Archive for August, 2011

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UGA’s football recruiting class for 2013 continues to shape up very well.

Tray Matthews, one of Georgia’s top juniors, committed to UGA over Alabama, among 18 offers, on Saturday. The 6-foot-1, 193-pounder from Newnan High School was on an unofficial visit to UGA with his parents and high school coach.

“We came up for morning practice and went in to talk with [Mark Richt],” Newnan coach Mike McDonald told the AJC. “It was a good conversation. As we were heading out, Tray decided that Georgia was where his heart was. He went ahead and told Coach Richt that he wanted to commit.

“Everybody was happy. Coach Richt had a big smile on his face and gave Tray a big hug. [Richt] called over all the offensive coaches and they congratulated Tray, too. There was a lot of hugging, high-fiving and picture-taking. Coach Richt was really pleased, as were  Tray and his parents.”

UGA …

Continue reading 2013 DB Tray Matthews picks UGA over Alabama »

McEachern HS QB Trent Thompson

McEachern High School quarterback Trent Thompson has committed to Georgia State.

The 6-foot-2, 185-pounder picked Georgia State over Tennessee Tech, and he also had serious interest from Samford and Troy. Thompson has passed for 2,700 yards and 28 touchdowns with only 6 interceptions over the last two seasons at the Cobb County school.

“He’s everything you want off the field in a quarterback, as far as a great person, a leader, and a guy you want to be the face of the franchise” McEachern coach Kyle Hockman told the AJC. “On the field, Trent has really started to come into his own. I think his best years of football are ahead of him. He has grown, and he’s gotten much stronger. He’s a passer first but athletically he’s made some big strides there. He has a very strong arm and a commending presence on the field. He’s a joy to have.”

Thompson committed to Georgia State after making an unofficial visit to Georgia State on Friday. “I went to their …

Continue reading McEachern QB Trent Thompson commits to Georgia State (UPDATED) »

Stephenson High School's Class of 2012 is a candidate to lead the nation for the number of seniors that will sign major-college football scholarships (AJC photo by Michael Carvell)

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Do you want to some of the state’s top college football prospects in one place?

At least a dozen will play on display at a high school scrimmage at 7 p.m. at DeKalb’s Hallford Stadium.

It’s a football scrimmage between Stephenson and Tucker.

Everybody knows about Stephenson. They’ve got enough talent to compete with a small college (they tried to scrimmage Valdosta State but GHSA wouldn’t allow it. Kidding) Stephenson has 11 seniors that have committed to D1 schools, including 7 to the SEC. The top Stephenson players to watch are DE Jarontay Jones (committed to Virginia Tech), LB Raphael Kirby (Miami), tailback Mike Davis (Florida) and defensive lineman Jafar Mann (Florida).

Then there is …

Continue reading D1 prospects on display! Stephenson vs. Tucker scrimmage »

Longtime UGA WR recruit CJ Curry flipped from the Bulldogs to Oklahoma State (AJC photo by Michael Carvell)

CJ Curry, who was UGA’s first commitment for its 2012 football recruiting class, switched from the Bulldogs to Oklahoma State on Thursday.

It was a stunning turn of events for the wide receiver from Flowery Branch High School, who informed UGA coach Mark Richt on Wednesday night. Curry had been committed to the Bulldogs since last October.

The 6-foot-2, 205-pound Curry made an unofficial visit to Oklahoma State in June, and was so impressed that he wanted to commit soon after. However, his family advised him to take more time to think about it. Curry waited around six weeks, and told UGA last night.

“Going into the summer, CJ told me ‘Dad, I want to see one more place’ and it was Oklahoma State,” explained Curry’s father, Felix. “So we rolled up there. After we started on our way back, I asked him what he thought about it. He said ‘Dad, I loved it.’ Now he knows …

Continue reading Shocker! Longtime UGA WR recruit CJ Curry switches to Oklahoma State (UPDATED) »

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Georgia Tech’s newest basketball recruit has decided to go out for football for his senior year of high school.

North Gwinnett High School shooting guard Chris Bolden reported to football practice on Monday and will play wide receiver. The 6-foot-3, 185-pound combo guard committed to play basketball at Georgia Tech last Saturday over offers from Miami, Southern California, and Virginia Tech, among others. (click on story link)

Bolden skipped football the last two years to focus on his blossoming basketball career. And he wasn’t happy about doing it.

“I don’t want to look back and have any regrets about not playing football,” Bolden said. “I’m just playing because I love the game. There’s nothing in Georgia like being out there on Friday nights with the band playing and everything. I don’t want to sit in the stands; I want to be out there …

Continue reading Chris Bolden, Tech basketball recruit, to play football ‘for the love of the game’ »

Cameron Fordham, who played at Northview High School, said he both requested and received a release from the LSU football team. Fordham, who is a redshirt freshman offensive lineman, declined to take questions but released a statement:

“I want to begin by thanking Coach Miles and his staff for affording me the opportunity to be a part of the LSU football program.“

“I’ve grown tremendously because of the time and experience that I’ve had at LSU and for that, I’m grateful. I will sorely miss my teammates and all those that make it work behind the scenes for the program.”

“I also want to extend to the fans and the people of Louisiana my personal appreciation for all of the support they provided to me from day one.”

“This was a personal decision that I made that best fits my current and future career.”

WE’VE MOVED!!! Visit the AJC’s NEW Recruiting page by clicking here or going to ajc.com/sports/recruiting

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RELATED FOOTBALL RECRUITING STORIES

• Ex-Georgia Tech QB target quits …

Continue reading Cameron Fordham, ex-Northview standout, to transfer from LSU’s football team »

Clayton State has added another transfer.

Point guard Bradley Turner signed with Clayton State this week after playing at Div. II Carson-Newman. He is one of three Clayton State transfers in this year’s recruiting class, which also includes Oregon’s Teondre Williams and Hawaii’s Anthony Salter.

The 5-foot-11 Turner played two years at a junior college, last season at Carson-Newman, and will have one year left of eligibility.

“Brad brings leadership and experience to the point guard position,” Clayton State coach Gordon Gibbons. “He is a complete player who makes those around him better.”

WE’VE MOVED!!! Visit the AJC’s NEW Recruiting page by clicking here or going to ajc.com/sports/recruiting

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RELATED FOOTBALL RECRUITING STORIES

• Ex-Georgia Tech QB target quits college football (click on story link)
  

  Georgia Tech basketball recruit Chris Bolden has decided to go out for football for his senior year of high school (AJC photo)

• Maryland DE Roderick Chungong selects Georgia …

Continue reading Another transfer! Clayton State adds 3rd basketball transfer »

UGA’S 2012 FOOTBALL RECRUITING CLASS

(Note: Click on each name to read more)

• John Atkins, DT, 6-4, 310, Thomson HS
• Collin Barber, P, 6-2, 191, Cartersville HS
• Chester Brown, OL, 6-5, 340, Bradwell Institute HS
• James DeLoach, DE, 6-3, 265, Jenkins County HS
• Jalen Fields, DE, 6-4, 280, Georgia Military JC*
• Leonard Floyd, DE, 6-4, 200, Dodge County HS
• Quayvon Hicks, FB, 6-2, 250, Pierce County HS
• Marshall Morgan, K, Miami, Fla.
• Lonnie Outlaw, WR, 6-6, 200, Georgia Military JC*
• Greg Pyke, OL, 6-6, 320, Baltimore, Md.
• Ty Smith, TE, 6-3, 220, Colquitt County HS
• Jonathan Taylor, DT, 6-4, 310, Jenkins County HS
• John Theus, OL, 6-6, 290, Jackonsville, Fla.
• Kent Turene, LB, 6-3, 230, Atlanta Sports Academy prep school**

* Attending junior college

** Attending prep school

Continue reading UGA’s 2012 football recruiting class »

UGA shopped locally for its backcourt of the future.

Whitefield Academy SG Kenny Gaines is UGA's second basketball recruit for 2012, with both from the state of Georgia (Photo courtesy of Sydney Cooper Photography)

Kenny Gaines, a shooting guard from Whitefield Academy, committed to UGA over Clemson, Georgia Tech, South Carolina and Iowa on Tuesday. Gaines will play at UGA alongside Milton High School point guard Charles Mann,  who pledged to Bulldogs last month.

UGA coach Mark Fox certainly picked the right time to call his next target, Gaines.

“Really, it was Coach Fox that won me over,” Gaines told the AJC. “On Monday night, my mom and I were sitting in my room and praying what decision to make, and what schools to really consider and look at. It was like five minutes after we got done praying that Coach Fox gave us a call. We felt like that really was a sign from God. We asked Him to show us as fast as he could what schools to pick. After we got that phone call, we really …

Continue reading Basketball: Kenny Gaines picks UGA over Georgia Tech, Clemson, South Carolina and Iowa »

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Roderick Chungong

Roderick Chungong, a defensive end from Maryland, committed to Georgia Tech on Tuesday.

The 6-foot-3, 255-pounder picked Georgia Tech over Michigan State, Virginia and Pitt, among his 15 offers. The coach of Maryland’s Our Lady of Good Counsel High School, Bob Milloy, said, “He’s a good football player, good student, and just an all-around good kid.”

Chungong made a name for himself with college recruiters after his head-to-head performance last season against 5-star offensive lineman Cyrus Kouandjio, who famously committed to Auburn on national TV on signing day but later signed with archrival Alabama. The 6-7, 300-pound Cyrus played at DeMatha High School.

“Roderick went at it all game with the Cyrus kid who signed with Alabama, and Roderick got the better of him,” Milloy said. “When the colleges came through …

Continue reading DE Roderick Chungong commits to Georgia Tech over Michigan State, UVA and Pitt »