Mary Persons OL Hamlin will commit to Florida on Tuesday, if offered

11 a.m. Monday, December 8, 2008

Florida offensive coordinator Dan Mullen is scheduled to visit Mary Persons High School on Tuesday to speak with offensive tackle Jadareius Hamlin. "If Florida offers, I would take it in heartbeat," the member of the AJC's The Georgia 150 said. The 6-foot-3, 248-pound Hamlin has official visits scheduled for Troy State on Dec. 12, Alabama-Birmingham on Jan. 9 and a tentative date for Middle Tennessee State on Jan. 16. "I'm going to wait and take all my visits before committing, unless Florida offers," he said. Both UGA and Georgia Tech have requested film of Hamilin, but yet to offer. Hamlin plays defensive end and offensive tackle for Mary Persons. He said he is primarily being recruited as an offensive lineman.

One of nation's top RBs for 2010 has UGA among top three

10:30 a.m. Monday, December 8, 2008

Marcus Lattimore of Duncan, S.C., has 20 offers and is a candidate to be the nation's No. 1 tailback for 2010. At one time or another, Lattimore has said either Clemson, South Carolina or Georgia have been his leader. However, Lattimore told The State (S.C.) Newspaper that while he is still considering those three schools, he's going to consider all colleges. "I'm going to open all my options back up as I continue to get more offers," Lattimore told The State. "I just want everyone to know they have a fair shot at me. I just don't want to be one college. In the summer I'm probably going to have a top five and then make my decision at the Army All American Game."

SW DeKalb WR Mitchell impressed after official visit

11:20 p.m. Sunday, December 7, 2008

Before the weekend, Southwest DeKalb receiver Jacoby Mitchell was unsure how he would react to the small-college-town atmosphere of Western Carolina. But his official visit to the Cullowhee, N.C., school, which he took with three of his SWD teammates this past weekend, really caught his eye, especially the improvements to the football program. "I was really impressed by Western," Mitchell said in a text message Sunday. "It was real laid-back and a place I can really focus on my craft and on athletics. The campus has a new football facility (which) has new astro turf and they're getting a new jumbo tron." Mitchell is intrigued by Western's spread offense, but said he's still "trying to weigh out my options once I take the four other visits (which has yet to be determined)." The 6-foot-1, 190-pounder also has offers from Delaware, Furman, Georgia Southern, Eastern Michigan, Bowling Green, Alabama-Birmingham, Middle Tennessee and Akron.

Georgia Tech's Paul Johnson visits Woodward prospects

5:29 p.m. Sunday, December 7, 2008

Georgia Tech coaches Paul Johnson and Buzz Preston met with several players at Woodward Academy on Thursday, including senior Brian Holland and juniors Henry Anderson, Delino DeShields and Juwan Thompson. Anderson, who picked up a scholarship offer from Stanford on Wednesday, was impressed with Johnson. "Coach Johnson was a laid back kind of guy with a good sense of humor and was easy to talk to," the 6-foot-6, 237-pound Anderson said. "He was down to earth and fun to talk to. "They were there for about 20 to 25 minutes. They talked about the recruiting process." Anderson is hopeful the Jackets will offer him a scholarship. "If Tech offers, I would definitely think hard about going there," he said. "They're one of the best teams in the country, and they've got elite academics as well." Will the Jackets offer? The coaches who handle the recruiting at Woodward said they might offer all three of us [juniors]," Anderson said. "I know they were talking to Brian Holland about walking on. "If the head coach shows up at your school, you know they're interested."

Alabama recruit Atchison said meeting with Florida is doubtful

5:11 p.m. Sunday, December 7, 2008

Douglass linebacker Jonathan Atchison said that it is doubtful he will meet with Florida assistant coach Charlie Strong. "He hasn't called, so I doubt it is going to happen," the 6-foot-3, 212-pound member of the AJC's The Georgia 150 said late Sunday. However, if Strong shows up at Douglass on Monday, which was the original plan, then Atchison said he would likely hear what Florida had to say. Atchison recently switched his commitment to Alabama from Auburn after the resignation of Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville. Atchison made the change after having a lengthy conversation with Alabama coach Nick Saban. "I spoke with [Saban], and my mom and I felt it was the right thing to do for me," he said. He has an official visit scheduled to Alabama on Jan. 16. Atchison, who had committed to Auburn in August, is the 22nd best linebacker in the nation, according to Rivals.com.

Centennial OL Yankey impressed with Florida

1:24 p.m. Sunday, December 7, 2008

You bet Centennial offensive tackle David Yankey, one of the state's top prospects for 2010, was glued to the television during No. 2 Florida's 31-20 win over No. 1 Alabama in Saturday's SEC championship game, especially with a recent offer from Florida. The 6-foot-5, 250-pound junior loved how the Gators put it on the Crimson Tide and earned a likely BCS championship date on Jan. 8, but said the win didn't urge him to commit any sooner to the Gators. He doesn't plan to pledge to anybody - neither to South Carolina or Duke, who have also made early offers - until after his senior season. Yankey just completed his junior year. "All the coaches are saying I have nothing but time," he said, adding of Florida looking attractive, "The way they played against Alabama, putting up 31 points on the no. 1 team, was great."

Parkview RB Brandon Jacobs considers switching from Auburn to Florida

11:30 a.m. Sunday, December 7, 2008

Parkview running back Brandon Jacobs was caught by surprise by Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville's resignation. Jacobs has been laying low since Auburn's coaching change. The AJC Georgia 150 prospect has committed to the Tigers, but has also received an offer from Florida. "It was pretty shocking to me," Jacobs told the AJC on Saturday night. "He's a great coach; I just wish he could've stayed (at Auburn). It doesn't change my plans, I'm still committed to Auburn (but) I'm opening my options a little." Jacobs also said he is waiting to see who Auburn hires before makes his final decision. "I just want to see who (Auburn) brings in first."

Florida moves quickly to offer one of state's top juniors

7:41 p.m. Saturday, December 6, 2008

Centennial junior David Yankey, one of the state's top prospects for 2010, knows that he is increasingly a hot commodity. Knights coach Jeff Measor said Florida, in town for the SEC championship game against Alabama, informally extended a scholarship offer through him to his 6-foot-5, 250 tackle. "They told me he's in their top two or three offensive tackles," Measor said. "He's one of their higher ranked kids on their board. They love everything about him." Measor said Yankey, who recently visited Florida with Knights defensive end Euclid Cummings, likely will get an official scholarship letter in the next week or two. Yankey also has offers from South Carolina and Duke.

UGA making late charge for Alabama-bound WR Michael Bowman?

2:26 p.m. Saturday, December 6, 2008

Georgia may be making a late run at Ridgeland's Michael Bowman, who is arguably the state's top wide receiver and committed to Alabama. And Bowman said he is willing to listen to the Bulldogs. "Georgia was my first love, and I will make up my mind at the end," Bowman told the AJC on Friday night. "I'm still committed to Alabama. But I have to consider all my options ... anything could happen." With the Crimson Tide going over final preparations in Atlanta for the SEC Championship, UGA assistant Stacey Searels stopped by Ridgeland on Friday to pick up film on Bowman and ask if he was interested in the Bulldogs. The 6-foot-5, 210-pound Bowman said Searels seemed excited that he indeed still interested. Bowman was told that UGA would call next week after reviewing his film to talk more about a scholarship offer. Bowman had a sensational senior season, catching 30 passes for 1,006 yards and 14 touchdowns. Last summer, he won MVP honors at the prospect camps at both UGA and Alabama.

UGA-bound Washaun Ealey not the best prospect on ECI, says one coach

4:53 p.m. Friday, December 5, 2008

Savannah Christian coach Donald Chumley played on Georgia's 1982 SEC championship team, so he's eager to see Washaun Ealey and Dexter Moody of Emanuel County Institute suit up for the Bulldogs next season. The teammates committed to Georgia in January. But unlike most observers, Chumley believes Moody, a linebacker, has more potential on the college level than Ealey, the running back who has rushed for nearly 8,000 yards and set Georgia's record for career and single-season touchdowns. "Just because he's such an athlete,'' Chumley said of Moody. "I could see him playing a lot of different positions, especially when they put more muscle on him. He could play linebacker, tight end, defensive end. He's the best pure athlete we've seen this year. He makes an impact on both sides of the ball more than anybody I've seen.'' Savannah Christian finished second in Region 3-A to ECI and lost to ECI 21-14 in September. Chumley's praise of Moody doesn't mean he believes Ealey is overrated. "He's everything advertised,'' Chumley said. "I don't know if he's another (Knowshon) Moreno, but I think he's going to be in the mix at running back. He's strong, very hard to bring down. He has all the things you can't teach - the moves, the vision. He's a complete player.'' ECI plays Wilkinson County tonight in the Class A semifinals. ECI has another Division 1-A recruit on the team in lineman J.C. Lanier, who has pledge to Georgia Tech. But Chumley says keep an eye on the linebacker. "Moody might not get as much press, but I'm here to tell you he's the real deal,'' Chumley said.

UGA, Georgia Tech, Tennessee coaches visit Centennial DE

10:19 a.m. Friday, December 5, 2008

Centennial's Euclid Cummings was a popular player with college coaches today. He received visits from Georgia offensive line coach Stacy Searels, Georgia Tech receivers coach Buzz Preston and Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin. The new Volunteers coach made a favorable impression on the 6-foot-4, 230-pound defensive end. "I like [Kiffin]," Cummings said. "He seemed to be an honest person. He kept it real with me." In recent weeks, Cummings has said he's considering scholarship offers from Georgia Tech, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. So is Cummings now interested in Georgia? "I would be if they offer me," he said.

Etowah's Jordan Padgett expecting offer from Indiana

9:54 a.m. Friday, December 5, 2008

Etowah safety Jordan Padgett is anticipating an offer from Indiana, Etowah coach Bill Stewart said. "We will know by the end of this weekend," Stewart said. "It's looking like it's going to happen." Padgett, a 6-foot-2, 195-pound senior, currently has offers from Air Force, Western Michigan, Navy and Miami-Ohio. Stewart said he had an in-home visit from Air Force coaches earlier this week and has an official visit scheduled for Miami-Ohio on Dec. 13. "Going to Miami-Ohio with his teammate Ishmael White is a definite possibility," Stewart said. "But I know Indiana is definitely interested." Stewart said his top choices are Air Force, Indiana and Miami-Ohio.

Douglass LB to be visited by Florida coach

8:07 a.m. Friday, December 5, 2008

Will Florida ride a wave of momentum after winning the SEC Championship to land Georgia's top high school school prospects? Douglass linebacker Jonathan Atchison is scheduled to meet with Florida defensive coordinator Charlie Strong on Monday. Atchison, who is committed to Auburn, said Florida has been recruiting him very hard, and that he expects an offer on Monday. "Coach Strong wants to see me in person, and I'll get the offer," Atchison told the AJC's Phil Giltman. Atchison has scheduled an official visit to Alabama on Jan. 17. He will take his official visit to Auburn on Jan. 10, pending on who is named as the team's coach. Rivals rates Atchison as the No. 22 outside linebacker in the country and No. 64 overall recruit in Georgia.

Miller Grove speedster to decide between football and track offers

6:52 a.m. Friday, December 5, 2008

Miller Grove's Kenneth Gilstrap, a two-sport prospect in football and track, has an official visit to Middle Tennessee State this weekend, he said in a text message on Friday. He also reported he was named to the East squad in the Offense-Defense All-American Bowl all-star game next month in Myrtle Beach. S.C. The game is scheduled Jan. 2 at Coastal Carolina University, Gilstrap, who has 4.31 speed in the 40, is a blue-chip track prospect as a sprinter with offers from Georgia Tech, South Carolina, Kentucky, Kansas State and Louisville and Western Kentucky. His football offers include Western Kentucky, Ohio, Richmond, Middle Tennessee and Alabama-Birmingham. Gilstrap can play receiver, kick returner and defensive back in football. He wants to play both sports in college.

Spurrier boasts about the advantages of SEC football over ACC

11:59 p.m. Thursday, December 4, 2008

South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier was not happy when Perry offensive lineman Johnnie Farms recently switched his commitment from South Carolina to North Carolina. And you could almost visualize "The Old Ball Coach" throwing down his visor when Farms told the AJC that part of the reason for his change was because "the education is a little better [at UNC] than South Carolina." What did Spurrier do about it? He traveled to Perry, which is located 105 miles south of Atlanta, on Tuesday in an attempt to convince Farms to take an official visit to South Carolina next weekend. And Spurrier brought his own academic research for the AJC Super 11 selection. "[He] compared the graduation rates between the two schools," Farms told the AJC's Phil Giltman. "He said South Carolina is No. 6, and North Carolina is No. 15." Where did Spurrier get his research? Farms said he doesn't quite remember. Many but not all coaches go by the NCAA's Graduation Success Rate or Academic Progress Rate, and North Carolina finished higher than South Carolina in both 2008 reports for football. Nevetheless, Spurrier also gave Farms a long talk about the advantages of playing in the SEC over the ACC. "He said the SEC is by far the toughest conference in college football," Farms said. Spurrier also told Farms that the NFL "recruits more players from the SEC than the ACC." Did Spurrier's speech work? Farms said "there is a good chance I'll go [on the visit], but I'm not sure" and confirmed that he remains committed to UNC. Farms also added that Spurrier's strong words supporting South Carolina and the SEC were not surprising. Farms said that every college coach speaks of his school, football program, and football conference in the most favorable conditions as possible during the recruiting process.