Top DB Target set to announce
[/B]
• Rivals100 defensive back Donte Jackson spent the weekend on his official visit to the University of Georgia.
"I had a great, I always do," Jackson told the New Orleans Times-Picayune. "This decision isn't going to be easy by any means. Coach [Jeremy] Pruitt was great, as usual, and they showed me a lot of great things about the university and the opportunity I would have there."
Jackson is set announce his decision on Wednesday morning at 10:30 a.m. CST. Along with Georgia, the home state LSU Tigers and the USC Trojans are likely destinations, although many think Jackson picks between the Dawgs and Tigers.
"I really don't have my mind made up, yet, but I feel like I will by then," Jackson told the Times-Picayune. "I plan on shutting everything down until then; stay out of the media, shut down my Twitter, talk with my family and things like that. I need some me-time right now because this is the biggest decision I've been faced with in my life. This has been a long road. It's crazy that it's almost over. I thank everyone that's been there for me and soon everyone will know where I'm going to school, but I have to figure that out first."
UGASports.com Recruiting Analyst Trent Smallwood's Take:
Every week it seems as if it changes for four-star prospect Donte Jackson. After taking an official to Georgia this past weekend, it seems the Bulldogs have gained some momentum for the talented Louisiana defensive back, but will it spark Georgia for the upset on Wednesday? Georgia will have an in-home on Tuesday and LSU will visit early Wednesday morning to make their last minute pitch to Jackson.
Coaches on the Recruiting trail Updates
[/B]
• Maryland four-star offensive tackle Pat Allen hosted two members of the Georgia coaching staff Thursday. Head coach Mark Richt and offensive line coach Rob Sale were coaches that traveled up to visit the Rivals250 talent who until recently was committed to the Bulldogs. Allen said it was a "good" visit but didn't shift his commitment back to Georgia.
"I'm not visiting anymore schools," Allen said. "I'm still considering Georgia but not [recommitted]."
He says he will make his final choice between Georgia, Tennessee, and Oklahoma on February 4th (National Signing Day).
• Five-star Georgia commit Terry Godwin got to meet his future offensive coordinator Thursday morning and the nation's No.1 overall athlete liked what he learned.
"He was a real cool guy, real down to earth," Godwin said in a brief telephone interview with UGASports. "He just told me how it is. He's a great guy; I can imagine him being a great coach as well."
For those wondering, Godwin said he's still "100 percent" committed to Georgia but will take his remaining trips, beginning with his official visit this weekend to Auburn, followed by one to Alabama. After that, Godwin will take one final official before National Signing Day, either to Texas A&M or Colorado State, where former Bulldog offensive coordinator Mike Bobo has invited him to come and take a look-see.
"I'm just having fun," Godwin said. "It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."
• Though he initially planned visits to take official visits to a couple of schools out west, Georgia wide receiver commit Michael Chigbu has decided that will no longer be necessary.
"I actually decided (to cancel the visits) three days before the coaches came by," Chigbu said. "I released the dates, but I talked with my family and we just decided Georgia was the best fit for me."
It's clear the meeting with Brian Schottenheimer struck a chord.
"Coach Schottenheimer is a great guy, and he knows what he's doing," Chigbu said of the new Dawgs' offensive head. "I think he's the best fit for Georgia."
Chigbu explains how he believes Schottenheimer's offense will mirror that of Mike Bobo's.
"He was just showing that nothing's going to change. He said and made me feel like Georgia is still the best place for me," Chigbu said. "They want me to be a receiver who makes plays. If I go there and do what I have to do, it'll happen."
2016 Targets Update Status
• Four-star prospect Marlon Character caught up with UGASports following practice to break down the experience, his play, who's in the mix, and when we might expect a decision.
With Character nearing a decision, he has a top three in mind.
"My top three is Alabama, Georgia, and Ole Miss, as of now. There's a couple of teams still standing there on the edge, like LSU and Virginia Tech."
The talented safety discussed his relationship with the Georgia Bulldogs coaching staff and why they remained one of the schools to beat.
"The relationship is pretty good with all of the coaches, especially Coach Richt," Character said. "There's been a lot going on over there, but they're still in mind. I'm still thinking about them. Coach Pruitt and all of the coaches are great. I like them a lot and the players as well."
Trent Smallwood's take:
Character has had a top two of Alabama and Georgia for several months now. Whichever team he chooses when he announces soon, the other team will not be out of it until the end. It looks as if this will be an Alabama/Georgia battle to the end for the four-star Atlanta safety.
• It's not hard to see why Wake Forest (NC) defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence is such a highly regarded prospect.
Last season, Lawrence recorded 140 tackles, 17 sacks, five deflected passes and 20 tackles for loss on a team that went all the way to the state championship before losing to Mallard Creek.
The five-star prospect has been hearing from Georgia on a regular basis, specifically defensive line coach Tracy Rocker.
"He's a cool guy. I like him," Lawrence said. "He always talks about trying to get me there for a visit and tells me about the school. I'm going to try to get there soon for a visit."
Lawrence liked what he saw last season out of Jeremy Pruitt's defense in Athens.
"They played very disciplined," Lawrence said. "You could tell they did what their coach asked them to do. I could see myself fitting in there."
Trent Smallwood's take:
Right now it is tough to gauge the overall interest level in the Bulldogs for Lawrence. The interest level will be gauged if the Bulldogs can get the five-star prospect on campus this spring and summer.
• Chidi Okonya recently provided the latest on his recruiting process to UGASports, including where schools believe they could use his unique size at the next level.
"A lot of colleges are telling me they could put the size on me to play with a hand down, and, if I needed to, drop into a little bit of coverage as a linebacker, nothing too complicated, though. They like me as a standup end, as well. I'm alright with either one."
Chidi has been seen in Athens a few times at games, Dawg Night, and also 7-on-7s. What's the relationship with Georgia like now? It was pretty hot and heavy for a minute.
"We're still pretty good and everything. I'm just trying to work on my feel for next year and get more explosive, as far as finishing a tackle and everything like that. My relationship with Coach [Tracy] Rocker is pretty firm, right now."
UGASports Recruiting Analyst Jake Reuse take:
At 6-foot-6, it's hard to miss the lanky Chidi Okonya when he steps onto the field. The three-star defensive end out of Riverdale has a tremendous frame for coaches to build up going forward, so it's no surprise schools are beginning to fall in line for his services.
• As the fourth-ranked cornerback in the Class of 2016, Stephenson's Khalil Ladler is receiving his fair share of attention from schools around the nation. In late November, Ladler named LSU, Georgia and Florida State as his top three schools.
Although Ladler has a top three, there is two teams he speaks very high on.
"The defensive backs from LSU, I love them," Ladler said. "Most of them go to the NFL, and they're top players in the NFL. That's mainly what I like about them. Georgia has Coach [Jeremy] Pruitt, and he's a very nice guy. He came in and helped the DBs out for Georgia, and they stepped up this year."
Trent Smallwood's Take:
Khalil Lader has some strong ties to Georgia being from Stephenson and Bulldogs commit Chauncey Rivers being in his ear constantly. LSU was a childhood favorite, and Auburn is also trying to enter the mix. As of today, I feel LSU has a slight lead over Georgia and few others heading into his senior campaign.
Upcoming Timeline of Events in Recruiting
Enrolled at UGA:
1. DB- Johnathan Abram
2. DB- Jarvis Wilson
3. TE- Jackson Harris
4. DL- Johnathan Ledbetter
5. DL- Michael Barnett
6. LB- Chuks Amaechi
7. LB- Natrez Patrick
January 15th:
Coach Brian Schottenheimer:
• Visiting Terry Godwin
• Visiting Michael Chigbu (Coach Ball there also)
• Visiting Donte Jackson
Coach Rob Sale and Coach Sherrer
• Visiting Pat Allen (Coach Richt there also)
• Visiting Juwuan Briscoe
Coach John Lilly
• Visiting Roquan Smith
Coach Tracy Rocker
• Trenton Thompson
Coach Jeremy Pruitt
• Visiting Chris Williamson (CONFIRMED AT GAINESVILLE HIGH AT 9:00 AM)
• Visiting Rico McGraw (THURSDAY NIGHT)
Coach Bryan McClendon
• Jayson Stanley
January 16th:
Coach Brian Schottenheimer:
• Visiting Van Jefferson
• Visiting Jayson Stanley
• Visiting Venzell Boulware
• Visiting Marquel Harrell
Coach Rob Sale
• Visiting Nick Buchanan
Coach Tracy Rocker
• Visiting Chauncey Rivers
• Visiting Antwuan Jackson (2016)
Coach Jeremy Pruitt
• Visiting Kareem Orr
Coach Kevin Sherrer
• Visiting Prince Tega Wanogho
Coach John Lilly
• Visiting Mark Walton
January 16th:
Donte Jackson official visit
Juwuan Briscoe visit
Nick Robinson visits
Venzell Boulware visit
Jayson Stanley visit
D'Andre Walker visit
January 19th:
Coach Brian Schottenheimer and Rob Sale:
• In-home visit with Sage Hardin
Coach Mark Richt and Jeremy Pruitt
• In-home visit with Kareem Orr
January 20th:
Coach Mark Richt and Jeremy Pruitt
• In-home visit with Donte Jackson
January 21st:
Donte Jackson announcement
January 21st-22nd:
Mark Walton official visit
January 30th:
Trenton Thompson official visit
Chauncey Rivers official visit
D'Andre Walker official visit
Kareem Orr official visit
This post was edited on 1/19 8:40 PM by Trent Smallwood
[/B]
• Rivals100 defensive back Donte Jackson spent the weekend on his official visit to the University of Georgia.
"I had a great, I always do," Jackson told the New Orleans Times-Picayune. "This decision isn't going to be easy by any means. Coach [Jeremy] Pruitt was great, as usual, and they showed me a lot of great things about the university and the opportunity I would have there."
Jackson is set announce his decision on Wednesday morning at 10:30 a.m. CST. Along with Georgia, the home state LSU Tigers and the USC Trojans are likely destinations, although many think Jackson picks between the Dawgs and Tigers.
"I really don't have my mind made up, yet, but I feel like I will by then," Jackson told the Times-Picayune. "I plan on shutting everything down until then; stay out of the media, shut down my Twitter, talk with my family and things like that. I need some me-time right now because this is the biggest decision I've been faced with in my life. This has been a long road. It's crazy that it's almost over. I thank everyone that's been there for me and soon everyone will know where I'm going to school, but I have to figure that out first."
UGASports.com Recruiting Analyst Trent Smallwood's Take:
Every week it seems as if it changes for four-star prospect Donte Jackson. After taking an official to Georgia this past weekend, it seems the Bulldogs have gained some momentum for the talented Louisiana defensive back, but will it spark Georgia for the upset on Wednesday? Georgia will have an in-home on Tuesday and LSU will visit early Wednesday morning to make their last minute pitch to Jackson.
Coaches on the Recruiting trail Updates
[/B]
• Maryland four-star offensive tackle Pat Allen hosted two members of the Georgia coaching staff Thursday. Head coach Mark Richt and offensive line coach Rob Sale were coaches that traveled up to visit the Rivals250 talent who until recently was committed to the Bulldogs. Allen said it was a "good" visit but didn't shift his commitment back to Georgia.
"I'm not visiting anymore schools," Allen said. "I'm still considering Georgia but not [recommitted]."
He says he will make his final choice between Georgia, Tennessee, and Oklahoma on February 4th (National Signing Day).
• Five-star Georgia commit Terry Godwin got to meet his future offensive coordinator Thursday morning and the nation's No.1 overall athlete liked what he learned.
"He was a real cool guy, real down to earth," Godwin said in a brief telephone interview with UGASports. "He just told me how it is. He's a great guy; I can imagine him being a great coach as well."
For those wondering, Godwin said he's still "100 percent" committed to Georgia but will take his remaining trips, beginning with his official visit this weekend to Auburn, followed by one to Alabama. After that, Godwin will take one final official before National Signing Day, either to Texas A&M or Colorado State, where former Bulldog offensive coordinator Mike Bobo has invited him to come and take a look-see.
"I'm just having fun," Godwin said. "It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."
• Though he initially planned visits to take official visits to a couple of schools out west, Georgia wide receiver commit Michael Chigbu has decided that will no longer be necessary.
"I actually decided (to cancel the visits) three days before the coaches came by," Chigbu said. "I released the dates, but I talked with my family and we just decided Georgia was the best fit for me."
It's clear the meeting with Brian Schottenheimer struck a chord.
"Coach Schottenheimer is a great guy, and he knows what he's doing," Chigbu said of the new Dawgs' offensive head. "I think he's the best fit for Georgia."
Chigbu explains how he believes Schottenheimer's offense will mirror that of Mike Bobo's.
"He was just showing that nothing's going to change. He said and made me feel like Georgia is still the best place for me," Chigbu said. "They want me to be a receiver who makes plays. If I go there and do what I have to do, it'll happen."
2016 Targets Update Status
• Four-star prospect Marlon Character caught up with UGASports following practice to break down the experience, his play, who's in the mix, and when we might expect a decision.
With Character nearing a decision, he has a top three in mind.
"My top three is Alabama, Georgia, and Ole Miss, as of now. There's a couple of teams still standing there on the edge, like LSU and Virginia Tech."
The talented safety discussed his relationship with the Georgia Bulldogs coaching staff and why they remained one of the schools to beat.
"The relationship is pretty good with all of the coaches, especially Coach Richt," Character said. "There's been a lot going on over there, but they're still in mind. I'm still thinking about them. Coach Pruitt and all of the coaches are great. I like them a lot and the players as well."
Trent Smallwood's take:
Character has had a top two of Alabama and Georgia for several months now. Whichever team he chooses when he announces soon, the other team will not be out of it until the end. It looks as if this will be an Alabama/Georgia battle to the end for the four-star Atlanta safety.
• It's not hard to see why Wake Forest (NC) defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence is such a highly regarded prospect.
Last season, Lawrence recorded 140 tackles, 17 sacks, five deflected passes and 20 tackles for loss on a team that went all the way to the state championship before losing to Mallard Creek.
The five-star prospect has been hearing from Georgia on a regular basis, specifically defensive line coach Tracy Rocker.
"He's a cool guy. I like him," Lawrence said. "He always talks about trying to get me there for a visit and tells me about the school. I'm going to try to get there soon for a visit."
Lawrence liked what he saw last season out of Jeremy Pruitt's defense in Athens.
"They played very disciplined," Lawrence said. "You could tell they did what their coach asked them to do. I could see myself fitting in there."
Trent Smallwood's take:
Right now it is tough to gauge the overall interest level in the Bulldogs for Lawrence. The interest level will be gauged if the Bulldogs can get the five-star prospect on campus this spring and summer.
• Chidi Okonya recently provided the latest on his recruiting process to UGASports, including where schools believe they could use his unique size at the next level.
"A lot of colleges are telling me they could put the size on me to play with a hand down, and, if I needed to, drop into a little bit of coverage as a linebacker, nothing too complicated, though. They like me as a standup end, as well. I'm alright with either one."
Chidi has been seen in Athens a few times at games, Dawg Night, and also 7-on-7s. What's the relationship with Georgia like now? It was pretty hot and heavy for a minute.
"We're still pretty good and everything. I'm just trying to work on my feel for next year and get more explosive, as far as finishing a tackle and everything like that. My relationship with Coach [Tracy] Rocker is pretty firm, right now."
UGASports Recruiting Analyst Jake Reuse take:
At 6-foot-6, it's hard to miss the lanky Chidi Okonya when he steps onto the field. The three-star defensive end out of Riverdale has a tremendous frame for coaches to build up going forward, so it's no surprise schools are beginning to fall in line for his services.
• As the fourth-ranked cornerback in the Class of 2016, Stephenson's Khalil Ladler is receiving his fair share of attention from schools around the nation. In late November, Ladler named LSU, Georgia and Florida State as his top three schools.
Although Ladler has a top three, there is two teams he speaks very high on.
"The defensive backs from LSU, I love them," Ladler said. "Most of them go to the NFL, and they're top players in the NFL. That's mainly what I like about them. Georgia has Coach [Jeremy] Pruitt, and he's a very nice guy. He came in and helped the DBs out for Georgia, and they stepped up this year."
Trent Smallwood's Take:
Khalil Lader has some strong ties to Georgia being from Stephenson and Bulldogs commit Chauncey Rivers being in his ear constantly. LSU was a childhood favorite, and Auburn is also trying to enter the mix. As of today, I feel LSU has a slight lead over Georgia and few others heading into his senior campaign.
Upcoming Timeline of Events in Recruiting
Enrolled at UGA:
1. DB- Johnathan Abram
2. DB- Jarvis Wilson
3. TE- Jackson Harris
4. DL- Johnathan Ledbetter
5. DL- Michael Barnett
6. LB- Chuks Amaechi
7. LB- Natrez Patrick
January 15th:
Coach Brian Schottenheimer:
• Visiting Terry Godwin
• Visiting Michael Chigbu (Coach Ball there also)
• Visiting Donte Jackson
Coach Rob Sale and Coach Sherrer
• Visiting Pat Allen (Coach Richt there also)
• Visiting Juwuan Briscoe
Coach John Lilly
• Visiting Roquan Smith
Coach Tracy Rocker
• Trenton Thompson
Coach Jeremy Pruitt
• Visiting Chris Williamson (CONFIRMED AT GAINESVILLE HIGH AT 9:00 AM)
• Visiting Rico McGraw (THURSDAY NIGHT)
Coach Bryan McClendon
• Jayson Stanley
January 16th:
Coach Brian Schottenheimer:
• Visiting Van Jefferson
• Visiting Jayson Stanley
• Visiting Venzell Boulware
• Visiting Marquel Harrell
Coach Rob Sale
• Visiting Nick Buchanan
Coach Tracy Rocker
• Visiting Chauncey Rivers
• Visiting Antwuan Jackson (2016)
Coach Jeremy Pruitt
• Visiting Kareem Orr
Coach Kevin Sherrer
• Visiting Prince Tega Wanogho
Coach John Lilly
• Visiting Mark Walton
January 16th:
Donte Jackson official visit
Juwuan Briscoe visit
Nick Robinson visits
Venzell Boulware visit
Jayson Stanley visit
D'Andre Walker visit
January 19th:
Coach Brian Schottenheimer and Rob Sale:
• In-home visit with Sage Hardin
Coach Mark Richt and Jeremy Pruitt
• In-home visit with Kareem Orr
January 20th:
Coach Mark Richt and Jeremy Pruitt
• In-home visit with Donte Jackson
January 21st:
Donte Jackson announcement
January 21st-22nd:
Mark Walton official visit
January 30th:
Trenton Thompson official visit
Chauncey Rivers official visit
D'Andre Walker official visit
Kareem Orr official visit
This post was edited on 1/19 8:40 PM by Trent Smallwood
