Georgia Bulldogs: Rising Seniors
Evans, Rogers among 2014 OLBs to watch 
November, 27, 2012
11/27/12
9:40
AM ET
By
Radi Nabulsi | ESPN.com
ATHENS, Ga. -- As Georgia closes out its 2013 recruiting cycle, the coaching staff is hitting the road and the film room to evaluate the next crop of talented recruits. A few offers already have gone out to some members of the Class of 2014, but each week new names emerge.
DawgNation is taking a position-by-position look at a number of the 2014 prospects whose profile pages fans might want to add as favorites. Here is a look at the outside linebackers Georgia has offered or has on its radar.
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The first game of the season always carries with it a great deal of excitement and a touch of nervousness -- sometimes maybe a little bit of pressure. For wide receiver Nate Brown (Suwanee, Ga./North Gwinnett), the first game of the 2012 season could go a long way in determining his future.
“I went up to Vanderbilt about two weeks ago and they were showing a lot of interest,” Brown said. “They asked for my game film from our first game of the season and they said they will probably make a decision off of that.”
The Commodores aren’t the only team that is waiting to see how he has progressed this summer.
“I went up to Vanderbilt about two weeks ago and they were showing a lot of interest,” Brown said. “They asked for my game film from our first game of the season and they said they will probably make a decision off of that.”
The Commodores aren’t the only team that is waiting to see how he has progressed this summer.
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QB DeShaun Watson nets Rising Srs. invite
August, 9, 2012
8/09/12
9:00
AM ET
By
Kipp Adams | ESPN.com
On Monday, several invites went out for the 2012 Rising Seniors Georgia Junior Bowl. Founded by former NFL players Joe Burns and Izell Reese, the unique program selects 90 of the top juniors in Georgia for a week of activities that help to educate the prospective student athletes on academics, recruiting and life.
Rising Seniors culminates in the Georgia Junior Bowl, an all-star game that pits the West and East teams for state bragging rights. Last year’s game was a star-studded affair, with nine ESPN 150 prospects, 17 ESPN prospects, and 70 that hold FBS offers at this time. One of the first invites to go out was to a prospect that has already accrued his share of recruiting accolades.
Quarterback DeShaun Watson (Gainesville, Ga./Gainesville) has put up some video-game-like numbers in the past two seasons. As a freshman, he passed for 2,100 yards, 17 touchdowns and five interceptions while rushing for 500 yards and five scores. As a junior, he was 29-of-337 for 3,221 yards with 41 touchdowns, and rushed 156 times for 1,073 yards and 16 touchdowns.
Rising Seniors culminates in the Georgia Junior Bowl, an all-star game that pits the West and East teams for state bragging rights. Last year’s game was a star-studded affair, with nine ESPN 150 prospects, 17 ESPN prospects, and 70 that hold FBS offers at this time. One of the first invites to go out was to a prospect that has already accrued his share of recruiting accolades.
Quarterback DeShaun Watson (Gainesville, Ga./Gainesville) has put up some video-game-like numbers in the past two seasons. As a freshman, he passed for 2,100 yards, 17 touchdowns and five interceptions while rushing for 500 yards and five scores. As a junior, he was 29-of-337 for 3,221 yards with 41 touchdowns, and rushed 156 times for 1,073 yards and 16 touchdowns.
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LB Detric Dukes ready to learn new role
June, 29, 2012
6/29/12
11:34
AM ET
By
Radi Nabulsi | ESPN.com
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- The rule in most 7-on-7 tournaments is that the runner is down when tagged by a defender. There is no tackling or knocking to the ground. Such a concept is hard for linebacker Detric Dukes (Tucker, Ga./Tucker) to swallow.
“I am just trying to be physical,” Dukes said. “That is the only thing I know how to do.”
At the Flowery Branch High School 7-on-7 tournament last weekend, Dukes was having a hard time following the rules. He was twice called for pass interference for being overly aggressive in coverage. His coach, Bryan Lamar, says such calls are part of the learning process.
“I am just trying to be physical,” Dukes said. “That is the only thing I know how to do.”
At the Flowery Branch High School 7-on-7 tournament last weekend, Dukes was having a hard time following the rules. He was twice called for pass interference for being overly aggressive in coverage. His coach, Bryan Lamar, says such calls are part of the learning process.
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Rising Seniors program selects first group
May, 17, 2012
5/17/12
10:48
AM ET
By
Radi Nabulsi | ESPN.com
Many of the invitations to the 2012 Georgia Junior Bowl game will not go out until October or November, but 17 players earned a spot April 29 by competing in the new Rising Seniors West and East Football Camp.
Rising Seniors co-founder Joe Burns held a three-stage camp at Tri-Cities High School in Atlanta for freshmen, sophomores and juniors. Seventeen sophomores were chosen by Burns and his instructors as top performers and were invited to the Rising Seniors experience.
The 2012 Rising Seniors program will culminate with the Georgia Junior Bowl, a game featuring 100 of the Peach State's top collegiate prospects split into two teams, an East squad and a West squad. Last year’s roster included such highly recruited players as Reuben Foster (Auburn, Ala./Auburn), Montravius Adams (Vienna, Ga./Dooly County), Carl Lawson (Alpharetta, Ga./Milton), Tray Matthews (Newnan, Ga./Newnan) and Shaq Wiggins (Tyrone, Ga./Sandy Creek) all played in last year's game. Recruiting for Adams and Lawson skyrocketed after their individual performances in the game. They were not the only ones, as 64 of last year's participants have been offered FBS-level scholarships, and more will likely pick up offers during the summer.
"The biggest problem we have had over the last two years is hearing about a kid that should have been in our game but we didn't know about him until it was too late," Burns said. "So this year we held a camp to let the kids receive some professional instruction, hear a positive message and earn their way into the camp. We picked some guys that really fought for it."
Wide receiver Terry Googer (College Park, Ga./Woodward Academy) was among the prospects who came to the camp to earn a highly coveted invitation.
“I have been training for this ever since last year when I watched it,” Googer said. “I really wanted to be in it. When they called my name I was ecstatic. It made my day perfect.”
Heading into the camp, Googer did not have any offers. He quickly picked up five after being selected, from schools including South Carolina and Mississippi State.
Running back Sedrick Palmer (McDonough, Ga./Henry County) also came to the camp focused on picking up an invitation and went home pleased.
“I was real proud,” Palmer said. “I felt like all my hard work had paid off. The minute they called my name all I could do was thank God. It was all I could think about.”
Dante Sawyer (Suwanee, Ga./North Gwinnett) was a quick choice among the camp instructors to be included in the game as a defensive end. Despite a slow start, Sawyer made a big impression.
“I was nervous at first but I did my work,” Sawyer said. “I came in and competed and did what I needed to do to get into this game. I knew ahead of time what it would take. I am very excited. We had a tough defensive line group, but it all came down to who wanted to compete.”
Trent Jenkins (Norcross, Ga./Greater Atlanta Christian) was also in the defensive line group and he wanted to compete. The 6-foot-4, 310-pound sophomore was a unanimous choice to be invited to the game.
“I did what I was coached to do,” Jenkins said. “I am extremely excited for this -- I can’t wait. I am looking forward to this helping me to get to college.”
Other players selected for the game:
Rising Seniors co-founder Joe Burns held a three-stage camp at Tri-Cities High School in Atlanta for freshmen, sophomores and juniors. Seventeen sophomores were chosen by Burns and his instructors as top performers and were invited to the Rising Seniors experience.
The 2012 Rising Seniors program will culminate with the Georgia Junior Bowl, a game featuring 100 of the Peach State's top collegiate prospects split into two teams, an East squad and a West squad. Last year’s roster included such highly recruited players as Reuben Foster (Auburn, Ala./Auburn), Montravius Adams (Vienna, Ga./Dooly County), Carl Lawson (Alpharetta, Ga./Milton), Tray Matthews (Newnan, Ga./Newnan) and Shaq Wiggins (Tyrone, Ga./Sandy Creek) all played in last year's game. Recruiting for Adams and Lawson skyrocketed after their individual performances in the game. They were not the only ones, as 64 of last year's participants have been offered FBS-level scholarships, and more will likely pick up offers during the summer.
"The biggest problem we have had over the last two years is hearing about a kid that should have been in our game but we didn't know about him until it was too late," Burns said. "So this year we held a camp to let the kids receive some professional instruction, hear a positive message and earn their way into the camp. We picked some guys that really fought for it."
Wide receiver Terry Googer (College Park, Ga./Woodward Academy) was among the prospects who came to the camp to earn a highly coveted invitation.
“I have been training for this ever since last year when I watched it,” Googer said. “I really wanted to be in it. When they called my name I was ecstatic. It made my day perfect.”
Heading into the camp, Googer did not have any offers. He quickly picked up five after being selected, from schools including South Carolina and Mississippi State.
Running back Sedrick Palmer (McDonough, Ga./Henry County) also came to the camp focused on picking up an invitation and went home pleased.
“I was real proud,” Palmer said. “I felt like all my hard work had paid off. The minute they called my name all I could do was thank God. It was all I could think about.”
Dante Sawyer (Suwanee, Ga./North Gwinnett) was a quick choice among the camp instructors to be included in the game as a defensive end. Despite a slow start, Sawyer made a big impression.
“I was nervous at first but I did my work,” Sawyer said. “I came in and competed and did what I needed to do to get into this game. I knew ahead of time what it would take. I am very excited. We had a tough defensive line group, but it all came down to who wanted to compete.”
Trent Jenkins (Norcross, Ga./Greater Atlanta Christian) was also in the defensive line group and he wanted to compete. The 6-foot-4, 310-pound sophomore was a unanimous choice to be invited to the game.
“I did what I was coached to do,” Jenkins said. “I am extremely excited for this -- I can’t wait. I am looking forward to this helping me to get to college.”
Other players selected for the game:
- Wide receiver -- Keegan Karim (Kennesaw, Ga./Harrison)
- Wide receiver -- Nate Brown (Suwanee, Ga./North Gwinnett)
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DawgNation’s Radi Nabulsi was on ESPN’s Athens affiliate 960 The Ref this morning talking about the NFL draft, Georgia football and recruiting. Some of the questions answered were:
- What is the latest news from the Rising Seniors game?
- Does the Rising Seniors game help Georgia recruiting?
- Any Georgia surprises in the NFL Draft?
- What affect will the draft have on the Bulldogs’ recruiting class?
DawgNation spoke with 2013 offensive tackle Jeremi Hall (East Point, Ga./Tri-Cities) at the weeklong Rising Seniors program in Atlanta about the offers he is amassing, the major schools that are talking to him and his recent visit to Georgia.
When the Jamaican four-man bobsled team showed up in Calgary, Alberta, for the 1988 Winter Olympics, it captured the hearts of millions and inspired the Walt Disney film, “Cool Runnings.” Now, another of Jamaica’s native sons is looking to become a fan favorite as well, albeit on the gridiron.
Offensive tackle Delando Crooks (Atlanta/Carver) is new to the game of football. Like his bobsled brethren, the tropical island nation he used to call home did not give him a background for his new sport.
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Shamire Devine of East Point (Ga.) Tri-Cities High is an ESPNU 150 Watch List offensive tackle who played in last month's Georgia Junior Bowl in Atlanta. Devine gives DawgNation updates on his recruitment, with his top three, and explains why he is the next Steve Jobs.
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Close to 200 prospects in Georgia sign with FBS programs each year, with the Peach State leading the country in SEC signees each of the last three years as well. Averaging more than 30 offers to in-state prospects through the last five years (153 overall), the Georgia Bulldogs have made closing the borders a priority, and with 2013 being one of the deeper classes in terms of top talent, next year will be no different for the Bulldogs.
The weeklong Rising Seniors program culminates with the Georgia Junior Bowl at 7 p.m. ET Friday at Grady Stadium in Atlanta. The game will be streamed live on ESPN3 and will showcase dozens of FBS-caliber Georgia state prospects for the 2013 class. DawgNation takes a look at the wide receivers and tight ends set to participate in the game:
The weeklong Rising Seniors program culminates with the Georgia Junior Bowl at 7 p.m. ET Friday at Grady Stadium in Atlanta. The game will be streamed live on ESPN3 and will showcase dozens of FBS-caliber Georgia state prospects for the 2013 class. DawgNation takes a look at the wide receivers and tight ends set to participate in the game:
East wide receivers
Carlos Burse (Alpharetta/Alpharetta); 6-foot-3, 205 poundsTo continue reading this article you must be an Insider
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.