On The Trail: AJ Turman
ATHENS, Ga. -- With national signing day exactly two weeks from today, DawgNation looks ahead to what Georgia has coming and who the Bulldogs still need, and why.
Team needs: Georgia has a number of holes to fill, considering the defense is losing 10 players who started last season. All-American junior Jarvis Jones and two-year leading tackler Alec Ogletree have declared for the NFL draft, which means the incoming prospects will have to be ready to play early.
Also, consider that Georgia only signed one player for the secondary, one wide receiver and not one inside linebacker in the class of 2012. Those positions are a priority. The secondary is in special need of attention as both starting safeties and two starting cornerbacks were seniors this past season. The Bulldogs have decent depth at the outside linebacker spots but the SEC championship game proved Georgia needs help on the defensive line. Junior nose Kwame Geathers has also opted to leave early for the NFL, so Georgia needs to sign some quality prospects to fill in the defensive trench.
Team needs: Georgia has a number of holes to fill, considering the defense is losing 10 players who started last season. All-American junior Jarvis Jones and two-year leading tackler Alec Ogletree have declared for the NFL draft, which means the incoming prospects will have to be ready to play early.
Also, consider that Georgia only signed one player for the secondary, one wide receiver and not one inside linebacker in the class of 2012. Those positions are a priority. The secondary is in special need of attention as both starting safeties and two starting cornerbacks were seniors this past season. The Bulldogs have decent depth at the outside linebacker spots but the SEC championship game proved Georgia needs help on the defensive line. Junior nose Kwame Geathers has also opted to leave early for the NFL, so Georgia needs to sign some quality prospects to fill in the defensive trench.
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ATHENS, Ga. -- The Georgia coaching staff was on the road Friday, as usual, checking in on commits and targets alike. In what had to the most fortuitous turn of events of the day, tight ends coach John Lilly and inside linebackers coach Kirk Olivadotti just happened to be stopping by Auburn (Ala.) High School right after the nation’s No. 1 inside linebacker, Reuben Foster, decommitted from Auburn University. Both coaches met with Foster, who reopened his recruitment, citing reports that his mentor Trooper Taylor had been let go at Auburn.
Later that night, another coach would also prove lucky as defensive line coach Rodney Garner was on hand to congratulate Montravius Adams (Vienna, Ga./Dooly County) after the top-ranked defensive tackle won the chance to play for the Georgia Class A championship.
Offensive coordinator Mike Bobo and running backs coach Bryan McClendon were on hand to see the Bulldogs’ top tailback target, Alvin Kamara (Norcross, Ga./Norcross), win his semifinal game as well. Alabama’s Kirby Smart was also there, and the battle for Kamara is still neck and neck.
Later that night, another coach would also prove lucky as defensive line coach Rodney Garner was on hand to congratulate Montravius Adams (Vienna, Ga./Dooly County) after the top-ranked defensive tackle won the chance to play for the Georgia Class A championship.
Offensive coordinator Mike Bobo and running backs coach Bryan McClendon were on hand to see the Bulldogs’ top tailback target, Alvin Kamara (Norcross, Ga./Norcross), win his semifinal game as well. Alabama’s Kirby Smart was also there, and the battle for Kamara is still neck and neck.
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ORLANDO, Fla. -- Five months after losing ESPN 150 prospect Derrick Henry (Yulee, Fla./Yulee), who had been committed to the Bulldogs for almost a year, ESPN 300 running back A.J. Turman (Orlando, Fla./Boone) committed to Georgia on Tuesday evening.
Turman had three hats -- Florida State, Tennessee and Miami -- laying on the table where he was set to make his announcement. Noticeably missing was a Georgia hat. It was all for show, though, as Turman read his statement to the packed crowd.
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Jenny Zimmerman/ESPN.comOrlando (Fla.) Boone coach Phil Ziglar congratulates running back A.J. Turman after the senior committed to the Georgia Bulldogs on Tuesday.
Jenny Zimmerman/ESPN.comOrlando (Fla.) Boone coach Phil Ziglar congratulates running back A.J. Turman after the senior committed to the Georgia Bulldogs on Tuesday.The 6-foot, 200-pound tailback chose Georgia over Auburn, FSU, Miami and Tennessee, just two weeks after taking an unofficial visit to Athens. Turman, said everything about Georgia was a perfect fit.
Georgia traveled to Auburn this weekend where a 38-0 victory gave the Bulldogs their second SEC East divisional title in as many years. Freshmen running backs Todd Gurley and Keith Marshall combined to rush for 221 yards, marking the third time they have both picked up over 100 yards in the same game this season. Georgia has a long history of thunder and lightning tailback duos and apparently the Bulldogs’ coaching staff is looking to bring in another pair in the Class of 2013.
Georgia has 27 commitments and many of its top targets are still undecided. With little room left in the class, it was widely assumed that the Bulldogs would only take one running back. Georgia’s top target at the position says that is not the case.
“What I found out yesterday was that Georgia wants to take two backs,” Alvin Kamara (Norcross, Ga./Norcross) said. “Coach [Bryan] McClendon called me last night and told me that since Marlon Brown went down, they are going to go after another back.”
Georgia has 27 commitments and many of its top targets are still undecided. With little room left in the class, it was widely assumed that the Bulldogs would only take one running back. Georgia’s top target at the position says that is not the case.
“What I found out yesterday was that Georgia wants to take two backs,” Alvin Kamara (Norcross, Ga./Norcross) said. “Coach [Bryan] McClendon called me last night and told me that since Marlon Brown went down, they are going to go after another back.”
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ESPN 300 RB A.J. Turman set to announce 
November, 11, 2012
11/11/12
8:27
PM ET
By
Kipp Adams | ESPN.com
After wrapping up an outstanding high school career that includes 4,867 rushing yards and 55 touchdowns as a starter for more than three seasons, ESPN 300 prospect A.J. Turman (Orlando, Fla./Boone) felt he need not delay his commitment any longer. On Sunday, Turman told ESPN.com he intends to announce his decision Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. in a downtown Orlando restaurant.
He was actually ready to announce his decision almost a month ago, but his parents advised him to wait.
“I wanted to get my decision done with three weeks ago and I had a good feeling about where I wanted to go, but I had not taken my final trip to Georgia yet,” Turman said. “My parents wanted to wait until after that trip to make my decision. I felt the same after the visit, so I figured since the season was over I should get it out of the way.”
He was actually ready to announce his decision almost a month ago, but his parents advised him to wait.
“I wanted to get my decision done with three weeks ago and I had a good feeling about where I wanted to go, but I had not taken my final trip to Georgia yet,” Turman said. “My parents wanted to wait until after that trip to make my decision. I felt the same after the visit, so I figured since the season was over I should get it out of the way.”
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It was another successful trip to Athens, Ga., for ESPN 300 running back A.J. Turman. The 6-foot, 205-pound senior watched Georgia inch closer to an SEC East Division title and brought his parents with him.
"It was a great trip, I enjoyed myself and my parents enjoyed it too," Turman said. "Everyone’s very friendly there; it’s a very family-like atmosphere all around campus.
"We spent more time with some of the academic advisors and going over the curriculum at the school. They did a good job of explaining the process of selecting a major. We saw a few other things as well. Overall it was a productive trip."
"It was a great trip, I enjoyed myself and my parents enjoyed it too," Turman said. "Everyone’s very friendly there; it’s a very family-like atmosphere all around campus.
"We spent more time with some of the academic advisors and going over the curriculum at the school. They did a good job of explaining the process of selecting a major. We saw a few other things as well. Overall it was a productive trip."
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ESPN 300 running back A.J. Turman (Orlando, Fla./Boone) plans to take all five official visits, and the four-star back already knows of three.
"I'll probably decide which visits I'll take by either the end of this week or next week, but I know for sure I'll visit Georgia, Tennessee and FSU," Turman said on Monday night.
Though Turman hasn't set specific dates for the visits, the 6-foot, 198-pound athlete said those three schools are standing out.
"I'll probably decide which visits I'll take by either the end of this week or next week, but I know for sure I'll visit Georgia, Tennessee and FSU," Turman said on Monday night.
Though Turman hasn't set specific dates for the visits, the 6-foot, 198-pound athlete said those three schools are standing out.
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