Recruiting Roundup
Dawgs Trending for Top Targets:
• The nephew of former Dallas Cowboys great Michael Irvin is starting to receive
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some major attention from the University of Georgia. Jake Reuse caught up with
4-Star ATH from South Florida Tim Irvin last week and he let Jake know
that he was planning on taking an official visit to UGA on November 15 when the
Bulldogs host the Auburn Tigers between the hedges. Irvin told Reuse that
defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt "is a fan of his skills at safety".
Senior Stats for Irvin through two Games:
Defense: 14 Total Tackles, 1 Pass Deflection
Special teams: 2 Punt Returns, 143 Total Yards, 2 Touchdowns
•Five-star defensive back Tarvarus McFadden unofficially visited
Georgia when the Bulldogs beat the Clemson Tigers on opening week. Since then,
the Bulldogs have been the team trending. Shortly after the visit, McFadden
announced on Twitter that he would make his college decision on October 31
between his top five schools. The Seminoles and Tigers will both likely get visits
before his announcement date, but the Bulldogs have all the momentum as of right
now. Rivals Reporter Adam Krohn caught up with McFadden and here is a breakdown
of that interview.
Krohn: You're committing on October 31st. Why did that end up being the date?
McFadden: "October 31st is a special night for our school, because it's our
senior night. I didn't think about it as Halloween until everyone said it. On
senior night, our seniors are honored a lot before the game. I thought that'd be
a good time."
Krohn: Do you know where you're going already?
McFadden: "I mean, I kind of do. I'm not 100 percent right now."
Krohn: Who's in the mix?
McFadden: "Georgia, LSU, Florida State, Ohio State, and UCF."
Krohn: Talk about you Georgia visit. You had some trouble going up there?
McFadden: "We have some adversities, but we wanted to get up there. When it's
like that, you've just got to get up and drive."
Krohn: How was Athens? What was the experience like?
McFadden: "When I got up there, I really enjoyed it. There was great intensity
out there. The crowd was always on their feet. I think Georgia has a great
program. I have three former teammates that go there, so I really enjoyed it a
lot."
Krohn: When you left, how did you feel about Georgia?
McFadden: "I really thought that I could maybe go there. That's a real
decision."
Krohn: Did it mean a lot to see your former teammates perform well?
McFadden: "Of course. That showed me that they have no problem with playing
freshmen."
View the entire video interview with Tarvarus McFadden:
Targets Talk Visit to South Carolina
• When a colleges' top target is visiting a rival SEC school it is
usually something to cringe over, but in the case of Roquan Smith, it is
something that should give the Bulldogs a breath of fresh air. The 4-star inside
linebacker target from Macon County High School elected to visit the
University of South Carolina this past weekend. One big reason for his visit to
Columbia was to see the Bulldogs live in action
again. Another reason why that is big for the Bulldogs? Their main competition for Smith is the
Florida Gators who also had a home game and who also were hosting a big group of
targets.
Smith returned home from his visit from South Carolina and I caught up
with him on Sunday evening. When asked how the visit went and his best part of
this visit to Columbia, Smith responded with "I enjoyed it man. Just meeting
with Coach Ward."
Going in to the visit Roquan was unsure of his interest level in the Gamecocks.
Did South Carolina put themselves in the mix after the visit and will they get
an unofficial visit? "They are (in the mix), I'm not sure yet but they are in
the race to get one (official visit)."
It had been rumored that Smith was close to announcing his college decision, but
when talking with him on Sunday he let me know of when it might happen; "After
the season" Smith said. Right now, Georgia and Florida are two of the teams that
will get an official visit from Smith and have been the top two teams for
several months.
• Darius Slayton is another big target for the Bulldogs who decided to
take the trip over to Columbia for the Gamecocks game against the
Bulldogs. This looks to be another positive sign for UGA. I talked with Slayton
before his visit and asked him about his interest in the Gamecocks.
"I don't know. I am just visiting for the game," Slayton said.
I caught up with Slayton on Sunday following his visit to South Carolina and he
let me know that he is now considering the Gamecocks. Will South Carolina get an
official visit from Slayton now? "Most likely" Slayton tells me.
Slayton has taken numerous unofficial visits to Georgia over the spring and
summer and has been trending towards the Bulldogs for quite some time. Is an
announcement coming soon for the 4-star athlete from Greater Atlanta Christian?
"It's possible it could come soon."
The main schools in the hunt for Slayton are Georgia, South Carolina and
Auburn, but there are others.
"There's a few other schools floating around in that pool which I will tell when
the time comes."
Slayton tells me as of right now, he does not have any visit plans scheduled for
next Saturday.
Bulldogs Making Noise in South Florida
Sony Michel and Isaiah McKenzie are not only making a splash early on in their
careers at Georgia, they are also putting the Bulldogs on the
map in South Florida. When Michel committed to UGA, who could have guessed how
much of an impact that decision would have on other prospects? Back in February,
Isaiah McKenzie signed with the Bulldogs without even taking a visit. He
received an offer a few days prior to national signing day and wasted no time
choosing the
Dawgs. McKenzie had other offers from top schools but picked Georgia.
•
The "Georgia Bulldogs" name is storming through South Florida right now, and
with Michel being a major contributor as a freshman, it has other prospects
attention down at American Heritage. I was able to talk with one of the many D1
prospects at American Heritage last night, Brandon Johnson. Johnson is a 6-foot-1, 166-pound
junior wide receiver who is starting to pick up some big time offers on the recruiting
circuit. He has 10 offers including Miami,
South Carolina, Tennessee, UCF, Louisville, and Wisconsin to name a few.
One team he would like to hear from? The Georgia Bulldogs...
"I have not (heard from Georgia), but I am really interested in UGA," Johnson
said.
It's not just Johnson that likes the Bulldogs from American Heritage, Georgia
also an outstanding chance to land McFadden as discussed above. I
asked Johnson what the vibe around American Heritage about UGA was.
"Yes there is somewhat (vibe about UGA) down here, we really watch now since our
boys are out there," Johnson said.
Growing up Johnson tells me he was a big fan of the local team down in South
Florida, but hey.......so was Sony Michel. "Growing up it was Miami, but I am
open to any team that likes me."
Being a 2016 prospect, Johnson has plenty of time to earn that Bulldogs offer,
but McFadden will be announcing on October 31. Even
Johnson is not positive about where McFadden is headed. "To be honest,
I really have no clue."
Georgia is not going to land every kid out of American Heritage but one thing is
for sure, the Bulldogs have their attention.
•
Another Georgia target in the Miami area is 2015 wide receiver Antonio Callaway.
He recently named UGA in his top three along with LSU and
Florida. UGASports' Dan McDonald caught up with Callaway to discuss his interest
in each.
Florida: "I like their program. I see that they give their freshmen a chance to
play and I like that. I like the new offensive coordinator and his offense."
Georgia: "When I went up there, I liked it. I have family that lives up there in
Atlanta, Adele, Savannah and Tifton. They run a spread offense too. They use a
lot of receivers. They are a balanced team that can run and pass. They give
their freshman a chance too."
LSU: "They also run a spread offense and give their freshman a chance to play.
They have a good coaching staff there."
With spots filling up at Georgia, when does the Booker T. Washington wide receiver plan
on announcing?
"I'm going to decide on signing day and make sure it's the right decision for
me." Callaway said.
UGA OT Commit Provides Latest
Jake Reuse caught up Georgia commit Pat Allen recently, and Allen provided the
latest on his recruiting process. Allen told Jake all is well with the Bulldogs,
and the coaching staff is staying in contact very frequently.
Allen did confirm that he's still planning to take all five officials, UGA,
Arkansas, Tennessee, Oklahoma, and Michigan, but says he doesn't expect the
landscape to change much.
He says each school is pursuing intensely but also tells me he's solidly
committed to Georgia. Allen plans to visit Athens when the Bulldogs host Auburn.
Mid-Atlantic Recruiting Analyst Adam Friedman talked with Allen
following his official visit to Oklahoma this past weekend. Allen discussed
shortly what he liked about his visit to the Sooners this past weekend.
"The
program was going pretty good," Allen said. "I liked the game and intensity of how fast
Oklahoma was moving. When I got into the locker-room with those guys they were
really hyped about the game. Just the atmosphere was really good."
So what does his visit mean regarding his commitment status to the Georgia
Bulldogs?
"The visit was good. My status isn't changing right now. Georgia is
still the same school I'm interested in. Nothings changing right now. I'm more
looking into just taking my official there and just going from there."
So what does Allen think about the current class for the Georgia Bulldogs with
them riding this hot streak in recruiting right now?
"I been talking to Trent
(Thompson), we all talk about who going to be roommates and stuff like that.
It's just really good. I think next year's class is going to be really great as far
as working together and just coming in and getting ready to work."
2016 Targets Favoring the Bulldogs
• Jake spoke with 2016 defensive end prospect Mykelle
McDaniel recently and named a leader in his process.
"Of the schools that have
offered me, my top two are UGA and Miami. I would love an offer from Clemson.
That's probably put it at Georgia and Clemson, but, for now, it's Georgia and
Miami," McDaniel said. "I just want to get down to Miami and visit with my
family. Georgia is number one, right now."
What is it about Georgia that keeps the Bulldogs on
top?
"(Georgia) keeps themselves in it. I just thirty-two handwritten letters
from them. I love the family environment. They stay in contact and call my mom
all the time," McDaniel said. "They just keep a relationship, so, right now,
they're number one. To be honest with you, I don't see anyone else taking their
spot. .... The very next visit I take, I'll be going back to
Georgia. (The Clemson game) was great. The best part was the food. As good as Georgia's doing,
I would have already committed, but my mom
wants me to be a man of my word, so once I commit, I'm already on my way. I'm
just going to wait."
• Peach County 2016 defensive back Tyrique McGhee also recently named the Bulldogs
his leader when UGASports spoke with him.
"They
are number one," McGhee admitted. "It's the hometown team and I like their
swagger. Since Coach Pruitt came, I like the swagger they have. I like Alabama,
South Carolina and Kentucky too."
McGee says he stays in touch with the Bulldogs coaching staff on a regular
basis. "I usually talk to Coach [John] Lilly," McGhee said. "He's the recruiter
for my area. I talk to Coach [Jeremy] Pruitt too. I like all their coaches. They
are pretty cool. They have been telling me what I'll have to do if I go there
and how I would fit into their defense."
• 2016 running back prospect Elijah Holyfield is another big name target for the Bulldogs in
the that class. Elijah is the son of legendary boxer Evander "Real
Deal" Holyfield. The 4-star tailback is starting to gain attention from colleges all
over the country, and Georgia's running backs coach Bryan McClendon is
making a big push for him.
"He
just says he wants me to come play for them and stuff like that," Holyfield
said. "He's the only coach I've really had a chance to talk to. I met Coach
[Mike] Bobo too when I went up there for the game. So far, they are all pretty
cool guys. I'm looking forward to getting to know them a little bit more. .... I
don't have any favorites yet. I'm still open to everybody. I
just want to get out of my season before I start looking at it more and naming
favorites."
Even though the Bulldogs did not take over "leader" status, they did make a move
after Holyfield's visit two weeks ago.
"The visit helped Georgia," Holyfield
said. "I really enjoyed myself. It's really nice up there. It was a great
atmosphere and the fans were crazy. I love the way they run the ball there."
Josh Sweat's Coach Gives Latest
Mid-Atlantic Recruiting Analyst Adam Friedman sat down with Richard Morgan, head
coach of Oscar Smith High School, home of 5-Star defensive end Josh Sweat.
While Friedman talked with Morgan,
recruiting Josh as a stand-up outside linebacker. How does Morgan think Josh
Sweat would fit in that scheme and what scheme he fit in better at the college
level?
"He's fine either way. There is a lot of teams out there that run a 4-man front.
He would be the weak side man coming off the edge. If you played him in a 3-4,
he's a drop linebacker but he's coming off the edge off the boundary side, so
honestly it's the same position, it's just that one has a little bit more
versatility to move around a little bit, but a lot of the responsibilities of
getting to the quarterback, having contain, stunting inside, a lot of those
responsibilities are the same, it's just where you traditionally start off at.
We do that with him here. We play him inside backer, outside backer and
defensive end so I think he will be pretty well versed on what to do when he
gets there so I think it will be an easier transition whatever school he
chooses. I don't think system will dictate where he goes because he is pretty
well versed."
Friedman asked Morgan what school he felt like Sweat would fit best at.
"I can't say, it's just so hard to say. I mean, ya never know what's going to
work out and what doesn't. That's what I like the fact that he's taking the
process all the way through to the end. Sometimes kids commit real real early,
and they didn't explore a lot of other options. Josh will exhaust all his
options, so I just feel like that school that he finally decides on, I think
when he gets to that campus it will hit home with him and he will know at that
point in time."
An announcement date is still unsure for the highly coveted prospect, but his coach
tells Friedman they have a time on their mind.
"The biggest thing for him is to make sure he is good with his final decision so
I don't want to rush him. The ideal thing like we talked about was his last
visit is Halloween weekend. That's a week before the playoffs start so what
would be great is for him to finish that last visit, he could come home, think
about it, then maybe sometime in that week before the playoffs start, if he
could make his decision then get the ball rolling as far as early graduation."