RB Marcus Allen picks Georgia Tech over FSU, Tennessee, Nebraska, and TCU, among 30 offers
Georgia Tech landed the most highly-regarded member yet of its 2012 football recruiting class on Monday.
Running back Marcus Allen of Hilliard, Fla.., committed to the Yellow Jackets over Florida State, Tennessee, Nebraska, and TCU, among his 30 early scholarship offers. Allen has a 3.9 GPA and is related to a pair of former UGA football greats who are both in the NFL, Champ Bailey and Boss Bailey.
Hilliard (Fla) High School RB Marcus Allen has a 3.9 GPA and comes from a football family, with NFL Pro Bowl DB Champ Bailey being a cousin
“Georgia Tech has a great combination of athletics and academics, and they are giving me the chance to play running back — so it was the best fit for me,” Allen told the AJC on Monday night.
Mondays’ commitment completed a fast and furious courtship between Georgia Tech and the Florida star. The Yellow Jackets had been talking to Allen since the spring, and extended a scholarship offer around two weeks ago. Georgia Tech quickly closed the deal over some star-studded competition.
“Some of the other schools, they would have a really good football team but the difference between academics and athletics would be greater than I would like,” Allen explained. “I’m not saying there were any bad schools or anything, because they are great schools. It’s just the I wanted a closer combination of athletics and academics, and Georgia Tech was the best for me for that.”
At Georgia Tech, the 6-foot-2, 210-pound Allen is projected to play running back but could get a look at several other positions, too. Most of the other schools were recruiting Allen at linebacker, but Georgia Tech wants to Allen at running back and that made a big difference. “I feel like running back is my more natural position — it’s where I feel most comfortable,” he said.
Allen’s mother, Traci Ross, endorsed her son’s college choice: “I wanted Marcus to make what was the best decision for him. He looked at everything, weighed out his options, and felt like Georgia Tech was going to be a very good fit for him … As a parent, I just wanted him to be happy where he was going. I thought a lot of the colleges that made scholarship offers were good colleges.”
“Marcus was both excited and relieved after he talked to Georgia Tech’s coaches earlier in the day. I’m very excited, too. I wanted Marcus to go to a school that would challenge him academically.”
Allen’s mother is a first cousin to the Bailey brothers. Also, Allen said his junior season was his first of varsity football. He had been focusing on basketball the previous two years before switching over to football.
Georgia Tech now has 10 commitments for its 2012 football recruiting class:
- QB Dennis Andrews, Tallahassee, Fla.
- RB Marcus Allen, Hilliard, Fla.
- WR Micheal Summers, Statesboro HS
- OL Will Adams, Sandy Creek HS
- OL Chase Roberts, Greater Atlanta Christian
- DL Pat Gamble, Central Carrollton HS
- DE Junior Gnondonke, Lanier County HS
- DE Francis Kallon, Central Gwinnett HS
- LB Tyler Stargel, Gulf Shores, Ala.
- DB Antonio Crawford, Tampa, Fla.
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Monday was the first official day for GHSA football practice. Grayson High School's was highlighted by the return of DE Robert Nkemdiche (pictured), who is a candidate to be the nation’s No. 1 college football prospect for 2013. Nkemdiche missed all of Grayson’s spring practices and was limited over the summer after injuring his hip at April's Nike camp. “Robert is ready to go, he’s 100-percent,” Grayson coach Mickey Conn said. Alabama appears to be the school to beat for Nkemdiche (AJC photo)
– By Michael Carvell, AJC Recruiting Blog Got a recruiting item? mcarvell@ajc.com
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157 comments Add your comment
ATLANTA GEORGIA, USA
August 1st, 2011
7:55 pm
First, and welcome to ATLANTA GA
222-0
August 1st, 2011
7:59 pm
3.98 GPA to boot – Welcome to GT Marcus !
Outside Observer
August 1st, 2011
8:03 pm
Future B-Back? Welcome to the Flats. We look forward to seeing you play in the future. Keep up the great work in the classroom and on the field.
RedandBlackDAWG
August 1st, 2011
8:03 pm
Good luck to the young man. He should get plenty of opportunity in the TECH. system to become a really good RB.
Paul in RDU
August 1st, 2011
8:05 pm
Marcus Allen? Heck of an RB at USC and a Heisman winner as well. I’d like to see GT sign Lawrence Taylor and Reggie White next!
Delbert D.
August 1st, 2011
8:08 pm
That video is mostly defensive highlights.
SavannahJacket
August 1st, 2011
8:10 pm
GREAT PICK-UP! This guys sounds a-lot like Charles Perkins!!!! Congrats! Can’t wait to see you on the flats.
George Stein
August 1st, 2011
8:11 pm
That sound you just heard was WnE’s head exploding.
Ramblin Man
August 1st, 2011
8:13 pm
This was reported over an hour ago Michael, where have you been?
Seriously though this is a great get for the GT staff. The kid hardly goes down on the first hit and plays LB, QB, and RB for his team. Welcome to the flats Marcus you have made a wise choice for your future.
Paul Johnson for President
August 1st, 2011
8:16 pm
Must not want to play in the NFL
Ramblin Man
August 1st, 2011
8:20 pm
lol George. I am sure WnE can find a problem with this kid or at the very least has already contacted him via twitter. If Thornton commits that will be a nice backfield for the future. Now I would like to read about two more nice DL commits.
George Stein
August 1st, 2011
8:25 pm
Seriously, Ramblin Man. If CPJ ever gets a defense…
TampaDAWG
August 1st, 2011
8:25 pm
Nice pick up. Good for GT to get him from FSU and Tenn
230gr Full Metal Jacket
August 1st, 2011
8:29 pm
Welcome to the Flats young man!!!! You made an EXCELLENT choice!!! This class is starting to REALLY shape up! I’ve got to agree with Ramblin man, if Thornton commits and we’re able to pick up 1 or 2 Morgan/Swilling-type defensive linemen, then things are going to start looking REAL good for the program!
And now for the obligatory derogatory comments from fans of the trembling chihuahuas in 3, 2, 1, …………….
TampaDAWG
August 1st, 2011
8:31 pm
And now for the obligatory derogatory comments from fans of the trembling chihuahuas in 3, 2, 1, …………….
Not sure if any were coming before that remark
George Stein
August 1st, 2011
8:35 pm
They’d show up eventually, Tampa. They always do.
It’s really no different than the idiot Tech fans that show up on King’s blog (blawg?) or Chip’s blog and use the same, tired redneck, thug stuff. I’m sure you can come up with the rest of the lines.
TampaDAWG
August 1st, 2011
8:38 pm
Yeah I guess your right George. I was just saying nice pickup cause the kid sounds like hes a pretty good ball player. I’ve never understood why it becomes a hatefest over a commit or just an update on a player.
230gr Full Metal Jacket
August 1st, 2011
8:38 pm
And who says CPJ can’t recruit anyone the “Big Boys” want???? This one already had offers from Tennessee, Arkansas, Florida State, Nebraska, and 26 other Div-I teams! If we don’t use him as a B-Back he’ll make an awesome linebacker!!!!!
Hayseed Dixie
August 1st, 2011
8:39 pm
Hey, where’s the “Paul Johnson Can’t Recruit Club.”?
Folks, for the dictionary definition of Denial, check out the next post from the CPJ Recruiting Naysayers.
George Stein
August 1st, 2011
8:41 pm
I’m all for some good natured banter between the two schools, but it’s just so stupid when it devolves into a bunch of children arguing, I lose all interest.
Funny thing is, I think many fans would love to actually talk football with each other.
GT 1
August 1st, 2011
8:42 pm
Wow!!!!!! Someone chose GT over FSU, instead of Ball State, Memphis, UAB, Elon and Ga. Southern, now i know we are moving up!!!!!
George Stein
August 1st, 2011
8:42 pm
They’ll be here eventually, Hayseed. Give it some time.
BigTimeTECHfan
August 1st, 2011
8:42 pm
Very nice, congrats Marcus and Tech, very big get
Fast, physical, smart, big, film looks great.
DT Pat Gamble is big time get also, picked Tech over UGA, BC, Stanford but agree 1 or two more whould be nice
230gr Full Metal Jacket
August 1st, 2011
8:42 pm
No hate TampaDAWG! You are one of the good ones!!! And I agree with you 100%, because I don’t understand the hatefest over a commitment either, but it always seems to happen regardless of which blog you go on. Heres wishing all of the REAL Dawg fans a wonderful season ……….. at least until that last game in November!!!!!!!!!!!
1eyedJack
August 1st, 2011
8:43 pm
Coach Fishfry found a football player.
Goldtimer
August 1st, 2011
8:48 pm
CPJ loading up for a run at the BCSCG… watch out mutts it’s about to be the 1950’s all over again and the return to Tech’s dominance.
he hasn't signed yet
August 1st, 2011
8:51 pm
If this kid has a big senior year the football factories will put on the full court press. Plus if he wants to have any hope of playing at the next level he will go elsewhere. Turkey neck’s offense doesn’t help running back’s develop an all around game. Dwyer at one point was projected to go in the top half of the first round of the NFL draft and he fell to the 7th round because of this offense.
George Stein
August 1st, 2011
9:03 pm
I’m pretty sure NFL teams won’t have any problem drafting him if he’s good enough. I’m equally sure people said the same thing about WR in Johnson’s system. Then Bay Bay was the first receiver taken. But you’re probably not interested in facts.
Dwyer got taken later because he plays a position that has become a commodity in the NFL and because there were simply players a bit better. That he put up such gaudy numbers only confirms the awesomness of Johnson’s system.
GT 94
August 1st, 2011
9:04 pm
@ he hasn’t signed yet….you don’t follow stories very well it appears. If you forgot with dwyer, i will remind you. There was some negativity around him before the draft that really hurt his stock. He also came to the combine almost fat and out of shape. His 40 time was much slower as a result. Thus…the birth of being nearly not drafted at all!
Tomlin has noted dwyer has serious talent but doesn’t take his conditioning serious. It’s a shame because how many get the opportunity that dwyer got? I’m disappointed that he has not worked hard. I read the other day that he is heavy again coming into camp. I guess he is just collecting a check for the short term because he will be unemployed in the near future because of his poor work ethic.
Just wanted to point out that you are an idiot sir. Btw…since when was Nebraska,FSU or Tenn not a factory school?? They all have won a national title since UGAY has 30 years ago! Just further proof you make little sense.
Bill Clinton
August 1st, 2011
9:05 pm
As a Dawgs fan I must say congats to the GT family and this kid……Looks like a great catch for you with great accolades to boot!……..
Wake Me Up on Signing Day
August 1st, 2011
9:09 pm
We’ll see if Allen stays true to his word, as a lifetime Jacket I fear the worst.
CPJ is the new sheriff in town!
JB
August 1st, 2011
9:15 pm
“Watch out mutts, it’s about to be the 50’s again”…..Damn bro, don’t believe I’d said that. Tech has been unable to beat Richt the last two years with his program in shambles..9 of 10………..Reaching back 60 years is a stretch I would say.
ACC Fan
August 1st, 2011
9:17 pm
The films show him mostly as linebacker which is what scout.com says he is being recruited as.
George Stein
August 1st, 2011
9:24 pm
Agreed, JB. Unless we hire Bill Belechick, it’s unlikely to ever go back to the 50’s. I do, however, think that we have the right coach to keep us competitive against y’all.
Richt, to his credit, has used all of UGA’s implied advantages. It’s not cheating on his part or complaining on mine. It just is.
George Stein
August 1st, 2011
9:26 pm
He’ll be our Richard Samuel, ACC Fan!
Ramblin Man
August 1st, 2011
9:30 pm
Bigtime,
I love having Pat as a commit, but the rest are a gamble that may or may not work out. With McCoy a question and Peters and Walls gone after the season the line really needs good depth and competition and not just fillers.
JB
August 1st, 2011
9:31 pm
George….I do think Paul is a good coach….But you know, I know and most Tech Faithful know it takes a lot of very good ball players to build a solid team and to add depth. No cracking on Paul, but he has GOT to get these classes up in the rankings. I know a lot of people don’t put a lot in these rankings, bur Tech has and will always struggle to lure a lot of the “types” it takes. And most successful Tech people are OK with that. I don’t blame them. Good luck this year.
wreck wrecks wrecked
August 1st, 2011
9:34 pm
This looks like a good kid , a starter at tech a special teams player at Tennessee, FSU or Arky.People acting like this kid is James Wilder you know the 5 star that was going to pay a visit and never showed.
Ramblin Man
August 1st, 2011
9:36 pm
ACC fan,
He is not what you would call a finesse runner like most pro-style offenses may want. He is mainly being recruited as a LB by most schools, but many offered him as a RB. He is a powerfull runner and I always like when kids play both ways in High School. It shows they are tough and really means they have serious upside when they can commit to one position.
George Stein
August 1st, 2011
9:37 pm
Totally cool, JB. I think the biggest problem for Tech is finding the guys on the defensive line to dominate a game. I am not even worried about our offense under Johnson. I tend to think that we can field good linebackers and a strong defensive backfield simply because it makes sense to me that there are more guys out there because they aren’t as big. There’s a finite number of dudes that are huge and quick, and Tech doesn’t get many.
George Stein
August 1st, 2011
9:43 pm
No one recruits special teams players, save kickers, wreck. The schools that recruited – and will continue to recruit – him did so because they think he can play.
Ramblin Man
August 1st, 2011
9:44 pm
wreck,
Yeah I am sure a kid with over 30 offers is looked at as a special teams player by most of them.
JacketNation
August 1st, 2011
9:51 pm
Love the kid. But, we need to come down from cloud nine just a bit. Until he’s signed on the dotted line, he’s not ours!
Ramblin Man
August 1st, 2011
9:56 pm
George,
I hear Chungong is close to commiting, but I would like to see him put on more weight. I also think we have a legit shot at Atkins and his scowl alone will make a QB fall down for atleast one sack a game. Was also wondering about Whitehead as I have not heard much on him lately.
GSUAndrew
August 1st, 2011
10:13 pm
We already know this guy has poor judgement if he chooses Tech. Why would any recruit pick Tech over FSU? Tech has a history of cheating and getting caught. They are on probation and will continue to be. When you mention Ga Tech, people snicker and laugh. You need to rethink your decision young man. Seriously. Seriously.
Tdawg
August 1st, 2011
10:18 pm
Congrats Tech.Now go and get some more hogs and QB who actually has some sort of ideal as to what a foward pass is suppose to look like. Sorry Washington ain’t it.
AH
August 1st, 2011
10:20 pm
Congratulations from this Dawg fan. If Marcus is even close to being as good as Champ and Boss, you’ve got a good one.
ATLER (ramblin wreck)
August 1st, 2011
10:22 pm
Great pick. The kid has a 3.9 GPA and wants to challenge his mind. Oh he’ll sign with The Wreck when the time comes. Death to the haters!!!!!!!!
Beast from the East
August 1st, 2011
10:23 pm
Congrats, Tech. Appears to be a very bright young man.
SnoopDawg, where you at? People speaking highly of a young black recruit!
Team Dream
August 1st, 2011
10:23 pm
“GSUAndrew” … the only snickering and laughing is over GSU thinking they are the “new kid on the block”. That’s just what you are: new kids. Come back here in 50 years or so when your scattered little P.O.S. school has accomplished something, athletically OR academically. Thanks for your time though.