Notes after spending a couple of days touring of Georgia high schools: More than JJ at Harris County
Harris County High School is the home of four-star recruit and ESPNU 150 member Jordan Jenkins. But there's more to this team talent wise than just the nation's No. 5 ranked defensive end. Harris County's top junior is defensive tackle Jay Ellison, a 6-foot-1, 280-pounder who already has some pretty impressive scholarship offers."Auburn, Tennessee, Georgia Tech, Ole Miss, Michigan and South Carolina are some of the schools that have offered me," Ellison said. "For me, it's so early. I have no idea what I will end up doing. They are all about the same to me and I am wide open. This is all kind of surprising to me."One person to gladly welcome his emergence on the defensive front is Jenkins."He takes some pressure off of me," said Jenkins, an Under Armour All-American. "He's a good player that has really improved. And it's been fun watching him develop and I am very happy for him with the offers and all. We are always competing for sacks and tackles and stuff like that. It's been fun. Hopefully, we can play together in college as well."That decision is likely going to be some time from now for Ellison. He sounds as if he's in no hurry."Nah. I want to look around," he said. "I have been to Auburn and I am going to Alabama this weekend for the Arkansas game with Jordan (Jenkins). I am mostly looking at the environments out there and atmosphere. I want to see how it is being around all these players."Harris County senior linebacker Jagger Buggs has literally grown into his position this season. Last year he played at 210 pounds, but now he's 6-2, 230 pounds and playing middle linebacker. "I have gotten a whole lot bigger and stronger since this time last year," Buggs said. "It was a lot of hard work but it's all worth it. Plus, when you play with guys like Jordan (Jenkins) and Jay (Ellison) it makes it a lot easier on me because of what they do."Buggs has a Georgia State offer and is hearing from Mississippi State, Kentucky and Purdue.Junior DiQuan Roberts is still looking for his first scholarship offer, but the 5-11 and 165-pound cornerback is hearing from BCS programs and right now one stands out above the others."Teams like Alabama, Nebraska, Cincinnati and Auburn are all recruiting me," Roberts said. "I like them all but my favorite is Alabama. They are sending me a ton of stuff in the mail and I loved their summer camp. I did well and learned so much. I like those coaches. They are very cool. One other team I like a lot is Florida too."With still another year to play next season, Roberts knows he can keep fine tuning his game and hopes to become one of the top cornerbacks in Georgia next fall."Last year was my first as a starter," Roberts said. "I was young. I was a sophomore and I just shy and learning. Now I have a much better feel for the game out there."And if you are really looking ahead, Harris County has a pair of freshmen making an impact in 6-3, 195 WR Tae Crowder and 5-10, 165-pound ATH TaQuon Marshall. "Hey, I am just a freshman and I just want to play my role for my team," Crowder said. "I just want to work hard right now and make plays for my team when I can. I think so far I am doing all right."Flying under radar ... for now
It just take time for word to get out on some recruits. Jevaris Jones (Griffin, Ga./Spalding County) sounds like one of those guys. . Jones, 6-0 and 205 pounds, sounds too be true, according to his head coach, Ahmad Tinker."Jevaris is a high motor kid that plays at 100 mph," said Spalding County coach Ahmad Tinker. "Sometimes though that gets him in trouble because he's too aggressive out there. He's just so fast. But he does have a knack for the ball. This is my first season here and last year he played weak side linebacker and this year we moved him to the middle so he could make plays everywhere."Jones, 6-foot and 205 pounds, is making sure to do the right things off the field as well. "Jevaris is a high character kid with a great home life," Tinker said. "He's a leader. He's also tremendous in the weight room. Just during this season his power clean went up 40 pounds to 270. When do you ever see someone making a jump like that?"Jones is truly is a sleeper. For now. "Nobody knows about this kid," Tinker said. "We will soon put together a highlight tape of the season and get it out. We have to get that film out soon."Griffin team is rebuilding mode