Introducing Texas A&M to the SEC
February, 8, 2012
2/08/12
1:25
PM ET
By
Chris Low and
David Ubben | ESPN.com
Brett Davis/US PresswireIn the SEC, Texas A&M won't be fuming under the long shadow of former Big 12-mate Texas any longer.Missouri had its day on Tuesday. Today, it's Texas A&M's turn.
The SEC welcomes both schools into the league this coming football season, and consider this our introduction to the Aggies on the SEC blog. We get an assist from Big 12 blogger David Ubben.
Let's get right to it.
Chris Low: It wasn't a big secret that the SEC wanted to get into the state of Texas, and there were rumblings that the SEC had an offer on the table for both Texas A&M and Oklahoma two summers ago. Did you think it was a foregone conclusion that Texas A&M was going to join the SEC at some point?
Blog debate: Will Aggies thrive in the SEC?
February, 8, 2012
2/08/12
1:24
PM ET
By
David Ubben and
Chris Low | ESPN.com
Cal Sport Media/AP ImagesBetween a young team and a tough new conference, coach Kevin Sumlin has his work cut out for him.The Aggies' move to the SEC was more about having the program grow in brand-new soil, whereas Missouri's move was more about conference stability.
Will the Aggies thrive? SEC blogger Chris Low and Big 12 blogger David Ubben go head to head to find out.
Chris Low: OK, David, let's not tiptoe around. This is a big-boy conference in the SEC with big-boy stakes. I know everything is supposedly bigger in the state of Texas, but do the Aggies really know what they're getting themselves into? For one, they tend to play all four quarters in the SEC. Judging by what I saw from the Aggies last season, somebody might want to remind them that there is a second half. Come to think of it, that's not very hospitable of me. I take that back. But, honestly, how do you think the Aggies will handle the grind of this league?
David Ubben: Now, now, Chris, that's not very nice. The Aggies are ...
On the weekend before signing day, Trinity Christian (Jacksonville) Watch List wide receiver Ahmad Fulwood took a trip to Clemson for its junior day.
It was the second trip to Clemson for the 6-foot-3, 190-pound junior, and he wanted to check out some of the other parts of the campus.
"I really focused on a lot of non-football things for this trip," Fulwood said. "I wanted to look around the campus and the neighborhood.
It was the second trip to Clemson for the 6-foot-3, 190-pound junior, and he wanted to check out some of the other parts of the campus.
"I really focused on a lot of non-football things for this trip," Fulwood said. "I wanted to look around the campus and the neighborhood.
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Watch List ATH Williams takes in Athens 
February, 8, 2012
2/08/12
10:20
AM ET
By
Radi Nabulsi | ESPN.com
One of the top players in the nation lives in the state of Georgia, yet he doesn’t have an offer from the in-state Bulldogs. For talented athlete Juwaan Williams (Tucker, Ga./Tucker), that might change as he recently visited Athens for junior day.
“It went well,” Williams said. “The facilities and campus are beautiful. I had the opportunity to ask questions to some of the players there and it was a good atmosphere all the way around.”
A bright young man, Williams understands the promises and hyperbole of the recruiting trail and he knows the players are a great source of information.
“It went well,” Williams said. “The facilities and campus are beautiful. I had the opportunity to ask questions to some of the players there and it was a good atmosphere all the way around.”
A bright young man, Williams understands the promises and hyperbole of the recruiting trail and he knows the players are a great source of information.
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Born in Kansas, Vonn Bell (Rossville, Ga./Ridgeland) spent several years in Dallas, Texas before moving to Chattanooga, Tenn., when he was in first grade. When he arrived at Ridgeland High School last summer, where his mother, Vanessa Bell, is a teacher, he was like any other teenager. Bell did his best to avoid doing his chores and enjoyed going out with his friends. But once he got on the football field, Ridgeland head coach Mark Mariakas quickly realized that Bell was anything but normal.
“We knew as soon as he got on campus during the summer he was special,” Mariakas said. “Right off the bat he brought a lot of athleticism to the team, as well as leadership qualities. He got better every week, and I have to say he is the most productive player we have had here at Ridgeland. He is a great offensive player, but there were times when he took over ballgames on defense, which was remarkable to watch.”
Bell made plays all over the field en route to making first-team All-State. He tallied a school record 180 tackles, 119 solo, two tackles for loss, five interceptions, five fumbles recovered, three fumbles returned for touchdowns and three forced fumbles. He also had 37 rushes for 280 yards and five touchdowns, and 31 catches for 487 yards and six touchdowns. Bell, who sees himself as an aggressive ball hawk at the next level, got his first offer -- from Georgia -- a month ago. The news did not surprise Mariakas at all.
“We knew as soon as he got on campus during the summer he was special,” Mariakas said. “Right off the bat he brought a lot of athleticism to the team, as well as leadership qualities. He got better every week, and I have to say he is the most productive player we have had here at Ridgeland. He is a great offensive player, but there were times when he took over ballgames on defense, which was remarkable to watch.”
Bell made plays all over the field en route to making first-team All-State. He tallied a school record 180 tackles, 119 solo, two tackles for loss, five interceptions, five fumbles recovered, three fumbles returned for touchdowns and three forced fumbles. He also had 37 rushes for 280 yards and five touchdowns, and 31 catches for 487 yards and six touchdowns. Bell, who sees himself as an aggressive ball hawk at the next level, got his first offer -- from Georgia -- a month ago. The news did not surprise Mariakas at all.
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Georgia coaches target addition for 2012
February, 7, 2012
2/07/12
10:23
AM ET
By
Radi Nabulsi | ESPN.com
Since the Bulldogs only signed 19 players last Wednesday and then dismissed three players a few days later, Georgia could really use some help filling out its remaining open scholarship positions. Of particular need are the defensive secondary and the receiving corps. With that in mind the Georgia coaches are looking around, and they have identified one potential target in running back and wide receiver Mario Alford (Greenville, Ga./Georgia Military College).
GMC assistant coach Joe Windon told DawgNation that the Georgia coaches “made contact with him and they are starting the process.”
“They are talking to me,” Alford said. “They told me they are interested in me. They are going to my spring game and we are going to go from there. I like Georgia. Two of my boys out of high school signed with them, Kenarious Gates and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, so I am real interested.”
GMC assistant coach Joe Windon told DawgNation that the Georgia coaches “made contact with him and they are starting the process.”
“They are talking to me,” Alford said. “They told me they are interested in me. They are going to my spring game and we are going to go from there. I like Georgia. Two of my boys out of high school signed with them, Kenarious Gates and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, so I am real interested.”
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ESPN's KC Joyner takes an early look at who could break out in 2012. The envelope, please: UGA's Malcolm Mitchell, along with Jaz Reynolds (Oklahoma), Cody Hoffman (BYU), Kennan Davis (Iowa) and, for good measure, tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins (Washington). Read more here.
Post-signing day SEC Power Rankings
February, 6, 2012
2/06/12
12:14
PM ET
By
Edward Aschoff | ESPN.com
Now that national signing day is out of the way, we're going to take another look at our SEC power rankings.
You won't see any change really, but we have more confidence in some teams now than we did before:
1. Alabama: The Crimson Tide hauled in the nation's No. 1 recruiting class last week and not only did Nick Saban sign a handful of top-rated players, but he met all of Alabama's major needs with the 2012 class. There are a few freshmen who could make early impacts in Tuscaloosa, including athlete Eddie Williams (Panama City, Fla./Arnold), and wide receivers Chris Black (Jacksonville, Fla./First Coast) and Amari Cooper (Miami, Fla./Miami Northwestern).
You won't see any change really, but we have more confidence in some teams now than we did before:
1. Alabama: The Crimson Tide hauled in the nation's No. 1 recruiting class last week and not only did Nick Saban sign a handful of top-rated players, but he met all of Alabama's major needs with the 2012 class. There are a few freshmen who could make early impacts in Tuscaloosa, including athlete Eddie Williams (Panama City, Fla./Arnold), and wide receivers Chris Black (Jacksonville, Fla./First Coast) and Amari Cooper (Miami, Fla./Miami Northwestern).
Players have declared for the NFL draft. Recruits have signed their letters of intent. ESPN's Mark Schlabach takes a second look at the
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While the University of Georgia was celebrating its Class of 2012 additions, defensive coordinator Todd Grantham wasted no time getting a jump on 2013.
Grantham made a call recently to a former in-state standout.
Taj Letman (Elberton, Ga./Holmes CC) was one of the top track athletes coming out of Elbert County High School, running a 14.20 in the 110 hurdles and high jumping 6-6. Georgia recruited the 6-foot-3, 195-pound safety, although the Bulldogs staff was aware he would likely need to go juco before being eligible to play in Athens. With his chance to play FBS football rapidly approaching, Letman got word that he had not been forgotten by the Bulldogs.
Grantham made a call recently to a former in-state standout.
Taj Letman (Elberton, Ga./Holmes CC) was one of the top track athletes coming out of Elbert County High School, running a 14.20 in the 110 hurdles and high jumping 6-6. Georgia recruited the 6-foot-3, 195-pound safety, although the Bulldogs staff was aware he would likely need to go juco before being eligible to play in Athens. With his chance to play FBS football rapidly approaching, Letman got word that he had not been forgotten by the Bulldogs.
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Instant analysis: Tennessee 73, Georgia 62
February, 4, 2012
2/04/12
10:10
PM ET
By
David Ching | ESPN.com
How the game was won: Tennessee (11-12, 3-5 SEC) closed the game on a 39-21 run, gaining retribution for its eariler loss at Georgia (10-12, 1-7) by capitalizing on another late-game scoring lapse by the Bulldogs. Georgia led 41-34 when Nemanja Djurisic made a jumper with 14:42 left in the second half before Tennessee launched its scoring run.
Stat of the game: 34-16. Tennessee’s bench outscored Georgia’s 34-16. Djurisic and John Florveus contributed 15 of those points on a combined 6-for-19 shooting.
Player of the game: Jeronne Maymon. The Tennessee forward not only scored 15 points and grabbed eight rebounds, he also helped get Georgia’s two best post players, Donte Williams and Marcus Thornton, in foul trouble. Both players eventually fouled out, helping Tennessee close out the win with points in the paint.
Stat of the game: 34-16. Tennessee’s bench outscored Georgia’s 34-16. Djurisic and John Florveus contributed 15 of those points on a combined 6-for-19 shooting.
Player of the game: Jeronne Maymon. The Tennessee forward not only scored 15 points and grabbed eight rebounds, he also helped get Georgia’s two best post players, Donte Williams and Marcus Thornton, in foul trouble. Both players eventually fouled out, helping Tennessee close out the win with points in the paint.
Fox: 'We've got to handle frustration better'
February, 3, 2012
2/03/12
6:05
PM ET
By
David Ching | ESPN.com
[Watch Saturday's game here - 8 p.m. ET on ESPN3]
ATHENS, Ga. -- Georgia was never an offensive juggernaut, even with Trey Thompkins, Travis Leslie and Jeremy Price on the roster a year ago.
But without any sort of formidable scoring presence in the post -- a presence those three departed players provided last season -- the Bulldogs’ offensive numbers have fallen off a cliff.
ATHENS, Ga. -- Georgia was never an offensive juggernaut, even with Trey Thompkins, Travis Leslie and Jeremy Price on the roster a year ago.
But without any sort of formidable scoring presence in the post -- a presence those three departed players provided last season -- the Bulldogs’ offensive numbers have fallen off a cliff.
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Recruit the recruiters. That's what Washington coach Steve Sarkisian did by bringing in Cal’s Tosh Lupoi and Tennessee’s Justin Wilcox. But he's not the only one using the strategy. Read more here.
ESPN The Mag's LaRue Cook includes Georgia among the 11 programs that have been the best in the nation at signing blue-chip recruits since 2007, and the states from which each school has gotten its elite prospects. Read more here.
