Ten@10: Stephenson recognized as one of nation’s top producers of college talent
THE TEN AT 10:
1. If you find yourself hearing a lot about Stephenson High School and wondering if there could be any school anywhere that produces more college football talent than that school, you’re not alone. The Jaguars’ football program has long been suspected of being among the nation’s bests in that regard and that was confirmed this week. ESPN RISE online magazine listed Stephenson No. 7 in the country for producing college football players. That was right behind DeMatha Catholic High in Hyattsville, Md., which produced the country’s No. 1 player in Cyrus Kouandjio, and just ahead of Orlando’s Dr. Phillips High, which sent five-star running back Dee Hart to Alabama.
ESPN RISE credits Stephenson for 11 FBS signees in 2011, alludes to the many players it expects to send to college in 2012 and references several of its alums playing in the NFL. Here’s the most interesting part: The Jaguars are expected to have as many as 15 of its players ink FBS scholarships this year, which several national analysts believe may be the most in the U.S. And I didn’t see the list from last year, if ESPN Rise did indeed produce one, but Stephenson had to be among the top few nationally with 29 total signees in 2010.
By the way, Miami Central (18 signees) and St. Thomas Aquinas (13) were listed one and two, respectively, on this year’s list.
This was the scene at Stephenson High on national signing day in 2010. (AJC photo by Brant Sanderlin)
2. Speaking of Stephenson, Florida apparently is planning on raiding the Stone Mountain school this season. At least that’s what this story in the Gainesville Sun implies. In fact, the newspaper produced a photo illustration to drive that point home. It features the Gators’ team logo carved in the side of Stone Mountain in place of the Confederate heroes.
Hyperbole aside, Florida already has received a commitment from Stephenson running back Mike Davis, who is expected to be one of the toop backs in the state state this season. The Gators also have offers extended to three other Jaguars, including DE Jarontay Jones (6-3, 240), LB Raphael Kirby (6-2, 200) and OL/DL Jafar Mann (6-4, 285). All those guys and some other Stephenson players traveled to Gainesville, Fla., with assistant coach Corey Johnson this past weekend to tour the Florida campus and meet the Gators’ coaches. That’s when Davis ended up committing. The Stephenson crew will be making a similar trip to Knoxville, Tenn., this weekend.
Florida knows all about one-stop shopping in recruiting. Remember former coach Urban Meyer made a living out of Lakeland High School a few years back, landing Chris Rainey, the Pouncey Brothers, Ahmad Black and Steven Wilks, among others, out of the school.
3. Davis, by the way, was one of three elite running back prospects in the state to make a commitment in the last eight days. Hillgrove’s Kenyan Drake and Washington’s Justin Taylor committed to Alabama a week apart. That means three of the city’s best tailback prospects are off the board more than 11 months before national signing day.
But there are several other good prospects still uncommitted, including Columbia’s Kenno Loyal and Brookwood’s Nick Thompkins. Both Loyal and Thompkins are drawing intense recruiting interest from Georgia Tech. In fact, Loyal told JacketsOnline.com this week that the Yellow Jackets are “at the top” of his list. Georgia is also recruiting Loyal.
4. While the Bulldogs’ recruitment of running backs may seem to be lagging a little this year, that’s to be expected just three weeks removed from signing the No. 1 back in the nation in Isaiah Crowell of Carver-Columbus. Crowell’s addition gives Georgia five tailbacks on the roster for next season, if both Washaun Ealey and Caleb King return for their junior seasons, which is the expectation at this point.
But don’t expect Georgia to take a pass on recruiting a running back this season. In fact, Georgia is in on arguably the top back in nation for 2012 in Keith Marshall. The 5-11, 190-pound back from Raleigh is known for both his grade-point average and his speed — which both happen to be 4.3 — according to ESPN recruiting analyst Jamie Newberg. If you want to get a first-hand look at what all the fuss is about, check out Marshall’s highlight video at YouTube.com.
5. Drake and Taylor are among nine players that have already committed to Alabama so far. That’s the most 2012 commitments of any one team, according to a report at ESPN.com. Texas, which always seems to lead the way in early commitments, has six at this point. The SEC’s 25 commitments so far leads all conferences. Florida and LSU have five each.
Georgia has two so far, wide receiver C.J. Curry of North Hall and kicker Marshall Morgan of Ft. Lauderdale. Georgia Tech got its first 2012 commitment from Junior Gnonkonde of Lanier County last Friday.
6. AJC correspondent S. Thomas Coleman tells me Buford junior defensive back Ryan Dillard is about to hit the road to visit some of the nation’s most prestigious schools — Stanford (Friday, Feb. 25), Cal (March 5) and Harvard (April 23). All three have already offered him scholarships. Recruiting interest in Dillard has slowly heated up after he had an interception and shut down Da’Rick Rogers in the 2009 AA state final and grabbed another interception and returned a fumble for a touchdown in the 2010 AA final. He has a 4.0 GPA at Buford and writes a regular blog ESPN Rise magazine. He also has a new junior highlight tape on YouTube.
7. Georgia is among the final four for wide receiver Shaq Roland of Lexington, S.C. Roland (6-2, 180), who is generally considered the top prospect in South Carolina for 2012, recently cut down his list to four finalists. The others are Alabama, Florida and South Carolina, according to a report in The Charleston Port and Courier.
8. Georgia Tech is reaching deep into Gator territory in its recruitment of defensive backs this year. One prospect the Yellow Jackets have targeted is Chris Bivins of Gainesville (Fla.) High School. Bivins (6-0, 170), who recently received an offer from South Florida, attended Tech’s junior day this past weekend. While he did not come away with an offer, he expects one eventually and told the Gainesville Sun he likes the Jackets.
“I like them a lot,” he told Edward Aschoff. “I love the fact that they stress academics, because football doesn’t last forever. They have a very qualified school and I think they’re close to offering me, so hopefully they do.”
9. Bivins was just one among a huge number of impressive prospects in Atlanta this past weekend for Tech’s junior day. These were just some of the players being put through the paces on The Flats (listed alphabetically):
DiAndre Atwater, Peachtree Ridge; Ray Buchanan Jr., Peachtree Ridge; James DeLoatch, Jenkins County; Faith Ekakitie, Lake Forest, Ill.; Pat Gamble, Central Carrollton; Shaq Huff, Eastside; Larry Jefferson, Banneker; Jordan Jenkins, Harris County; Jonathan Jones, Carrollton; Kenno Loyal, Columbia; Chris Moody, Henry County; Robert Nkemdiche (2013), Grayson; Johnny O’Neal (2013), West Laurens; Jonathan Taylor, Jenkins County; JoJo Wynn, McIntosh Academy.
10. THIS & THAT: One of the biggest showcases of recruiting talent from all over the country returns to Atlanta next month. The second annual MVP Camp will be conducted March 26 at Lovejoy High School. This was the camp, organized by recruiting analysts Rusty Mansell of 247Sports.com and Chad Simmons of Scout.com, that last year discovered the previously hidden talents of Stephon Tuitt. Tuitt, who won most vaulable player honors, ended up signing with Notre Dame. Registration for the event begins on Monday at TheMVPcamp.com. Once again, some of the top prospects in the country are expected to participate. The first stop for the camp is taking place this weekend in Orlando at Dr. Phillips High School. . . . .
Woodward Academy defensive lineman Jordan Watkins added two more schools to his growing list of offers over the weekend — Auburn and Oklahoma. . . . Lovett running back Zach Boden has decided to play football at Harvard. . . . Central Gwinnett sophomore linebacker Trey Johnson received his seventh scholarship offer over the weekend. He added Mississippi State to a list that included Auburn, Cincinnati, FSU, Georgia Tech, Illnois and Southern Cal. . . .
Six seniors from St. Pius X High School will be signing national letters-of-intent to attend colleges on soccer scholarships on Wednesday. They are Bryana Gold (Villanova), Kelsey Keown (Rhodes College), Elizabeth Kinsel (Georgia State), Andrea Papania (University of Dallas), Grace Raines (West Point) and Andrew Wolverton (Penn State).
By Chip Towers, The College Recruiting Blog
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187 comments Add your comment
Jon Kontract
February 22nd, 2011
10:29 am
furst
Coach(sic) Paul Johnson
February 22nd, 2011
10:36 am
Georgia Tech has lost 5 of their last 6 football games, only beating Duke.
Georgia Tech only graduates 43% of their football players.
LOL
February 22nd, 2011
10:38 am
Un thats only 5.
schmeckdawg
February 22nd, 2011
10:39 am
He looks like a beast on film. Go get him DAWGS!!!!!!!!!
dawgster
February 22nd, 2011
10:39 am
it appears that RB I. Cross may be off the table also, according to Vols 247 sports…the Marshall kid is very, very good, but its going to be a battle with UNC for his services…if i had to bet i would say the dawgs will finish 2nd to UNC, but its a long ways to go and alot of things can happen…I am surprised that Bama is making so many offers this early expecially to RB’s…I know they are still hoping for Barry Sanders, Jr..but they may feel that he will stay out Midwest with OK St…the dawgs need to start getting som O-line and D-line recruits to commit…RB’s will take care of itself i believe and also we need a bigtime WR…we are in on a few right now, but need to get them to pull the trigger…go dawgs
ATLANTA
February 22nd, 2011
10:40 am
Though Alabama landed two commits RB prospect from state of Georgia, none of them is highly at the top, Drake is so far number in the list while Justin Taylor is about number 9. So UGA could as well land the no 1 instate RB Imani Cross from North Hall High school.
ATLANTA
February 22nd, 2011
10:41 am
Drake third in the list
RxDawg
February 22nd, 2011
10:42 am
I hope it works out with Marshall. I’m just as interested in that 4.3 GPA as I am that 4.3 40 yard dash. UGA football has had a lot of problems the past few years. One of those problems at the top of my list is our team has just not been football smart. We’ve been the bad news bulldogs and just found ways to lose games. It would be in our best interest to up the team IQ a little bit.
German Shepherd Dawg
February 22nd, 2011
10:43 am
And I remember how Richt got ripped in previous years for taking too many early commitments and not waiting on the final blue chippers.
Damned if you do….
D A DoubleU G
February 22nd, 2011
10:43 am
I truly think the signing of Isaiah Crowell is and will be the biggest risk UGA has wagered since a similar situation with…….. Jasper Sanks.
I do not see any big name RB wanting to sign with UGA in the 2012 class. We the Dawg fans, as well as the media have already declared Isaiah “The Savior” before he has even stepped foot on campus as a student. Any RB in this class will go elsewhere in anticipation of the Isaiah crowning being correct.
This is not necessarily a bad thing for UGA, so long as Isaiah does become a producer. Nobody can blame RBs in the 2012 class for wanting to go anywhere but UGA.
So any and all of the haters who LOVE to come on here and jab UGA for “losing another in-state talent”, needs to look at the big picture from perspectives of the kids involved.
Make the argument that Alabama is already stacked at RB, but not with anybody has highly touted as Isaiah.
GO DAWGS!!!!
RxDawg
February 22nd, 2011
10:43 am
Oh, and I sure do miss Lowndes input on the blogs.
But also a special thanks to the poster that goes by K Conley. He/she has some good thoughts.
RxDawg
February 22nd, 2011
10:44 am
And wheres naga? He’s always got some great input from a seminal perspective too.
German Shepherd Dawg
February 22nd, 2011
10:45 am
Dawgster,
It’s an awfully long way to signing day, too. Remember D. Rodgers from 2 years ago, a signing day turncoat. We owe UT.
dawgster
February 22nd, 2011
10:47 am
@Atlamta…Cross will not be a dawg…more than likely a Vol…at least thats what i am hearing up in this area…but with recruiting anything can happen and usually does…go dawgs
Concrete Pete
February 22nd, 2011
10:49 am
Stephenson is a top producer nationally of talent, yet no state titles. Speaks volumes to the quality of HS football and coaching in Ga.
rduck
February 22nd, 2011
10:49 am
Good to see Tech in on alot of good players early. Hopefully this will be the year we can pull off a really good class of players. We got some good ones last year but had alot of projects mixed in. Seems we are making some inroads on some quality players early. Best of luck to all. Alot of time before NSD again… Go Jackets!
dawgster
February 22nd, 2011
10:50 am
@German Shepherd Dawg…I hear you and i do agree…as i you said, a long ways till NSD…our season will play a big part in the next recruiting class…It does appear that alot of teams are trying to lock up their committments earlier than usual…Our state is being raided pretty good, maybe we should return the favor and perhaps we will…go dawgs
Desperation on the Ave
February 22nd, 2011
10:50 am
Check out how absolutely OBSESSED Techies are with all things UGA.
http://www.stingtalk.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=5
About half of their “discussions” are UGA topics. If you feel like reading them, the hate the display is the most classless example of human beings on Earth.
But don’t YOU dare talk smack about Tech! These Nerds don’t understand the concept of a 2-way rivalry. While it is okay for them to do what they do on that website, any ill words aimed at them will set them off in an uproar of academic and underage drinking arguments of epic proportions.
42-34
9-1
Don’t worry Techies. Stephon Tuitt still may flip-flop and save you.
trupert
February 22nd, 2011
10:51 am
Marshall and Crowell as a one two punch, sounds good to me.
The dream continues, Go Dawgs!!!
renegade#1
February 22nd, 2011
10:53 am
Does seem like Ga needs too pick up the pace a mite. Seems like there is never a sense of urgency at UGa. Maybe there will be some good ones left by signing day. Lets go Mark. gata
uga
.Maybe there will be some goodun’s left by signing day.Lets go guys. gata
DZ
February 22nd, 2011
10:54 am
@ATLANTA What “list” are you referring to?
Where is Richt? Is he on vacation? He needs to learn his job is a 12 month per year position.
bigtime
February 22nd, 2011
10:55 am
DAUUG…..Trent Richarson was certainly just as highly touted coming out of HS
bigtime
February 22nd, 2011
10:55 am
*RicharDson*
D A DoubleU G
February 22nd, 2011
10:56 am
bigtime,
Trent Richardson will also be gone after this year. Crowell could very well be a starter for the next 3 years. Recruits realize this.
bigtime
February 22nd, 2011
11:00 am
Correct
Guess What
February 22nd, 2011
11:04 am
I can’t wait to see “the savior” Isaiah Crowell bring UGA football back to the promise land just like…….Jasper Sanks, Caleb King, Richard Samuel….do I need to go on mutts. This kid will be average at best so don’t get your hopes up as usual. All these duds were suppose to be the next H. Walker coming out of high school and all were…..you guessed it average.
RRTDawgs
February 22nd, 2011
11:05 am
Eddie Prince Jr . visited Athens over the weekend and was very impressed just let you know .
jp
February 22nd, 2011
11:05 am
Georgia is not behind on recruiting. They have 4 commits technically with Marshall Morgan, CJ Curry, Jalen Fields and Lonnie Outlaw(two former UGA signees currently in JUCO).
This class is going to be small with only around 15-18 signees based on attrition. You can say they are a quarter of the way finished with their class.
Getting Marshall is going to be big but also getting some WR’s would help a lot. They need at least 4 WRs including Outlaw. They also need some big uglies on the DLine. Abry Jones, Deangelo Tyson and John Jenkins may all be gone next year.
BigTimeTECHFan
February 22nd, 2011
11:05 am
Stephon Tuitt – Signed LOI with Notre Dame
trupert
February 22nd, 2011
11:05 am
Nobody should be suprised by Alabama handing out scholarship offers as if it’s inexpensive candy.
Saban can afford to make twice as many offers as any coach who has integrity because he dosen’t, and if a player dosen’t work his way into the starting rotation in two years he will just cull them as if they were the smallest fish in a livewell.
They do things a little differently in ol Bamer. That’s the reason that Saban won’t disclose how many players are on scholarship.
There are alot of secrets being covered between Alabama and Auburn. They do have their individual styles, Alabama just offers twice as many kids while Auburn puts their booster support program to work.
D A DoubleU G
February 22nd, 2011
11:07 am
Bama is a good brand…. has been and always will be…
Unfortunately the signing of so many Blue-Chippers by UGA in 2011 will only assist Bama in getting those names out of the state of Georgia this go-round.
For those of us who understand how recruiting works, there are cycles. While UGA cashed out big last year, don’t expect the same this year.
Kids are not that intrigued by entering a program being #2 on a depth chart where the #1 is only a sophomore or RS Freshman.
UGA fans just need to hope the recruits we just got will pan out, and win the next few seasons, and then let the next wave of Blue-Chip recruits come in knowing the big names are about to be gone.
Those who don’t understand this, need to stop wasting your time following recruiting.
dawgster
February 22nd, 2011
11:08 am
Its funny how the gators are not worried about the dawgs at all, but they jumped all over the story by repoting it on Gators 247 that Murray had broken his ankle…funny no other SEC school seemed to pay any attention to it, but the gators…I thought we were not a concern to them…go dawgs
gt
February 22nd, 2011
11:11 am
And uga has great talent and went 6-7 last year and only graduates 33% of its players…Whats your point thugs?
dawgster
February 22nd, 2011
11:12 am
Its going to be interesting to watch if the dawgs can truly only signg about 18 next year in seeing how that compares to others that continue to sign the max and then some…hopefully the NCAA and SEC can get this thing under control where everyone is playing by the same rules, and not finding loophole…notice, i didn’t call out any school since i have no valid info that that is what some are doing, but its has created a lot of talk in the media…go dawgs
RRTDawgs
February 22nd, 2011
11:15 am
We need defense and OL championships are won in the trenches what is that old saying defense wins championships if we get big John Taylor and Lenard Floyd that would huge those two guys are beasts .
dawgster
February 22nd, 2011
11:16 am
@D A Double U G…agree with alot of what you said, except i would expect the dawgs to follow up last recruiting class with another highly touted group, it may be smaller but i think we should expect the quality to be outstanding and to continue to build depth at alot of positions…I think RB and WR are always something you look at, but right now we need alot of O-line and D-line recruits to build that depth and we need the players tha fit into our system…go dawgs
Don4654
February 22nd, 2011
11:18 am
trupert,All schools offer way more kids than they can sign because they know they aren’t going to get everyone they want.
GTJason
February 22nd, 2011
11:21 am
For the Imani Cross comments, from everything I’ve heard he’s going to join his brother at GT. Possibly another case of parents making their kid’s choices for him but we’d be glad to have him.
trupert
February 22nd, 2011
11:23 am
@ D A ——.
People who understand how recruiting really works should be able to look passed the front cover of the recruiting rankings and see the truth.
Every three years or so UGA will only have 18 or so scholarships to offer ( LIKE ALABAMA HAD THIS YEAR) and will only sign 18 or so players, ever wonder why Alabama never seems to only have about 18 or so on hand? They oversign an average of between 8-10 players every year and have to cut an average of 8-10 players from those supposed top ranked classes.
In reality, UGA’s class is much better than bamas or any other top ranked class that oversigned 8+ players.
So keep touting Saban and his class rankings and some will believe but those who really understand recruiting will see the truth.
trupert
February 22nd, 2011
11:28 am
@ Don4654. Yes, most but not all, but only a select few actually oversign players and UGA is one of the teams with integrity who won’t do it.
That’s why Saban is handing out unlimited offers so early while Richt is staying in touch and holding off on offering something that he may not be able to deliver on. It’s called integrity.
hairydawg
February 22nd, 2011
11:30 am
ST PIUS X BABY! Wolverton’s a boss, he plays on the national team, he’s so sick…thanks for the pius shout out chip
Tweets that mention Ten@10: Stephenson recognized as one of nation’s top producers of college talent | AJC College Sports Recruiting -- Topsy.com
February 22nd, 2011
11:30 am
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Georgia Sports Now, deepsouth365, Keith Niebuhr, Chad Simmons, Chip Towers and others. Chip Towers said: Ten@10: Stephenson recognized as one of nation’s top producers of college talent http://bit.ly/hf1bOi [...]
dawgster
February 22nd, 2011
11:31 am
@GTJason…i had thought the same, but the Vols feel that he will commit to them…not sure why they are so confident, but thats the info thats being heard…still a ways to go though…
bigtime
February 22nd, 2011
11:31 am
dawgster,RRTDawgs…… Good to hear from some regulars on here talking some recruiting today. I think UGA will benefit greatly from the new S&C regime in Athens. SEC games are won/lost in the 4th quarter and IMO that is where the Dawgs have failed the last couple of seasons. These new S&C coaches will jerk a knot in these guys tails for sure and conditioning will no longer be an issue in the 4th . The Dream Team will make an impact before most of them ever arrive on campus. You think the players already at UGA aren’t sick of hearing how these freshman are going to come in and start right away ? That motivation will pay off in the offseason conditioning program…..get better or ride the pine behind a freshman….yeah , that’s pretty good motivation.
Also , I think a new Mark Richt will appear this year ; one that is hungry and has no other option but to come out swinging because his back is against the year. I think UGA will suprise a few people this year
with their play.
Roll Tide
Johnny Too Good
February 22nd, 2011
11:32 am
2. I wonder how does mark richt and staff feel about the stephenson crew?
http://www.youtube.com/thatsjohnanderson
GT
February 22nd, 2011
11:33 am
Junior Gnonkonde deserves to be on the Ten @10 this week! Awesome story!
Taco
February 22nd, 2011
11:35 am
Quit all the whining about Saban and Alabama’s recruiting. Carry your sorry A$$ back to Athens and win some games. Bama does what Bama does because they can. It ain’t illegal. Kids want to play for them and Saban, right or wrong. Law of Jungle. Would you prefer Saban keep all the recruits that wash out on the payroll like UGA does to “level” the playing field? If UGA cut all the 4 and 5 star recruits that didn’t produce, they would not have enough players to play pick up basketball 5 on 5. No more crying please. Win.
bigtime
February 22nd, 2011
11:37 am
trupert …… ROLL TIDE
Chip Towers
February 22nd, 2011
11:39 am
hairydawg: Added Grace Raines. Thanks!
K Conley
February 22nd, 2011
11:40 am
@ dawgster, I posted a week or two ago that we were behind UNC for Marshall, and that was based largely upon my readings. After doing some more research and checking comments from Lowndes25, I don’t think it’s a stretch to say that the Dawgs probably have a slight lead to get the kid’s signature. I don’t want to get ahead of myself, but let’s just say that I don’t start getting excited until I see real evidence. Well, I’m starting to get excited because the fact is that he and Coach Richt have developed a solid relationship. I hope we can close the deal here, because he’s a special football player. He will not be in Athens next year if Mark Richt is not our coach. That being said, if we can get this kid on board to go with John Theus, that will be 2 kids coming to UGA who are considered top 10 nationally at this point. Theus has stated that he is going to wait until the Army All-American Game to decide, but that decision is already in place. He will be a Dawg!
NOBODYYOUKNOW
February 22nd, 2011
11:41 am
We can Bla, Bla,Bla, back and forth all we want. But its gonna be awaile until fall kickoff. UGA did a hell of a job getting some quality recruits. After the so, so, season the dogs had I really thought they would have a problem getting some of these kids. I don’t know how they judge these kids as to how well they will do in college. Gators, Wardamneagles, Bama Tiders, and Vols. Look out the dogs are on the way back. Its gonna be a very interesting season.
RRTDawgs
February 22nd, 2011
11:46 am
The guys to keep an eye on for 2011 is Jay Rome and Malcolm Mitchell from all i heard about Rome is he an excellent blocker and will be great safety net for Murray and heard a lot people say Mitchell is the next Harvin .
dawgster
February 22nd, 2011
11:46 am
@bigtime…nice comments, good to hear from you…i think you are right, the other players are probably tired of hearing about this “dream team”…if that doesn’t motivate them to get it in gear then what will?…I agree that Coach Richt wil be a different coach than what we have seen in the past two seasons…I don’t know how many more wins that will translate into but i would expect a huge improvement from last year..,I don’t know about winning the East, alot of things have to go right and we need to stay injury free and most of all we need some leadership on this team to get some players to step up…if that happens we will do very well in my opinion…Hopefully Coach Richt will win back the support of some that have written him off…I don’t know if we have to win the East this year for the dawg nation to stay behind him, but at least 9 wins i think would be seen as making huge strides…I try to be realistic and i also understand the game, even though we had a great recruiting class, sometimes it takes a year or two for the results to pay off…The question will be whether the dawg nation will allow Coach Richt the time…I hope they do as i believe we really couldn’t ask for a finer Coach to represent our University…but it is about “wins”, so next year will be interesting…go dawgs
K Conley
February 22nd, 2011
11:56 am
@ bigitme, you are so correct about S & C, and that goes for any program. Nutrition is also a huge problem with many of these kids coming out of high school. I had this discussion with a local high school coach from a South Georgia High School. His point was that the parents in this relatively poor South Ga. community purchase the cheap cuts of meat at their local grocer because it’s what they can afford. I won’t go any further, but the point is that many of these kids can really take off with “body integrity” when they begin to nourish themselves with proper nutrition.
Leonard Floyd is currently rated as a 3 star by most recruiting services. I believe Chip actually had Leonard as an honorable mention for his top 10 in the state. (Which would undoubtedly make him a 4 star recruit) This is one kid who could seriously benefit from a strong S & C program and Nutritional Guide. I just wanted to say that Bama, UGA, and UF don’t think he’s a 3 star. Those 3 lead for his services, and his ability could shoot off of the charts given the right opportunity. Kid has explosion for someone that is as tall is he is. (Future Difference Maker who likely ends up RWTT or RWTD) Let’s hope it’s “Rolling with the Dawgs!”
RRTDawgs
February 22nd, 2011
11:59 am
K. Conley thanks for that info on Marshall and Floyd and if get Theus and Alexander that would huge for us go dawgs .
kb
February 22nd, 2011
11:59 am
You are very misinformed about UGA football graduation rates. Tech envy never ends.
The University of Georgia football team trails only Vanderbilt for the best graduation rate in the Southeastern Conference, according to the latest NCAA Graduation Success Rate survey released a noon today.
Across all sports, UGA athletes are graduating at nearly the national average for Division I athletes, according to the statistics. UGA’s graduation success rate stood at 77 percent for the entering class of 2003, just two points off the national average of 79 percent.
Georgia also compared well to other schools in the Southeastern Conference.
The football team’s 68 percent rate was second in the league, behind only Vanderbilt.
Three UGA teams recorded 100 percent rates.
The average takes into account not only entering freshmen, but athletes who transfer in or out of schools.
“
bigtime
February 22nd, 2011
12:00 pm
It appears as if # 7 on the 10@ten will be staying home. http://www.crimsonconfidential.com/alabama-recruiting/alabama-football-recruiting/980-another-gamecocks-tide-battle-shaping-up-for-top-south-carolina-prospect
These SC recruits are hard to get out of the state, always have been, always will be
5150 UOAD
February 22nd, 2011
12:00 pm
coach is a GREAT salesman, but he is like Richt. He doesn’t have many championships with all that GREAT TALENT. WHY? He is a GREAT salesman and that is all. From the Ghetto to a college shot and back to being uneducated and being the ghetto.
kb
February 22nd, 2011
12:01 pm
Seems like Tech scores lower.
Tech’s GSR improves, but football team scores low
1:33 pm October 27, 2010, by Doug Roberson
While Georgia Tech’s overall Graduation Success Rate rose to its highest level, the football team posted the lowest score among ACC schools, according to data released today by the NCAA.
Tech’s teams averaged a 75 GSR, which tracks the graduation rate for student-athletes and transfer students who enrolled between 2000-03. It was the fourth consecutive year the score improved. Tech attributed the increase to an 82-percent graduation rate for the 2003 enrollees. The national average is 79. The NCAA releases the figures annually for rolling four-year periods.
The football team scored a 49 for the second consecutive year. Duke posted the highest score (95) among football teams in the ACC.
Men’s basketball posted the lowest score (36) among Tech’s teams. Maryland (31) scored worst among ACC schools in that sport. Wake Forest (100) posted the highest score.
Three Tech teams — men’s golf, and men’s tennis and women’s swimming — posted perfect scores (100).
5150 UOAD
February 22nd, 2011
12:01 pm
I wish more of his kids walked away from college with good degrees and jobs.
bigtime
February 22nd, 2011
12:09 pm
A few quotes from Grayson Lambert and Geno Smith on this weekends visits to Bama…
http://www.tidesports.com/article/20110222/NEWS/110229915/1233?p=2&tc=pg
Roll Tide
dawgster
February 22nd, 2011
12:11 pm
@K. Conley,,,thanks for the update on Marshall…still think UNC will be the battle…sounds good so far though…go dawgs
sandman053
February 22nd, 2011
12:18 pm
dawgster is UNC still in trouble from Agent-gate? I know they sat a huge amount of their team, but then with the Dawgs troubles I lost track. Are they self-cleaned up? Or are they on probation? Are they limitede in TV time and/or schollies?
sandman053
February 22nd, 2011
12:23 pm
bigtime with the fighting chickens playing decent football it IS tough to entice those kids out of state. And you gotta admit Darth Visor is a heck of a recruiter.
dawgster
February 22nd, 2011
12:26 pm
@sandman053…i don’t think the NCAA investigation is over, at least officially…i know one of their players eligability was reinstated by the NCAA….Don’t think any punishment has been handed down yet…K. Conley may know a little more info on where it stands…go dawgs
Roll Tide
February 22nd, 2011
12:43 pm
You Georgia fans are dreaming if you think you guys will sign a top back in this class. RB are falling like dominoes will ole saint Richt is taking a vacation. We have a coach that knows football 24/7 and is one of the top coaches in college football. P.S there are rumors that I.Cross is a silent verbal to UT
Roll Tide
just the truth
February 22nd, 2011
12:45 pm
Stephenson High does “recruit” well. How many state champions do they have?
PHIL
February 22nd, 2011
12:46 pm
It’s possible but not probable that I don’t know what I am talking about. But after watching film after film of Crowell and seeing him play in person, then reading about and watching all available film on this kid in NC. I would say that Crowell is not in the same area code, in any category, athletic or individual, as this Marshall kid. We don’t even know if Crowell will qualify. It was my belief after watching Da Rick that he would be a bust. I fell the same way about Crowell. Hope to be very, very wrong. But I believe this kid is very important to the near future of UGA football.
PHIL
February 22nd, 2011
12:47 pm
Roll Tide don’t you wish the all the Alabama fans were as smart as your coach?
just the truth
February 22nd, 2011
12:55 pm
KB, have all the players at all the schools major in Business Management or above and then take a look at W/L and GR. Next time match apples to apples. Any school would have a high GR if they are majoring in Recreation and Leisure Studies, Exercise Science, Housing, Sports Studies, Consumer Economics, Sociology, and Child and Family Development. Give me a break !!!
dawgster
February 22nd, 2011
1:08 pm
@Phil…it would be nice if you would stop talking about Crowell not qualifying..there has been nothing that has serviced about him having problems…if there is then i assume that that is a private matter, but from everything that we know, the kid has no problems with grades….I’m not sure where your info comes from but please enlighten us regarding his academic issues that you seem to think exist…go dawgs
dawgster
February 22nd, 2011
1:10 pm
that should have read “surfaced”‘..sorry, got in a hurry…
K Conley
February 22nd, 2011
1:12 pm
@ Roll Tide, No dreaming here. I deal with facts. You are the one who just spouts things out at the drop of a hat. It’s a shame each program has to have their bad apple on this site. I have identified the rotten blogger for the Tide. If you have a legitimate point that concerns information related to recruiting, then make it. I don’t dream, nor do I give opinions that aren’t warranted by some literature or a direct conversation I’ve had with an individual. Georgia again leads for the top back in the nation. Whether you like it or not, that is a true statement. Now, do we have our issues? Absolutely. Is Alabama taking some prospects from our state that the UGA staff would love to have? They are. Are we getting our fair share and does the UGA program seem to be headed in the right direction? I believe we are. It’s just all a matter of opinion, and I, unlike you choose to look at my program is one with “the glass half full”.
bigtime
February 22nd, 2011
1:18 pm
K Conley…..You are absolutley correct about Leonard Floyd. Watching him explode off of line of scrimmage like he does I can guarantee you that he will not be a 3* prospect after the summer evals. He reminds me of Clowney with his size and reaction off the line. He would benefit from some added muscle but he’ll be a Jack LB at either Bama or UGA so his size isn’t all that far off, maybe 25 lb of muscle.
dawgster…….Really good perspective in your posts from a die hard UGA fan. I respect the fact that you can comment on this blog without trashing eveyone else’s team. A lot of people on this blog could learn from you bro.
sandman053……. ‘ The fighting chickens”…lol…. Spurrier still has plenty of pull with HS students and it will always be hard to get recruits from there as long as he is The Ole Ball Coach.
Roll Tide
bigtime
February 22nd, 2011
1:19 pm
Roll Tide = roll eyes
dawgster
February 22nd, 2011
1:21 pm
@K. Conley…great comeback to “Roll Tide…i hope that Roll Tide continues to think that Coach Richt is on vacation and that the dawgs are irrelevant…keep thinking that way…Evidently if we are not offering every kid or grabbing every in state kid then we are 2nd rate to Bama…There are alot of very good and intelligent Bama guys on here who have earned alot of respect.., unfortunately “Roll Tide” you don’t appear to be one of them…Maybe if you would post some informative comments instead of the insults you might actually earn some respect and others would engage into some discussions about recruiting and football with you..give it a try and see what happens…go dawgs
RRTDawgs
February 22nd, 2011
1:23 pm
Great points K. Conley and dawgster we just came off one of are best recruiting in a longtime and we have new S&C program i think this will better than past couple years Richt is a lot hungrier and knows he has to coach his ass off we will get a least one RB but we need OL and D Line more .
SouthGaBrave
February 22nd, 2011
1:33 pm
bigtime, K Conley –
I went with a couple of friends to see Floyd play bball for Dodge Co. recently. I think it’s fun to watch guys like him and Nick Marshall on the hardcourt just to see the athleticism. You can see how it translates over to the football field. A friend asked what really made him stand out beyond the other big men on the court that night. I told him, “Check out the calves. He has the calves of a guy that can be explosive in the weight room and coming off the edge on Saturdays.” Looked like a man among chicken-legged boys out there.
dawgster
February 22nd, 2011
1:35 pm
@bigtime…thanks for your comments…i try my best, its difficult at times, but i just don’t see the logic in trashing other programs…As fans we are going to stand up for our teams and when one starts talking about another team the snowballing affect takes place and then the blog just goes to heck…I appreciate all the things you bring to the table along with some other bama guys, “blackoutanyone” and others…I also know there are alot of dawg fans that stir it up also, but most of them are fair weather fans that only support the team if they are winning….go dawgs
dawgster
February 22nd, 2011
1:37 pm
@SouthGaBrave…great comments about Floyd playing Basketball…You should see S. Bailey at EHall playing Basketball and see his athleticism and what he will bring to the dawgs defense the next few seasons in my opinion…go dawgs
bigtime
February 22nd, 2011
1:41 pm
SouthGaBrave……He will be one of the 10 best players in GA next year. By the end of the year I could easily see him in the top 5. Check out his video
http://recruiting.scout.com/2/997778.html
If you have a hard time figuring out which one he is ,look for the first defender in the backfield every play !
LOL
February 22nd, 2011
1:44 pm
Lots of Bama fans on today, no trees to kill today fellas? No, not today, maybe tomorrow then.
bigtime
February 22nd, 2011
1:44 pm
He could easily play TE as well at the next level. He’s got some wheels for a kid his size!
bigtime
February 22nd, 2011
1:45 pm
LOL, go play patty-cake with Roll Tide guy. Grown-ups are talking here son.
SouthGaBrave
February 22nd, 2011
1:46 pm
dawgster,
Haven’t gotter to see Bailey play due to my location, but I have had the pleasure to see many of our Dawgs from here in South/Middle GA play the last few years. Seeing Nick Marshall/Lonnie Outlaw from Wilcox has been a pleasure. Keep an eye on Quez Mahoganey (Nick’s younger brother, 2012 prospect) and Bug Howard (Lonnie’s younger brother, 2013 prospect) the next few years, too. Quez plays safety/receiver and Bug is a receiver who is already 6′4″ as a soph, and both play bball. Really hoping that Wilcox and Greenville both make it to the state semis, so I can check out those guys and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (UGA bball signeee) 1 more time in the Coliseum in Macon.
Flatwoods Dawg
February 22nd, 2011
1:48 pm
Dawgs need to look at Junior Gnondonke from Lanier County. The guy has only been playing football for two years at a small school with inexperienced coaches and poor facilitites. After 1 or 2 years with college coaches and facilitites, this guy will be awesome. Also, don’t forget his teammate, Jeremy “Dozer” Daniels. the 360 lbs beast. Lanier County is on the edge of the Okefeenokee Swamp like Charlton County. Must be something in thw water that makes great football players.
RxDawg
February 22nd, 2011
1:50 pm
I thought the enemy of my enemy was my friend? I guess not when they keep going head to head with our recruits
LOL
February 22nd, 2011
1:51 pm
Grown Ups? How bout you get a job d-bag before you start running your mouth and sitting here all day obsessing over high school kids. Bunch of pedophiles.
Flatwoods Dawg
February 22nd, 2011
1:52 pm
LOL
You know that Bammer fans do their pulpwooding under the cover of darkness.
K Conley
February 22nd, 2011
1:52 pm
@ bigtime, the Clowney reference to Floyd is spot-on. He doesn’t have that giant wingspan Clowney has, but the explosion is there. Glad someone else sees it. (I know the Bama and UGA coaches think highly of Leonard)
@ SouthGaBrave, thanks for the insight. My high school football coach was an assistant at Dodge County in the 80s. He keeps up with the program and told me that Floyd is one of the best ever from that area of the state if he can keep maturing.
@ dawgster, great point about the “fair weather fans”, unfortunately we have quite a few.
just the truth
February 22nd, 2011
1:56 pm
Junior Gnondonke has already verbaled.
The Watergirl
February 22nd, 2011
1:57 pm
How do you not win State Titles with that much talent? always been confusing
Flatwoods Dawg
February 22nd, 2011
2:00 pm
just the truth
A verbal to Georgia Tech is not written in stone. Tech had a lot to jump ship this year.
Sven Ottke
February 22nd, 2011
2:17 pm
I wouldn’t worry about Keith Marshall, Georgia fans. He’s in the bag. After all, Coach Richt manned up, called Marshall and………..wait for it……………sang “Happy Birthday” to him over the phone. How embarrassing it must be.
bigtime
February 22nd, 2011
2:17 pm
LOL guy……I see you’re a loser, good for you. Here is the website you are looking for to express your love for the trees day after day after day. http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/
All fans can’t be responsible for the ignorance of a single fan.You are the Harvey Updike of your teams fanbase. Some people come on here to talk recruiting . ” pedophile” It’s becoming quite obvious why you are here. How many post offices have your picture on the wall ?
A job ? You can do whatever you want when you own your own business smart guy . Yay me. Enjoy your miserable existence LOL guy.
Roll Tide
kb
February 22nd, 2011
2:31 pm
@just the truth, Poor little peg leg Tech, using the academic crutch.Why not join the Ivy League? Tech last in the ACC in graduation rates.Since its so tough please tell me how you keep all these players that don’t graduate eligible? 2005-2006 NCAA probation, academic violations keeping players eligible while not working towards a degree.Why does Pj keep offering ships to Tech to so many players that sign with UGA? 11 from the 2011 class alone.
Festus
February 22nd, 2011
2:54 pm
Wow! Marshall looks impressive.
redeagle4
February 22nd, 2011
2:55 pm
If Stepheson has so many football players that sign why don’t they win state champioships?
Festus
February 22nd, 2011
3:01 pm
Wouldn’t ya think that how the fall plays out (Crowell, Richt, etc.) would be a big factor in these kids’ decisions?
K Conley
February 22nd, 2011
3:07 pm
@ Sven Ottke, while Coach Richt did “sing” Keith Happy Birthday, it was more of a joke than anything. The two are born on the 17th and 18th of February and it was just something they thought was funny. In fact, Coach Richt is not the first to try this, as apparently Dabo and the Clemson bunch pulled out all the Birthday stops to entice Jadeveon Clowney to Clemson. Also, I read it’s something Dabo practices regularly. I gotta give Dabo credit. Something worked for him this year, because I think anyone would take those linebackers and receivers he brought in.
K Conley
February 22nd, 2011
3:11 pm
It’s funny, I’ve seen many responses to the Keith Marshall video, and almost every single one has a Wow! in it. He truly is a Wow! football player, and when you realize that he’s only 16 years old, it makes you know that you’re watching a star. I don’t care where he ends up, (even though I hope UGA) I will follow this kid, because he’s one of those guys that is just fun to watch. When he decides to make a cut and sinks his hips, IT IS OVER and HE IS GONE!
Flatwoods Dawg
February 22nd, 2011
3:12 pm
K Conley
Does Dabo wear a costume when he shows up to croon Happy Birthday to recruits? He could dress in a clown outfit and call himself Dabo the Dildo.
Blackoutanyone?
February 22nd, 2011
3:14 pm
MikeP…. BOOOM!!!! http://www.ibleedcrimsonred.com/2011/02/auburgeddon-kenny-irons-tweets-about.html
WIN WITH RICHT
February 22nd, 2011
3:16 pm
Flatwoods Dawg
I understand his character is called Dabo the Dainty Dancing Dildo.
5150 UOAD
February 22nd, 2011
3:18 pm
This is a TEAM from DeKalb county right? Education is the End All to be All in DeKalb right? Chamblee is the GREATEST education high school in DeKalb. Step-son ain’t crap in EDUCATING players. It ain’t like they will be Roddy Jones from TECH. AHHAHA.
Ronald Huff
February 22nd, 2011
3:19 pm
There was great talent at Georgia Tech this weekend! If they were judging these guys by character from the way they carried themselves Sat…..? They are STILL gonna have a hard time deciding! They are some well kept young men, it was my pleasure to be around some of them. Sheldon Rankins from Eastside was also there (wasn’t mentioned).
WIN WITH RICHT
February 22nd, 2011
3:26 pm
Ronald Huff
I’m glad you enjoyed meeting them. The next time they visit the flats they will be wearing the uniforms of opposing teams.
John
February 22nd, 2011
3:31 pm
Hey, look at me, I am a UGA fan and will make some crap up and tell it likes it truth…”You guys seem how DESPERATE GT has gotten these days! it is pathetic! C(sic)PJ is done, everyone knows the football program going to be completely irelavent for years to… blah blah blah blah”
I love how all you guys talk about how desperate we are, while PAYING money to go and read your rival’s message board. wow!? I can’t believe you think anyone would believe a word you say. I would sooner believe the ads “One simple rule to to cut belly fat!” The definition of desperation is comming on here thinking you could actually affect a recruits mind with your propaganda. Anyway, please eat you keyboard and leave the discussion to classer UGA fans.
BTW, GT needs to land Jordan Jenkins. he has attended 3 jr weekends in a row!
WIN WITH RICHT
February 22nd, 2011
3:53 pm
John
Jordan Jenkins will be attending Tech. Twice as a matter of fact. But, he will be wearing a red helmet with a “G” on the side as the DAWGS dominate the nerds at Grant Field.
Moreno Stafford
February 22nd, 2011
3:56 pm
When UGA loses 5 games next season, we can all point to the 2012 season to be the turn around year. Its great not being an elite program with high expectations!
K Conley
February 22nd, 2011
4:12 pm
@ Win With Richt, I hope you’re right on the Jenkins prediction, but I’ve read from some pretty reliable people that we have little to no shot with him. Apparently the two Millen kids want to be a package deal, so the UGA staff needs to offer the other kid today. J. Taylor is one of the few kids in the state that’s worth 2 schollies.
@ Anyone, I’m asking this question for about the 50th time, but does anyone have anything on T.J. Stripling and his health?
old timer
February 22nd, 2011
4:13 pm
I get most of my information from K conley dawgster Sandman and Bigtime.I mostly skip over most of the others. some of them are very good and sane.thanks from a long time dawg.
Bama
February 22nd, 2011
4:27 pm
I keep reading people post comments like “they hope the NCAA will close loopholes so oversigning will stop and it will make all schools operate on an even palying field” My answer to that is they are already operating on a even playing field. There are zero teams that have more than 85 on scholarship during the football season. The only thing that the smart coaches are doing is planning for attrition that happens everywhere. It is no different than a business planning for employees that leave by having a pipeline of ready employees that they can hire. Even the NCAA understands this is going to happen if not they would not allow the schools to bring in 25 each year. This process is not new and has been going on for ever in college football. If I am a coach and a player comes to me and says that he wants more playing time and is going to transfer, then I am not doing my job if I do not acount for that and sign an extra player.
WIN WITH RICHT
February 22nd, 2011
4:30 pm
K Conley
I just hope the Theus package deal comes through.
Bama
February 22nd, 2011
4:34 pm
You may not want to hear it but Bama leads for Jenkins at this point!!!
WIN WITH RICHT
February 22nd, 2011
4:40 pm
K Conley
What is the latest on Johnny O’neal from Dublin in the Class of 2013? They have been talking about this kid since he was a freshman.
Jon Kontract
February 22nd, 2011
4:40 pm
Bama – the difference between Bama, Auburn, Ole Miss, etc. and others is that they create attrition by pulling scholarships from kids midway through their college experience. Yes, that is similar to businesses that fire people – similar to the NFL. Then again, college football is not supposed to be like a business in that sense.
I am glad that most of college football recognizes that pulling scholarships from kids that don’t turn into stars is against their mission as an institution. I am also glad that UGA has taken a stand in this regard, even though many of its competitors have not.
Flatwoods Dawg
February 22nd, 2011
4:42 pm
Bama
Saban and his dastardly crew of shrub assassins don’t stand a chance of landing Jeremy “Dozer” Daniels the famous buffet buster from Lanier County.
BillytheKid
February 22nd, 2011
4:47 pm
@ K Conley,
Where do you think that Jonathan Taylor is leaning, UGA? Also, does anyone know if UGA will offer James Deloach and how that might affect the pair’s decision since they plan to go to school together?
dawgster
February 22nd, 2011
4:49 pm
@K. Conley…the last info i have on TJ Stripling is that the it did not look like he would be ready for Spring…still in rehab…there may be more current info, but thats all i got for now…Hopefully he may be able to go in the fall…but too early to tell right now…go dawgs
K9 Recriutnik
February 22nd, 2011
4:56 pm
K Conley
Is it your goal to become the Mel Kiper of SEC football? You get asked more questions than Dear Abby.
dawgster
February 22nd, 2011
4:57 pm
If the dawgs offer Deloach its a good bet we would get J. Taylor…The dawgs are evidently going to evaluate him this spring as he recovers from an injury…I think we have a good shot, but not sure where we stand with Deloach right now as he has said he hasn’t been in contact with the dawg coaches recently….I suspect they will give him a hard look…go dawgs
K Conley
February 22nd, 2011
5:00 pm
@ Win With Richt, I remember watching film of him at 14 or 15 years old, but to be honest, I had forgotten about him. The thing I remember thinking was, no way someone this age can be this physical. West Laurens has put out some great football players over the years, but I honestly have nothing for you on him at this point. I’ll try and find out, and thanks for throwing his name out there. Do not worry about John Theus. He will be in Athens next year, and he is going to be a good one.
@ Bama, you may indeed get Jenkins, as most UGA fans know that we seem to be on the outside looking in. If Bama does lead though, it’s not a large lead. I’ve kept up with the kid for some time and Ga. Tech is the one school that he never leaves out when he speaks. Many people early on thought that is was an Auburn, Ga. Tech battle, but the Tide have come on strong with him.
@ bigtime, was Shannon Brown a sign-and-place? I never followed up on him after signing day. I think I told you all along that I thought he was the best LB in the state, even over Vaughters. I had Brown, Dickson, Crowell, Drew, and Mitchell as my top 5 players in the state last year. At least, that was the 5 I most wanted for UGA from our state.
@ Chip, can you or another staff member give us an update on T.J. Stripling? It would be much appreciated.
ClinchCountyCanine
February 22nd, 2011
5:07 pm
Richt and his staff should be working on a package deal with the Dynamic Duo from Lanier County. Gnondonke is going to be awesome when he learns how to play and Jeremy “Dozer” Daniels is 360 lbs of nasty.
ClinchCountyCanine
February 22nd, 2011
5:08 pm
K Conley
Is that K short for Kiper?
K Conley
February 22nd, 2011
5:13 pm
@ BillyThe Kid, I have it from a good source that UGA is in very good shape with J. Taylor. I would feel much better about it if we went ahead and offered the Deloach kid, as they seem to have a real desire to play together.
@ dawgster, thanks for the Stripling update. Hopefully we can get something more current from Chip or the AJC staff.
@ K9, just enjoy discussing UGA and college recruiting and have a few people on here who I believe have some knowledge for me as well.
@ All UGA Fans, OUR WISH LIST 1) J. Taylor 2) John Theus 3) Geno Smith 4) Vadal Alexander 5) Keith Marshall 6) Leonard Floyd, If we get these 6 with the 4 we already have in place, this will be the base of another tremendous class. Not reason to believe that this is far-fetched as we are either in the lead or among the leaders for every one of these guys.
dawgster
February 22nd, 2011
5:17 pm
@K. Conley…i’ll take that list any day……going to try and get an update on TJ, i’ll let you know if i’m successful…go dawgs
RRTDawgs
February 22nd, 2011
5:26 pm
Hey guys great stuff UGA looks real good with John Taylor and John Theus i have been reading on 247 sports that Grantham is looking hard at Deloach and i hope we get Lenard Floyd hope Lowndes25 is right on Keith Marshall he was correct about Crowell .
BillytheKid
February 22nd, 2011
5:31 pm
@ K Conley,
You seem to have some good UGA sources. I’ve heard the same thing with Jonathan Taylor. What’s the word around their town, Millen? I know it’s a small town but I don’t know much about it or where the ties are, UGA or GT. Does anybody have any idea on what the people in Millen are saying and if there is any sort of influence on those guys locally? Always makes a difference in a small town.
Bull
February 22nd, 2011
6:06 pm
Just wait for a bigger/better rb recruit to show interest in Bama in the fall and Kenyan Drake and Justin Taylor will realize its not a “committable offer” pretty sad but would not be unexpected with Saban
Bull
February 22nd, 2011
6:17 pm
K Conley, you get the same info as I do from Lowndes… but yet you pitched a fit about the Xavier Dickson details regarding his fathers involvement. All of which were details I gathered from him and a few other credible sources.
All or nothing
February 22nd, 2011
6:38 pm
Chip Towers should check with the sources about some of the talent he left out… Like Trevus Edwards of Fayette Co. Ga 2012 CB
K Conley
February 22nd, 2011
6:48 pm
@ Bull, O.K., I admit I wasn’t happy about the Dickson situation, mainly because he is going to be a difference maker for Bama. I did get that particular information late, and I can tell you that I wouldn’t be surprised if you told me I made some dumb comments afterwards. I honestly don’t remember. So, I’m not sure what your point is other than to say “I pitched a fit.” I will say that I know many coaches who I speak with often, and I think I have some current information that Lowndes contradicts. Then, I’ll find out a week later that he was right and my sources were late to the party. The point is, he knows much more than I about UGA insider information. I’m certainly not trying to be him, because I readily admit I don’t have “insider knowledge”. I just know what the people I trust say, and they are right a large majority of the time. That being said, the only thing Lowndes has been wrong on was the Dickson prediction, (Which apparently the UGA coaches didn’t even know) and he said we would get Pagan, but did find out the night before signing day that it looked like Bama had pulled him. (I think he said he was unable to post, but knew about it)
wolfman
February 22nd, 2011
6:49 pm
Keith Marshall should be a Tarheel! UGA can in no way measure up to UNC in academics…
Brown Dog
February 22nd, 2011
6:54 pm
@ bigtime, was Shannon Brown a sign-and-place? I never followed up on him after signing day. I think I told you all along that I thought he was the best LB in the state, even over Vaughters. I had Brown, Dickson, Crowell, Drew, and Mitchell as my top 5 players in the state last year. At least, that was the 5 I most wanted for UGA from our state.
Not bigtime, but Brown was a S&P . . . I believe he enrolled early, raising hopes he might get his work done in a year.
K Conley
February 22nd, 2011
7:04 pm
@ Brown Dog, Thanks, I assumed that was the case, but wasn’t sure.
just the truth
February 22nd, 2011
7:04 pm
KGB , how about doing some research before saying something and then showing your stupidity. The players in question “were” on track to graduate. A couple on the Deans list. When you change your major, then studies you have already done must be able to coincide with the new degree to keep going towards graduation. Most were “bettering” their degree. So if you want to call out someone, then it would be the compliance director ……… not the kids themselves!! It is the UNIVERSITY of georgia football team not the Athens football team. Without being a student, you have no team. Not the other way around !! All I said is make them get a degree and qualify for a B/A and then come back and tell me your record.
K Conley
February 22nd, 2011
7:12 pm
@ wolfman, while UNC is a terrific academic institution, that obviously isn’t all Marshall will consider. The kid has an outstanding GPA, so if academics were his only factor why not say Stanford, Vandy, or even Duke. UGA will give Marshall all he needs to succeed in life, as they have done with countless others over the years.
kingster
February 22nd, 2011
7:13 pm
UGA is always crying about getting good recruits, didn’t they just sign “The Dream Team”, you guys are full of Sh_t, for real!!!!
Dawggie
February 22nd, 2011
7:19 pm
What do the Alabama high school coaches think of UA constantly targeting out of state kids? Surely those kids over there have grown up Tide fans and would love to play at the in state school. Would be an interesting read to see a list of how many kids in the state of Alabama that signed a FBS LOI and where they wound up. Maybe Alabama doesn’t produce as many top talent players ala Tennessee. Not trying to rile anyone up but man those two schools over there sure sign a lot of out of state talent.
Also, for those guys who have posted the thought that top talent doesn’t want to go where they have to compete, Really? Southern Cal, Alabama, Auburn, Florida etc… If a kid is scared to compete then you should run away from him. Maybe using the “you can play right away” tactic is a plus but if you feel like your good enough to play then you certainly carry some swag.
V. Alexander, J. Theus, G. Smith, K. Marshall, S. Roland to go along with the two juco kids and the two committs is an amazing and very realistic class. Add in as many big DL would be great. I really thought that Spencer Region would have been a very very large stop gap as a nose (forget the O-line when your THAT big)
bigtime
February 22nd, 2011
7:47 pm
Shannon Brown was never signed by Bama . He was already enrolled in JUCO and Saban didn’t want to add another scholarship to feed the ‘oversigning’ frenzy. If Bama would’ve signed him they would’ve moved up to # 2 on Scout.coms rankings. Roll Tide
Dawggie
February 22nd, 2011
7:48 pm
Some serious “man love” going on on this blog today.
bigtime
February 22nd, 2011
7:50 pm
Shannon Brown hopes to be a part of the 2012 signing class at Bama. That is why he enrolled a semester early FWIW.
Blackoutanyone?
February 22nd, 2011
7:53 pm
Browndog… Shannon Brown did not sign with Bama….yet. Like you said he’s in juco with hopes of being a part of the 2012 class. Our people inside rivals and scout are very very high on this guy. If he had better grades your looking at a hight 4* talent. Also hearing those same people are really excited about Drake. Many expect his stock to rise. Very happy to hear Murray is ok. ROLL TIDE
Blackoutanyone?
February 22nd, 2011
7:54 pm
well that was a waist of time… bigtime all over it.
wolfman
February 22nd, 2011
7:56 pm
@ K Conley: Its also 15 miles down the road. I have two recently hired UGA grads (business school) working for me and they can’t even write a decent report or letter…. Maybe our HR dept. just made bad hires
.
K Conley
February 22nd, 2011
8:56 pm
@ wolfman, I have a friend who’s a Coach at Yale, and he has problems lacing his shoes. What’s your point? If you’re an adult, you realize that you run across people from all walks of life who have different strengths. Maybe they are exceptional in accounting and not literature. I mean you can’t classify all Alabama folk as tree killers now can you? I mean, I don’t look at all UNC students as pot-smoking thugs just because Rasheed Wallace is one. I don’t believe the majority of football players who attend UNC take improper benefits just because they did this year. I think you get my point.
RRTDawgs
February 22nd, 2011
9:19 pm
K .Conley you should not fall for that stuff this is a recruiting blog its not about education even though that is important but that guy has agenda he worried that Kieth Marshall may be coming to UGA .
K Conley
February 22nd, 2011
9:29 pm
@ RRTDawgs, I’m not falling for anything, I’m just making the point that it isn’t smart to classify all UGA students as illiterate because he knows two who can’t type a coherent sentence.
@ bigtime and Blackoutanyone, thanks for the Shannon Brown update. Shannon can be as good as he wants to be. Not many RBs in JC are going to be happy about seeing that big body coming at them.
@ Lowndes25, Where are you brother? Make a guest appearance or something.
RRTDawgs
February 22nd, 2011
9:38 pm
K Conley i agree with you bro do have any news on Shaq Rolland he has UGA in his final four but he will probably stay instate .
wolfman
February 22nd, 2011
10:17 pm
@ K Conley.. Hummm….Thought I did say that maybe we just made a bad hire. Isn’t that taking away the extrapolation? One thing I do know is that whoever gets Marshall is going to get a great athlete.
Brown Dog
February 22nd, 2011
10:27 pm
Bigtime, Blackout: Thanks for the clarification on Shannon Brown. Hoping the kid gets to Tuscaloosa soonest.
Jay212033
February 22nd, 2011
11:29 pm
Nelson Herring, RB from Valdosta is a name that ya’ll will be hearing about alot. He’s a rising Soph. and this kid is a burner!
Bull
February 22nd, 2011
11:53 pm
@K Conley, ok maybe not pitch a fit, but you and blackout certaintly lashed out when the XD father with hand out information was passed along. By the way, XD told the GA coaches he was coming then flipped on signing day. If you connected the dots with the coin toss bs with what I was hearing from lowndes and other sources. Bama boosters closed the deal on XD that morning, but that’s old news and water under bridge. Pagan was a wildcard the whole time really and bama’s d.e. coach transferred from Clemson sealed the deal late.
Red Dog 77
February 23rd, 2011
12:25 am
Like I have been saying all along, coach Richt knows he will pick up at least one top RB in 2012 class, but rest assured, O line, D line, and linebackers will be his priority given the number of scholarships he has to offer. He will also get at least two WRs, but then bide his time until 2013 comes around before he puts a major push on for “skill” position players………..That’s just sort of the way the roster shakes out, if you study it, I think you might agree…………Best to all in DOG NATION………RED
GainesInsider
February 23rd, 2011
12:56 am
Cross is a UT Vol.
K Conley
February 23rd, 2011
1:56 am
@ Bull, you know not of what you speak sir. I never said anything about XD’s Dad “having his hand out.” Additionally, blackout is a Bama fan, so why would he lash out? The only thing I heard about Xzavier’s Dad was that he preferred Bama and was very influential in the final decision. I heard from Lowndes that if the decision were left up to the kid, he may very well have chosen UGA. That statement about XD’s Dad “having his hand out” however is the first time I’ve heard anyone say that. Was I annoyed that the best pass-rushing linebacker in the state went to Bama? Absolutely, but beyond that their simply is nothing.
naganole
February 23rd, 2011
7:38 am
Sup guys, ready for the 2012 battles..?
Brown Dog
February 23rd, 2011
7:44 am
Where you been, Nag? What you hearing about Winston?
RambleOn84
February 23rd, 2011
8:42 am
Hopefully Cross heads to the Flats, but Loyal would also be a good pickup.
Rick S
February 23rd, 2011
8:43 am
Georgia Coaches need to get off their high-horse and start developing relationships with the Stephenson High School Coaches as Georgia is losing way too many high profile recruits to out-of-state Universities. Why is that? Please, someone in the know provide a logical answer to my question.
RambleOn84
February 23rd, 2011
8:48 am
Rick S,
You would think Richt would pursue Stephenson if only for the fact that Reggie Ball came from Stephenson…he was the best player y’all have ever had.
TampaGator
February 23rd, 2011
9:14 am
Don’t know if anyone has previously mentioned it, but the Gator/Stephenson connection goes back to when Jermaine Cunningham committed to the Gators….and that commitment lead him to now play DE for the New England Patriots. I am sure Jermaine is now helping with the recruitment of the current players at Stephenson.
Recruiting is a game like musical chairs
February 23rd, 2011
10:15 am
Kids look at early recruiting just like musical chairs. They say ” I am on board” to get one really good locked up and then, they flirt with whatever school out there that calls them.
I do not blame these kids at all. A trip to the U of So and So is fun. Eventually, they decide and make that firm final commitment.
Besides, running backs will watch how a back performs and if he is doing great, they may steer clear of a program or vice versa. Right now, it is too remote to signing day for any of this to matter.
Go Dogs.
Dekalb County schools
February 23rd, 2011
10:21 am
Metro Atlanta is besieged with grade changing, etc. I am concerned about any kid from a DeKalb County school, wondering about his grades ………….. would they be legit?
This is a big problem for GT and UGA. Alabama and AU and UT and MSU and SC can take kids like that.
Please refrain from the UGA is a such and such party school. Try to get in and then tell me that story. Most kids in my North Fulton neighborhood cannot get into UGA, so they attend AU and Alabama and SC and UT. The parents here are all college educated and many with advanced degrees. UGA is very competitive.
UGA and GT cannot take just any kid. This fact IS a huge issue.
Watch how the kids speaks and that will tell you if he is college material.
Go Dogs.
TRUE BLUE
February 23rd, 2011
10:39 am
Rambleon84, he might have been best GT ever had , but at STEPHENSON he was one of the best. Every college coach in AMERICA knows STEPHENSON put out talent. So don’t hate on a good thing these coaches are doing at STEPHENSON with these young men. Just try and get your program where STEPHENSON program is in AMERICA No. 7 in sending young men to college. That’s just what we do BEST and until you do the same for your program quit hating on these players and coaches at STEPHENSON.
RambleOn84
February 23rd, 2011
10:47 am
There was no hate, TRUE BLUE…just making a joke.
Congrats to Stephenson, but my program is Sandy Creek. Back to back state titles, baby
npgator
February 23rd, 2011
11:36 am
Nice story Chip!
Sven Ottke
February 23rd, 2011
11:54 am
Taylor, Theus and Jenkins will be Dogs………because Coach Richt is going to call them and sing “Happy Birthday” to them. That is going to be this years gimic. Singing to the recruits. Mark it down, UGa Preseason National Champs in 2012 as well. “Feelings…..nothing more than feelings…..trying to forget that…………….I lost to Central Florida.”
Dekalb football fan
February 23rd, 2011
11:59 am
South West Dekalb used to have the same success with recruits until MLK was built. When you have African American kids with family’s making above average income you will have a wealth of talent. The thing is you have to do more with the talent on the field than what’s happening at Stephenson. The Scholarships are good but some of the players that transfer there already have scholarships before they get to Stephenson. The talent and backing Stephenson has should have produced at least one championship game appearance.
NCAA and Tennessee
February 23rd, 2011
12:38 pm
Surprised the NCAA report concerning Tennessee football and basketball were not in the 10 @ 10. I would hope that any coach or parent of a player considering Tennessee would encourage that student athlete to wait and see what the punishment will be before allowing their kid to seriously consider committing there. Of course, NSD is a FREAKING year away!!!! Calm down people – there is a long way to go!!!! Chip’s comment that 3 elite rb’s in Georgia were already off the board was hilarious. Just last week Mike Davis was talking about how much he would appreciate an offer from UGA and then a few days later he has committed to UF. Yeah, that’s a settled mind. These are 17 and 18 year old kids who are being wined and dined by the likes of Saban, Chizik, Muschamp, Richt, Spurrier, Dooley, etc. Some of them may very well end up following through with their initial commitment, but there’s a long way to go and everything can change in just a moment.
Blackoutanyone?
February 23rd, 2011
12:58 pm
Bull… I’ve heard others on here say the same thing. I believe Dickson’s dad did have an impact on his recruitment.. but most parents do. Clowney would heading to Bama if not for his mother. My question to you is… why would Bama pay for a kid that will most certainly redshirt next year? Too much talent on the depth chart to risk repeat offender status as we are still on probabtion until 2012. Lowndes25 missed big on Dickson… pay for play is his saving face. ROLL TIDE
reality
February 23rd, 2011
1:18 pm
if Crews of Brookwood allows those two superior running backs to carry the ball about 20 times again each then he will have two 2000 yard backs this year.
someone should be recruiting Nick and Jamal….
Tenn. LSU, Fla let UGA play around and get left out…
pjbrave
February 23rd, 2011
1:58 pm
Hey Chip: How do you think Kenno Loyal’s running style would fit at UGA?
rdstone412
February 23rd, 2011
2:15 pm
UGA actually has 4 commitments for 2012: 1) WR Curry; 2) K Morgan; 3) DE Jalen Fields*; & 4) WR Lonnie Outlaw.*
*Fields & Outlaw were originally part of the 2010 UGA recruiting class but did not qualify academically. Both are currently attending GMC and will head to Athens upon graduating in June 2012.
Brown Dog
February 23rd, 2011
2:18 pm
I’ve heard others on here say the same thing. I believe Dickson’s dad did have an impact on his recruitment.. but most parents do. Clowney would heading to Bama if not for his mother. My question to you is… why would Bama pay for a kid that will most certainly redshirt next year? Too much talent on the depth chart to risk repeat offender status as we are still on probabtion until 2012. Lowndes25 missed big on Dickson… pay for play is his saving face. ROLL TIDE
Hard to argue, Blackout. The circumstances are so much different than a decade ago, when Alabama continued to struggle under a criminally weak coach and the boosters took over the program. No kid is worth what the NCAA would bring down if UA were caught cheating again. As many places as Saban has been, that kind of behavior has never surfaced.
One other thing: Crowell’s folks preferred Alabama, too. So did Cyrus’. Had it not been for Greg Reid’s mom, he would be at Alabama or Georgia. All families operate a little differently, with the parents taking varying roles in the ultimate decision. That doesn’t mean mom and dad are corrupt (Cecil Newton to the contrary, of course).
TRUE BLUE
February 23rd, 2011
2:33 pm
Dekalb football fan , you sound crazy when you say wealth brings in talent. I have never known money to make a person talented. You are just jealous of what going on at STEPHENSON. Stephenson with all that talent has never Won a STATE CHAMPIONSHIP, but why would you send your kid or transfer to STEPHENSON if he already had scholarship OH I mean OFFERS. I think parents are sending their child to Stephenson , because of what the COACHES are doing on the field and off field with young men at Stephenson. So quit writing negative comments about program that looks out for our young men of all culture , because we as adults want everybody to succeed in accomplishing their goals as young men.
Flatwoods Dawg
February 23rd, 2011
2:56 pm
5 South Gerogia Targets
1. Grayson Lambert, Wayne County
2. Jeremy Daniels, Lanier County
3. Josh Clemons, Valdosta
4. Junior Gnonkonde, Lanier County
5. Quayvon Hicks, Pierce County
Sleeper: Fred Tiller, Clinch County
Bull
February 23rd, 2011
3:24 pm
Kconley I know you didn’t make that comment, I did…and I just passed along what those guys that know a lot were saying Anyways I have no problems with the bama program but I do believe they look the other way with booster activity in some cases. Lowdnes and other sources both suspected something drastic happened within a few hours and it was understood that his dad played a major factor and was looking for something in return since last summer. Anyways it doesn’t matter now good luck to him
RE
February 23rd, 2011
3:27 pm
I think it’s a great thing these coaches are doing getting these young men into college on scholarship. A lot of those kids would not be going to college without football.
I’m sure they would love to win a state title. Every HS program would. But I think it’s more important the way they are developing young men beyond football than winning a state title. Sure the parents of all these young men would agree.
Why did I even bother?
February 23rd, 2011
3:31 pm
Caleb King is going to be a SENIOR this year, not a junior.
Ramblin Man
February 23rd, 2011
4:00 pm
My sources could be wrong but I heard Jenkins is about ready to commit but was encouraged to take other visits to avoid another Tuitt situation. The kid loves GT and it shows with all the visits. I am praying as a GT fan that he and Loyal do commit soon as that could start several others looking harder and give a good but small class for 2012. Both UGA and GT need to have WAY better seasons and get thier programs back on track.
NCAA and Tenn,
The threat of serious sanctions did not hurt UNC much for the 2011 class. Will be interesting to see what happens and how they will deal with Kiffen.
Saban Says......
February 23rd, 2011
4:34 pm
@ BULL
Money from some UGA people found their way into Crowell’s hands for sure . That is why he changed his mind and went to Georgia at the last minute. I’m sorry to be the one to tell you since this Lowdnes guy is obviously hiding the truth about Crowell’s recruitment by UGA from you. Ask him to spill the beans and let the cash out of the bag. The NCAA will be knocking soon.
OneOnOneWith TheGreatOne
February 23rd, 2011
8:46 pm
Let me start by saying the commits are great to read about UGA and why they haven’t offered. I would like to throw a few points if I may about the highlight first then about UG. Mike Davis highlight is good. Not specatular or anything but I did point out what I look for in a running back. Vision, Speed, Power, Blocking, & catching the football. Mike is a game changer when he has the football in his hands. Quick feet and cut on a dime and excelarte to that next gear to get away from defenders. The highlight (unlike many other highlight films on players) did not only show touchdowns & after touchdowns on weaker teams. You seen Mike use his abilities to run through tacklers, break away from them, and catch the football. I am not sure what more can you ask for in a running. to me he is a COMPLETE BACK! I thought that is what most coaches look for in recruiting.. OO by the way has great academics & good character as a young man.
Now on to UGA… I have said this this before UGA is a program that first has to find it’s identity.Will Coach Richt be there in the next 4 years? If things don’t get turned around quickly and I mean quickly Coach might not be in Athens. What disturbs me about UGA is they have talent on that team but chooses to redshirt ever freshman that comes into there program. If you look at UGA roster you will see they have very good players on that team. They have had very good recruiting classes over the past 5 or 6 years. You tell me why can’t UGA put a good product on the field that will compete titles & National Championships? LSU did it shortly after Les Miles took over? Alabama did after Nick Saban took over? Hell even Auburn did it? All I’m saying Coach Richt tenure at UGA has been longer than any coach in the SEC as of right now I think. (Check the information on that for me). Heck Steve Spurrier had USC (not the one in Cali) competeing for the SEC Championship. Let’s be real here UGA fans if Coach Richt don’t turn it around there comes a time when you have to say maybe it’s not the players IT’S COACHING!.. One more point before I turn the blogging over to the experts.. You can recruit all the 5-Star players you want just like every other school and when he hetsto your school you find out this player wasn’t any better than a 0-star player. If UGA is going after this kid hard in NC and miss out on the kid that is a blue chipper then what will that be saying about UGA? I would take the kid that is a good person, has the grades, hard worker, discipline, and will lift up my program rather than a 5-star or 6-star athlete any day of the week and twice on Sundays. I would take a team of Boise State football players who maybe undersized but will work ther butts off for you, rather than a team of Cam Newtons. (no knock on Cam Newton just saying the talent he has & the way he had to go about finding himself again with the discipline, acedemics, & off field issues) that’s my point i’m making… Sorry for the long write up
SportsMomma
February 26th, 2011
11:47 pm
Does anybody know the percentage of those Stephenson signees who stay in school? The number of recruits alone says nothing. Degree, NFL and/or both—now, you’re saying something!!
stephenson's finest
February 28th, 2011
7:34 am
SportsMomma
I would diagree simply because the coaches are providing an opportunity that is not provided by 80% of the other schools. I agree they need a college education but the coaches have no control over what they do once they leave high school.
Reasoning
September 26th, 2011
11:14 pm
This is late but Stephenson Is truly the best school to go to in Georgia. They always make AYP and great teachers, The football team has been sending the most players to school on schlorship than any other school in the state, The school spirit is Insane and not to mention Stephenson has one of the best and largest bands in Georgia! The band was number 2 in Georgia for band schlorship money. Over 1million in band schlorships. And Stephenson is in a nice suburban city with little to no violence.