OK, so by now everyone is aware that a top UGA recruit was involved in the theft of various items at the Butts-Mehre building a couple weeks ago. Deion Bonner was a top recruit in the 2012 class, was charged and arrested on one count of theft by taking. As many also know this is kid is from Carver-Columbus, a program with some highly talented and targeted D1 athletes, including Isaiah Crowell and Jarvis Jones. It is also the school that made national headlines for banning all football coaches from recruiting at the school due a miscommunication with another football player that wanted to commit but was told he didn't have a spot. Obviously the fences were mended with Jarvis deciding to head back to Athens after being told he could no longer play at Southern Cal due to a neck injury, and then of course Crowell and Harrow signing in Feb. Deion Bonner had gone on the record as saying UGA was his leader, most considered him a lock. Now, after his probably last visit to Athens as a potential recruit (just my speculation) you have to wonder how that relationship between high school and UGA stands today. I tend to believe, considering the circumstances, Carver folks-most notably the head coach Dell McGee will understand why UGA can no longer recruit this young man. I know kids make mistakes but his was a HUGE one-and then to get on facebook to boot, just not a bright idea, I would call it STUPID matter of fact. So, I am of the belief this kid should no longer be considered a prospect for us. Coach Richt has said nothing publicly and I think that a wise decision. Either way he goes, it is best not to say anything before the ink dries on the stories about what happened. Let Carver officials make all the public comments for now. What we do know is the Carver has suspended the football players involved for at minimum 5 games, kids will also do a lot of community service. I know this kid probably deserves a second chance and I am sure he will get one-I just don't think it should be at UGA. If this damages the relationship UGA has built back up at the school, so be it. You have to do what is right and to me not allowing him the privilege to play at UGA is what is right in this situation.
Kevin Ware has decided to attend.....UCF??? What the ****??? I love the Orlando area and enjoy Disney World but would I want to go play hoops there instead of Louisville or UGA?? Uh, no. Something is really fishy here to me-not recruiting violations, but either this kid didn't want to have to face the school he truly loves-UT, or he is not confident in his abilities enough that he though he could get a lot of PT in Athens. With Louisville, I think they were really going to have to make things work to add him as they were already full. UGA had a spot and tried to get a visit but he visited UCF and committed-they must have sold him on starting right away is what I am thinking. Also, many have said they believe Fox's triangle offense is holding kids back because it takes a while to learn the offense. I have to disagree with that, a lot of teams in the NBA run versions of the triangle-it makes sense to learn and perfect it in college to me. Kind of like a FB recruit saying he didn't want to play in the "pro" style offense because it takes too long to learn. Sure, if you are good enough you can get drafted and play pro ball and learn the system but I refuse to believe our offensive system is what is holding us back. The latest recruit we are going after is a center out of North Carolina, John Cannon. He is 6'11" 240lbs, averaged 22pts, 12 rebounds and 7 blocks a game as a SR. Great stats, sounds good but he will consider UGA, Northwestern and Old Dominion??? Also has offers from UNC-Asheville, Applachian State, UNC-Wilmington, Princeton and Richmond. I know nearly 7 footers don't grow on trees but do we really need this guy IF the JUCO guy is coming in at basically the same size and I might add, with about the same type offers before he signed with us? I am really trying to hold out hope for the 2012 class but I will be honest here, Coach Fox to me heading clearly up the Dennis Felton tree with recruiting. This kid might end up developing into a NBA caliber player but to me he is basically like Daniel Miller-now at Tech but had signed with UGA and we let him go when Fox was hired. He was not ready for ACC or SEC play and GT redshirted him, last year he started and while not great was not horrible. I just don't know, I don't expect us to get a top 5 recruiting class but I do expect that he should be getting more than he has and this 2012 class is so crucial. We still have a legit shot to land some great in state players for 2012 but certainly 2011 has NOT been a great recruiting effort for Fox and his assistants. We now have 4 players committed, 2 from the state, if we add Cannon, it will be 2 of the 5 from in state.....ugh.
One last note to pass along, a kid I have been plugging here since about the time I started the blog just blew up at the last NIKE combine in Athens. Robert Nkemdiche of Grayson HS simply dominated the camp and left with folks saying he will most likely be the #1 player in the state, class of 2013 and could be nationally the top ranked player. The kid lives what, 40-50 minutes from Athens-out in my neck of the woods. If you see him in person, you are amazed at just how solid he is put together-mammoth kid at 6'5 260 and only a sophomore-he also runs very well-plays some running back on the football team at times. Well, unfortunately, I don't think we will land him. I have NO IDEA how long this arrangement will last but for the time being, I have heard that he is living with Grayson head coach Mickey Conn. Mickey is a nice guy, does a great job coaching the Grayson Rams but one thing is clearly obvious about Mickey, he LOVES the University of Alabama. He was a walkon with that program under Gene Stallings, played on the team that won the national title in the early 90's, I think it was '91 or '92. The last time I saw this kid at the local ball fields, he was decked out in Bama hat and shirt. Every interview you hear from him, he immediately mentions Bama. Really the only HIGH rated recruit to come out of the school since it opened back up (the school was around back in the early 1900's, burned down I believe and was never built again-don't ask me all the specifics) Lorenzo Washington played for the Crimson Tide recently-was a starter on the national title team a couple years ago I believe. He was down to UGA/Bama....hmmmm.
I know UGA can't get them all but I am telling you right now, unless this kid gets a serious injury, he will be a 1st round draft pick in the NFL in 5 years if my elementary math is correct (2 years of HS+3 years of college=NFL 1st rounder). It was thought that he would follow is brother, who currently plans to go to Gulf Coast JUCO-same place John Jenkins played, and they would play together in college but I am not sure that will happen. Needless to say, his brother (Denzel) is a good player and certainly worthy of an offer-I would be offering him ASAP. Ok, enough on that just found it interesting if what I have heard is indeed correct, you can no doubt believe the kid is hearing a lot of positive about Bama in that household. Like I say, this is not 100% confirmed so don't take it to the bank but I have heard it and believe it to be true-and I have no idea why he needed a place to stay either. If I hear more, I will surely update but certainly Mickey is not going to do anything illegal in his recruitment, I don't think that for a minute but when you take on the roll of mentor, you carry a lot of respect and admiration from the kid you mentor-in most cases that is.
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