PREPS: Mann, Taylor lead stacked class of DTs

The Peach State had plenty of linebackers, running backs and offensive linemen stand out on National Signing Day 2011, but the most impactful position this past February was without question defensive end. Georgia grabbed Ray Drew and Sterling Bailey while Stephon Tuitt and Gabe Wright (an end in the 3-4 scheme) left the state with high fanfare. National Signing Day 2012 will be known around Georgia as the year of the defense tackle. Stephenson boasts three interior linemen that will likely head to the next level and Sandy Creek and Jenkins County also have DTs capable of dominating SEC competition.

Two of those standouts are Stephenson’s Jafar Mann and Jenkins County’s Jonathan Taylor, who both recently joined The Official Visit. Mann recently pledged to Will Muschamp and the Florida Gators, joining several teammates, while Taylor may hold out a little bit longer before likely committing with his high school teammate, DE/OLB James DeLoach.

For both players, finding out he was a top prospect was humbling. “It was a dream come true,” said Taylor about hearing he was atop many recruiting services’ initial national rankings.

Mann echoed the sentiment. “I really enjoyed the process, but the phone calls can pile up.”

Another similarity the two players share other than national attention is the likelihood that they will matriculate with current teammates to the next level. Mann will join running back Mike Davis, another rising senior, in Gainesville and possibly by several other teammates. When asked if Davis’ decision to head to Florida influenced him, Mann admitted, “it kind of did.” Teammates Raphael Kirby and Jorantay Jones are also looking at the Gators and head coach Muschamp could be getting one or both of those two as well. “Florida may get a couple of more commitments but I don’t want to ruin it,” said Mann.

Meanwhile Taylor has discussed going to college with DeLoach. “If we ever get scholarships to the same school, we’ll go together. I can push him to get better and he can push me,” Taylor said of his current and potentially future teammate. Taylor said the two players are like brothers in high school and soon they will sit down with their high school coach and talk about coaches, majors and decide as a committee.

Both players stressed coaches and playing time as important factors in their decision-making process. For Taylor, he is looking at Georgia Tech, Auburn, Alabama and Georgia, especially their depth charts and how the coaches use their players. In regards to the Yellow Jackets, Taylor liked Tech’s general atmosphere, including the staff and the players. “(The coaches) treat their players like they are at home.” He was highly complimentary of Alabama, especially Kirby Smart and Nick Saban. “They are great. They show you things you need to know.” Georgia and Todd Grantham may have impressed him the most however. “They have some nice people there like Coach Grantham. I could see myself playing for (him).” Taylor noted that Grantham hinted at some early playing time.

Mann noted that it was not just the potential of a group of four high school teammates heading down to Gainesville that sparked his interest in the Gators. “The campus was so great and the coaches act like family,” Mann gushed before adding that that the depth chart “played a big part.”

Mann also felt loyalty to the Gator program who was one of the first to offer. Georgia “offered two or three weeks after Florida,” so Mann ruled the Dawgs out despite growing up a Georgia fan. “I felt they really weren’t interested in it and I couldn’t see myself in that (3-4) defense.” Mann also admitted that his father wanted him to go to Florida and Mann declared on his father’s birthday.

Mann has announced that he will not take anymore visits just try to work on his speed and attend the Nike camp. “Hopefully I go down there (to Gainesville) and take care of my business. Everybody wants to play early.”

Taylor is a different story. He says he plans on attending as many camps as he can this summer. He also wants to hit the weight room hard, focus on school work and his speed. As far as when he will announce, be prepared to wait. “I’ll wait ‘til signing day comes.”

Carlos Hood, Dekota Ball, Jordan Watkins and Quinteze Williams are all other names that will help the state of Georgia come to be known as the premiere talent pool for interior linem