Georgia signee Mann learns tough lesson 
March, 6, 2012
3/06/12
3:03
PM ET
By Mike LaPlante | ESPN.com
The rules are the rules; you have to follow them, but that doesn’t mean you have to like them. Such is the case for Milton High School (Alpharetta, Ga.) and its star point guard Charles Mann, who, after being ejected for picking up two technical fouls in a 5A state quarterfinal victory over North Gwinnett on Saturday, must sit out the remainder of the season with a mandatory two-game suspension. He will miss the opportunity to close out his high school career by playing for a state championship. The Georgia signee’s high school playing career is finished; the best he can do now to help his team win is to provide support from the sidelines.
Although it is a tough break for Mann and his team, as both technical fouls where questionable, subjective calls that could have been handled differently by the officials, it is also potentially a great teaching moment.
Mann was tagged with a technical foul in the first half after getting tangled up with North Gwinnett freshman Kamaran Calhoun, which resulted in a double-technical instead of a double-foul situation. In the third quarter, after Mann dunked the ball, he was whistled for his second as the referee called taunting. Milton coach David Boyd was dumbfounded by both calls, especially given the circumstances.
Although it is a tough break for Mann and his team, as both technical fouls where questionable, subjective calls that could have been handled differently by the officials, it is also potentially a great teaching moment.
Mann was tagged with a technical foul in the first half after getting tangled up with North Gwinnett freshman Kamaran Calhoun, which resulted in a double-technical instead of a double-foul situation. In the third quarter, after Mann dunked the ball, he was whistled for his second as the referee called taunting. Milton coach David Boyd was dumbfounded by both calls, especially given the circumstances.
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ATHENS, Ga. -- DeAngelo Tyson didn’t get a chance to shine at the NFL scouting combine, so he knew Monday’s on-campus pro day workouts were his last chance for such a large number of league personnel reps to see what he can do.
Tyson seemed to make the most of the opportunity, turning in one of the most impressive performances among the 12 former Bulldogs who participated in the event.
“I did what my goal was set to be,” Tyson said. “I just accomplished a lot. It’s my dream to play football and I think I’m making a big step toward doing that.”
Tyson seemed to make the most of the opportunity, turning in one of the most impressive performances among the 12 former Bulldogs who participated in the event.
“I did what my goal was set to be,” Tyson said. “I just accomplished a lot. It’s my dream to play football and I think I’m making a big step toward doing that.”
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ESPNU 150 Watch List defensive tackle Montravius Adams (Vienna, Ga./Dooly County) picks up offers as quickly as he sheds blockers, if that is possible. The list of schools reads like a Who’s Who of the top programs in the nation.
Knowing that the battle to keep Adams in state will be tough, the Georgia coaches invited the defensive standout to their most recent junior day, an exclusive affair labeled VID Day -- Very Important Dawg Day. Mark Richt and Todd Grantham wanted to impress this Very Important Target, and it worked. Sort of.
“They helped themselves a little bit,” Adams said. “It went good. I liked everything, really.”
Knowing that the battle to keep Adams in state will be tough, the Georgia coaches invited the defensive standout to their most recent junior day, an exclusive affair labeled VID Day -- Very Important Dawg Day. Mark Richt and Todd Grantham wanted to impress this Very Important Target, and it worked. Sort of.
“They helped themselves a little bit,” Adams said. “It went good. I liked everything, really.”
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Just got home from watching the extremely windy UGA pro day workouts. Will work up a couple stories in a bit, but here are a few quick thoughts.
* In all, there were 46 scouts in attendance, representing 30 different NFL teams. The Cowboys and Bears were the only teams who were not represented.
* Brandon Boykin said he is still working back toward 100 percent after breaking a bone in his leg while covering a punt at the Senior Bowl. He said he's at about 85 percent and will hold an individual pro day workout on campus in early April. He did participate in the bench press and completed 16 reps, which is better than the average for cornerbacks -- particularly one who played at about 180 pounds.
* In all, there were 46 scouts in attendance, representing 30 different NFL teams. The Cowboys and Bears were the only teams who were not represented.
* Brandon Boykin said he is still working back toward 100 percent after breaking a bone in his leg while covering a punt at the Senior Bowl. He said he's at about 85 percent and will hold an individual pro day workout on campus in early April. He did participate in the bench press and completed 16 reps, which is better than the average for cornerbacks -- particularly one who played at about 180 pounds.
Lincoln (Tallahassee, Fla.) High receiver Reggie Davis put on a strong showing at the Orlando NFSC, running a 4.55 in the 40-yard dash. He lists his top four schools as Florida, Florida State, USF and Georgia.
Just in case any of you missed something this weekend, here is a review of everything DawgNation covered this weekend.
- On Friday, MLK OL Josh Outlaw and 2014 CB Wesley Green visited UGA, and Green left with an offer. Here is the update from Outlaw after his visit, and here is Green's reaction to getting the offer.
- Here is a piece on the acceleration of the recruiting process.
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You could say that linebacker Ben Boulware (Anderson, S.C./T.L. Hanna) was just a little excited about what happened this weekend on his visit to the University of Georgia. Bulldogs coach Mark Richt personally offered him a scholarship to UGA.
“It’s funny because I was thinking that Georgia may offer me,” Boulware said. “I have been talking with them almost every day. I spent a good portion of the day with Coach [Kirk] Olivadotti and Coach [Todd] Grantham. We were breaking down film and Coach Richt came in and took me into his office. He offered me and I gave him a big hug.”
Boulware says he is open with the recruiting process. Despite that admission, he has the Dawgs up there on his school wish list.
“It’s funny because I was thinking that Georgia may offer me,” Boulware said. “I have been talking with them almost every day. I spent a good portion of the day with Coach [Kirk] Olivadotti and Coach [Todd] Grantham. We were breaking down film and Coach Richt came in and took me into his office. He offered me and I gave him a big hug.”
Boulware says he is open with the recruiting process. Despite that admission, he has the Dawgs up there on his school wish list.
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Atlantic (Delray Beach, Fla.) defensive tackle Keith Bryant visited Georgia for its junior day this weekend and left the Athens campus with an offer.
"I was offered by Coach [Mark] Richt in his office on Saturday," Bryant said. "I spent a lot of time with Coach Richt as well as Coach [Rodney] Garner and Coach [Kirk] Olivadotti.
"I really enjoyed the whole visit. I liked the campus and the facilities there. Everything was real nice. The coaches were very interested in me and they love my game so that felt good."
"I was offered by Coach [Mark] Richt in his office on Saturday," Bryant said. "I spent a lot of time with Coach Richt as well as Coach [Rodney] Garner and Coach [Kirk] Olivadotti.
"I really enjoyed the whole visit. I liked the campus and the facilities there. Everything was real nice. The coaches were very interested in me and they love my game so that felt good."
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Results: Georgia lost its first two games of the season, dropping a midweek game against Western Carolina on Wednesday 5-3 after beating Savannah State 5-0 the day before. The Bulldogs finished the week by winning the first two games of the Western Illinois series 4-1 and 3-2. Western Illinois won Sunday’s finale 7-4.
Georgia record: 10-2.
Highlight of the week: Kevin Ruiz delivered the game-winning single with one out and the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth inning of Saturday’s game against Western Illinois, driving in Colby May to seal a 3-2 victory.
Georgia record: 10-2.
Highlight of the week: Kevin Ruiz delivered the game-winning single with one out and the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth inning of Saturday’s game against Western Illinois, driving in Colby May to seal a 3-2 victory.
After rushing for 1,300 yards and 17 touchdowns last fall, running back Alvin Kamara (Norcross, Ga./Norcross) was invited to participate in the weeklong Rising Seniors program in December in Atlanta. After impressing in practice all week at receiver, Kamara shined during the Georgia Junior Bowl, making a game-high eight catches for 117 yards.
His versatility and explosiveness have made the 5-foot-10, 190-pound Kamara one of the most coveted running backs in the Southeast, with double-digit offers from programs including Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Georgia and USC. The Georgia Bulldogs were lucky enough to get Kamara on campus last weekend, and although they invited him to return Saturday for VID Day, he had made plans weeks ago to be elsewhere this weekend.
Then things changed.
His versatility and explosiveness have made the 5-foot-10, 190-pound Kamara one of the most coveted running backs in the Southeast, with double-digit offers from programs including Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Georgia and USC. The Georgia Bulldogs were lucky enough to get Kamara on campus last weekend, and although they invited him to return Saturday for VID Day, he had made plans weeks ago to be elsewhere this weekend.
Then things changed.
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One of the emerging prospects in the Peach State was all set to visit Georgia on Saturday for Very Important Dawg Day, but with his mom scheduled to work Antonio Riles (Lawrenceville, Ga./Archer) instead made plans to take her Friday to Athens to meet the Bulldogs’ coaching staff. That plan also fell through, but the 6-foot-4, 260-pound rising senior managed to make the trip up with a couple of teammates Friday night.
Although he grew up a fan of the Bulldogs, this was Riles’ first time on campus.
“I was able to see all of the football facilities, and seeing Sanford Stadium was really cool,” he said. “Athens is a pretty open town and I liked being able to see what student life was like. Watching a gym meet that night, it got me to thinking if that atmosphere was that crazy I could only imagine what Sanford is like on a Saturday for a football game. I really had a good feeling about the visit, and it felt like a great place.”
Although he grew up a fan of the Bulldogs, this was Riles’ first time on campus.
“I was able to see all of the football facilities, and seeing Sanford Stadium was really cool,” he said. “Athens is a pretty open town and I liked being able to see what student life was like. Watching a gym meet that night, it got me to thinking if that atmosphere was that crazy I could only imagine what Sanford is like on a Saturday for a football game. I really had a good feeling about the visit, and it felt like a great place.”
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Frazier hopes loyalty inspires more recruits
March, 4, 2012
3/04/12
12:10
PM ET
By
Radi Nabulsi | ESPN.com
There a lot of little things to know about Georgia’s first basketball commit for 2013, point guard J.J. Frazier (Ludowici, Ga. /Faith Baptist Christian). He is often called “little,” as he stands 5-foot-9 and weighs 145 pounds. He is from a little school, in a little town and was little-known before committing to the Bulldogs three weeks ago.
But two things that should never be called little are his game and his loyalty. Faith Baptist Christian coach Matthew Sellars appreciates both.
“Loyalty is one of my biggest things with kids,” Sellars said. “He has had offers to go play other places -- other prep schools and bigger AAU programs. But he is sticking it out with the South Georgia Kings and he is sticking it out with us. He could go play at a top-50 program, but he would rather stay with us since we have been there with him and he realizes that. He is faithful to our program, he talks it up, he talks me up usually -- he is just a loyal kid. That is one of the biggest qualities for me in a player.”
But two things that should never be called little are his game and his loyalty. Faith Baptist Christian coach Matthew Sellars appreciates both.
“Loyalty is one of my biggest things with kids,” Sellars said. “He has had offers to go play other places -- other prep schools and bigger AAU programs. But he is sticking it out with the South Georgia Kings and he is sticking it out with us. He could go play at a top-50 program, but he would rather stay with us since we have been there with him and he realizes that. He is faithful to our program, he talks it up, he talks me up usually -- he is just a loyal kid. That is one of the biggest qualities for me in a player.”
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Dawgs sway Demarre Kitt to attend VID Day
March, 3, 2012
3/03/12
11:51
PM ET
By
Kipp Adams | ESPN.com
In recruiting, the competition among college programs is not limited to getting commitments, as the University of Georgia exhibited this week with Demarre Kitt (Tyrone, Ga./Sandy Creek). After making 42 receptions for 651 yards and 10 touchdowns last year, the 6-foot-1,185-pound sophomore found out that although he is two years away from enrolling in college the Bulldogs want Kitt on campus. The war might not be over, but it would appear that Georgia has won the first battle.
“I was planning on going to Clemson this weekend, but on Friday [recruiting coordinator] Rodney Garner called up to my school and told our head coach Chip Walker that he really wanted me to visit Georgia this weekend, so I decided to come to Georgia instead,” Kitt said.
Taking in Saturday’s Very Important Dawg Day in Athens, Kitt said the time spent with the Bulldogs’ receivers coach was his favorite part of the visit. That is a good thing, considering the amount of time the two spent together.
“I was planning on going to Clemson this weekend, but on Friday [recruiting coordinator] Rodney Garner called up to my school and told our head coach Chip Walker that he really wanted me to visit Georgia this weekend, so I decided to come to Georgia instead,” Kitt said.
Taking in Saturday’s Very Important Dawg Day in Athens, Kitt said the time spent with the Bulldogs’ receivers coach was his favorite part of the visit. That is a good thing, considering the amount of time the two spent together.
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Before attending Georgia’s VID Day on Saturday, defensive end Naim Mustafaa (Alpharetta, Ga./Alpharetta) was not thrilled with the idea of playing outside linebacker in Todd Grantham’s 3-4 defense. But after spending the day in Athens, Mustafaa has had a change of heart.
“Before, I wasn’t too sure about the outside linebacker position because of covering, but as I sat down and talked with Coach Grantham, he showed me a bunch of clips of Jarvis Jones and I am really sold on the position,” Mustafaa said. “I really wanted to just sit down with the defensive coordinator and see really what their game plan was for me. And it went pretty good.”
The coaches laid out a simple yet appealing plan for the 6-foot-4, 235-pound tackling machine.
“Before, I wasn’t too sure about the outside linebacker position because of covering, but as I sat down and talked with Coach Grantham, he showed me a bunch of clips of Jarvis Jones and I am really sold on the position,” Mustafaa said. “I really wanted to just sit down with the defensive coordinator and see really what their game plan was for me. And it went pretty good.”
The coaches laid out a simple yet appealing plan for the 6-foot-4, 235-pound tackling machine.
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ABOUT THIS BLOG
David Ching
David Ching came to ESPN.com in 2011 after six years covering UGA for the Columbus (Ga.) Ledger-Enquirer and Athens (Ga.) Banner-Herald. He lives in Athens. Email him at davidchingespn@gmail.com.
Radi Nabulsi
Radi Nabulsi joined ESPN.com in 2011 after covering the University of Georgia for Rivals.com for four years and for the UGA Athletic Association since 1993. Nabulsi is a graduate of the University of Georgia's Grady College of Journalism and lives in Athens. He can be reached at radinabulsiespn@gmail.com.
Kipp Adams
Kipp Adams joined ESPN.com in 2011 after covering University of Georgia football and basketball recruiting for five years at Rivals.com. He lives in Sandy Springs, Ga., and enjoys spending time with his two sons. He can be reached at kippadamsespn@gmail.com.