, as a JUNIOR, from offensive guard to backup nose tackle, a position he has no experience at playing and in a defensive system that apparently takes over a year to get the hang of. Jonathan Owens quits and guitar man Tanner Strickland likely will. Sturdivant and Cordy Glenn obviously want out. The next “superstar” Benedict has a bad knee, and Richt goes through all this apparently oblivious. . If there’s a depth problem it’s because the two best offensive guards in the SEC are at Alabama (Chance Warmack- Atlanta Westlake, Cam Newton’s high school), and South Carolina (Roke Watkins- Atlanta Creekside) and the best young right tackle is at Tennessee ( Jujuan James- N. Gwinnett !! ). And now we’re hearing that Xzavier Ward, the earth mover from Moultrie, is not hearing from Uga. It’s the Cam Newton model all over again! Richt and bobo pass on these in-state offensive lineman and they end up kicking Uga’s butt (see Roke Watkins). You end up losing to Florida over and over again the same way. Richt and Bobo get to have fun throwing the ball around, but when you get in the red zone, it’s over. No wonder Uga hasn’t won a national title in three decades! .
GT GRAD
December 30th, 2010
5:42 pm
We appreciate the information……keep up the good work!!
Go GT!
George Stein
December 30th, 2010
5:42 pm
Fine, Fire Paul Johnson. Against my better judgment, I’ll take the bait.
Having read enough of your nonsense for the past month, you certainly seem like an idiot or a Georgia fan. If you’re a UGA fan, fine. Lots of good people are. Just understand that posing as a Tech fan doesn’t add any credibility to you what you’re saying. But if you’re an idiot, go away.
What is your primary complaint with Johnson?
Einsteindawg
December 30th, 2010
5:43 pm
Tide Roll, it’s because Richt and his merry band of in-bred, underachievers don’t have a clue. Being a signee at UGA under CMR means you can expect to be shifted into many different positions before your eligibility expires.
Sandman053
December 30th, 2010
5:49 pm
Lowndes25 and Naganole have been awful quiet today since the 10@ten came out. I’d love to have their input on some of these guys.
I thought we were ok w/ Ward? Also didn’t he leave the game yesterday with a knee problem? Any injury update Chip?
not lowndes25
December 30th, 2010
5:54 pm
I here that x ward has lost touch with uga, i dont know why we would do that.
Lowndes25
December 30th, 2010
5:56 pm
I just talked to Herrera, and Wilson is a Uga lock. The Mitchell story i havent heard, he told me Bama and Uga are even. Dickson is a heavy Uga lean to clear everything up.
Lowndes25
December 30th, 2010
6:06 pm
not Lowndes25,
I just heard that about Bray tough break for Uga.
not lowndes25
December 30th, 2010
6:07 pm
Yeah I thought we had Bray.
RRTDawgs
December 30th, 2010
6:09 pm
Hey Lowndes25 good finally hear from hope you had a nice Christmas do know whats up with Ray Drew lately and are we in good shape with Quan Bray .
Sandman053
December 30th, 2010
6:10 pm
Bray isn’t coming now? Is this the first defection or just an anomoly?
RRTDawgs
December 30th, 2010
6:16 pm
I keep hearing he was a silent commit i don’t think UGA is out of it if that is Lowndes25 .
Lowndes25
December 30th, 2010
6:17 pm
RRTDawgs,
We are in good shape with Drew, the facebook status was just a bunch of fun.
Bray is a tossup, but Auburn appears to be in the lead but that can change.
Sandman053
December 30th, 2010
6:18 pm
Any update on Malcolm Mitchell or Gabe Wright?
Lowndes25
December 30th, 2010
6:19 pm
Gabe Wright is all Auburn.
Mitchell could go either way, but i hear Uga is in good shape.
Sandman053
December 30th, 2010
6:19 pm
good to hear that about Ray Drew. He seems like a well-grounded kid and that bodes well for the future.
RRTDawgs
December 30th, 2010
6:20 pm
Jamie Newberg is real recruiting expert i believe UGA is the team to beat for his services Mitchell .
Sandman053
December 30th, 2010
6:20 pm
Well I’m hoping for some good verbal commits this upcoming week!
Lowndes25
December 30th, 2010
6:20 pm
Yes Drew is a very fine young man, he was just having fun with the very stressful recruiting process.
Lowndes25
December 30th, 2010
6:21 pm
Uga is in very good shape with the “dream team” this weekend will be fun.
Sandman053
December 30th, 2010
6:24 pm
Lowndes any announcements coming this weekend or will they be at the various games over the next ten days?
RRTDawgs
December 30th, 2010
6:24 pm
Lowndes25 does UGA have the Lead for Jenkins and Crowell and i hear UGA is a lock for Jay Rome thanks have a Happy New Year peace .
bigtime
December 30th, 2010
6:25 pm
Sandman053……Malcom Mitchell will be at Bama next year. Don’t worry UGA will get more than their share but you can’t sign them all all of the time.
Lowndes25….Still hearing Bama on Dickson even though UGA has made up lots of ground with him and more importantly his Dad. Crowell is UGA ’s to lose at this point but I’m not giving up just yet. There is still an official to T-Town and I hope to make up ground then. Roll Tide
Lowndes25
December 30th, 2010
6:26 pm
Jenkins doesnt talk much, but i hear we are in good shape.
Rome is a hard Uga lean.
Lowndes25
December 30th, 2010
6:27 pm
A few this weekend, but they will vary over the next few weeks.
Lowndes25
December 30th, 2010
6:29 pm
Im sorry not this weekend, we will get most of our commits during the all american games.
bigtime
December 30th, 2010
6:34 pm
Lowndes25….. Not to put you on the spot or anything but who do you see your DAWGS closing with ?
RRTDawgs
December 30th, 2010
6:36 pm
Swann will be a dawg i know he will commit at the All Star game .
bigtime
December 30th, 2010
6:39 pm
RRTDawgs….. I think Swann to UGA is a VERY safe bet. If he commits to anywhere else I will be shocked. I feel the same way about Rome.
K Conley
December 30th, 2010
6:44 pm
bigtime and RRTDawgs, I think that this is another imposter. I don’t think that it is Lowndes25. I may be wrong, but I don’t think so. I take this from the way Lowndes usually directs his quotes at certain individuals and also the missing apostrophes tell me that it isn’t Lowndes. He always types @ RRTDawgs for example and he does pay attention to grammar.
bigtime
December 30th, 2010
6:49 pm
K Conley… Agreed , that’s why I asked who he thought UGA would close with. I know what Lowndes25 would say because I debated with him about it some time ago.
dawgster112
December 30th, 2010
6:59 pm
If that isn’t Lowndes25 he knows what he is talking about….I have heard the same things.
RRTDawgs
December 30th, 2010
7:12 pm
Thanks bigtime hope you a Happy New Year don’t count out UGA with Mitchell because Rome could be the X factor with his recruitment . And wither that’s Lowndes25 or not next week is will be fun go dawgs .
Chip Towers
December 30th, 2010
7:31 pm
Sandman053: He walked away after the game without a limp, I’m told. So apparently not serious. But he’s had issues with that knee all season.
K Conley
December 30th, 2010
8:05 pm
@ Kevin, Grow up kid. Lowndes brings new information on here more than any blogger has. He may be wrong and he may be right, but I can say for certainty that anything you say certainly is not worthwhile. What do you contribute to the blog other than to make comments about someone else? I believe several people on here have some info. None of them go by Kevin I can assure you.
layinlow
December 30th, 2010
8:12 pm
What exactly constitutes this dream team? Is this just some kind of empty slogan? Who exactly do we have to get in order for this”dream team” to be a success? Does it mean the #1 class? I hate to sound cynical but this seems similar to one of Richt’s silly stunts like the blackout against Bama. Another gimmick with zero substance. Just go out and recruit your rear end off and roll up your sleeves, and turn this program around thru hard work, blood, sweat, and tears. I’m tired of stunts and gimmicks.
RRTDawgs
December 30th, 2010
8:16 pm
Yes there are importers and Kevin does need grow up he just came on here to insult people and we don’t always rely on Lowndes25 for info scout and 247 sports has great info on recruiting go dawgs .
RRTDawgs
December 30th, 2010
8:24 pm
Yea layinlow i do kind of agree with that if you just go out and recruit hard the targets will come i always liked Notre Dame slogan Play Like Champions and Richt old slogan Finish The Drill should be the main slogan .
rincon dog
December 30th, 2010
9:01 pm
I think finish the drill has run its course.
rincon dog
December 30th, 2010
9:03 pm
Does anyone have info on john Jenkins.
Lowndes25
December 30th, 2010
9:08 pm
Wow, I am some kind of popular…I have one guy who says he is not me and another guy who is acting like he is me. Just for the record, this is the real Lowndes25 and sorry I haven’t posted in a few weeks…like I have said before, work has kept me very busy. Whoever is posting as me, please stop. Alright Dawg fans, the moment we have been waiting for has arrived…the All Star games are upon us and a few of our big targets are about to get this Dream Team started. Where you at nagadawg
Lowndes25
December 30th, 2010
9:09 pm
@Kevin, and for the record, I am not an old man
Lowndes25
December 30th, 2010
9:11 pm
@rincon dawg, we are great shape for John Jenkins. Richt does his in home visit on the 6th and then the whole Jenkins family will visit Athens on the 21st.
Lowndes25
December 30th, 2010
9:14 pm
@bigtime, great to see you are still around…hope all is well with you and your family. You ready to watch Xzavier Dickson announce to UGA at the UA game
. We will also land Crowell in this class, Mitchell and Rome…yes sir, you are about to see the Dream Team unfold before your very eyes. Sit back and enjoy the ride.
K Conley
December 30th, 2010
9:14 pm
Don’t know who is who on this site anymore. Lowndes25, (fake or real) Quan Bray likely headed to Auburn? Additionally, would you way in on the big 2 in your area? (Mitchell and Drew)
rooferdawg
December 30th, 2010
9:15 pm
Good to have the real “Lowndes25″ here. I see the recruiting blogs and if I search for you and a couple of more real posters. If I do not see your names, then I do not even bother to read the other posts. Good to hear from you again. It is lonely here in China, haha
RRTDawgs
December 30th, 2010
9:21 pm
The real Lowndes25 how have been bro what the deal with Drew and Bray i feel good with Ray Drew and would say Bray is 50/50 and that real good sign with Jenkins are we loosing ground with Bray .
RichmondDawg
December 30th, 2010
9:29 pm
@Lowndes…What was that business with Drew about? Have you heard anything?