With Thursday’s surprise news that junior Chris Clemons is entering the
NFL
draft, Georgia will be looking for new starters at each of its three
linebacker spots.
Eight high school recruits, including four who already have made verbal
commitments to Georgia, are in Athens this weekend. The group includes
linebackers Dana Graydon of Albany’s Dougherty High and John Beason of
Hollywood, Fla.
Graydon (6-0, 205) has listed Florida State, Georgia Tech and Auburn with
Georgia as schools he is considering. Tech may have an advantage because of
Graydon’s ties with Tech linebacker Daryl Smith of Albany.
Beason (6-1, 210) was a strong safety in high school who is projected as a
college linebacker. Ranked by TheInsiders.com as the No. 23 linebacker
prospect in the nation, Beason is thought to be leaning toward Miami.
Georgia recruiting coordinator Rodney Garner said the coaching staff was
“sort of bracing for’’ junior running back Musa Smith and junior
defensive
tackle Johnathan Sullivan to enter the draft. Coaches were caught off-guard
by Clemons’ exit.
Also visiting are receiver DeCody Fagg of Quincy, Fla., and defensive end
Richard Cook of Washington-Wilkes High. Fagg, a speed receiver with good size
(6-2, 185), also is considering Florida, Florida State and Auburn.
Cook (6-5, 265), also considering Auburn and Florida State, is a
noteworthy
recruit because Georgia does not have a commitment from a defensive lineman.
The four recruits making visits who already have made verbal commitments to
Georgia are offensive lineman Trey Chandler and cornerback Mikey Henderson of
Buford, offensive lineman Zeb McKinzey of Parkview and linebacker Danny Ware
of Rockmart.
The recruiting dead period ends Sunday, so college coaches can return to
the
road beginning Sunday night.
With 20 verbal commitments, Garner and his staff only have a few
scholarships left to offer. Schools at times sign more than 25 in
anticipation that some recruits will not meet academic entrance requirements.
“Obviously, the last few slots we have will be critical,’’ Garner
said.
“We’re trying to find the best player available.’’
For A complete list of Visitors for the weekend, please click
here:
For a complete list of Verbal Commitments, please click
here:
NOTES: Georgia defensive coaches completed their film review of the
Sugar
Bowl, so final individual defensive statistics for the season were finally
official Friday.
Of most interest was the result that linebackers Boss Bailey and Tony
Gilbert finished in tie for the team lead with 114 tackles. Bailey led
Gilbert 109-106 entering the bowl game.
The final tally gives Gilbert the distinction of becoming the first
Georgia
player since Ben Zambiasi (1975-77) to lead the team in tackles three
straight seasons.
Also, David Pollack finished with 14 quarterback sacks, a new school
record.
Pollack had one sack in the bowl game, breaking the tie for the single-season
record with Mitch Davis, who had 13 sacks in 1993.
This is the first year bowl stats have been included in NCAA regular-season
totals.
NFL draft expert Todd McShea of The War Room and The Sporting News has
been
watching Gilbert and offensive guard Kevin Breedlove practice with other top
seniors this week for today’s 2 p.m. ET East-West Shrine Game in San
Francisco.
McShea says Gilbert “gets low and takes on blocks as well as any middle
linebacker I saw this year’’ but has some problems in pass defense. He
predicts Gilbert will be a second- to fourth-round pick.
McShea said Breedlove is “a very average guard’’ who works hard. “He’s
certainly draftable, maybe in the fifth or sixth round,’’ McShea said.
McShea said offensive tackle George Foster of Macon “could be a 10-year
starter at left tackle; he’s that good.’’ Foster, Jon Stinchcomb and
Terrence Edwards will play in the Jan. 18 Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala.