WR Blake Tibbs is commitment No. 15 for UGA
M.L. King WR Blake Tibbs (left) committed to UGA and hopes his high school teammate, DE Kenderius Whitehead, will follow him to the Bulldogs (AJC photo by Michael Carvell)
Saturday was a good day at the office for UGA.
The Bulldogs beat Ole Miss on the road in the afternoon, and picked up a commitment from one of the state’s top wide receivers later that night:
Blake Tibbs of M.L. King High School picked UGA over North Carolina, Southern Miss and Kentucky.
The 6-foot-1, 175-pound Tibbs is commit No. 15 for UGA’s 2012 college football recruiting class.
“I watched college football all day on Saturday, started thinking about recruiting, and UGA kept popping up in my head,” Tibbs told the AJC. “I was thinking about all the boys in my area [Atlanta area] that Georgia is recruiting … and that if we all go down to Georgia together, we can make an impact there.”
Tibbs called UGA’s Mark Richt to inform him of his decision on Saturday evening and got his voicemail. Then Tibbs dialed up UGA assistant Tony Ball, who answered and promptly got Richt on the phone.
“Coach Richt said he was proud of me for joining the Dawg family,” Tibbs said. “[Richt] told me Saturday was a great day for him because Georgia got a great win and a great wide receiver. It made me smile when he said that.”
UGA offered Tibbs a football scholarship in late August after a spot opened up at the position when Flowery Branch’s CJ Curry switched his commitment from the Bulldogs to Oklahoma State.
Notes on Blake Tibbs:
- Tibbs’ commitment to UGA also increases the Bulldogs’ chances of landing his high school teammate, DE Kenderius Whitehead. The 6-4, 227-pound pass-rushing specialist lists UGA as his leader, followed by Ohio State, Tennessee and North Carolina. “I haven’t told my team yet but when I do, I’m pretty sure that Kenderius will come up to me and talk about it,” Tibbs said. “I’d love for him to play at Georgia with me. I think he was thinking about committing to Georgia anyways. Now with me doing it, I think it will motivate him a little bit more.”
Mark Richt could use a lot more days like Saturday (AJC photo)
- Tibbs had a scorching start to his senior year, scoring four touchdowns in M.L. King’s season-opening win over South Gwinnett. Just in case anybody had any doubts, Tibbs followed up that all-star performance by catching two TD passes the next week against Collins Hill. Then in the third game against Westlake, Tibbs was ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct after a fight between the two teams, which automatically made him ineligible to play the next game — Friday’s 42-7 win over Langston Hughes. “My coach and I watched the video, and it proved that I didn’t throw any punches,” Tibbs said. “I was trying to get my teammates back on our side. We thought about sending the tape to the GHSA and appealing it, but my coach decided against it. He said it was best for me to go ahead and sit out against Langston Hughes rather than to wait on the appeal and take a chance on missing our next game against Valdosta High School this Friday. But it was tough not playing against Langston Hughes on Friday. I haven’t missed a game in forever. I took it pretty hard. I can’t wait to get back out there with my teammates against Valdosta.”
- Tibbs said when he talked to Richt, the coach wanted him to bring his parents for an unofficial visit for Saturday’s game against Mississippi State. It’s the last Georgia home game for a month. “I told Coach Richt that I was really sorry, but that I couldn’t make up because we are playing Valdosta on Friday night and then I have to wake up early the next morning to take the SAT. He was really understanding about it. I’m going to try to get over there in November, though.”
TODAY’S BIG STORIES
- Elite South Carolina recruit de-commits from UGA (click on story link)
- One of Georgia’s top WRs commits to UGA (click on story link)
- UGA QB recruit Brice Ramsey boots a 57-yard FG (click on story link)
- One of Georgia’s top running backs committed to Kentucky on Sunday but said he will still take his official visit to Georgia Tech. Can the Yellow Jackets flip him? (click on story link)
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.
- Blake Tibbs, WR, 6-1, 175, M.L. King HS
- Kent Turene, LB, 6-3, 230, Atlanta Sports Academy prep school**
* Attending junior college
** Attending prep school
WE’VE MOVED!!! Visit the AJC’s NEW Recruiting page by clicking here
– By Michael Carvell, AJC Recruiting Blog
Got an item? mcarvell@ajc.com
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105 comments Add your comment
just a fan
September 24th, 2011
9:32 pm
first
Brian
September 24th, 2011
9:32 pm
GATA
Brian
September 24th, 2011
9:33 pm
Enter your comments here
Who’s gonna say FIRST?
zulucanibal
September 24th, 2011
9:33 pm
2nd….welcome blake…go dawgs
7576DAWG
September 24th, 2011
9:33 pm
Welcome to Georgia Mr, Tibbs we will be a lot more consistent team next year and will need you.
Curtis4
September 24th, 2011
9:34 pm
Dream Team 2, baby!
wrightsvilledawg
September 24th, 2011
9:35 pm
welcome to the bulldawg nation Mr. Tibbs and congratulation.
Athens Dawg
September 24th, 2011
9:36 pm
We’ll be better in 2012 with another year under the 3-4, key players returning, Crowell being in his 2nd season, Murray in his 3rd, etc. Big Kwame Geathers and Jenkins being back, Jarvis Jones, Christian Robinson, Ogletree, etc. We’re going to be hot in 2012. And this guy is a great receiver, he’ll be a force for us. I can see it now, Tibbs as one starter, Mitchell as the other, and Bennett as our slot receiver.
RRTDawgs
September 24th, 2011
9:40 pm
Great pick up get win a pick up a commit welcome Blake Tibbs replaces Curry finally get some good news Go Dawgs !
bwell
September 24th, 2011
9:41 pm
Welcome to DAWG COUNTRY!!!!! Mr. Tibbs
Bobo, Bobo, a pirate's life for me
September 24th, 2011
9:44 pm
Welcome, Mr. Tibbs, to Bulldawg Nation! Great to have you aboard!
Brooksdawg
September 24th, 2011
9:54 pm
Welcome aboard…we need some playmakers on offense..the D is holding its own. Where was DREW today? come on Grantham–give the kid some PT
chase35
September 24th, 2011
10:00 pm
wont be surprised if whitehead commits in the next few days
RRTDawgs
September 24th, 2011
10:01 pm
I noticed A . Herrera was in the game today he was a monster i agree would like to see Drew get some playing time .
Brooksdawg
September 24th, 2011
10:05 pm
RRTDawgs—agree with you on Herrera, #52 is a ball hawk! Can’t wait til the DAWG BOWL in Athens this Saturday! GATA
BG
September 24th, 2011
10:25 pm
Great news! GO DAWGS!!!!!!!!!
Rhall55
September 24th, 2011
10:31 pm
Glad to have Mr. Blake Tibbs!!! Next Mr.Cordelle Patterson, JUCO All AMERICAN, a sure starter next year!!! Then, Shaq Goodwin @ TE; who will be next???
JDawg1785
September 24th, 2011
10:33 pm
Congrats and welcome to the Bulldog Nation, Blake!
Chuck Dowdle here...
September 24th, 2011
10:51 pm
We beat out North Carolina, Southern Miss and Kentucky- put this kid on dream team 2!
RRTDawgs
September 24th, 2011
10:51 pm
I have heard Tibbs is a very productive WR gave Auburn commit Hosley a hard time in a game this year .
Chuck Dowdle here...
September 24th, 2011
10:52 pm
Hey BG– Really Great news???
Chuck Dowdle here...
September 24th, 2011
10:53 pm
We beat Ole Miss… we are headed to the Music City Bowl!
dawggone
September 24th, 2011
11:00 pm
99% of dawg country didn’t even go to uga. How pathetic.
RacksonRacks23
September 24th, 2011
11:09 pm
Hey dawggone does it really matter if 99% of dawg country didnt even go to UGA.Last I checked you dont have to go to a particular school to be a fan of their sports teams.
slydog
September 24th, 2011
11:09 pm
Great pick up for the DAWGS. They probably should have offered the kid the first time around.
DustDAWG
September 24th, 2011
11:30 pm
we need some big ugglies 2 commit
George Stein
September 24th, 2011
11:57 pm
He’ll probably play with a big ole chip on his shoulder. Good luck to him except the last Saturday in November. I hope he studies hard and has a great time (but not too great!) in Athens.
Nice win for y’all today. We’ll see you in a couple months.
Red Dog 77
September 25th, 2011
1:01 am
Our Wr. corps is looking pretty stout for 2012! don’t forget, the Outlaw kid will be with us from juco as well………and what is he? 7ft. 250lbs.?
Dawg Squeeze
September 25th, 2011
1:14 am
Doesn’t matter. The general rule of thumb is to take uga’s recruiting class rank (i.e. 4th in the country) and then add 20 to it to find out where the team will actually finish in the polls.
Dawg Squeeze
September 25th, 2011
1:14 am
UGA football…..31 years and counting.
nash
September 25th, 2011
1:52 am
Mr. Tibbs is the best WR in the Atlanta area and, possible the state for that matter.
Columbus
September 25th, 2011
2:19 am
Welcome Tibbs and THANK YOU! Your attitude is one that more of the best players in the state need to have. You should be applauded for that attitude and I hope by you saying so tp the media, it gets out to the other players. Win for your home state, not some other state! Thats just crazy unless its for an academic program another school offers. You think Michael Jordan would have went to Kentucky? Heck no! Congrats Tibbs!
Hey UGA, if you want him, if you think he is worthy of being a Dawg, Quinshad Davis from Gaffney SC, wants to be a Dawg. 6-3 180 35 catches 676 yards and 8 tds so far this year. We might have too many receivers now but, he says UGA will be the favorite if we offer him….
H-Town Dawg
September 25th, 2011
2:48 am
Welcome to the Dawg Nation Blake Tibbs!
GO DAWGS!
dawgfan4life
September 25th, 2011
5:32 am
welcome aboard Tibbs i know you will be a productive WR and help out the team. cant wait to get you up in Athens but people please dont start all this hooray because we all know if we dont get no good coaches it dont matter. we can go out and get all the best players in the country but if the coaches dont know how to use them then what good is it to get them. dont get me wrong Tibbs is a good WR and will greatly help out but the offense we run is wacccck and needs to go. right now we should be undefeated because boise and south carolina couldnt stop our run game and to start pass when either team couldnt stop out run was stupid. but congrats young man and like i said before welcome aboard. new coaches please. no coaches + no adjustments = failure and that pretty much sums it up.
RedandBlackDawg
September 25th, 2011
7:15 am
Brooksdawg,
I think that if Drew played in spot duty he would not be eligable to be redshirted, and I think that is the plan for him. He would not start or play a lot this year, so the redshirt freshman route, is the way to go with him. Next year he will get his playing time.
GO DAWGS and GATA
dawg fan sitting on rockytop
September 25th, 2011
7:20 am
Great day all around for the dawgs, but that game should have been put away in 2nd quarter!
dawg fan sitting on rockytop
September 25th, 2011
7:22 am
Drew played last week, meaning redshirt is gone.
Moe Dawg
September 25th, 2011
7:26 am
99% of georgia tech fans are nerds. How pathetic.
Paddy
September 25th, 2011
8:26 am
dawggone………..I did not attend UGA and am a big fan and have been for 34 years. Would you rather have me be a gator fan? I don’t understand your point. The athletic assn. has accepted my donations over the years. They don’t seem to have a problem with my loyalty. I don’t live near my alma matre and they are only on tv a couple times a year. It was easy to lose interest and pick a new team. What would you have me and many like me do with our excitement and support? What have I been doing wrong all these years? Pls reply and give us all your solution!!
JAWJeRDAWG
September 25th, 2011
8:59 am
Thank you for your commitment to UGA, Blake Tibbs!
Welcome to the Bulldog Nation. Can’t wait to see you play Between-the-Hedges.
Best wishes to you in your senior year. .. Go Dawgs!
kendawg
September 25th, 2011
8:59 am
I don’t understand the thinking that a person has to be a graduate of the Univesity of Georgia to be one of their fans. I am a grad of UGA, and I don’t mind accepting non-grads as fans. I personally like their loyalty to UGA. We have a huge fan base in Georgia and we need to keep it that way.
JB
September 25th, 2011
9:20 am
This is great and the young man will be a great Bulldog, but yet, we can’t keep a poor Coastal Carolina and Ole Miss team off of Murray. We better sign some beef. There are a lot of differences between us and Bama, but lots of big nasties on both sides of the ball is the most glaring difference. The biggest question in Athens will be how many of these guys stick if Richt if relieved of duties after the Tech game at I’d say 7-5.
SAV'H DAWG
September 25th, 2011
9:31 am
CONGRATS TO CHASE VASSER ON A SOLID GAME AT OUTSIDE LINEBACKER
Troll Power Ratings
September 25th, 2011
9:36 am
@Paddy: dawggone is a bitter TECH fan. How ironic that the major TECH marketing focus is bringing in fans that did not go to school there. They can’t pull it off because who in their right mind would want to “adopt” a half-ass team in the ACC?”
Paddy
September 25th, 2011
9:56 am
Thanks Troll Power! I like being a UGA fan. Think I will stick around for awhile. Win or lose.
JD
September 25th, 2011
10:46 am
Please start teaching English in high school. It would definitely make smarter recruits for everyone and they could actually talk to reporters and make sense. That goes for all colleges, not just UGA.
Baloneyismyfirstname!
September 25th, 2011
11:08 am
Hate and jealousy are rampant
Always the same and it is why we are ......
September 25th, 2011
11:12 am
UGA always signs wide outs, Safeties, CBs, TEs, and a QB. Why, oh why do we not show 10 O linemen as committed to UGA? THAT AREA IS our maing issue. We lack any depth or big bys for the O line. LSU and Alabama and Arkansas and Florida always have big boy linemen and that is why we can’t mount any drives, beyond AM throwing bombs.
This deficiency is why UGA will make a coaching change, as this year wears on.
Go Dogs.
CLass of 71 & 73
LagDawg
September 25th, 2011
11:23 am
Glad to have Blake aboard. Now I wonder why there is a four star WR in SC waiting on an offer but, of course UGA has not offered. Need at least two RBs to commit and at least 3 more OL that will be used properly. I hope the recruits stick with the team, regardless of the HC situation. Either way you look at it, it would be an improvement over this coaching staff if a change is made.
LagDawg
September 25th, 2011
11:28 am
The recruiting evaluations for the OL are pathetic. I don’t know who makes the decisions but, they have done a sorry job. UGA needs players that can come in and contribute now, not two years later. Recruit 300lbs and above, not 265. It will take at least two years at 265lbs with this S@C program for a player to be SEC ready. Look at the two RBs for Alabama. You can tell they have been in the weightroom. Our RBs look very small compared to Trent Richardson.