I will be calling the First EVER AT&T Georgia Junior Bowl on Saturday, January, 8 2011 LIVE from Hallford Stadium. Look for coverage on gpb.org/sports, ajc.com, FOX5 as well as several other outlets. My PXP partner Bob Houghton and my Official Visit co-host Scott Janovitz join me in the booth.
Over the last few years, recruiting has gone younger and younger with colleges starting their evaluations of potential prospects beginning with the targets’ sophomore and sometimes freshman year of high school. More juniors than ever have already committed to schools before even playing a down of ball their season seasons, some during their junior year. For the first time ever, the top rising seniors in Georgia will be given a chance to showcase their talents in front of the entire nation, and those 86 juniors lucky and skilled enough to participate in the 2011 AT&T Junior Bowl will have a chance to learn under some of the best prep coaches in the state. These players will also taste the spotlight for the first time as they will try and carry a team for the first time in this all-star showdown. The rosters of the 2011 contest will pit the beasts from the East versus the best of the West. The two rosters feature players that are sure to be on everyone’s “Best Of” list such Rivals.com, Scout.com, the AJC Super Eleven and the Score 44.
In 2010, several quarterbacks stood out on the playing field such as Collins Hill’s Taylor Heinicke and Chattahoochee’s Timmy Byerly, but only Clarke-Central’s Martay Mattox received a scholarship offer from a BCS school to play QB at the next level. The next generation already has that beat with Greyson Lambert (Wayne County) holding multiple SEC offers. Jonquel Dawson (ML King) set several DeKalb County passing records last season and will join Lambert and North Gwinnett’s Scott Hosch on the East roster. Both Dawson and Hosch will be looking at offers from big-time programs soon. The 2011 season could very well go down as the year of the quarterback with these three under center next year.
It will be hard for a running back to follow the hype that Isaiah Crowell lived up to the last two seasons but Stephenson’s Mike Davis (East) will try, as will Peachtree Ridge’s DiAndre Atwater (East). The West roster will also offer up two candidates to carry on Georgia’s tradition of talented tailbacks. Hillgrove’s Kenyan Drake was impressive all year long in 2010 and will have a chance to shine during his senior campaign. Sandy Creek’s Mike Hilton will also be the focus of the offense in 2011 now that his highly decorated teammates have left with back-to-back state titles.
Two members of the East can boast an NFL pedigree. Peachtree Ridge’s Ray Buchannan Jr is the son of the former Falcon and his high school teammate Atwater calls the former Bronco and Raven Steve Atwater “Dad.”
The talent on the West shouldn’t be overlooked, especially on defense. Carver-Columbus defensive back Deion Bonner is atop every BCS school’s dream list while Harris County defensive lineman Jordan Jenkins outplayed Alabama-bound LaMichael Fanning at times this season. Calhoun kicker Adam Griffith can also boot the ball through the endzone and through the goalposts on a regular basis. Griffith is as cold-blooded as you can be as a kicker and he will be one of the most sought-after kickers across the country in 2011.
These are just a few of the near 90 players that will be showcasing their talent at the 2011 AT&T Junior Bowl, which is sure to be one of the best all-star games one will see in the country.
COACHES SECTION
The players won’t be the only all-stars roaming the sidelines at Hallford Stadium for the 2011 AT&T Junior Bowl. The coaching staff is top-notch and should have plenty of experience and knowledge to offer their outstanding rosters.
Tucker’s Franklin Stephens will coach the East team, and the players would be smart to soak up as much wisdom as Stephens offers as he has a state title on his coaching resume. Stephens’ staff would make some NFL head coaches blush as Camden County’s Jeff Herron, a three-time champion will assist, as will Chattahoochee’s Terry Crowder, who just claimed the Class AAAA title a few weeks ago. Ed Dudley of Ware County will bring his many years of experience to the East staff. Dudley took Walton to the AAAAA semi-finals several years ago. Leroy Ryals was also in the AAAA state championship game one year ago.
The West coaching staff is just as decorated and it starts with the head man. Lowndes head coach Randy McPherson will serve as the boss of the West and he can hold his charges’ attention with his three state titles. Tom Fallaw of Cairo can also sport a championship ring as he will assist McPherson. Thomasville High School’s Richard Marsh has made the playoffs every year during his tenure and Fitzgerald coach Robby Pruitt has taken a team to the state finals in 2000 and been in contention seemingly every other year as well. Steve DeVoursney will also command some respect after all of the talent he has turned out the last few seasons.
In addition to bring together some of the best rising seniors, some of the state’s best coaches have been tapped to participate in the 2011 AT&T Junior Bowl.
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