Shaq Wiggins skips UGA Jr. Day, gets offer 
January, 28, 2012
1/28/12
7:16
PM ET
By
Kipp Adams | ESPN.com
When 2013 defensive back Shaq Wiggins heard the news of his teammate Demarre Kitt getting an offer Saturday from Georgia, he knew he should have been in Athens as well. After making 35 tackles, nine interceptions and 10 pass break ups last year, Wiggins picked up offers from 10 schools, but he still did not see No. 11 coming.
“Demarre got an offer and they called me telling me I was so dumb for not going and that they were trying to offer me,” Wiggins said. “So I called Coach [Rodney] Garner and he said they were looking for me all day. I know they all came by the school this week and told my coaches they wanted to offer me this weekend, but I did not think they were being serious. I guess they were sticking to their word, so Garner was ribbing me pretty good for not going. Then I spoke to Coach [Scott] Lakatos and he said they wanted to offer me today at the school.”
Wiggins was caught off guard by the news.
“Demarre got an offer and they called me telling me I was so dumb for not going and that they were trying to offer me,” Wiggins said. “So I called Coach [Rodney] Garner and he said they were looking for me all day. I know they all came by the school this week and told my coaches they wanted to offer me this weekend, but I did not think they were being serious. I guess they were sticking to their word, so Garner was ribbing me pretty good for not going. Then I spoke to Coach [Scott] Lakatos and he said they wanted to offer me today at the school.”
Wiggins was caught off guard by the news.
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The Georgia Bulldogs hosted their first junior day Saturday, but the first offer that emerged out of Athens was to a sophomore, for the Class of 2014. Wide receiver Demarre Kitt (Tyrone, Ga./Sandy Creek) got the news earlier today that he will have a scholarship waiting with the Bulldogs after he graduates in two years. DawgNation spoke to his father, Herman Kitt, about the big news.
“We were obviously excited and flattered that Georgia was the first major university to offer my son a scholarship,” Herman said. “It is obviously a very exciting time in our household.”
Kitt competed last year at the Mark Richt Camp in Athens, and the 6-foot-1, 185-pound prospect followed it up by making a big splash on the field last fall, making 42 receptions for 651 yards and 10 touchdowns, while also returning a punt for a touchdown.
“We were obviously excited and flattered that Georgia was the first major university to offer my son a scholarship,” Herman said. “It is obviously a very exciting time in our household.”
Kitt competed last year at the Mark Richt Camp in Athens, and the 6-foot-1, 185-pound prospect followed it up by making a big splash on the field last fall, making 42 receptions for 651 yards and 10 touchdowns, while also returning a punt for a touchdown.
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DawgNation is here to take you Inside the DawgHouse -- a confidential look inside Georgia football recruiting for DawgNation subscribers only. As it will be every week, everything reported Inside the DawgHouse stays on The Pound forum. We are providing this information for our subscribers and hope that you help keep this information protected by keeping it here.
A few things discussed in this week's update:
A few things discussed in this week's update:
- Josh Dawson thinks it over
- Josh Harvey-Clemons sets things straight
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Through the last two years, the Tucker (Ga.) Tigers have gone 28-1, with their only loss coming to state runner-up Starrs Mill, 20-19, in the 2010 semifinals. Defensive end Josh Dawson has been a big part of their success, with the 6-foot-4, 225-pound prospect making 94 tackles and 24 sacks for a defense that allowed less than 12 points per game in that span. Tucker head coach Franklin Stephens speaks highly of Dawson, about the person he is on the football field and in the locker room.
“Josh Dawson is a tremendous football player with a lot of schools recruiting his services, but he is probably a better individual than he is a football player,” Stephens said. “You cannot get enough of those types of individuals in your program because not only is he a joy to coach but he is also the type that you want the rest of your team to be exposed to, so really I cannot say enough positive things about him in terms of his character and his conduct.”
When Dawson first suited up, he was a lanky athlete who also spent a lot of time playing basketball. Stephens said what got Dawson to where he is now is the effort he put into his physical development, as well as the support he got from his parents.
“Josh Dawson is a tremendous football player with a lot of schools recruiting his services, but he is probably a better individual than he is a football player,” Stephens said. “You cannot get enough of those types of individuals in your program because not only is he a joy to coach but he is also the type that you want the rest of your team to be exposed to, so really I cannot say enough positive things about him in terms of his character and his conduct.”
When Dawson first suited up, he was a lanky athlete who also spent a lot of time playing basketball. Stephens said what got Dawson to where he is now is the effort he put into his physical development, as well as the support he got from his parents.
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Crystal balls? Tea leaves? Fortune cookies? RecruitingNation's experts used every means necessary to come up with where the top uncommitted prospects will end up. Six of the seven panelists predict that top OLB Josh Harvey-Clemons will choose Georgia. Interestingly, it's a clean split among panelists as to where OT Avery Young will land. Read more here.
Mel Kiper Jr. lists Georgia's Drew Butler to go first among punters in the NFL draft, citing Butler's ability as "a guy who can get off big punts, but not so long that they limit coverage." Kiper lists Georgia TE Orson Charles second to only Clemson's Dwayne Allen among tight ends, and Cordy Glenn, whom he calls "a massive guy," second among offensive guards in the piece "Top 5 players at every position."
In his piece "Senior Bowl Stock," Todd McShay says that Georgia CB Brandon Boykin's stock is up. The special teams star has been impressive at the event, quickly recognizing routes and showing "excellent flashes" of recovery speed, among other things.
And ... Todd McShay explains the latest technology being used to scout the Senior Bowl.
[Check out the Senior Bowl home page here.]
Based on Glenn's ability to play all over the line, Kiper's Mock Draft 1.0 projects the OG to be selected No. 18 by the San Diego Chargers. However, Kiper considers Glenn's value to be higher still, placing him at No. 17 on the lastest Big Board.
In his piece "Senior Bowl Stock," Todd McShay says that Georgia CB Brandon Boykin's stock is up. The special teams star has been impressive at the event, quickly recognizing routes and showing "excellent flashes" of recovery speed, among other things.
And ... Todd McShay explains the latest technology being used to scout the Senior Bowl.
[Check out the Senior Bowl home page here.]
Based on Glenn's ability to play all over the line, Kiper's Mock Draft 1.0 projects the OG to be selected No. 18 by the San Diego Chargers. However, Kiper considers Glenn's value to be higher still, placing him at No. 17 on the lastest Big Board.
Thursday's episode of RecruitingNation
January, 26, 2012
1/26/12
12:18
PM ET
By RecruitingNation | ESPN.com
"RecruitingNation" airs at 5:30 p.m. ET today on ESPNU with host Dari Nowkhah and RecruitingNation's Tom Luginbill, Craig Haubert and Jamie Newberg.
RecruitingNation breaks down the top 10 players still undecided, including Dorial Green-Beckham, Davonte Neal, Andrus Peat and Eddie Goldman. The panel discusses why these players are important, where are they are likely to end up, and what it means for the teams that don’t get them.
The show will also feature results from ESPN The Magazine’s "Recruiting Confidential" poll of the top prospects in the nation. Who do the top players think is the nation’s best recruiter? Most over-rated recruiter? And, do they feel like they were being stalked through the recruiting process?
The show wraps up with a look at the top storylines for fans to follow as we count down to Feb. 1, national signing day.
RecruitingNation breaks down the top 10 players still undecided, including Dorial Green-Beckham, Davonte Neal, Andrus Peat and Eddie Goldman. The panel discusses why these players are important, where are they are likely to end up, and what it means for the teams that don’t get them.
The show will also feature results from ESPN The Magazine’s "Recruiting Confidential" poll of the top prospects in the nation. Who do the top players think is the nation’s best recruiter? Most over-rated recruiter? And, do they feel like they were being stalked through the recruiting process?
The show wraps up with a look at the top storylines for fans to follow as we count down to Feb. 1, national signing day.
The final weekend before signing day is approaching, and the University of Georgia has yet to land a defensive back commitment for the 2012 class. But that could soon change.
Sheldon Dawson (Memphis, Tenn./Ridgeway) is listed as a Memphis commit, but that soon could change. Dawson recently named Georgia as the team to beat, and according to Ridgeway head coach Duron Sutton, the player could be close to inking with the SEC East champions.
"People are still coming after him, but from what he has spoken to me about, it looks like he will be a Georgia Bulldog,” Sutton said. “From my understanding, I think he wants to make an announcement Monday. He is supposed to go to Ole Miss this weekend.”
Sheldon Dawson (Memphis, Tenn./Ridgeway) is listed as a Memphis commit, but that soon could change. Dawson recently named Georgia as the team to beat, and according to Ridgeway head coach Duron Sutton, the player could be close to inking with the SEC East champions.
"People are still coming after him, but from what he has spoken to me about, it looks like he will be a Georgia Bulldog,” Sutton said. “From my understanding, I think he wants to make an announcement Monday. He is supposed to go to Ole Miss this weekend.”
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Southeast Regional Coordinator Jamie Newberg delivers up-to-the-minute information on the state of recruiting in the SEC, including Bama's position as the front-runner and a look at why Florida has the class to watch in the SEC.
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UGA offers junior TE Adam Breneman
January, 25, 2012
1/25/12
11:05
PM ET
By
Jared Shanker | ESPN.com
Georgia tight end coach John Lilly stopped by Adam Breneman’s (Camp Hill, Pa./Cedar Cliff) high school Wednesday, but, per NCAA rules, he didn’t speak with the junior tight end.
When Breneman called Lilly later that evening, Lilly gave Breneman the offer.
“He said they got my junior season tape and were really impressed. What I can bring to the offense from a receiving standpoint is what they need,” Breneman said. “They like to feature the tight end in the offense, try to get the tight end
When Breneman called Lilly later that evening, Lilly gave Breneman the offer.
“He said they got my junior season tape and were really impressed. What I can bring to the offense from a receiving standpoint is what they need,” Breneman said. “They like to feature the tight end in the offense, try to get the tight end
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Jones, Glenn glad for company at Sr. Bowl
January, 25, 2012
1/25/12
12:29
PM ET
By
Alex Scarborough | ESPN.com
MOBILE, Ala. -- For Ben Jones and Cordy Glenn, the Senior Bowl has had the flavor of home.
When the two Georgia offensive linemen get done with practice, they pack up and head back to the hotel together and share a room. While most of the players at the annual all-star game struggle with the new environment, Jones and Glenn find comfort in the familiar.
“It’s just a little more comfortable,” Jones said. “You have someone to talk to. You can chit-chat.“
Said Glenn, “It’s not like you have to try and make a new friend while sometimes you just want to relax. It’s kind of cool to know someone you’ve known for years, like a comfort zone almost.”
[Watch: Todd McShay's Senior Bowl standouts]
When the two Georgia offensive linemen get done with practice, they pack up and head back to the hotel together and share a room. While most of the players at the annual all-star game struggle with the new environment, Jones and Glenn find comfort in the familiar.
“It’s just a little more comfortable,” Jones said. “You have someone to talk to. You can chit-chat.“
Said Glenn, “It’s not like you have to try and make a new friend while sometimes you just want to relax. It’s kind of cool to know someone you’ve known for years, like a comfort zone almost.”
[Watch: Todd McShay's Senior Bowl standouts]
Coach's Corner: Cordarrelle Patterson
January, 25, 2012
1/25/12
12:11
PM ET
By
Kipp Adams | ESPN.com
Wide receiver Cordarellle Patterson (Hutchinson, Kan./Hutchinson CC), one of the most prolific offensive weapons in the nation, is close to announcing his decision. Patterson has taken official visits to Auburn, Georgia, LSU, Ole Miss and Tennessee, and he will choose from one of those five programs on signing day.
The connection between a prospect and his potential position coach is sometimes a powerful factor in a recruit’s final decision. While Tennessee lost its receivers coach recently, Patterson's recruiter of record is Darin Hinshaw, the former quarterbacks coach who is now the Vols’ wide receivers coach. The staff at Ole Miss is new, and LSU has yet to hire a receivers coach. Patterson has talked with Hutchinson head coach Rion Rhoades about all the upheaval in the coaching staffs.
“He is pretty perceptive and aware of what is going on, but I do not know how much of a factor it will be in his final decision,” Rhoades said. “I think Tony Ball and Hinshaw being his position coach at Georgia and Tennessee [respectively], it definitely helps that they have been the ones recruiting him this entire time.”
The connection between a prospect and his potential position coach is sometimes a powerful factor in a recruit’s final decision. While Tennessee lost its receivers coach recently, Patterson's recruiter of record is Darin Hinshaw, the former quarterbacks coach who is now the Vols’ wide receivers coach. The staff at Ole Miss is new, and LSU has yet to hire a receivers coach. Patterson has talked with Hutchinson head coach Rion Rhoades about all the upheaval in the coaching staffs.
“He is pretty perceptive and aware of what is going on, but I do not know how much of a factor it will be in his final decision,” Rhoades said. “I think Tony Ball and Hinshaw being his position coach at Georgia and Tennessee [respectively], it definitely helps that they have been the ones recruiting him this entire time.”
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ATHENS, Ga. -- For a while there, Georgia gave its fans reason to believe.
Facing top-ranked Kentucky as a heavy underdog Tuesday night, Georgia stood toe-to-toe with the mighty Wildcats and a packed house at Stegeman Coliseum was rocking.
“It was definitely fun to play,” said Georgia senior guard Dustin Ware, the most experienced member of the team. “It was one of the best crowds we’ve had since I’ve been here.”
Facing top-ranked Kentucky as a heavy underdog Tuesday night, Georgia stood toe-to-toe with the mighty Wildcats and a packed house at Stegeman Coliseum was rocking.
“It was definitely fun to play,” said Georgia senior guard Dustin Ware, the most experienced member of the team. “It was one of the best crowds we’ve had since I’ve been here.”
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Instant analysis: Kentucky 57, Georgia 44
January, 24, 2012
1/24/12
10:56
PM ET
By
David Ching | ESPN.com
How the game was won: Riding the emotional lift provided by a noisy home crowd, Georgia hung with top-ranked Kentucky early and trailed just 23-22 with six minutes left in the first half. But the Wildcats finished the half on a 15-4 run to go up 38-26 at the break and led by double digits for most of the second half, dropping the Bulldogs to 1-5 in SEC play.
Turning point: With Georgia trailing 28-25 late in the opening half, Kentucky guard Darius Miller went on a one-man 7-0 run in the span of three possessions, pushing the Wildcats’ lead into double digits for the first time.
Stat of the game: 41-26. Kentucky had Georgia seriously outsized at essentially every position -- and the advantage was most evident in the Wildcats’ 41-26 rebounding advantage. The Wildcats had two players finish with double-figure rebounds -- Anthony Davis and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, while no Bulldog had more than five.
Player of the game: Miller. The Kentucky senior led the Wildcats to a comfortable halftime lead by hitting all five of his shots, three of which came from 3-point range, to score 13 of his game-high 19 points before intermission.
What it means: Georgia enters its open weekend in desperate need of a break, having dropped four of its five conference games. Meanwhile, Kentucky further showed why it moved into the nation’s No. 1 spot in the polls this week, with so many explosive weapons at its disposal.
Turning point: With Georgia trailing 28-25 late in the opening half, Kentucky guard Darius Miller went on a one-man 7-0 run in the span of three possessions, pushing the Wildcats’ lead into double digits for the first time.
Stat of the game: 41-26. Kentucky had Georgia seriously outsized at essentially every position -- and the advantage was most evident in the Wildcats’ 41-26 rebounding advantage. The Wildcats had two players finish with double-figure rebounds -- Anthony Davis and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, while no Bulldog had more than five.
Player of the game: Miller. The Kentucky senior led the Wildcats to a comfortable halftime lead by hitting all five of his shots, three of which came from 3-point range, to score 13 of his game-high 19 points before intermission.
What it means: Georgia enters its open weekend in desperate need of a break, having dropped four of its five conference games. Meanwhile, Kentucky further showed why it moved into the nation’s No. 1 spot in the polls this week, with so many explosive weapons at its disposal.
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.