SEC East Football Recruiting Battles heat up

[jbcarol]

Michael Carvell @Carvell_AJC  ·  2 hours ago
How does Bobo leaving affect #UGA 2015 recruiting class? Something like 9 of #UGA top 12 commits are on defense, so not much imo

[jbcarol]

Michael Carvell @Carvell_AJC  ·  Dec 22
How will Bobo news impact UGA's 5-star QB recruit? http://on-ajc.com/1ABGuwm

Jacob Eason is a 5-star quarterback from Lake Stevens, Wash., who committed to UGA at last summer's Dawg Night prospect camp. He's a high school junior and rated as the nation's No. 1 quarterback for 2016.

As soon as reports surfaced on Monday night that Bobo would be hired as Colorado State's new coach, there were grave concerns among UGA fans that Eason may be departing from the Bulldogs, too.

"Coach Bobo is a great guy and we love him to death," Eason's father told the AJC on Monday night. "He was Jacob's main contact with UGA, and that's what got us down there to visit. If he wanted to be a head coach, this was a good opportunity at Colorado State. We wish him nothing but the best.

"But when we visited UGA's campus last summer and looked around ... it wasn't just one guy that got Jacob to commit there. It was the whole package that got him to commit to UGA. We trust Coach Richt, and we'll see what happens from here. We have complete faith in Coach Richt."

Bobo was UGA's chief recruiter for Eason, and he recently flew all the way to Washington to attend one of Eason's high school basketball games. But Eason also has a close relationship with another coach on UGA's staff – Mark Richt. They talk all the time over the telephone.

"Jacob woke him (Richt) up last night, matter of fact," Eason's father said. "There's a time difference, and sometimes Jacob forgets about that. But yeah, he has been on the phone with Coach Richt a lot. They've got a solid relationship.

"Jacob has probably been on the phone with him more than Bobo. We feel good about the situation. I don't see (Richt) changing offensive philosophies. I mean, we're sad to see Bobo go, but we're also happy that he got this opportunity."

Even though Eason is just a junior, he is already a veteran in the recruiting process. He knows all too well about the instability of the college coaching profession.

"Oregon State was Jacob's first offer, and everybody said Mike Riley will never leave. He was born and raised in Corvallis. Then the next thing you know, the guy is at Nebraska. Then it was the Washington Huskies staff ..."

[jbcarol]

Austin Kim @AustinKKim  ·  5 hours ago
RB Marquise Doherty ([KC] Winnetonka) tweets he has committed to #Mizzou. He is a 4-star recruit according to Rivals. Chose MU over Oregon

[jbcarol]

Austin Kim @AustinKKim  ·  5 hours ago
RB Marquise Doherty ([KC] Winnetonka) tweets he has committed to #Mizzou. He is a 4-star recruit according to Rivals. Chose MU over Oregon

David Morrison @DavidCMorrison  ·  17 hours ago
Doherty told http://Rivals.com  he'll play baseball at Missouri as well

[jbcarol]

Juwuan Briscoe @_AyeeLilWuan
Blessed to say I will be heading to the #SEC for the next 4 years to be playing football as a Georgia Bulldog⚫️⚪️🔴
12:44 PM - 1 Jan 2015


Briscoe: You can't see me

Waldorf, Md. Stone 3-star CB Juwuan Briscoe gave a verbal to Georgia.

He is UGa's 26th commit in the '15 class.

[jbcarol]

Bishop Gorman DT Jackson Perry gave a verbal to Vandy.

[jbcarol]

Mike Farrell @rivalsmike  ·  12h
Congrats to Pat Allen on his commitment to #UGA #Dawgs, great get for them and good kid.

Decommitted

[jbcarol]

Michael Carvell @Carvell_AJC  ·  5 hours ago
NEW: Ex #UGA football signee commits to Texas Longhorns http://on-ajc.com/1BmQTwh

Former UGA football signee Gilbert Johnson has committed to Texas.

The 6-foot-2, 190-pound wide receiver from Miami signed with UGA but did not meet NCAA entrance requirements. Johnson enrolled this season at Georgia Prep Sports Academy to work his academics.

Johnson committed to Texas over Marshall and Middle Tennessee State.

[jbcarol]

SportsTalk @sportstalksc  ·  14 hours ago

#STRecruiting: Gamecocks' 2015 recruiting class gets Keyed again http://goo.gl/fb/BW0hrn

DE Arden Key of Atlanta continues to toy with USC.  For the second time Tuesday night  the highly touted Key announced on Twitter his decommitment from USC, and he doesn't plan to talk publicly about his decision.

"I have decommited from South Carolina . Me nor my coaches will take any phone calls from the media," is what Key tweeted.

Key originally committed to USC in June of 2013.  That pledge lasted until September of 2013.  Key then recommitted to the Gamecocks in June of 2014.   He picked the Gamecocks over Oregon, Miami, LSU and Ole Miss.

Key's newest decision comes on the heels of an offer from Auburn.  He has scheduled official visits to LSU January 16th, Miami January 19th, USC January 23rd and Auburn January 30th.  He also plans to visit  Georgia.

So, this Key-stone cop like recruiting saga continues...

WALKING LEGEND ‼️ @ArdenKey  ·  9 hours ago
South Carolina still #1 on my board . Nobody knows my situation.

Terry Googer @D1MANOS  ·  14 hours ago
I hate when fans threaten players when they decommit.. Grow up!!

[jbcarol]

SportsTalk @sportstalksc  ·  12 hours ago

#STRecruiting: USC's once highly ranked recruiting class coming apart http://goo.gl/fb/5Dddjw

[jbcarol]

GoGamecocks.com @gogamecocks  ·  50 minutes ago
Early signings give Gamecocks recruiting momentum http://scne.ws/83DPtk 

Early signings give Gamecocks recruiting momentum
USC signed six high-school prospects to financial aid agreements ahead of their enrollment

With a total current class of 27, USC is expected to bring in up to four more commitments to the group. A recruiting dead period ends next week and will be followed by a three-week window for official visits to take place.

The eight already on campus will have a head start on getting acclimated to college life, take part in winter workouts and be part of spring practice.

Mid-year enrollees Marquavius Lewis, Ernest Hawkins, Sherrod Pittman, Dexter Wideman, Jerad Washington, Christian Owens, Jalen Henry and Darin Smalls are all moving in at USC this week.

"Getting those guys in the boat is pretty strong for us," Spurrier Jr. said. "It's going to make a big difference for us with the rest of the guys we're recruiting. We're excited about that and, hopefully, we can close this class out as a good class."

[jbcarol]

Michael Carvell @Carvell_AJC  ·  11 hours ago
#UGA offers state's "hottest prospect," 2015 DB Chris Williamson @Chris_Will8 of Gainesville (Ga): http://on-ajc.com/14HbAqi

2015 DB Chris Williamson has picked up offers from UGA, Notre Dame, Florida, Kentucky, VaTech & Vandy in last 3 days

2015 DB Chris Williamson @Chris_Will8 would still like to get evaluated by The Ohio State, Oregon & Baylor

What's Chris Williamson's secret? (1) 6-1 corner (2) prefers DB over WR (3) hustled to get Sr. film out & (4) academically qualified

[jbcarol]

 Michael Carvell @Carvell_AJC  ·  4 hours ago

#UGA tried a fast and furious courtship with one of state's top OL. It was looking good there for a while but ... http://on-ajc.com/14ZsxME

UGA threw a late scholarship offer on Tuesday to one of the state's top offensive linemen, who was flattered enough to set up an official visit with the Bulldogs for this weekend.

However, after Creekside High School's Venzell Boulware talked it over with his mother, they decided against the recruiting trip to UGA. Boulware remains committed to Tennessee, and will visit the Volunteers and Ohio State on the final two weekends of January.

"It was a good opportunity with UGA, but kind of late, though," said Boulware, who is rated as the state's No. 36 overall prospect.

The 6-foot-4, 290-pounder said he got the offer after lengthy conversations with two new UGA assistants, offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer and offensive line coach Rob Sale.

[jbcarol]

Michael Carvell @Carvell_AJC  ·  4 hours ago

Miami and UGA show interest in emerging QB prospect http://on-ajc.com/1583gQm

Evan Shirreffs is a 6-foot-6, 200-pound senior from Jefferson High School who is showing up on the recruiting radar, less than three weeks away from signing day.

Shirreffs, who has a 4.0 GPA and 32 ACT score, finally started getting some attention after putting up big stats as a senior this season (39 touchdown passes to 4 interceptions). He also won MVP at the Georgia-Florida all-star game a couple of weeks ago.

UGA has also been flirting a little bit, although it appears that the Bulldogs won't be taking a quarterback on scholarship in this year's class. Shirreffs said communicated with UGA's new director of player personnel, Todd Hartley, over Twitter this week.

"He said he showed my film to Coach Schottenheimer, and he liked it," Shirreffs said. "So they like my film, but I don't know where that will lead because they've said they're not going to offer a 2015 quarterback. I don't really know where things stand."

[jbcarol]

Josh Kendall @JoshatTheState  ·  47 minutes ago

Arden Key on USC: "Only negative thing about it is Spurrier and how long he will be there." How long do you think? "They say 2-3."

Arden Key will announce destination (South Carolina, LSU, Florida, Auburn, Miami) on Feb. 2. "I don't have a leader," he says.

[jbcarol]

SportsTalk @sportstalksc  ·  6 hours ago
#STRecruiting  DB Toure Boyd of Chaffey JC, CA commits to USC

[jbcarol]

Michael Carvell @Carvell_AJC  ·  Jan 16
Recruiting Scorecard for UGA http://on-ajc.com/1C8ehht

GEORGIA

Commitments: 26

Expected class size: 28-31

Current ranking: UGA is No. 4 in the national team rankings, trailing only Alabama, FSU and (of course) Tennessee...

[jbcarol]

Dave Matter @Dave_Matter  ·  34 minutes ago
Tweet from Mizzou recruiting director indicates Dublin, Ga., recruit has committed. That would be WR Justin Smith, who just visited MU

Justin Smith, great name for a Missouri player, is a 6-7 wideout. Was also considering NC State

[jbcarol]

SportsTalk @sportstalksc  ·  4 hours ago
#STRecruiting: USC fills one offensive line opening by flipping Rutgers commitment http://goo.gl/fb/CuW6rS

Blake Camper (6-7 280) of Virginia Beach, VA.  Camper made an official visit to USC over the weekend and switched his commitment to the Gamecocks from Rutgers.
Camper has ties to USC head coach Steve Spurrier thru his father who played for Spurrier at Duke.

[jbcarol]

Dave Matter @Dave_Matter  ·  22 hours ago
Mizzou picks up commitment from OLB Franklin Agbasimere, per http://PowerMizzou.com . He played at Montverde Academy in Florida

Agbasimere is unrated by national recruiting sites. HS program was shut down after 2014 season

[jbcarol]

Mike Farrell @rivalsmike  ·  Jan 18
3-star TN WR Johnathon Johnson committed to #Mizzou today  -- could be serious sleeper

[jbcarol]

3-star Seton Hall Prep OT Jared Southers gave a verbal to Vandy.

[jbcarol]

Barton Simmons @bartonsimmons  ·  16 hours ago

Georgia WR RT @LukeStampini: Jared Pinkney commits to Vanderbilt http://florida.247sports.com/Bolt/Jared-Pinkney-commits-to-Vanderbilt-34919484 ... via @247Sports

[jbcarol]

Riley Blevins @Riley_Blevins  ·  Jan 20

4-star WR & Ole Miss target Van Jefferson tells @ChadSimmons_ he's no longer committed to Georgia

[jbcarol]

GoGamecocks.com @gogamecocks  ·  27 minutes ago

Five #Gamecocks recruiting storylines, plus the big weekend visitor list. http://www.gogamecocks.com/2015/01/22/672069/five-recruiting-storylines-gamecocks.html ...

1. Hold on

South Carolina survived the first of three January official visit weekends with its recruiting class intact. Offensive lineman Christian Pellage, defensive back Damon Arnette and defensive end Quandeski Whitlow are the biggest threats to flip their pledges elsewhere, with Louisville (Whitlow), Florida (Pellage, Whitlow), Michigan (Arnette) and Ohio State (Arnette) making strong pushes. USC made headlines for seven decommitments since October and would like to leave the bad press in the past. "Everyone will recruit your players and that's to be expected," recruiting coordinator Steve Spurrier Jr. said. "If we can hold on to the guys we've got, and I think we can, this will go down as a great class."

2. Finish...

[jbcarol]

Michael Carvell @Carvell_AJC  ·  9 hours ago
#UGA has No. 6 class w/o signing a QB or high-profile RB. Those are easy points in recruiting rankings

[jbcarol]

Shrine Bowl OL Dennis Daley (6-6 290) of Ridge View Friday announced a commitment to USC but won't be part of the Gamecocks' program before January of 2017.  Daley intends to play the next two seasons at Georgia Military JC before joining the Gamecocks.

[jbcarol]

Tyler Howell @Vitamin_T45  ·  18 hours ago

MIZZOU MADE!

6-9, 3 bills, Butler CC OT Tyler Howell gave a verbal to Mizzou.

[jbcarol]

JuCo Football Forer @JuCoFootballACE  ·  13 hours ago
JuCo Ace Toure Boyd @BOYDisland with Gamecock HFC Steve Spurrier + Mom on official visit @ South Carolina @GamecockFB

[jbcarol]

Michael Carvell @Carvell_AJC  ·  4 hours ago
If #UGA had really wanted Van Jefferson, they might've shuffled some of the recent staff openings to find a place to hire Van's father

[jbcarol]

Gabe DeArmond @GabeDeArmond  ·  3 hours ago
Considering Brandon Martin (@5_go_live_5 ) is retweeting comments about his commitment to #Mizzou, I think it can be considered official

Brandon Martin @5_go_live_5  ·  2h 2 hours ago
I'm not committed to the university of Missouri
#Tigersfamily #MizzouMade #Mizzoufootball

3-star Louisiana WR playing for Prime Prep

[jbcarol]

✨Legandary D.A.✨ @Djayy_Armstrong  ·  58 minutes ago
Picked up an offer from Mizzou

3-star Houston North Shore DE and KU commit Dorrance Armstrong

[jbcarol]

Marc Weiszer @marcweiszer  ·  2 hours ago
UGA gets commitment from '15 OT Sam Madden, he tweeted. The former Wisconsin verbal from N.J. is a 3-star prospect...

[jbcarol]

Michael Carvell @Carvell_AJC  1 hr

#UGA coach Mark Richt is at Gainesville HS (Ga) today, trying to get DB Chris Williamson to bump Florida for #Dawgs for OV this wkd

[jbcarol]

Michael Carvell @Carvell_AJC  ·  21 minutes ago

UGA dispatches almost entire football staff to Darius Slayton's school today http://on-ajc.com/1zPhiE4

DSlay

[mizzouman]

Not sure I agree with this tactic, but recruiting has come to this.

Apparently, a Mizzou target was on his official visit to K-State.  He's currently a Louisville commit.  When he was released Sunday by K-State after his visit, Mizzou coaches we in there supped up cars waiting for him, outside of the K-State complex, to pick him up and drive him to Columbia to start this visit.  He is currently there now.

[jbcarol]

Michael Carvell @Carvell_AJC  ·  4 hours ago
Younger brother of UGA's Keith Marshall commits to ... Georgia Tech http://on-ajc.com/1zV5AaW

Finalists were GaTech, Vandy and Wake Forest

[jbcarol]

Seth Emerson @SethEmerson  ·  1 hour ago

Here's Georgia's recruiting board, as near as I can figure it, a week from signing day. http://www.macon.com/2015/01/28/3555801/recruiting-the-final-week.html ...

... here are the remaining targets for Georgia, at least as best as can be seen right now:

LB Roquan Smith .... 6-2 .... 205 ... 4 stars.
Macon County High School, Montezuma.

DE-OLB Arden Key .... 6-5 .... 230 .... 4 stars.
Hapeville Charter, Atlanta.

CB Rico McGraw ..... 6-0 .... 190 .... 4 stars.
Ensworth High School, Nashville, Tenn. (Committed to Alabama.)

OT Patrick Allen ..... 6-5 .... 286 ..... 4 stars.
Franklin High School, Reistertown, Md.

OL Nick Buchanan .... 6-4 .... 280 .... 3 stars
Dunwoody High School, Atlanta. Committed to California.)

WR Terrel Chatman ... 6-3 .... 180 ... 3 stars
Central High, Baton Rouge, La. Committed to Miami.)

CB Chris Williamson .... 6-1 .... 190 ... 3 stars.
Gainesville High School, Gainesville.

[jbcarol]

Jake Rowe @Rowe247  ·  2 hours ago

Long-time #UGA pledge Shaquery Wilson flips to #WVU @Dawgs247 (FREE) http://bit.ly/1K4O5oM  @Mansell247 @GentryEstes247

[jbcarol]

Michael Carvell @Carvell_AJC  ·  8 minutes ago

Interesting note: Of #UGA 6 de-commits for this year, 3 are at WR: Van Jefferson, Shaq Wilson & Christian Owens: http://on-ajc.com/1zWBlAF

[jbcarol]

Elijah Holyfield @EH_taught_me  ·  3 hours ago

South Carolina offered!! #Gamecocks

[jbcarol]

3-star Parkview OG Trey Derouen gave a commitment to South Carolina.

[jbcarol]

Michael Carvell @Carvell_AJC  ·  1 hour ago

It looks like Rico McGraw will be going to #UGA for two reasons: 1 Playing time and 2 Pruitt simply out-recruited his rival (Smart)

Apparently #Bama chances for DB Rico McGraw flew out of the window when Kevin Steele left for #LSU DC job

[jbcarol]

3-star Olathe North TE/DE Josh Moore gave a verbal to Mizzou.

Gabe DeArmond @GabeDeArmond  ·  3 hours ago
Moore was previously committed to Ohio State, then briefly to Kansas, but appears #Mizzou bound now. We are working to verify it.

[jbcarol]

2-star DeMatha RB Jaire George has given a verbal to Vandy. Apparently loves the culture there.

[jbcarol]

Rob Howe @HawkeyeInsider  ·  14 hours ago

Terez Hall (@Terez2015C) said assumption he committed to #Missouri inaccurate. Has not committed anywhere. May announce on signing day.


Lithonia, GA LB

[jbcarol]

Michael Carvell @Carvell_AJC  ·  7 hours ago

Did you hear where Gus Malzhan was for most of Sat? Hint: It wasn't on Auburn's campus w/visiting recruits: http://on-ajc.com/1EY4RF6

How badly does Gus Malzahn want to flip UGA 5-star commit Terry Godwin?

So much that the Auburn football coach spent most of Saturday around Godwin's home and high school – even though it was the final weekend of recruiting before signing day and Auburn had visitors on campus.

"Yes, Coach Malzahn was here on Saturday, and it went really well," Godwin's mother, Olivia Godwin, told the AJC. "He came to the house earlier that day, then he came back to Terry's basketball game later that afternoon."

And what was Malzahn's sales pitch? "They told him obviously that Auburn is closer to home," she said. "And there's the fact that his father is sick, so it would easier access to get and forth home if he went to Auburn. They also told him that Auburn was the best place for him offensively."

Auburn is located 51 miles from Callaway High School, while UGA is 130 miles. Godwin's sister plays basketball for the Bulldogs.

"He's going to let everybody know on Wednesday at 6 p.m." his mother said. "But he's actually going to call the coaches probably on Tuesday night to tell them thanks."

Michael Carvell @Carvell_AJC  ·  2 hours ago

If Terry Godwin delays turning in his LOI until 6pm, could be nation's biggest recruiting story that afternoon

[jbcarol]

GoGamecocks.com @gogamecocks  ·  27 minutes ago

Arden Key decision tonight. Damon Arnette decision tonight. Possible Rashad Fenton decision too. Could be an interesting evening.

[jbcarol]

Brian Perroni @Perroni247  ·  2 hours ago

Butler C.C. RB Chris Carson has flipped to #OkState from #UGA: http://bit.ly/1D6kprd

[jbcarol]

Michael Carvell @Carvell_AJC  ·  7 hours ago

Did you hear where Gus Malzhan was for most of Sat? Hint: It wasn't on Auburn's campus w/visiting recruits: http://on-ajc.com/1EY4RF6

Michael Carvell @Carvell_AJC  ·  2 hours ago

If Terry Godwin delays turning in his LOI until 6pm, could be nation's biggest recruiting story that afternoon

DreamTeam_Austin @TerryGodwin_4  ·  5 hours ago
I only have one thing to say!! Coach Malzahn is not using my father sickness to get me there!!!!