Rising stars of the SEC

[JerryBeeds]

Southern Pigskin (http://www.southernpigskin.com/page.cfm?story=11353&cat=exclusives)

Agree?

[Grady]

No, not for Georgia. Clearly, Sean Bailey has serious injury to overcome and didn't yesterday; while 5-Star Top 10 Recruits Redshirted last year Reshad Jones and Knowshon Moreno have, in that order, great All-America written all over them.

[JerryBeeds]

I don't agree with ours either. Succop is a known commodity. I would've picked Emmanuel Cook.

[Bulldog Bry]

See, I would agree with his assessment about Bailey. It was evident that we missed him last year and he was just about become a major weapon when he got hurt late in 2005.

I don't read too much into the Gday game. I'm starting to wonder if they don't purposely showcase the names that people have been clamoring for. The coaches will put the best guys out there on game day.

As far as Reshad Jones, while I was impressed with him, his team got whipped in the second half. Banks and Jones may be awesome hitters, but they'll be the first to tell you that they still have to learn coverages.

[QC_Dawg]

Sean Bailey looked the slowest of all our recievers by far on saturday. I do think he'll be an asset to the team, but I'm not looking at him as our go to guy. In 2005 he'd make about one solid catch a game. Luckily he stepped it up at the end of the season and the SEC championship game... he must've known he'd be missing a few. Either way, I'm glad he's back but I dont think he'll be a star

[GeauxTo]

For us, I think running backs Keiland Williams and Richard Murphy will be rising stars beginning this year.

[WallyGoat]

I agree with Bama's assessment of Andre "The Giant" Smith. He's not the flashiest player on the team, but he's certainly the most talented big man in the SEC (imho). That's just me being a Geauxmer (homer + Geaux = Geauxmer). :laugh: :laugh:

Anywho, by the time he finishes his career at Alabama, he'll be a first rounder not unlike Chris Samuels. :thumpsup:

[GeauxTo]

That's just me being a Geauxmer (homer + Geaux = Geauxmer).

Hey, that's pretty good. Maybe I should change my name. Is a Bammer Bama + homer??
:laugh:

[AU Blaaaaaaaake]

Lester is already a star in the SEC.. I would have put Ben Tate or Mario Fannin for Auburn.

[lacene]

I agree with Beeds assessment on Succop: He's here already, and well established. Cook is a good choice. I also would include Eric Norwood....he's going to be getting more playing time in rushing situations, as opposed to being a pass-rushing specialist. Also I expect Larry Freeman, Clifton Geathers, Ladi Ajiboye and Nick Prochak to shine next season. Perhaps Jared Cook....thing is, we had such a young, inexperienced team last season, and had such a good class come in for next season, that there may be a number of players that make names for themselves in 2007.....

[Grady]

Also I expect Clifton Geathers to shine next season....thing is, we had such a young, inexperienced team last season, and had such a good class come in for next season, that there may be a number of players that make names for themselves in 2007.....

Well, personally, I would dearly love to see Clifton Geathers do very very very well on the Line. Is he expected to play OL or DT ? I project him as DT, but team needs are important too. After what Carter Strickland of the AJ-C had to say so nasty about Clifton Geathers, I think a lot of us in Hot Lanta will be pulling for Clifton Geathers. By himself, it seemed as if Carter Strickland wanted to insure that UGA did not get Clifton Geathers on our team writing front page headline stories about him while we were recruiting him saying that he has a learning disability when of course his medical condition is something Clifton Geathers has no control of and should not have been ridiculed about. 6’ 7” 280 lbs. with great quickness and speed, I and many others outraged by Carter Strickland’s cheap shots against Clifton Geathers in 2006, would love to see him do well, go on to the NFL, and kick Carter Strickland’s pompous butt. Army All-America and Parade All-America, Clifton Geathers is Robert Geathers’ brother who is a former UGA Bulldog brother of Clifton Geathers now in the NFL on Defense like the rest of his family is as well. Once he scored his qualifying ACT Score, one would have expected Carter Strickland to have offered up a written apology to Clifton Geathers – but, the AJ-C saw fit to leave their story as their last word on Clifton Geathers.


http://media.scout.com/Media/Image/20/202577m.jpg


Geathers story gathers drama

By Carter Strickland | Monday, June 26, 2006, 03:50 PM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The Clifton Geathers’ saga continued this week and probably won’t be resolved for several more.

Geathers, if you don’t know, is an Army All-American with a strong lineage at Georgia who has the potential to be a standout defensive lineman.

He also happens to not have the strongest academic background. Usually that is not that big a deal at Georgia.

In the past, presidential admits have been liberally handed out to those players deemed worthy of the risk. And, quite frankly, once those players have made it in, many have done well. But remember they have tutors, are told when to go to class, checked on to make sure they did go to class and usually do not enroll in quantum physics. In return they make the university millions of dollars.

Anyway, back to Geathers. The defensive lineman has committed to Georgia. And now he says he has the grades to get in. He is not in yet because he does not have the stamp of approval of the university just yet. Geathers first hurdle is the NCAA accepting that he has a learning disability. This is done through the NCAA’s 504 plan. Dr. Macuilitis, a tutor who worked extensively with Geathers, said Geathers definitely qualifies as a student with a learning disability under the guidelines of the NCAA.

According to the NCAA: “A student with a disability must meet the same requirements as all other students but is provided certain accommodations to help meet these requirements. If you are a student with a diagnosed disability, you will need to let the NCAA know about your disability only if you plan on using core courses after your eighth semester of high school and you plan on attending a Division I college."

Geathers falls into this category and in fact recently took a core course and scored 87 percent, according to Dr. Mac. What is important to note is the NCAA may clear a prospective player, but then the university still has to admit him. So Geathers must jump a couple of hurdles to get in. The second one should be much easier to clear than the first given Georgia’s history.

Basically what it all comes down to is this: Geathers could not get into Georgia if he didn’t play football. But he does, so he should make it. He probably won’t play the first year. But he could play down the line, so the reward probably outweighs the risk.

Some critics would argue football programs use the disability clause in cases when it should not be used and admitting someone like Geathers devalues a Georgia sheepskin. The theory being if someone like Geathers could get in, how good could the school really be? This has long been a huge complain of the Drake Group, a collection of professors worried about the influence of college football on the academic institutions in America.

Others would argue it is a worthy investment, monetarily and in the human spirit. Maybe Georgia is the place where Geathers can turn his academic future around. It’s doubtful, but it has happened to other players at other places.

Welcome to AJC! | ajc.com (http://www.ajc.com/blogs/content/shared-blogs/ajc/uga/entries/2006/06/26/geathers_story.html)



Cheap-shot artist Carter Strickland of the AJ-C embarrassed Clifton Geathers with this cheap shot story and ran him off from Georgia. Please note the bias of Carter Strickland who at the time was the UGA beat-wrter at the AJ-C hightlighted above in bold.

[shk999]

Andre already established himself last year, not to say he wont keep getting better, but from what I have heard I would say Nakita Stover for Bama if you are talking "rising star".

[OldManNoPants]

Lester is already a star in the SEC.. I would have put Ben Tate or Mario Fannin for Auburn.

It looked like the writer had a typo in the last sentence saying "Irons has the vision and balance to weave through defenders yada yada yada"

But I agree, Lester is established..would have rather seen a new name in the mix.

Hey Blake, have you heard anything new as of late about Hawthorne? I know his injuries weren't severe, but he was going to take some time to regroup mentally etc and hold off on football.

[VOLjlt]

Tennessee – The early entry of leading-receiver Robert Meachem to the NFL Draft leaves some questions at wide receiver. Expect junior college transfer Kenny O’Neal to provide answers. A former prep star and contributor at Florida State, O’Neal transferred to the JUCO ranks before coming to Knoxville. He has blazing track speed and will give quarterback Erik Ainge a deep threat.

I've not heard much about this guy so I will be interested in seeing what happens. WR is a definite question mark to me for our offense. However, I think RB is in good shape. If the O&W game was any indicator at all, (and it usually isn't) Roy Olasimbo, IMO, is our rising star. Defensively, the projections should read like this, "????????????????". I don't have a clue what is going on with that.

[pvilleguru]

smith has already made a name as a great player. i would have to go with grant. got hurt earlier in the season last year. has the ability to score every time he touches the ball.

[CRIMSONWHITE]

Lester is already a star in the SEC.. I would have put Ben Tate or Mario Fannin for Auburn.

Wrong BarnerBlake, Lester is not a "star" yet but he is a solid player.

[AU Blaaaaaaaake]

Wrong BarnerBlake, Lester is not a "star" yet but he is a solid player.

Brad Lester had more yards and more TD's than all 8 of bama's players who are considered RB's. And he was our back-up to Kenny Irons. He's a star player in the SEC.

[pvilleguru]

blake, bama only had about 2 real runningbacks last year. one greatly underperformed, and the other was a converted qb. all the others were hurt.

[shanksta13]

I don't necessarily agree with Percy Harvin being our rising star. I think he is already a known commodity. I would have to say that Brandon Spikes will be our biggest impact player that didn't play much last year. However, with so many new faces on the defensive side of the ball it could be any number of people.

[CRIMSONWHITE]

Brad Lester had more yards and more TD's than all 8 of bama's players who are considered RB's. And he was our back-up to Kenny Irons. He's a star player in the SEC.


I don't believe I mentioned our RBs but most were sub par last year. You Barners always compare yourselves to us. I simply stated that Lester was solid, not a star. Btw, I believe Jimmy Johns had a higher ypc than Lester but I could be wrong.

[hmsdawgs]

I believe our rising stars will be Knowshon Moreno (RB) and one of our freshman recruits, Trinton Sturdivant on the the OL. I expect these guys to have very successful UGA careers if they can stay healthy for the next 3-4 years.

[tecmsu06]

I agree with the Arkansas pick. He was almost shadowed by Jamaal and Keith Jackson, JR last year.

as for MState, I would have a toss up between Dixon and Derek Pegues.

[azamugg]

I don't believe I mentioned our RBs but most were sub par last year. You Barners always compare yourselves to us. I simply stated that Lester was solid, not a star. Btw, I believe Jimmy Johns had a higher ypc than Lester but I could be wrong.

hey crimson, as Ive said in some other posts, and trust me I wish I was wrong, Auburn has F'N unbelievable talent at RB times 4, Lester, Davis, Fannin, Tate and hell the new kid Davis? I believe, Enrique?

I had high hopes for Bama's rb and I'll blame it on coaching.........Johns has some potential but he's a workhorse, not a homerun hitter, Coffee is a workhorse, Upchurch is the homerun guy but is susceptible to injury.....look for Terry Grant to emerge as "the" guy, whole package, strong, quick and has the speed

[autiger1126]

I'll go with Craig Stevens and Tim Hawthorne or Mario Fannin

[drummerdawg]

Anthony Dixon!

[BAMAPERRY]

March 18, 2007
Posted at: 10:00 p.m. CDT

Fayetteville (AP) -- Washington County authorities say Antwain Robinson, a starter at defensive end in 13 Arkansas football games last season, has been arrested on a shoplifting charge.

Sergeant Dominic Swanfeld of the Fayetteville Police Department said the 20-year-old Robinson was detained this afternoon by security personnel at a Dillard's store in the Northwest Arkansas Mall at Fayetteville.

Swanfeld said Dillard's notified the police department, and officers went to the store and took Robinson into custody, based on a sworn statement from the security guards. Swanfeld said this evening he had no idea what Robinson was accused of taking. He said the Fayetteville officers took Robinson to the Washington County Jail at Fayetteville.

A spokesman at the jail who declined to give his name said Robinson was freed this evening on 550 dollars bond.

Robinson, listed as six-foot-three and 255 pounds on the Razorbacks' roster, was ranked fifth on the team in tackles last season, with a total of 68 -- 44 solo tackles and 24 assists. His tackles included 14.5 for lost yardage, costing opponents a total of 86 lost yards, ranking him second in that category.

[GatorHunter]

I don't necessarily agree with Percy Harvin being our rising star. I think he is already a known commodity. I would have to say that Brandon Spikes will be our biggest impact player that didn't play much last year. However, with so many new faces on the defensive side of the ball it could be any number of people.

I'm with ya...I think most know what Harvin is capable of. He'll be a star next year.....I really think Brandon James or even Chris Rainey may also become "household names" by mid-season. Both are electrifying players...can't wait to see all those fellas line up in a 4-5 wide set...that's scary.

Spikes will be a star on defense...he is huge and fast. I also believe Doe will be a head-hunter at LB...he made some pretty vicious hits last season in mop-up. Also heard that Hornsby has been poppin' some skulls at practice...he'll be fun to watch as well.

[Grady]

I believe our rising stars will be Knowshon Moreno (RB) and one of our freshman recruits, Trinton Sturdivant on the the OL. I expect these guys to have very successful UGA careers if they can stay healthy for the next 3-4 years.

You can certainly make those statements hmsdawgs, given what they proved on the field Saturday on TV and a big crowd.

[BamaFreak]

hey crimson, as Ive said in some other posts, and trust me I wish I was wrong, Auburn has F'N unbelievable talent at RB times 4, Lester, Davis, Fannin, Tate and hell the new kid Davis? I believe, Enrique?

I had high hopes for Bama's rb and I'll blame it on coaching.........Johns has some potential but he's a workhorse, not a homerun hitter, Coffee is a workhorse, Upchurch is the homerun guy but is susceptible to injury.....look for Terry Grant to emerge as "the" guy, whole package, strong, quick and has the speed

Personally, I've been thinking the same thing. Upchurch has so much potential, but just too fragile thus far. Grant is the kind of player who can make you hold your breath when he gets the ball. He will also be a special teams standout along with Javier Arenas.

[RollTide87]

for UA other than Smith, I'd have to also say Prince Hall

[WallyGoat]

Hey, that's pretty good. Maybe I should change my name. Is a Bammer Bama + homer??
:laugh:

Homa, Bamho, Hobama....I can't think of anything. :laugh: Bammer sounds about right. :thumpsup:

[CRIMSONWHITE]

hey crimson, as Ive said in some other posts, and trust me I wish I was wrong, Auburn has F'N unbelievable talent at RB times 4, Lester, Davis, Fannin, Tate and hell the new kid Davis? I believe, Enrique?

I had high hopes for Bama's rb and I'll blame it on coaching.........Johns has some potential but he's a workhorse, not a homerun hitter, Coffee is a workhorse, Upchurch is the homerun guy but is susceptible to injury.....look for Terry Grant to emerge as "the" guy, whole package, strong, quick and has the speed


Mugg what have Davis, Fannin, Tate, and Davis done to merit such praise? I haven't seen it.

[AU Blaaaaaaaake]

Mugg what have Davis, Fannin, Tate, and Davis done to merit such praise? I haven't seen it.


Tate barely played last year and posted decent numbers. Fannin is an all-around great athlete and like Enrique Davis, was a highly sought after recruit ranked tops in his class. Fannin recently put up 200+ yards on just THIRTEEN carries in a spring scrimmage. Davis gets on campus in a month and will most likely redshirt.

Davis and Fannin have yet to take a snap in college football, but they put up monster high school numbers and are coached by one of the greatest running backs coaches in the nation. Thats why they merit such praise.

To deny AU's ability to recruit and train some of the best running backs in college football is ignorance at its best.

[azamugg]

Mugg what have Davis, Fannin, Tate, and Davis done to merit such praise? I haven't seen it.

Tristan Davis played RB sparingly year before last and a little at the end of last year, averaging around 36 yards a carry year before last! point being, he is a home run hitter, big, strong, fast........Fannin and Tate, very similar w/Fannin being the stronger of the two, Enrique Davis, if Im not mistaken, a top 5 RB out of high school..............all of the backs have not had 250 carry seasons yet, just basing my predictions on what I have seen and heard by people smarter than me and you..........Id trade w/Auburn tomorrow if I was Alabama's coach and had the chance

but hey, if our backs prove to be better, I'll relish the fact that I was wrong!!