The following is an excerpt from the Georgia High School Football Daily, an e-mail newsletter compiled by longtime Atlanta high school football writers Todd Holcomb and Chip Saye:
We’re not a recruiting newsletter, but we’ve got some good recruiting stuff today, mostly from DeKalb County. Ken Malcome of Southwest DeKalb committed to Georgia, and we talked to him from Athens, where he had just walked out of coach Mark Richt’s office to tell him the news. We had called his coach, Buck Godfrey, about something else, not knowing he was with Malcome. The coach told us Malcome had just committed and handed him the phone to talk with us. We kept him long enough for a treasure of a quote. Check out of the story below.
Meanwhile, we got an e-mail Tuesday from Jonathan Vaughters, father of Tucker junior linebacker James Vaughters. James has been keeping family and friends up to date on James’ recruitment. His letters are so well-written that we’re encouraging him to write a book.
We’ve re-printed the letter here to give some insight on what it’s like to be one of the top young recruits in the country from a father’s perspective.
Hope you enjoy reading it.
A FATHER’S DIARY: VAUGHTERS TAKES IN OHIO STATE, NOTRE DAME
“Just wanted to provide a quick update on our son, James, since you all have requested to be kept in the loop. We had an opportunity to visit Ohio State and Notre Dame on Monday and Tuesday, while visiting Ohio on vacation. Both James’ mother and father are originally from Ohio, and they still have relatives there. Both schools were very well-represented, both academically and athletically.
“James [left] visited Ohio State on an unofficial visit and had an opportunity to tour the campus, visit with the Student Academic Support Services Organization, and the Fisher School of Business. He had an opportunity to meet with head coach Jim Tressel for an hour.
“James said, ‘Coach Tressel believes strongly in structure, getting to know his players and positive reinforcement and encouragement.’ ”
“James went on to say, ‘I was really impressed with how Coach Tressel gets so involved with the lives of every one of his players.’ It was also very impressive how Coach Tressel gets his players very involved, through community service, in the lives of the Columbus, Ohio, community.
“James had an opportunity to spend time with one of his cousins, Andre Amos, who is a starting cornerback for the 2009 Buckeyes. James also spent some time with Luke Fickell, the Buckeyes’ linebacker coach, who has developed a great track record recently for getting Ohio State linebackers to the next level, including A.J. Hawk, Bobby Carpenter, James Laurinaitis and Marcus Freeman. James also met and spoke briefly with Keith Wells, a sophomore out of Gainesville, Ga., who is in competition to get time at defensive end this season.
“James also had an opportunity to attend a one-day ‘elite’ camp at Notre Dame, where he got a chance to ‘brush up’ on his linebacker skills. James met Notre Dame head coach Charlie Weis and had a chance to spend time with former Georgia Tech coach Jon Tenuta, both on the field as well as off the field.
“James said, ‘I like the history and tradition at Notre Dame. It’s a big-time football program, but I really like the size and intimacy of the campus.’
“James went on to say, ‘I liked the practice facility, the Notre Dame stadium and how the students on campus are so involved with the football program. The campus looks classic, as it mixes the look of new buildings with the old, legacy architecture.’
“James also had a chance to see and talk with his former teammate at Tucker, Jamoris Slaughter, a redshirt freshman, who is battling to get playing time this year as a defensive back with Notre Dame.
“In both cases, James was really impressed with the long, storied traditions and history of the two football programs, including the numerous national championships and Heisman Trophy winners.
“As the summer winds down before preseason football cranks up, James will visit [Southern Cal] and UCLA, UGA’s Dawg Night, as well as Friday Night Lights at the U of Florida.
“As always, thanks so much for your continued interest in James and your encouragement.”
MALCOME COMMITS TO GEORGIA
After watching him against their teams last season, Alan Chadwick of Marist and Franklin Stephens of Tucker have compared Southwest DeKalb running back Ken Malcome to Herschel Walker.
That’s mostly because of Malcome’s size. He is 6 feet, 215 pounds.
But Southwest DeKalb coach Buck Godfrey says Malcome runs more like Earl Campbell.
Malcome, who committed to Georgia on Tuesday, told GHSF Daily on Tuesday that fans should make up their own mind.
“I can outrun you, run you over or catch the ball,” Malcome said. “Whatever back can do all that, you can compare me to him.”
Malcome gave Bulldogs coach Mark Richt the news of his commitment in person Tuesday on a visit. Godfrey, his high school coach, came along for support.
Malcome told GHSF Daily that Georgia’s pro-style offense and his relationship with running backs coach Bryan McClendon and recruiting coordinator Rodney Garner were the difference. His second choice was Florida.
Malcome rushed for 954 yards on 143 carries in 10 games last season. He is rated the No. 27 running back nationally by Scout.com and No. 31 by Rivals.com.
JOHNSON COMMITS TO LSU
Loganville running back Storm Johnson has committed to LSU, The Times-Picayune newspaper of New Orleans reported Tuesday night ahead of the recruiting services. Johnson rushed for about 1,300 yards last season for Class AA champion Buford before transferring to Loganville.
LSU was Johnson’s favorite school growing up, and his commitment was no surprise. LSU also has commitments from Georgia players Brandon Worle, a fullback from LaGrange, and Cameron Fordham, a linebacker from Collins Hill.
GRIFFIN DE HAS OFFERS FROM AUBURN, ALABAMA
Griffin junior defensive end Xzavier Dickson has offers from Alabama and Auburn, Scout.com is reporting. Dickson went to camp at those SEC schools earlier this month. He reportedly grew up a fan of Georgia, which has not made an offer.
To subscribe to GHSF Daily, send an email to ghsfdaily@bellsouth.net.
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