UGA QB recruit Brice Ramsey: Yet to start in high school, ready to prove scouts are right
New UGA QB commit Brice Ramsey of Camden County has been attending UGA football camps since he was in middle school (Note: This photo with Mark Richt was taken at a 2010 camp by the Ramsey family. Brice has had a growth spurt since it was taken)
Strangely, Georgia’s quarterback of the future has yet to start a high school game.
Brice Ramsey is a rising junior who is still waiting to make a name for himself at Camden County High School. But the tall, lanky kid with the high-powered arm already has the stamp of approval from college scouts.
The 6-foot-4, 190-pound Ramsey ended an intense recruiting battle when he committed to Georgia at “Dawg Night” camp last weekend. Ramsey, who had early scholarship offers from Florida, Florida State and Clemson, was expected to double or triple his stack of offers within the next few months if he hadn’t pledged.
Some are left to wonder how can a quarterback who has yet to start in high school be so highly regarded?
Even though Ramsey has been a backup at Camden County, he is well known in recruiting circles after attending college camps and combines for years.
“There are no real rankings out yet on prospects in his class. But when they are released, Brice will be highly rated,” said Chad Simmons, Scout.com’s southeast recruiting analyst. “Sure, he lacks experience, but he has the tools you look for in a quarterback. He throws with Matthew Stafford-like velocity, he has a quick release and he can make every throw needed at that level. … He has unlimited potential.”
With UGA unlikely to sign a QB for 2012, Mark Richt made it a priority for 2013 and was the first to offer Camden County's Brice Ramsey (AJC photo)
Camden County coach Jeff Herron admits that a heap of praise for an unproven quarterback is unusual but he’s also not surprised by it. Herron has been hearing the rave reviews all spring from college scouts stopping by the South Georgia school to get a look at his prized pupil.
“When you see Brice in person and watch that ball come out of his hand, it doesn’t take long to know he’s a special player,” Herron said. “I’m not a great evaluator of quarterback talent, I’m sure, but you can watch him for a second and see it. The colleges went crazy over him in the spring.
“Brice has that ‘it’ factor. I can’t put my finger on it. But whatever it is, he has got it. … I can’t say enough about him. It’s like God looked down and said, ‘This is what a quarterback is supposed to have’ and gave it to him.”
Ramsey’s career is really not the rags-to-riches story it appears to be. Camden County is a regular in national rankings and has won two of the last three state AAAAA championships in Georgia’s largest classification.
As a freshman, Ramsey battled for the starting position before breaking his collarbone. Last year was more of a timing issue. Camden County was coming off a state championship and determined to stick with returning starter Joel Ruiz. “Brice was very good last season and could’ve started for us most every year but we felt like our senior was the guy,” said Herron.
Ramsey served as the backup for the last two seasons, while also handling the team’s punting chores. “I just did whatever I could to help out the team,” Ramsey said.
In early May, the relationship with Georgia grew serious after offensive coordinator Mike Bobo spent an entire day at Camden County evaluating Ramsey on both film and at spring practice. The next morning, Georgia coach Mark Richt called with some news.
“Georgia was the first to offer and that was huge with Brice,” Herron said. “Georgia had more of a chance to evaluate Brice because he had gone to camps there. I’m not sure Georgia really wanted to offer him that early, a kid who hadn’t started and all that stuff. But they knew him and Coach Richt said that he wanted to be the first to offer him. When they did, he was just elated.
“It was probably over right then with his decision.”
More notes Brice Ramsey:
- He played an important role as a “recruiter” in helping UGA land two other 2013 prospects at Dawg Night, WR Tramel Terry of Goose Creek, S.C., and RB Derrick Henry of Yulee, Fla. (Click on story link)
- How good is Ramsey? So good that Camden County is considering tweaking the trademark Wing-T offense which has made it a state powerhouse. “I thought I was going to be able make it through this interview without being asked about that,” Herron said with a laugh. “I’m afraid I’m like a kid with a new toy here. I don’t know how to play with it.” In more serious tone, Herron said, “We’re not going to change our offensive philosophy and get away from what we do a lot. I’m also smart enough to know he is an extremely talented young man. Brice is one of our best weapons, his ability to throw the ball is something we hope to use, and he’s good at running the ball, too. I’m told him the most important stat we worry about is the number of games we win with him as our leader. We’re going to do whatever it takes to win. And based on what I’ve seen out of Brice right now, it may include opening up the offense a little more. But time will tell.”
- Ramsey admitted UGA being the first school to offer pretty much sealed the deal with the Bulldogs. He is a lifelong Georgia fan. “I was amazed that they wanted me like that.” Ramsey was scheduled to camp this week at Alabama but canceled due his UGA commitment. “My recruiting is over.”
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Sign of the times? 2013 QB Parker McLeod hasn't started a game at Walton High School yet but already has an offer from Louisville (AJC photo by Michael Carvell)
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– By Michael Carvell, AJC Recruiting Blog Got a recruiting item? mcarvell@ajc.com
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130 comments Add your comment
Beeski
July 19th, 2011
4:20 am
Could it be?
Beeski
July 19th, 2011
4:24 am
Yes! 1st…..thx… But seriously, i’m sure CMR and other major coaches know the talent is there. Hope he is able to do it against live competition. Because bein a camp standout does not equal to success on field.
WoodwardDawg
July 19th, 2011
5:34 am
It was a risk UGA needed to take.
dawgerbrown
July 19th, 2011
5:38 am
It was “Huge” to Ramsey that UGA offered him first. For those who think it doesn’t matter that UGA waits longer to offer some of the kids we haven’t landed, take note. It probably shouldn’t matter,but it does. Yes, UGA does “in depth” anaylasis of these kids. Checking grades, character, etc. But, doesn’t all the other programs? Of course they do. These kids have egos, like anyone who excels at what they do. It feeds their egos to get early offers, and turns them off when we’re late to the dance. Regardless, glad to see he is a DAWG!
NC Dawg
July 19th, 2011
6:35 am
It is REFRESHING to finally read that Coach Richt was the “first to offer” a star QB in our own state. If you’re not first, or soon offer, you get behind with the superstar prospects. I don’t know if I like it but that’s how recruiting works now. I love this aggressive approach by the dawgs
Mountain Dawg
July 19th, 2011
6:44 am
If this kid is our QB of the future, where does that leave Christian LeMay, who was supposed to be the greatest thing since sliced bread?
coach T
July 19th, 2011
6:46 am
im no fan of offering jr’s and soph’s but thats recruiting. georgia has to be one of the first to offer or it looks bad. if a boy gets an offer from alabama or florida and doesn’t from georgia, then he has to hear about every day at schoool from everybody as if something is wrong with him. that makes a boy who loves georgia turn against georgia. it happens all the time. they finally got it right with bricee ..
all dawg
July 19th, 2011
6:50 am
@dawgerbrown – another point would be that we still seem to miss on so many of these kids as far as thiere charachter anyway. Im not sure that offering late in order to do background checks is all that effective when it comes down to it ie Moody, Ealey, King, Thomas….the list is quite long.
ECB
July 19th, 2011
6:59 am
CMR and Brice are the same height in the picture…and there is no way CMR is 6′4″.
Finally.
July 19th, 2011
7:20 am
@ECB are they both standing straight up? Are their legs shoulder width apart? LOL and I’ve never seen Ramsey listed at 6′4 until now in this article… more like 6′3 at best.
gamecock
July 19th, 2011
7:21 am
Let the kid start before you offer him. That’s why uga is down. The kid could be a high school bust and not live up to all the hype
VTforever
July 19th, 2011
7:28 am
Read the heading on the picture…it says the picture is from 2010 camp and the kid’s had a growth spurt since then.
DennisDixonOregonDucksQB
July 19th, 2011
7:33 am
Wow! This kid is a dead ringer for Chad Pennington. For you younguns, Chad was Randy Moss’ qb @ Marshall. If he can get the most of his abilities like (a less than rifle-armed) Pennington has over the years, he will be a great addition to UGA’s roster. Go Dawgs!
Bama Fan#2
July 19th, 2011
7:39 am
Good luck at Georgia and have a good season this fall,
Vampire Bill
July 19th, 2011
7:41 am
Mountain, Brice has 2 years left of high school plus maybe a red shirt season at UGA, LeMay is already on campus. He’s more worried about beating out Aaron Murray.
RaleighDawg
July 19th, 2011
8:12 am
@ECB – The caption under the photo reads that the photo was from 2010 and that Brice has had a growth spurt since the photo was taken.
HD27
July 19th, 2011
8:30 am
This remind me of Zach Mettenberger. He threw for a whopping 1,300 yards and 10 touchdowns his junior season, but was a highly regarded QB going into his senior season. He has the velocity and can make all the throws. I think the kid will be a heck of a QB, though he may have to wait his turn.
gamecock
July 19th, 2011
8:31 am
Terry in Columbia for camp this week was that commitment just for fun Hmmmm
RedandBlackDAWG
July 19th, 2011
8:54 am
ECB,
Read the article all the way. It states the kid has gone through a growth spurt and also note the picture is from 2010. Kids do grow right throughout their high school years.
Timbodog
July 19th, 2011
8:57 am
So now we’re offering kids who don’t even start for their high school kid?
Don’t get me wrong, I hope he works out well for us; but this just reeks of desperation. I don’t care how the kid does in a combine; how is he in a real game situation?
GTPhenom
July 19th, 2011
8:58 am
This picture is a secondary violation. You can’t post posed picture of a coach and a recruit. Dumb.
Bob Loblaw
July 19th, 2011
8:59 am
Timbo
Does that make Florida, FSU, and Clemson desperate too? What is your expertise on recruiting?
RedandBlackDAWG
July 19th, 2011
9:00 am
GTPhenom,
Can you state the violation according to the NCAA rulebook, concerning a High school sophmore not being able to have his picture taken with a college coach? I don’t think you can, but you need something to post negative about UGA I guess. You can get a copy of the NCAA rulebook on the internet, and it might help you. Worry about your new 4 years of probation at your own school instead of trying to make rules up, when you don’t even know what the rules state.
Timbodog
July 19th, 2011
9:00 am
I don’t know, but it couldn’t be much worse on Richt’s. We’ve had more whiffs than a blind guy playing pinata.
Real Dawg Fan
July 19th, 2011
9:03 am
@Mountain
Do the math with Lemay..by the time this kid is ready to start at GA, Lemay will either be a senior or already have left for possibly the NFL. Good pick up for Richt….now on to Boise!
Bob Loblaw
July 19th, 2011
9:04 am
THIS IS A RECRUITING VIOLATION. Way to go Carvell!!! You have been trying your hardest to bash UGA lately. What gives?
DawginLex
July 19th, 2011
9:15 am
The picture was taken before Ramsey committed to UGA.
It is no different than any other person having a picture taken with Richt.
He was a kid at the camp.
Geez
GTPhenom
July 19th, 2011
9:17 am
Bob, we may not agree on much, but I love the Arrested Development reference.
Bob Loblaw
July 19th, 2011
9:20 am
RedAndBlack Dawg
It is a violation. Chip did the same thing last summer with Zach DeBell, I believe. It is a secondary violation. It is the AJC’s fault. How does this happen two summers in a row to the same school? Pull it together AJC. Your hatred for the state school is obvious by reading your articles. Now you are committing recruiting violations that the coaches have absolutely no control over. Way to go Carvell!!!
Go Dawgs
Lawdawg
July 19th, 2011
9:22 am
@Bob Loblaw, a photo like this would only be an NCAA violation if the member institution arranged for it in advance to be used for publicity purposes. That clearly wasn’t the case. Carvell explained it in the photo caption. Anybody anywhere can take a photo with Coach Richt and do whatever they want with it. It just can’t be set up in advance by Georgia to be specifically used for media purposes.
SouthGaBrave
July 19th, 2011
9:25 am
DawginLex,
You are the only one on this board so far who seems to also understand the rules. You are correct, this photo is NOT a violation. If some people on here would actually read the articles before scrolling straight down to the comments section to bash UGA, then they might have noticed the caption under the picture. Brice’s parents took the photo of he and CMR, not Carvell. The reason UGA (and Chip) got in trouble last year is because the MEDIA can’t take, and post, pictures of the kids with the coaches at these things. Apparently Brice’s parents emailed Carvell the photo that THEY took and gave him permission to run it in the article.
Lowcountry Bulldawg
July 19th, 2011
9:35 am
Bylaw 13.10.5 states, “a member institution shall not publicize (or arrange for publicity of) a prospective student-athlete’s visit to the institution’s campus. Further, a prospective student-athlete may not participate in team activities that would make the public or media aware of the prospective student-athlete’s visit to the institution.”
Now we can assume that UGA had no knowledge of the fact this picture woulkd make it to the SEC, but why in the heavens in this day and age would this pic be sent to the AJC? The risk verse reward here very dangerous for UGA, but the AJC throws caution to the wind and runs the photo. I hope they have a compliance office before running these photo’s.
DawginLex
July 19th, 2011
9:44 am
Lowcountry
If you sent your 5th grade son to Richt’s camp and had his picture taken with Coach Richt and 5 years later he commits to UGA and you proudly send the picture to the AJC and they publish it, that is a NCAA violation?
Michael Carvell
July 19th, 2011
9:45 am
@Lowcountry Bulldawg, thanks for your comment. I thought I explained it well in the photo caption but I will try again. The photo was not arranged by UGA for publicity purposes, nor was it taken by the media. It was taken by Brice’s family at a Georgia camp (and last year, not this year). Yes, I’ve talked with NCAA compliance. We’ve used photos of prospects with coaches that were taken by family and friends before and I’m sure we we will again. They just can’t be “staged” by UGA for the media. Thanks again for your comment.
Meat and Potato
July 19th, 2011
9:46 am
Kid is too skinny… I predict another bust prospect for UGA.
Bama in Atlanta
July 19th, 2011
9:49 am
Sounds like a risk worth taking even though he hasn’t started as a QB. He’s attended enough football camps for the recruiters to have a good take on his athletic skills now the only thing left is to see how he handles himself as the starting QB. He’s got two years of high school experience and maybe with the college choice out of the way he can concentrate on reading defenses and leading the team. Also sounds mature acting as a recruiter to land two more commits. Good job dawgs.
chickenman
July 19th, 2011
9:55 am
That works out great… he is expected to be the top 1-3 qb prospects next year.. which would put him on the block in a few years to be the guy after murry… if lemay doesnt become great… nevertheless good to know our future is bright at qb
Wise One
July 19th, 2011
9:56 am
Carvell I apologize on behalf of my fellow Dawg fans who can’t read a photo caption. Please ignore them.
Honolulu Dawg
July 19th, 2011
9:57 am
Thanks for clearing that up Carvell
JB
July 19th, 2011
9:58 am
I can’t believe a Tech fan would be on here: Let’s recap for the fans.
1. First ACC title just taken away
2. Fresh 4 year probation
3. Rivals pre season countdown has them at #65. Ouch
4. Landed this last class in at #46. Had to click on ” see the rest” to find them
5. Still running ads to sell tickets
6. Opening up with Western Carolina with a big “YAWN”.
7. 100K poorer
Good Luck Tech
AltamahaDawg
July 19th, 2011
10:02 am
gamecock
July 19th, 2011
7:21 am
Let the kid start before you offer him. That’s why uga is down.
YES. This is the whole problem, we offer too many kids before they start. Such a long history of doing that. Great analysis there.
Randall "Pink" Floyd
July 19th, 2011
10:04 am
I love the “bust” predictions for a kid who’s all but a lock to be a 5* player. There is plenty of film on him – the haters act like he’s never played a down. LMAO. I’ve seen him play. Has all the tools. His arm is phenomenal, but don’t put it in the Matthew Stafford category. Stafford’s arm strength is once in a generation strong.
AltamahaDawg
July 19th, 2011
10:05 am
Timbo, did you even read the article?
festus
July 19th, 2011
10:07 am
Thait Parker MacLeod kid sure looks a lot lykes UGA’s A D. Howdy Doody # 2.
DawginLex
July 19th, 2011
10:10 am
I have never seen such griping in all my life.
richt offers this kid first, and the kid jumps on the offer.
If Richt had not made the offer, tons of other schools would have offered and Brice would have committed elsewhere, probably Alabama.
Then we would have heard how Richt was slow to react and let other schools beat him to the punch.
Some of you just really need to shutup.
AltamahaDawg
July 19th, 2011
10:16 am
Ya think Muschamp would have loved to have had him? Appearantly so.
billy bob
July 19th, 2011
10:19 am
Reminds me a lot of a Kyle Parker @ Clemmons. Might be better at baseball than football since he still is an unproven QB.
AnnapolisDawg
July 19th, 2011
10:24 am
@DawginLex: Thank you for once again for being the voice of reason. It disgusts me that I am reading anything other than a congratulatory post from my fellow dawgs. GA fans rip CMR for not offering early enough and missing the boat on high profile recruits (especially from the state of GA). He has now silenced his critics and secured a verbal from one of the most sought after QB’s for 2013. All critics need to realize that this kid is not just going to be a highly touted player from GA, but rather a highly touted National recruit. Way to go Dawgs and I think the future is looking brighter.
AltamahaDawg
July 19th, 2011
10:25 am
“4th place? Who? What kind of division?” Foster was later quoted.
DawginLex
July 19th, 2011
10:28 am
“What do you mean 6 of the national title were voted on by five guys who eat lunch at the counter every day at Tuscaloosa Drug and Sundrie?”
Foster quipped later in the interview……………