Archive for October, 2012

Not much has changed over the last month with Vonn Bell, one of the state’s top five uncommitted football prospects.

Probably the biggest news was something that didn’t happen — the 5-star safety from Ridgeland High School wasn’t able to make an official visit to Ohio State, which is one of his three finalists, along with Alabama and Tennessee.

Will Nick Saban raid Georgia yet again for an elite prospect? Alabama is a rumored frontrunner for 5-star DB Vonn Bell (AP)

“He was going to Ohio State two weeks ago, and it just became a logistical nightmare,” Ridgeland coach Mark Mariakis told the AJC.

“He was trying to catch a red-eye flight out of Nashville at 2 a.m. in the morning, get up to Ohio State, and get back on Sunday to be back at school on Monday. It just wasn’t feasible to do it and enjoy himself. I think he’s going to wait until after our season for his official visits.

“Hopefully, those teams are at bowl practices or something. Hopefully, our team (at …

Continue reading Vonn Bell: 5-star ponders over three finalists »

A senior at Centennial High School, Chase Rosenberg is in his first year as the team’s starting quarterback under a new head coach and new spread offense. While the Knights opened the season 0-5, they have come back to win two region games, including one over then undefeated Lambert. Rosenberg is 116 for 218 with 1,372 yards and 11 touchdowns and he threw for a season-high 347 yards against Johns Creek. He continues his pursuit to play college football at a strong academic school.

When your team starts the season 0-5, you wonder if any college coach is going to take interest in you. But with a lot of help from my coach, two big wins, including one that has been called among the biggest upsets in the state this season, and a highlight film that I feel good about, it is getting to be a busy recruiting season.

I knew it was going to be a long road considering this would be my first year as a starter and we had a new coach and changed from a run-oriented option team to a …

Continue reading Recruiting Diary: Centennial QB Chase Rosenberg »

Stanley Williams, one of the state’s top prospects for next year, told the AJC this week that’s he’s “90-percent committed” to UGA but also said that he is unsure if he will end up signing with the Bulldogs in February 2014.

UGA's Mark Richt has lost a few recruits recently but the overall class is still looking strong (AP)

The 5-foot-9, 192-pound Williams is a junior tailback from George Walton Academy. He was offered the summer after his freshman year of high school at Dawg Night prospect camp – and committed on the spot.

Will he sign with UGA? “I’m not sure yet about that,” Williams said. “Of course, it’s getting close. It’s coming down to crunch time and it’s time for me to focus on which schools do I really want to attend. Who knows? I’m not sure yet. I just want to take a closer look and see what the best option is for me.”

Williams has attended games this season at UGA, Clemson, South Carolina and Florida. He plans to check out games at both Auburn …

Continue reading Stanley Williams: UGA RB recruit is “90-percent committed” »

Georgia Tech has made two serious runs at Delando Crooks since the summer. But the 6-foot-5, 270-pound offensive lineman from Carver-Atlanta High School hasn’t been ready to make his college decision, according to his coach.

Where will OL Delando Crooks go? (AJC)

Crooks is one of the state’s top uncommitted prospects on the offensive line. At one time or another, he held offers from both Georgia Tech and UGA. He is still being heavily recruited by Stanford, Vanderbilt, Purdue and North Carolina, among others.

“Delando is not like some of these other kids who get carried away with recruiting and want to hold a special press conference to tell everybody where he’s going to college,” Carver-Atlanta coach Darren Myles told the AJC. “He just wants to take his visits so he can evaluate the schools evenly. He loves football but he’s serious about finding the right academic school as well.”

Georgia Tech has 13 commits for 2013, including three offensive linemen. The …

Continue reading Delando Crooks: Onetime Georgia Tech & UGA target playing the waiting game »

AJ Jackson, one of the state’s top prospects at tight end, learned a valuable lesson over the weekend: Don’t believe everything you hear in the wacky world of recruiting.

Another day, another rumor about 1-6 Auburn (AP)

The 6-foot-6, 240-pounder from Lovejoy High School de-committed from Auburn on Friday morning, only to call it a “misunderstanding” later that evening.

“I’m still committed to Auburn; it’s all good,” Jackson told the AJC on Sunday. “I feel good about how everything was handled with this situation. I still like Auburn.”

Here’s what happened: Jackson had heard rumors for a week from other recruits, a student at Auburn, and a parent of one of his Lovejoy teammates that he had “lost” his scholarship at Auburn due to grades.

Even though Jackson had not spoken directly with Auburn’s coaches, Jackson was convinced enough by his sources that he de-committed to the Tigers.

Then he spoke directly a few hours later to Auburn’s coaches, master …

Continue reading AJ Jackson clears up “misunderstanding” with Auburn »

Perhaps no out-of-state school has recruited Georgia better this year than Clemson.

The Tigers have seven commitments from the state for 2013, including the nation’s undisputed No. 1 overall prospect (Robert Nkemdiche) and a wide receiver (Demarcus Robinson) who is considered by some to be Georgia’s best at his position.

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However, the big question is: Can Clemson hold onto its all-star class from Georgia – particularly Nkemdiche and Robinson?

Robinson, who is ranked as the nation’s No. 10 wide receiver by Rivals, has been committed to Clemson since July but recently told TigerIllustrated.com that he is a “soft commit” to the Tigers. Robinson is being heavily pursued by Florida and Notre Dame, and wants to attend games at both schools.

“I don’t know if he will visit Florida and Notre Dame,” Peach County coach Chad Campbell …

Continue reading Can Clemson hold onto Nkemdiche and other Georgia stars? »

UGA target Missy Franklin committed to Cal (AP)

One of the biggest stars of the 2012 Olympics has picked a college.

Missy Franklin, who won five swimming medals at the London Olympics, committed to Cal over UGA and Texas.

“Committed to swim at Cal Berkeley!” Franklin wrote on Twitter. “I am officially a baby Golden Bear. I am so honored to part of such a special team! #GoBears.”

Franklin took visits to all three of her finalists, according to the AP. Cal is coached by Teri McKeever, who guided the U.S. women’s swim team in London.

Probably the biggest surprise was Franklin even choosing a college. She stands to lose millions of dollars in endorsement deals by attending college rather than turning professional this year. Franklin only plans to swim in college for two years, according to Swimming World.

RECRUITING HEADLINES

• Can Clemson hold onto Nkemdiche & other star Georgia recruits???
• Georgia TE calls his de-commitment from Auburn a “misunderstanding”
• Olympic star …

Continue reading Missy Franklin: Cal beats out UGA and Texas for Olympics sensation »

Some of Atlanta’s college football prospects will be writing a weekly diary for the AJC until February’s signing day. They will be sharing their thoughts, opinions, adventures and perspectives on the recruiting journey.

Eddie Printz led Lassiter High School to its first-ever appearance in the state semifinals last year as a junior. On Friday, Printz completed 22 of 34 passes for 425 yards and 4 touchdowns in a 47-30 win over Milton. Last weekend, Printz verbally committed to Missouri while on his official visit. Printz initially committed to SMU more than a year ago, then later switched to UCLA last January. Last month, Printz said he was told by UCLA that his scholarship offer would no longer be honored. After being on the open market for around a month, Printz was picked up by Missouri.

AJC Super 11 QB Eddie Printz (AJC)

Now that the recruiting journey is over, I almost understand the process.  SMH.  There is nothing like it to prepare you for the journey except the …

Continue reading Recruiting Diary: New Missouri QB commit Eddie Printz (Vol. IV) »

How often do you get to have an SEC head coach sing “Happy Birthday” to you?

A few times, as it turns out, if you’re an elite football recruit.

Mark Richt, for the second year in a row, catches a recruit's attention by singing "Happy Birthday" to him (AJC)

For the second year in a row, UGA’s Mark Richt made a big impression by crooning to Tray Matthews, a 4-star safety who is committed to the Bulldogs.

On Thursday, the senior from Newnan High School turned 18 years old and got a phone call from UGA’s coaches. “My coach called me from lunch and said ‘Hey, Mark Richt and them want to holler at you,’” Matthews told the AJC.

“Coach Richt said hello and started singing again. He tried to hit a real high note this time. It was so funny. I mean, he tried real hard to get that high note. And I will give him the benefit of a doubt … He did all right singing.”

Even though Richt belted out the same tune last year, Matthews claimed he was caught off guard on …

Continue reading Mark Richt sings “Happy Birthday” to 4-star safety »

Montravius Adams is the state of Georgia’s top uncommitted football recruit.

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The 6-foot-4, 310-pound defensive tackle from Dooly County High School is ranked as the nation’s No. 2 overall prospect – regardless of position – by 247sports.com.

Clemson and Auburn are rumored to be the co-leaders for Adams, who has not officially listed any favorites. Adams is clearly one of UGA’s top remaining targets for its 2013 class. Adams recently made an unofficial visit to UGA; however, his mother could not make the trip.

The 5-star recruit is scheduled to return to UGA next month for the Ole Miss game. He said he will bring his mother along, too.

RECRUITING HEADLINES

• 5-star DT Montravius Adams talks a little recruiting
• UGA flies to Kansas … for No. 1-ranked football recruit
• Will son of former UGA football standout play for the Bulldogs, too?
• Should Auburn be worried about …

Continue reading Montravius Adams: 5-star DT talks recruiting, AJC Super 11 »