RecruitingNation 411: February finish
February, 28, 2012
2/28/12
10:06
AM ET
By DawgNation staff | ESPN.com
In this episode of RecruitingNation 411, we look at the recruiting success for Texas, Michigan State, and Auburn. We also look into Oklahoma’s plans to match the big recruiting weekends of the Longhorns and Aggies.
Georgia's Brandon Boykin is in Indianapolis for the NFL scouting combine, but he won't compete when the defensive backs hit the field Tuesday.
Boykin hasn't fully recovered from a leg fracture he sustained last month when he was blocked in the back while covering a punt at the Senior Bowl. He says he's already walking on the leg and should make a full recovery soon, but he has not healed well enough to participate in the combine or in Georgia's pro day next week.
Boykin is eyeing an individual pro day sometime in April.
To hear an update from the man himself, here is a six-minute audio interview Boykin gave on the weekend in Indianapolis.
Boykin hasn't fully recovered from a leg fracture he sustained last month when he was blocked in the back while covering a punt at the Senior Bowl. He says he's already walking on the leg and should make a full recovery soon, but he has not healed well enough to participate in the combine or in Georgia's pro day next week.
Boykin is eyeing an individual pro day sometime in April.
To hear an update from the man himself, here is a six-minute audio interview Boykin gave on the weekend in Indianapolis.
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ATHENS, Ga. -- The NCAA recently finalized rules changes that will make kickoffs for touchbacks even more likely in college football.
That is particularly significant at Georgia -- a program that signed touchback specialist Marshall Morgan (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla./American Heritage) earlier this month -- since the NCAA’s decision to move kickoffs up from the 30-yard line to the 35 could mean more touchbacks for the Bulldogs.
The rules and distances are slightly different for high schools -- Morgan’s kickoffs originated from the 40 -- but Morgan used his powerful right leg to boot all but one of his kickoffs for touchbacks as a senior in high school.
That is particularly significant at Georgia -- a program that signed touchback specialist Marshall Morgan (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla./American Heritage) earlier this month -- since the NCAA’s decision to move kickoffs up from the 30-yard line to the 35 could mean more touchbacks for the Bulldogs.
The rules and distances are slightly different for high schools -- Morgan’s kickoffs originated from the 40 -- but Morgan used his powerful right leg to boot all but one of his kickoffs for touchbacks as a senior in high school.
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Tramel Terry visits Athens, talks recruiting 
February, 26, 2012
2/26/12
5:02
PM ET
By
Jamie Newberg | ESPN.com
Tramel Terry (Goose Creek, S.C.) is one of the nation’s most coveted wide receivers. Last summer after Georgia’s Dawg Night summer camp he committed to Mark Richt and the Bulldogs. Shortly after, he backed off that pledge.
“I just did it too soon,” Terry said. “I wanted to look around just to be sure. I wanted to be sure that’s what I wanted to do. It just wasn’t fair to Georgia or me. Right now, I would consider myself open to Georgia, South Carolina, Clemson and Florida.”
This past weekend Terry traveled to Athens once again and visited Georgia unofficially.
“I just did it too soon,” Terry said. “I wanted to look around just to be sure. I wanted to be sure that’s what I wanted to do. It just wasn’t fair to Georgia or me. Right now, I would consider myself open to Georgia, South Carolina, Clemson and Florida.”
This past weekend Terry traveled to Athens once again and visited Georgia unofficially.
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Tigers pass Vonn Bell's requirements
February, 26, 2012
2/26/12
4:58
PM ET
By
Jamie Newberg | ESPN.com
Safety Vonn Bell (Rossville, Ga./Ridgeland) is one of the hottest prospects from the Peach State. He visited Auburn Saturday for its junior day.
“It was really good,” Bell said. “Me and my family met with the staff. That was great. They are not just about football. We talked a ton about academics and life. That was our first trip there and it was much better than I expected. They met all my requirements. The staff was open, it’s the SEC, I loved the environment and they have the majors I am interested in.”
Does that give the Tigers an early edge for this versatile defensive back prospect?
“It was really good,” Bell said. “Me and my family met with the staff. That was great. They are not just about football. We talked a ton about academics and life. That was our first trip there and it was much better than I expected. They met all my requirements. The staff was open, it’s the SEC, I loved the environment and they have the majors I am interested in.”
Does that give the Tigers an early edge for this versatile defensive back prospect?
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Cortez Leonard (Lagrange, Ga./Troup) is a two-way standout from the Peach State. This weekend he made an unofficial visit to see the Georgia Bulldogs.
“It was exciting and fun," he said. "I love how everyone is together up there. They are like a family. I also really like the coaching staff.”
Leonard, 5-foot-11 and 190 pounds, plays running back and strong safety. Georgia likes him on defense.
“It was exciting and fun," he said. "I love how everyone is together up there. They are like a family. I also really like the coaching staff.”
Leonard, 5-foot-11 and 190 pounds, plays running back and strong safety. Georgia likes him on defense.
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Results: Georgia swept a three-game weekend series against Winthrop, winning 13-5 Friday, 2-1 Saturday and 3-0 Sunday. The Bulldogs also beat Georgia State 4-1 in a midweek game.
Georgia record: Georgia improved to 7-0, marking the Bulldogs’ best start since opening the 2009 season with 14 consecutive wins -- a run that helped them earn the nation’s No. 1 ranking in some polls.
Highlight of the week: The Bulldogs used more late-game magic to win a Saturday game. Last Saturday, Brett DeLoach drove in the winning runs against Presbyterian in the bottom of the ninth inning. This week it was Peter Verdin who supplied the dramatics when he singled in Brandon Stephens with the winning run in the bottom of the eighth inning.
Top offensive performer: Hunter Cole. Offense was at a premium for much of the weekend series, but Cole gave strong offensive performances in two games and finished 5-for-12 in the three games. The freshman left fielder was 4-for-5 with a run, two RBIs, two doubles and two stolen bases in Friday’s win and went 1-for-4 with his first career home run Sunday.
Top pitching performer: Taylor Hicks. The freshman right-hander gave another strong effort in his second career start. Hicks (2-0) pitched six shutout innings in Sunday’s win, allowing two hits and no walks while striking out six. Hicks has yet to allow an earned run in 10 innings.
Key statistic: 1 ER in 8 IP by relievers. Six Georgia relievers -- Earl Daniels, Chase Hawkins, Luke Crumley, Bryan Benzor, Ross Ripple and Blake Dieterich -- combined to allow just one earned run in eight innings of the Winthrop series. And that run came in the top of the ninth of Friday’s win against Winthrop, when Crumley came on with the Bulldogs ahead 13-4.
They said it: “If we don’t play good defense, it makes things hard. That’s one of the things that we believe we’re really, really good and have a chance to be special -- and so far, so good,” -- Georgia coach David Perno, whose team has committed three errors in seven games
Up next: The Bulldogs host Savannah State at 6 p.m. ET Tuesday, Western Carolina at 5 p.m. ET Wednesday and Western Illinois for a three-game series starting Friday at 6 p.m. ET.
Georgia record: Georgia improved to 7-0, marking the Bulldogs’ best start since opening the 2009 season with 14 consecutive wins -- a run that helped them earn the nation’s No. 1 ranking in some polls.
Highlight of the week: The Bulldogs used more late-game magic to win a Saturday game. Last Saturday, Brett DeLoach drove in the winning runs against Presbyterian in the bottom of the ninth inning. This week it was Peter Verdin who supplied the dramatics when he singled in Brandon Stephens with the winning run in the bottom of the eighth inning.
Top offensive performer: Hunter Cole. Offense was at a premium for much of the weekend series, but Cole gave strong offensive performances in two games and finished 5-for-12 in the three games. The freshman left fielder was 4-for-5 with a run, two RBIs, two doubles and two stolen bases in Friday’s win and went 1-for-4 with his first career home run Sunday.
Top pitching performer: Taylor Hicks. The freshman right-hander gave another strong effort in his second career start. Hicks (2-0) pitched six shutout innings in Sunday’s win, allowing two hits and no walks while striking out six. Hicks has yet to allow an earned run in 10 innings.
Key statistic: 1 ER in 8 IP by relievers. Six Georgia relievers -- Earl Daniels, Chase Hawkins, Luke Crumley, Bryan Benzor, Ross Ripple and Blake Dieterich -- combined to allow just one earned run in eight innings of the Winthrop series. And that run came in the top of the ninth of Friday’s win against Winthrop, when Crumley came on with the Bulldogs ahead 13-4.
They said it: “If we don’t play good defense, it makes things hard. That’s one of the things that we believe we’re really, really good and have a chance to be special -- and so far, so good,” -- Georgia coach David Perno, whose team has committed three errors in seven games
Up next: The Bulldogs host Savannah State at 6 p.m. ET Tuesday, Western Carolina at 5 p.m. ET Wednesday and Western Illinois for a three-game series starting Friday at 6 p.m. ET.
Foster, Matthews good luck for UGA
February, 25, 2012
2/25/12
11:25
PM ET
By
Radi Nabulsi | ESPN.com
Say hello to the Georgia Bulldogs’ good luck charms: Alabama commit Reuben Foster (LaGrange, Ga./Troup Co.) and Georgia commit Tray Matthews (Newnan, Ga./Newnan).
With those two in attendance, along with several other high-profile recruits, the Georgia men’s basketball team was able to upset No. 12 Florida for the Bulldogs’ biggest victory to date.
“It seemed like all the recruiters that were on my Twitter were saying, ‘You and Reuben need to come to every game because the basketball team will show out like that every game just for you all.’ I guess we are good luck,” Matthews said.
With those two in attendance, along with several other high-profile recruits, the Georgia men’s basketball team was able to upset No. 12 Florida for the Bulldogs’ biggest victory to date.
“It seemed like all the recruiters that were on my Twitter were saying, ‘You and Reuben need to come to every game because the basketball team will show out like that every game just for you all.’ I guess we are good luck,” Matthews said.
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ATHENS, Ga. -- Alvin Kamara (Norcross, Ga./Norcross) looked incredibly intense while watching the Georgia Bulldogs upset the Florida Gators at Stegeman Coliseum on Saturday.
To the casual observer, it appeared as though the ESPNU 150 Watch List running back might not have enjoyed his visit to Athens, especially since he grew up as a Gators fan. That was not the case.
“No, I was focused,” Kamara said after heading home. “The visit went well. Coach [Mark] Richt wasn’t here today and I wanted to meet with him. But I talked to him Thursday and he told me he will see me another time and to enjoy my visit. So I got with Coach [Bryan] McClendon and it wasn’t really a true junior day. I called it a VIP day.”
To the casual observer, it appeared as though the ESPNU 150 Watch List running back might not have enjoyed his visit to Athens, especially since he grew up as a Gators fan. That was not the case.
“No, I was focused,” Kamara said after heading home. “The visit went well. Coach [Mark] Richt wasn’t here today and I wanted to meet with him. But I talked to him Thursday and he told me he will see me another time and to enjoy my visit. So I got with Coach [Bryan] McClendon and it wasn’t really a true junior day. I called it a VIP day.”
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The individual player workouts hit full swing Saturday at the NFL Scouting Combine and two players from Georgia -- offensive lineman Cordy Glenn and tight end Orson Charles -- were among the early winners.
The 6-foot-6, 345-pound Glenn drew rave reviews from scouts and analysts for his performances in multiple measurable drills, showing good speed and strength that might help him crack the first round in the upcoming draft.
Glenn ran a 5.19-second 40-yard dash -- the sixth-best time among offensive linemen -- which NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock described as "a ridiculous number" for a player Glenn's size. He also completed 31 repetitions of 225 pounds in the bench press, which ranked eighth among offensive linemen.
The 6-foot-6, 345-pound Glenn drew rave reviews from scouts and analysts for his performances in multiple measurable drills, showing good speed and strength that might help him crack the first round in the upcoming draft.
Glenn ran a 5.19-second 40-yard dash -- the sixth-best time among offensive linemen -- which NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock described as "a ridiculous number" for a player Glenn's size. He also completed 31 repetitions of 225 pounds in the bench press, which ranked eighth among offensive linemen.
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ATHENS, Ga. -- Georgia’s 76-62 win against Florida on Saturday was a big upset by any measure, but it’s not like the Bulldogs stole a win from the 12th-ranked Gators.
Not only did the Bulldogs never trail, they led even before the opening tipoff.
Gerald Robinson hit a pair of free throws before tipoff after the referees called an administrative technical foul on Florida’s Casey Prather for dunking during pregame warmups. It was a precursor of things to come, as Robinson and the Bulldogs (13-15, 4-10 SEC) would score with uncharacteristic efficiency throughout while the Gators (22-7, 10-4) regularly shot themselves in the foot.
Not only did the Bulldogs never trail, they led even before the opening tipoff.
Gerald Robinson hit a pair of free throws before tipoff after the referees called an administrative technical foul on Florida’s Casey Prather for dunking during pregame warmups. It was a precursor of things to come, as Robinson and the Bulldogs (13-15, 4-10 SEC) would score with uncharacteristic efficiency throughout while the Gators (22-7, 10-4) regularly shot themselves in the foot.
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Rapid reaction: Georgia 76, Florida 62
February, 25, 2012
2/25/12
5:58
PM ET
By
David Ching | ESPN.com
How the game was won: Georgia (13-15, 4-10 SEC) came out of the gates hot, hitting 54 percent of its shots in the first half, while No. 12 Florida’s perimeter-based offense struggled. The Bulldogs led 36-27 at halftime and for around double digits for much of the second half. The Bulldogs played off the energy from an enthusiastic home crowd at Stegeman Coliseum -- Georgia’s first good crowd since a loss to Kentucky in late January -- to hand the Gators (22-7, 10-4) an unsightly SEC loss.
Stat of the game: 53 percent. Georgia shot only 36 percent in its 22-point loss at Florida earlier this season, but the Bulldogs were uncharacteristically efficient on offense for much of Saturday’s contest. The Bulldogs made 27 of 51 shots from the floor, good for a 53-percent field-goal percentage.
Player of the game: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. Georgia’s freshman guard scored only eight points and went 3-for-13 from the floor in the Bulldogs’ visit to Gainesville, but he was a force on Saturday. KCP led five Bulldogs in double figures with 18 points, including a resounding breakaway dunk with 48 seconds remaining that pushed Georgia’s lead back into double digits.
Unsung hero of the game: Nemanja Djurisic. The freshman forward scored seven points and grabbed three rebounds in a two-minute stretch of the second half where Georgia pushed its lead to 15 points and the possibility of an upset grew more likely.
What it means: Georgia entered the game on a serious slump, having lost three in a row, but the win against the hated Gators was unquestionably the Bulldogs’ biggest win of the year. Florida lost one of its most significant frontcourt players when Will Yeguete went down with a season-ending broken foot on Tuesday against Auburn. In his absence, the Gators seem to have lost some of their defensive energy -- a problem they will need to remedy before the SEC tournament begins.
Stat of the game: 53 percent. Georgia shot only 36 percent in its 22-point loss at Florida earlier this season, but the Bulldogs were uncharacteristically efficient on offense for much of Saturday’s contest. The Bulldogs made 27 of 51 shots from the floor, good for a 53-percent field-goal percentage.
Player of the game: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. Georgia’s freshman guard scored only eight points and went 3-for-13 from the floor in the Bulldogs’ visit to Gainesville, but he was a force on Saturday. KCP led five Bulldogs in double figures with 18 points, including a resounding breakaway dunk with 48 seconds remaining that pushed Georgia’s lead back into double digits.
Unsung hero of the game: Nemanja Djurisic. The freshman forward scored seven points and grabbed three rebounds in a two-minute stretch of the second half where Georgia pushed its lead to 15 points and the possibility of an upset grew more likely.
What it means: Georgia entered the game on a serious slump, having lost three in a row, but the win against the hated Gators was unquestionably the Bulldogs’ biggest win of the year. Florida lost one of its most significant frontcourt players when Will Yeguete went down with a season-ending broken foot on Tuesday against Auburn. In his absence, the Gators seem to have lost some of their defensive energy -- a problem they will need to remedy before the SEC tournament begins.
Alford yet to be cleared for visit
February, 25, 2012
2/25/12
12:18
PM ET
By
Radi Nabulsi | ESPN.com
Juco athlete Mario Alford (Milledgeville, Ga./Georgia Military College) was expecting to visit Athens today and hopefully pick up an offer from the Georgia Bulldogs. That will not happen this weekend.
Because of a simple mistake with paperwork, Alford has yet to be cleared by the NCAA Clearinghouse. That has to happen before he is allowed to visit.
Because of a simple mistake with paperwork, Alford has yet to be cleared by the NCAA Clearinghouse. That has to happen before he is allowed to visit.
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Size mismatch lessened by Gator's injury
February, 24, 2012
2/24/12
6:20
PM ET
By
David Ching | ESPN.com
ATHENS, Ga. -- The physical disadvantages Georgia (12-15, 3-10 SEC) has faced in the frontcourt this season have been obvious.
“I’d say you can count on one hand the number of times we’ve been physically even up front,” Georgia coach Mark Fox said.
Saturday’s 4 p.m. ET home game against No. 11 Florida (22-6, 10-3) might be one time where the Bulldogs’ post players don’t face a decided physical mismatch -- particularly after Gators forward Will Yeguete suffered a season-ending broken foot in Tuesday’s win against Auburn.
“I’d say you can count on one hand the number of times we’ve been physically even up front,” Georgia coach Mark Fox said.
Saturday’s 4 p.m. ET home game against No. 11 Florida (22-6, 10-3) might be one time where the Bulldogs’ post players don’t face a decided physical mismatch -- particularly after Gators forward Will Yeguete suffered a season-ending broken foot in Tuesday’s win against Auburn.
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All eyes on Watch List's Montravius Adams
February, 24, 2012
2/24/12
12:04
PM ET
By Staff | ESPN.com
ESPNU150 Watch List defensive tackle Montravius Adams (Vienna, Ga./Dooly County) is getting attention from all over, but he ranks home-state Georgia -- which he'll visit for "Very Important Dawg Day" on March 3 -- among the favorites for his services.
The 6-foot-4, 290-pound rising senior -- who accounted for a whopping 45 tackles for loss last season -- ranks Georgia, Clemson and USC as the three schools that intrigue him most to this point.
Not that there is any shortage of college options for the big lineman. Every school in the SEC except LSU and Vanderbilt has already offered a scholarship and that offer list continues to grow rapidly.
ESPN RecruitingNation Southeast regional coordinator Jamie Newberg caught up with Adams this week to get the latest, including which high school all-star game he plans to compete in. Check it out here.
The 6-foot-4, 290-pound rising senior -- who accounted for a whopping 45 tackles for loss last season -- ranks Georgia, Clemson and USC as the three schools that intrigue him most to this point.
Not that there is any shortage of college options for the big lineman. Every school in the SEC except LSU and Vanderbilt has already offered a scholarship and that offer list continues to grow rapidly.
ESPN RecruitingNation Southeast regional coordinator Jamie Newberg caught up with Adams this week to get the latest, including which high school all-star game he plans to compete in. Check it out here.
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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.