FROM BOY TO MAN: How one New Orleans Saint has impacted the life of one Destin resident

Who Dat, indeed: Two nobodies play vital roles in Saints' Super win

Peter King> MONDAY MORNING QB

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/peter_king/02/08/mmqb.superbowl/index.html?eref=sihp

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. -- It's right, it's fair, it's just, it's good, it's shocking. You were not dreaming (or nightmaring, if you live in Indiana). The Saints have won the Super Bowl.

As the fifth team bus -- the one with mostly family and friends of the team -- sped from the stadium to the Intercontinental Hotel in downtown Miami for the most raucous of postgame parties, this merry band of Saints partisans sang and chanted and Who-Datted to their heart's content. On this bus was an eclectic mix, just like New Orleans itself. A couple of seats from the front was the political couple who live in New Orleans, James Carville and Mary Matalin. Behind them sat the 97-year-old archbishop of New Orleans, Philip Hannan, a good friend of owner Tom Benson. In the back was Reggie Bush and his famous-for-being-famous girlfriend, Kim Kardashian. Democratic Party mega-fundraiser Calvin Fayard, a Louisiana attorney, was aboard too.

"Oh when the Saints ... come marching in ...'' They did that one for a while. And "You Are My Sunshine,'' the state song, which has roots to former Louisiana governor Jimmie Davis, and a couple of "Who Dat'' songs. It got quiet for a minute, and Carville piped up loudly: "I still can't believe we won the Super Bowl!''

The play that signifies it all was on the mind of everyone on the bus. In the middle of the rolling party, someone else piped up: "Can you believe we called that onside kick?''

Oh, I can. It had Sean Payton written all over it.

It's the Super Bowl, and I'm going to write about an onside kick, and about two absolute nobodies who so powerfully influenced the outcome of the biggest game in the history of the New Orleans Saints.

That's one of the reasons football's such a great game. The 45th guy on the roster can make the play of the day in the biggest game of the year. David Tyree did it in Super Bowl 42. Chris Reis, with help from a very nervous kicker, did it in Super Bowl 44.

***

"Ambush,'' Payton said cavalierly, almost diffidently, as he walked by kickoff man Thomas Morstead in the Saints locker room at halftime Sunday night.

Perfect. Ambush. That's the name of the Saints' onside kick, the one that continued the Colts' downfall in Super Bowl 44. The reason it's so perfect is that it's right for Payton, and right for this derring-do team with the cocky defensive coordinator and the only slightly less cocky head coach and players and fans who have yearned for so long to deserve to be cocky. In this case, Ambush was so mind-blowing because:

a. Morstead never attempted an onside kick in a game before Sunday night in his life.

b. Morstead never practiced onside-kicking until 12 days ago.

c. Morstead can be a bundle of nerves.

And so Payton walked by Morstead's locker and dropped that little bomb on him, and he told the rest of the special-teams leaders, and 25 minutes still were left before the start of the second half. Morstead sat at his locker, looked straight ahead and tried to keep his heart from pounding out of his chest.

"I wasn't worried,'' Morstead said later. "I was terrified. He dropped it on me near the start of halftime, not near the end, and it's such a long halftime. All I could think of was how stupid I'd look if the kick doesn't go 10 yards, or if I blow it.''

When the Saints looked at the Colts on tape, they saw two up-men on the front line of the Indy kick-return team cheating. That is, when the kicker approached the ball, two guys on the right of the kick-return unit -- as the kickoff team looked ahead, to the left -- turned and began retreating to set up their blocks for a return just before the ball was kicked. So when Payton saw this, he figured the Saints would definitely try an onside kick at some point of the game.

In each of their three practices last week, the Saints worked on the onside kick five times. They christened it "Ambush'' for the element of surprise, obviously. And they practiced it the same way every time: with Morstead, the neophyte, approaching the ball from the left, as right-footed soccer-style kickers do, and kicking the ball almost across his body to the left, to the exact spot where the Saints thought the two Colts would be leaving early. Payton knew he wouldn't try the kick early in the game; he wanted time to set the Colts up. Before the game, he made a point to talk to ref Scott Green and his crew to be on the lookout for it so they wouldn't be surprised, and so they'd be ready to determine possession in the inevitable scrum.

New Orleans got a big lift just before halftime when a Garrett Hartley field goal narrowed Indy's lead to 10-6. Payton knows how lethal Peyton Manning is, and he knew he ran the risk of giving the Colts 30 extra yards if the onside kick failed, but he knew it wouldn't fail.

He put his trust in the hands of a kicker, Morstead, kicking the first onside kick of his life, and in a special-teamer, third-year safety Chris Reis, perhaps the most anonymous of the 45 Saints who dressed Sunday. Morstead because he was the kicker, Reis because he was the feistiest of his kick-chasers and would scratch and claw for the ball if he had to.

"I've been kicking off to the right all year,'' Morstead said later. "So when I approached the ball, they left early again and I just pushed the ball to the left. The way I practiced it, it was supposed to hit and spin back. I had a little bit of confidence in it, because every time he called it in practice this week it seemed to work. But still, like I said, I was terrified. I just tried to make sure it went 10 yards, and then just prayed.''

It went 10 yards. It went off Hank Baskett, the fifth wideout on the Colts. The ball bounced toward Reis, plowing single-mindedly toward the spot he knew the kick was going to settle, 10 to 12 yards downfield. At the 42-yard-line of the Saints, Reis dove for the ball, and the scrum began. (Officially, linebacker Jonathan Casillas was credited with the recovery, but Casillas and other Saints said it was Reis who came away with the ball.)

The ball at first lay underneath Reis' legs as bodies flew in trying to get it. "I was able to get the ball into my hands and just cradle it here,'' Reis demonstrated for me later in the locker room, with his hands cradled around his stomach, slightly bent over. "So I just pulled it tight to my body and held on.''

"White ball!'' Reis heard one official yell in the mayhem. The Saints were wearing white. Good.

"Blue ball! Blue ball!'' he heard another official yell. The Colts were blue. Bad.

"So I just figured I better hang onto it for dear life,'' he said. "The Colts were punching at it and grabbing for it, trying to get it out. But I didn't care if they broke all my fingers. There was absolutely no way in the world I was going to let go of that ball. That was our ball.''

The scrum lasted 90 seconds. Officials and players were pulling players out of the pile, and a couple of them just circled back and got back into the scrum and tried to get near the ball again. Did the ball change hands down there? Reis swears no. And when the last man left the turf, Reis had the ball. Six plays later, Drew Brees fired a pass to running back Pierre Thomas that resulted in a 16-yard touchdown, and the Saints had their first lead of the day.

"I can't believe it,'' said Morstead, a rookie from SMU. He's a tall kid, wiry and athletic and thoughtful. "I still can't. You've got to love playing for a coach who puts that much trust in his players. I mean, that was a pretty big risk. And now, to sit here and know it helped us win ... ''

Morstead seemed like he was in a daze.

"You know, every year you see guys in all sports after they win the championship, and they talk about how it seems so surreal. I'm the same way. I'm just trying to soak it all in and realize what happened.''

What happened, fella, is you and Chris Reis just made a play that was the biggest one in preventing Peyton Manning from winning his second Super Bowl, and sent your city into orbit. That's all.

By Alyssa LaRenzie
AlyssaLaRenzie@forsythnews.com

2010 draft: running back grading scale

Breaking down prospects’ potential. Wes Bunting

http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/2010-draft-running-back-grading-scale.html

The 2010 running back class certainly has some talent toward the top end and also features a solid group of prospects who possess the ability to develop into starters if given an opportunity in the right scheme. Plus, there look to be plenty of mid-round-type backs who could fill roles and be productive in a rotation at the next level.

In order to break down each prospect, the National Football Post will once again be using our own numerical grading scale, focusing on evaluating prospects’ potential in terms of “starter caliber,” “dirty starter caliber,” “possible starter caliber,” “backup/depth caliber” and “free agent caliber.” The full grading scale is listed below with explanations of each grade.

Here’s our initial look at the 2010 running back class:

NFP Numerical College Grading Scale

Starter Caliber

8.0 Starts first game as a pro…a prospect who possesses rare physical attributes that have an obvious impact on the game…will instantly become one of the best players at his position in the NFL.

7.5 Becomes a starter in his rookie season…a prospect who possesses physical attributes that will create mismatches and have an obvious impact on the game…will become a premier player in the league.

7.0 Starts in first game as a pro…a prospect who possesses physical attributes that will create mismatches vs. most opponents…a featured player on a team.

6.9 Becomes a starter during his rookie year…a prospect who possesses physical attributes that will create mismatches vs. most opponents…a featured player on team.

6.8 Becomes a starter in his rookie year…becomes a solid NFL player who has no real weakness…can’t be exploited or consistently taken out of games.

Dirty Starter Caliber

6.7 Contributes first year and starts second year…must be able to get on the field and make a contribution as a rookie…expected to start his second year in the league.

6.6 Contributes first year but may need time to become a starter…has the ability to become a starter and will be expected to assume a starting role.

6.5 Clean player who is inconsistent in his play due to character, alertness or competitiveness…has all the physical tools needed to become a starter…if he overcomes his deficiencies, he will be a star in the league…if he doesn’t, he’ll be a complete failure…NO middle ground.

Possible Starter Caliber

6.4 Has one deficient area of his playing skills or physical attributes but should be able to overcome it and contribute to a team…has the potential to become a starter based on his abilities.

6.3 Has one deficient area of his playing skills or his physical attributes that will be difficult to overcome but will contribute in spite of it…has the potential to become a starter based on his abilities.

6.2 Has one deficient area of his physical attributes that he can never overcome but has been productive and has the potential to be a starter in the NFL in spite of his shortcomings.

6.1 A clean prospect who will need time and development in order to contribute…physically, this player has all the tools to be a starter in the NFL but has not yet developed the necessary skills due to level of competition, offensive or defensive schemes, injury, grades or lack of playing time…true developmental player who has the potential to become a starter.

6.0 An underachiever who has exhibited a deficiency in some area of his play...has the abilities to become a starter but hasn’t played up to them…has a problem with football instincts, character and/or competitiveness…boom-or-bust prospect.

Backup/Depth Caliber

5.9 Has a deficient area of his playing or physical skills that he should overcome and contribute as a backup and spot player only.

5.8 Has a deficient area of his playing of physical skills that will be difficult to overcome but will contribute as a backup and spot player only.

5.7 Has a deficient area of his physical skills that cannot be overcome but has been productive and can contribute as a backup and spot player only.

Free Agent Category

5.6 Free agent with speed, character and competitiveness.

5.5 Free agent with athletic ability, character and competitiveness.

5.4 Free agent with size, character and competitiveness.

5.3 Free agent at a high level of competition with size, speed or athletic ability.

5.2 Free agent with size or speed.

5.1 Free agent with character and competitiveness.

5.0 Camp body.

4.0 Reject…no qualities for professional football.

The 2010 Georgia Tech Football Schedule has been released. It is a tough schedule but the team is excited about the opponents and cannot wait until September 4th!

2010 SCHEDULE

Georgia Tech Signs Special Teams Players, Athletes

by Matt Winkeljohn, OSR Managing Editor
Official Sports Report: February 03, 2010

Just a few months ago, when it looked like Georgia Tech was going to have a signing class of just 12 players, the idea of recruiting a scholarship kicker was all but foreign. But the departure of four juniors early to the NFL, and the loss of a couple other underclassmen to attrition left the Yellow Jackets with more scholarships to offer.

That has plenty to do with how they went out and attracted Marist kicker Justin Moore, who will have an opportunity next summer to compete with Scott Blair and others for kickoff and place-kicking duties.

This group here inlcudes Moore and just a couple of other "athletes," but the truth is that a few more of 18 incoming freshmen are likely to juggle positions.
"You'd like to have 18-24 every year," coach Paul Johnson said. "We've got a few [scholarships] that look open, but they're going to go to kids I've promised scholarships, kids who've walked on and started."

A peek at some of the new Jackets:

B.J. Bostic



Position: Athlete/quarterback/defensive back
Height: 5-11
Weight: 165 pounds
Hometown: Louisville, Ga.
High school: Jefferson County
2009 statistics: Rushed for 1,227 yards and 17 touchdowns as a senior, averaging 7.4 yards per carry. Passed for 1,124 yards and 17 touchdowns, completing 68 percent of his passes. Also caught nine passes for 231 yards and four scores.

The skinny: Bostic shows up the most on film while playing quarterback, where his dynamic athleticism led to many big plays. Tech coaches did not say Wednesday where he projects to begin practice in the spring, but the fact he enrolled in school in January will give him a head start of sorts. Bostic may be considered at cornerback, A-back or quarterback. He earned All-State honors three years in a row, and also played basketball and ran track at Jefferson County.

"He can play a lot of different positions," said Tech secondary coach Charles Kelly. "There is one person in charge of this program; [Paul Johnson] will decide. When you find people that want to be on your campus, want to be at your school, that goes a long way, and B.J. wants to be here."



Justin Moore




Position: Kicker
Height: 5-10
Weight: 160 pounds
Hometown: Atlanta, Ga.
High school: Marist School
2009 statistics: Made 3 of 5 field goals as a senior, with a school-record long of 50 yards. In his career, Moore made 11 of 17 field goal tries, and converted 88 of 89 PATs, including all 39 as a senior. Moore registered 48 of his 78 career kickoff touchbacks as a senior, when he also averaged better than 42 yards per punt.

The skinny: Without a whole lot of field goal tries as Marist coach Alan Chadwick generally is a Paul Johnson-style go-for-it-on-fourth-down kind of guy, the most notable characteristic about Moore is his leg strength. His amazingly high percentage of touchbacks demonstrate. Was All-State as a senior, and a member of the Atlanta Touchdown Club Metro All-Star team.



Jake Skole




Position: Athlete/TBD
Height: 6-1
Weight: 175
Hometown: Roswell
High school: Blessed Trinity
2009 statistics: Caught nine passes for 164 yards, ru shed for 124 yards and scored seven touchdowns. As a defensive back, Skole made 59 tackles.

The skinny: An outstanding all-around athlete, who has played quarterback, running back, receiver and defensive back. Has been tabbed All State (Class AA) twice in baseball, where he was two-time MVP of the Cobb County Baseball League. Brother Matt was a frequent starter for Tech's baseball team last year as a freshman. Also a fine basketball player.

Georgia Tech Signings Focus on Defense

by Matt Winkeljohn, OSR Managing Editor
Official Sports Report: February 03, 2010

As numbers indicate, defense was a focal point in this recruiting cycle, as at least nine members of the 18-man recruiting class ought to be considered defensive players, perhaps more depending on the way some newcomers areshuffled around.

The hiring of former Virginia coach Al Groh undoubtedly impacted recruiting on this side of the ball as two Tech signees were not even being recruited by the Yellow Jackets before his arrival. He had been recruiting them at Virginia, however, and one -- former Stanford commit Louis Young -- is widely considered a top-flight cornerback. The other, Jeremiah Attaochu, like Young is from Washington, D.C., an area that Tech hasn't drawn from in some 20 years, or roughly since the days of coach Bobby Ross.

"I think we've increased our athleticism. We ended up with a few more players than we thought we were going to get," said coach Paul Johnson. "Sometimes you get thrown a curve. We thought we were going to be done fairly early, but we kept recruiting."

With the pending conversion to a 3-4 scheme, and the need for more linebackers and fewer linemen, the Jackets made inroads.

Here's a look at some new Tech defenders:

Jeremiah Attaochu



Position: Outside linebacker
Height: 6-3
Weight: 223 pounds
Hometown: Washington, D.C.
High school: Archbishop Carroll
2009 statistics: Attaochu was credited with 118 tackles and 14 sacks as a senior, and four touchdowns either by returning/recovering fumbles or blocked kicks.

The skinny: Jeremiah was not being recruited by Georgia Tech – until Groh was hired as defensive coordinator. Groh had been recruiting Attaochu to play at Virginia before the Cavaliers fired him, and on Wednesday gushed about the chances of him fitting into what he said is the most important position in his 3-4 defensive – outside linebacker. Attaochu moved to the U.S. from Nigeria when he was 8. Most schools considered Attaochu a defensive end, but Groh typically converts long defensive ends to OLB in his 3-4 scheme.

"This player has been on the top of my list for a long time," Groh said. "He's a prototypical outside linebacker. Very athletic, can bend and twist, be flexible. The ability to bend, twist, and be flexibly is much more important than 40-yard dash. In the D.C. Catholic League . . . they go to schools that teach them to be academically accountable."


Ryan Ayers



Position: Defensive back
Height: 5-10
Weight: 178 pounds
Hometown: Douglasville, Ga.
High school: South Paulding
2009 statistics: Had 34 tackles and two interceptions with 128 return yards as a senior.

The skinny: Ayers was named Class AAAA All-State, and likely will work at cornerback to begin with at Tech. He's noted for his speed and quickness, and was tabbed to play in the Under Armour All-America game. His size suggests that he'll be a cornerback, but that's not written in stone. "He's a speed cover corner who has played a lot of safety," said secondary coach Charles Kelly.


Shawn Green



Position: Defensive tackle
Height: 6-1
Weight: 270 pounds
Hometown: Grayson, Ga.
High school: Grayson
2009 statistics: N/A

The skinny: Had 29 tackles for lost yardage as a senior, and as a junior registered 69 tackles, 22 for lost yardage, with seven sacks as Grayson won the state Class AAAAA title. Superprep rates Green the 13th-best prospect in Georgia, but one must wonder where he would've stacked up if some evaluators weren't so hung up on his modest height.

"It was probably a consensus from all the [high school] coaches that played against him that he was the top defensive tackle in the state," said linebackers coach Brian Jean-Mary, who helped recruit Green. "At 6-1, he probably didn't get the recognition that he deserved. He's big enough to play over the center at nose, and quick enough to play over a tackle. We think this kid can be a great, great football player. For someone so big, his quickness sets him apart."


Fred Holton



Position: Safety
Height:6-1
Weight: 198 pounds
Hometown: Thomasville, Ga.
High school: Thomasville
2009 statistics: N/A

The skinny: Holton comes from the same school that produced former Tech national championship quarterback Shawn Jones. "They are building something special at Tech and I want to be a part of that," he said.


Isaiah Johnson



Position: Safety
Height:6-2
Weight: 175 pounds
Hometown: Tyrone, Ga.
High school: Sandy Creek
2009 statistics: He recorded 53 tackles and seven sacks as a junior.

The skinny: Johnson, who enrolled at Tech in January, looks like a possibility at either safety spot. He set school records for interceptions in a season (N/A) and a career (N/A) while playing at the same high school that produced former Jackets Calvin Johnson and Andrew Gardner. He was rated No. 9 in the state by The Journal-Constitution, and has been an honor roll student.

"Isaiah is a big safety with long arms, verhy rangy," said secondary coach Charles Kelly. "He's a very good tackler." Johnson chose Tech, he said, because it, "helps prepare you for life."


Denzel McCoy



Position: Defensive tackle
Height: 6-3
Weight: 268 pounds
Hometown: Lawrenceville, Ga.
High school: Northview
2009 statistics: Had 72 tackles, nine for lost yardage including seven sacks as a junior. Owns the school record for tackles for lost yardage in a game, four.
The skinny: McCoy, whose cousin Wayne McGarrity played at Texas and later for the Dallas Cowboys, has room on his frame to add a solid 25 pounds and perhaps one day move into the nose guard position that is so important in defensive coordinator Al Groh's 3-4 scheme.

He played in the Offense/Defense All-America Bowl in Myrtle Beach, and his father Gary played at North Carolina A&T. He said he chose Tech because of, "the great family feel, excellent degree program and the great football program."

 
Quayshawn Nealy



Position: Linebacker
Height:6-1
Weight: 220 pounds
Hometown: Lakeland, Fla.
High school: Lakeland
2009 statistics: Had 121 tackles (85 unassisted), 25 for lost yardage, five sacks, two interceptions, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, two blocked punts and three pass breakups as a senior. In his career, Nealy had 354 tackles.

The skinny: A linebacker noted for his speed, Nealy's build suggests that he might work inside in Al Groh's 3-4 defense, although there are no guarantees there as he was recruited long before Groh was hired. He was the co-defensive player of the year in Polk County, and an honorable mention All-State (5A) player in Florida. Nealy was the first out-of-state player to commit to the Jackets in this recruiting cycle, after the first 12 were Georgians.

"Athletically, he's very reminiscent of some of the linebackers we've had," said linebackers coach Brian Jean-Mary. "He's the starting point guard on his basketball team, and a kid who was thought of as a potential Division I basketball player when he was in eighth and ninth grade.
"He's a high-end academic kid, and played tuba for an arts school. He had plenty of offers, and we think once he gets on campus and focuses just on filled, his ceiling is going to be unbelievable."


Anthony Williams



Position: Outside linebacker
Height: 6-4
Weight: 221 pounds
Hometown: McDonough, Ga.
High school: Union Grove
2009 statistics: Made 80 tackles with eight assists as a junior.

The skinny: Williams was recruited by, and committed to, Georgia Tech as a defensive end before Al Groh was hired as defensive coordinator. But his body type almost guarantees that he'll first get a look as an outside linebacker in the Jackets' new 3-4 scheme, especially since he's considered to have excellent quickness for his size. Williams was first team All-State in AAAAA.


Louis Young



Position: Cornerback
Height: 6-1
Weight: 190 pounds
Hometown: Washington, D.C.
High school:Good Counsel
2009 statistics: N/A

The skinny: Young is the second member of this recruiting class who ended up at Georgia Tech because Groh was hired to become the defensive coordinator. Like Attaochu, the linebacker, Young played in the vaunted Washington, D.C. Catholic League, and was originally committed to Stanford.
Named MVP of the Maryland Crab Bowl Game, he was not recruited by Tech prior to Groh's arrival, but as he's ranked the No. 13 cornerback nationally by Rivals.com and No. 19 by Scout.com, he's the coup of this class for the Jackets – at least on paper.

"A lot of times there are surprises at the end [of recruiting]," Groh said. "This is a real good surprise. He doesn't have to be talked into playing corner. A lot of kids have been running backs or something, but this is a player who wants to be a corner. Sometimes, that saves you a year in getting the player ready instead of the player taking a year to get over not playing offense. He's got really good hips, smooth, good ball skills, can jump on the run."

Running Backs Lead Georgia Tech Signings on Offense

by Matt Winkeljohn, OSR Managing Editor
Official Sports Report: February 03, 2010

The first player to committ to Georgia Tech, Collins Hill High running back Charles Perkins, wants to play B-back and he'll get a chance. The Jackets also landed two A-backs in Tony Zenon and Deon Hill, and one potential quarterback in Synjyn Days on national signing day.

Tech has several young offensive linemen already in the system, but lost two starters in Cord Howard and Brad Sellers. Hence, two newcomers in O-linemen Catlin Alford and Morgan Bailey.

"We’re excited about the class. They all came highly recommended," coach Paul Johnson said before going on to explain that he thinks most recruiting rankings are a joke. "You recruit for what you need [not who has the most stars by their name]."

Johnson said that as a motivational ploy last season he compiled the average recruiting class rankings for the ACC over the past five years and Tech stood near the bottom of the conference. Behind the Jackets, who went on to win the ACC title, were Wake Forest and Boston College. BC played in the title game in 2007 and '08, and Wake won the title in '06.

Just saying, as did Johnson, "Believe nothing that you hear, and half of what you see."

Here's a look at the new offensive Jackets:


Catlin Alford




Position: Offensive line
Height: 6-3
Weight: 275 pounds
Hometown: Adairsville, Ga.
High school: Adairsville
2009 statistics: Catlin was named second team Small Schools All-America by MaxPreps. Rivals.com rates him the 79th-best player in Georgia.

The skinny: Alford has versatility inasmuch as he's played several positions in high school, including tight end and nose guard. He's expected to start working on the offensive line, although he doesn't appear to be much of a candidate for the guard position. "I think his skill set fits what coach Johnson wants to do in the offensive line. He bends and twists," said Tech co-offensive line coach Todd Spencer.

"He could be a center. He's a physical guy. He's athletic enough to play tight end [in high school]. Our guards are guys who can knock a 330-pounder from Clemson off the ball. Our tackles are a little more athletic; we want them to be able to bend and twist and get to the second level."


Morgan Bailey



Position: Offensive line
Height: 6-4
Weight: 298
Hometown: Loganville, Ga.
High school: Loganville
2009 statistics: N/A

The skinny: Rated the 68th-best prospect in Georgia by Superprep, and No. 71 by Rivals.com. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution tabbed Morgan the No. 32 senior in the state.


Synjyn Days



Position: Quarterback
Height: 6-1
Weight: 205
Hometown: Powder Springs, Ga.
High school: Hillgrove
2009 statistics: Days rushed for 1,050 yards and 16 touchdowns as a senior after going for ?? yards and ?? scores as a junior. He rushed for 75 touchdowns in his prep career, and passed for 30.

The skinny: Days figures to get a good look first at quarterback at Tech, and if that does not work out he's athletic enough to warrant consideration at several other positions. Rated the No. 69 prospect in Georgia by Superprep, and No. 72 by Rivals.com, Days could be a future candidate at defensive back, wide receiver or A-back.


Deon Hill



Position: A-back
Height: 6-0
Weight: 190 pounds
Hometown: Phenix City, Ala.
High school: Central
2009 statistics: Hill rushed for 1,587 yards and 18 touchdowns as a senior.

The skinny: Hill, who was named Class 6A All-State by the Alabama Sports Writers Association, was the junior understudy to Tech freshman A-back Orwin Smith, who played mostly on special teams for the Yellow Jackets last season. He actually rushed for roughly 400 more yards than did Smith as a senior at Central. Former Tech offensive lineman Cord Howard also came from the school. Hill is expected to be an A-back for the Jackets.

A-backs coach Lamar Owens said Smith helped recruit Hill. "Deon came to our junior day, and we really liked him and his quickness," Owens said. "As long as they had a good relationship with them when they were in high school . . . Orwin was his host when he came on his visit."


Charles Perkins



Position: B-back
Height: 6-0
Weight: 205 pounds
Hometown: Lawrenceville, Ga.
High school: Collins Hill
2009 statistics: Perkins rushed for over 1,300 yards and 13 scores as a junior.

The skinny: Perkins, an All-State Class AAAAA pick, is expected to work at B-back for Tech. He was tabbed the No. 4 senior in the state by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, No. 34 by Rivals.com and No. 35 by Superprep. "He was our first commitment," said B-backs coach Brian Bohannon. "He's really physical. He's not as much of a make-you-miss guy as Jon [Dwyer], but he's going to break some tackles. He a lot more mature for his age."


Tony Zenon



Position: A-back
Height: 5-8
Weight: 174
Hometown: Albany, Ga.
High school: Deerfield Windsor Academy
2009 statistics: Zenon rushed for 2,264 yards and 27 touchdowns as a senior, and 5,684 yards and 65 touchdowns in his career.

The skinny: Zenon will be an A-back for the Jackets after an amazing career in the lesser-known Georgia Independent School Association (GISA). Zenon grew up in New Orleans before re-locating after Hurricane Katrina.

Georgia Tech Football:
2010 Recruiting Class Includes 18 Prospects

14 of Yellow Jackets' 18 signees are from Georgia

Feb. 3, 2010

ATLANTA - Georgia Tech's 18-man recruiting class for 2010, announced today by head coach Paul Johnson, includes 15 highly-touted prospects who signed letters of intent on Wednesday and three student-athletes who enrolled at Tech in January.

The 2010 class has a strong in-state flavor with 14 signees hailing from the state of Georgia. It marks the second straight year the Yellow Jackets have signed 14 in-state products, their most in at least 20 years.

Tech addressed every position group within the class, including five defensive backs, three defensive linemen, two offensive linemen and two A-backs. Many members of the recruiting class, however, are versatile enough to play a number of positions or on either side of the ball.

"I am excited about this group," Johnson said. "I feel like we signed a number of players who will be able to help us sooner than later.

"We addressed needs at every position and we signed a number of players who are extremely athletic and versatile."

Tech dipped into the talent-rich state of Florida to sign one player - linebacker Quayshawn Nealy of Lakeland. The Yellow Jackets have signed at least one player from Florida every year since 1992.

The pipeline from Phenix City (Ala.) Central High School to Tech continued when the Jackets signed A-back Deon Hill. Central High School also produced Tech rising sophomore A-back Orwin Smith, and former All-ACC offensive lineman Cord Howard.

Two players from the Washington, D.C. area - linebacker Jeremiah Attaochu and cornerback Louis Young. It's the first time in more than 20 years that Georgia Tech has signed prospects from the nation's capital.

Two signees have current family ties to Georgia Tech. Cornerback B.J. Bostic (Louisville, Ga.) is a cousin to Yellow Jacket redshirt freshman defensive lineman Christopher Crenshaw. Athlete Jake Skole (Roswell, Ga.) has a brother, Matt, who plays on the Yellow Jacket baseball team. 

Three players - Bostic, safety Isaiah Johnson (Tyrone, Ga.) and Charles Perkins (Lawrenceville, Ga.) - enrolled at Georgia Tech in January.

For a complete list of signees, go here: 

Biographical information and photos for each member of the recruiting class are listed below.

Fans can attend the annual Signing Day Celebration Wednesday evening at 6:30 p.m. at the Georgian Terrace Hotel. Click here for details.

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Louis Young CB / 6-1 / 190 Washington, D.C. (Good Counsel HS)

Announced at 10:35 a.m.
* Ranked as the No. 13 cornerback prospect nationally by Rivals.com.
* Ranked as the No. 19 cornerback nationally by Scout.com.
* Named all-state and the state defensive player of the year.
* 2009 Montgomery County Player of the Year.
* Most Valuable Player of the Maryland Crab Bowl Game.
* Led Good Counsel HS to a conference championship in 2009.

Ryan Ayers CB / 5-10 / 178 Douglasville, Ga. (South Paulding HS)

Announced at 10:35 a.m.
* Rated the 27th-best prospect in the state of Georgia (Rivals).
* Rated the 22nd-best prospect in Georgia (Superprep).
* Rated 21st on the AJC Fab 50 list.
* Played in the third annual Under Armour All-America Game in St. Petersburg, Fla.
* A corner with great speed.
* First Team 4A All-State.
* Had 34 tackles and 2 interceptions for 128 yards as a senior in 2009.

Deon Hill AB / 6-0 / 205 Phenix City, Ala. (Central HS)

Announced at 10:23 a.m.
* Rushed for 1,587 yards and 18 touchdowns as a senior in 2009.
* His 18 touchdowns tied the school's single-season record.
* Named all-state in Alabama as selected by the Alabama Sports Writers Association (Class 6A).
* Selected to and played in the Mississippi/Alabama All-Star Game.
* Was a high school teammate of current Yellow Jacket Orwin Smith. Served as Smith's back-up at running back in 2008.

Shawn Green DT / 6-0 / 270 Grayson, Ga. (Grayson HS)

Announced at 10:07 a.m.
* Rated the 49th-best prospect in the state of Georgia (Rivals).
* Rated 45th on the AJC Fab 50 list.
* Rated the 13th-best prospect in Georgia (Superprep).
* Gwinnett County Defensive Player of the Year.
* Named first team All-State.
* Played in the third annual Offense/Defense All-America Bowl in Myrtle Beach, S.C.
* Played four seasons of football, including one as team captain, at Grayson HS.
* Led Grayson to back-to-back regional championships.
* Set a school record as a senior with 29 tackles for loss.
* Recorded 69 tackles, 22 tackles for loss and seven sacks as a junior in 2008.
* Born Nov. 11, 1991 in Bloomfield, CT.
* Has two siblings - Treyvon and Jailyn.
* Thinks one day he may want to be a college football coach.

Catlin Alford OL / 6-3 / 275 Adairsville, Ga. (Adairsville HS)

Announced at 9:45 a.m.
* Rated the 79th-best prospect in the state of Georgia (Rivals).
* Named second team Small Schools All-America (MaxPreps).
* A versatile player who also played tight end and nose guard in high school.
* A big, strong lineman that could play guard or tackle.

Jeremiah Attaochu LB / 6-3 / 223 Washington, D.C. (Archbishop Carroll HS)

Announced at 9:10 a.m.
* Rated the 17th-best prospect in the mid-Atlantic region (Superpreps).
* A strong classic edge-type defender.
* Is tall, long and rangy.
* Had 118 tackles and 14 sacks as a senior.
* Recorded four touchdowns as a senior by blocking kicks or returning fumbles.
* Committed to Tech in January, 2010.
* Originally from Nigeria.

Fred Holton S / 6-1 / 198 Thomasville, Ga. (Thomasville HS)

Announced at 8:58 a.m.
* Rated the 36th-best prospect in the state of Georgia (Rivals).
* Rated the 37th-best prospect in Georgia (Superprep).
* Rated 40th on the AJC Fab 50 list.
* First Team 2A All-State
* A big, physical player who can play either safety position.
* Holton said: "They are building something special at Tech and I want to be a part of that."

Denzel McCoy DT / 6-3 / 268 Lawrenceville, Ga. (Northview HS)

Announced at 8:30 a.m.
* Rated the 13th-best prospect in the state of Georgia (Rivals).
* Rated the 16th-best prospect in Georgia (Superprep).
* Named second team all-region.
* Played in the third annual Offense/Defense All-America Bowl in Myrtle Beach, S.C.
* Set school record for tackles for loss in one game (4).
* Had 72 tackles, 9 TFL and 7 sacks as a junior in 2008.
* Played four seasons of football, including one year as team captain, under coach Jim Showfety at Northview High School.
* Also played two seasons of basketball in high school.
* An excellent student.
* Given name is Denzel Lorenzo McCoy.
* Born Dec. 1, 1991 in Greensboro, N.C.
* Previously lived in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
* Father, Gary, played football at North Carolina A&T.
* Cousin, Wayne McGarrity, played football at Texas and later for the Dallas Cowboys.
* Began playing football at age 5.
* Wore #72 in high school because he was a big Glen Dorsey fan.
* Chose Tech because of "the great family feel, excellent degree program and the great football program."

Justin Moore PK / 5-10 / 160 Atlanta, Ga. (Marist School)

Announced at 8:17 a.m.
* A two-time all-region selection.
* 2009 all-state, all-county and a member of the Atlanta Touchdown Club Metro All-Star Team.
* Made 60 percent of his field goal attempts as a senior and 11-of-17 for his career.
* Converted 88 of 89 career PAT attempts including 39-of-39 as a senior.
* Had 48 touchbacks as a kickoff man and averaged 42-plus yards punting.
* Holds the Marist School record for the longest field goal (50 yards).
* Holds the school record for best punting average (41.4 ypa).
* Had 139 career kickoff attempts, including 78 that were touchbacks.
* Earned a top 12 ranking from the prestigious Chris Sailer kicking camp in Las Vegas each of the last three years.
* Has a strong leg and makes kicks with great height and accuracy.

Synjyn Days QB / 6-1 / 205 Powder Springs, Ga. (Hillgrove HS)

Announced at 8:04 a.m.
* Rated the 72nd-best prospect in the state of Georgia (Rivals).
* Rated the 69th-best prospect in Georgia (Superprep).
* Rated 43rd on the AJC Fab 50 list.
* Three-time all-county and all-region selection.
* A two-time all-state performer.
* Played in Cobb County Senior Bowl where he ran for a 60-yard touchdown.
* Scored five touchdowns in a game two times in high school.
* Rushed for 75 touchdowns and threw for 30 touchdowns during high school career.
* Played four seasons of football.
* Also played one season of basketball and ran track for one season.
* Led football team to second round of state playoffs.
* As a junior in 2008, threw for 800 yards and eight touchdowns.
* Rushed for 1,050 yards while scoring 16 touchdowns.
* A versatile athlete who could play on either side of the ball.
* Given name is Synjyn Skky Days.
* Has one sibling - Jabari Hunt-Days.

Tony Zenon AB / 5-8 / 174 Albany, Ga. (Deerfield Windsor Academy)

Announced at 7:56 a.m.
* Produced staggering numbers at Deerfield Windsor Academy, a Class AAA school in the Georgia Independent School Association (GISA).
* Ran wild in DWA's Wing-T offense.
* Finished senior season with 244 carries for 2,264 yards - an average of 9.28 yards per carry - and had 27 rushing touchdowns.
* For his career, Zenon had 5,684 rushing yards on 650 carries and 65 TDs.
* Considering a major in architectural engineering at Tech.
* Originally from New Orleans, Hurricane Katrina forced him to move to Georgia.

Anthony Williams DE / 6-4 / 221 McDonough, Ga. (Union Grove HS)

Announced at 7:44 a.m.
* Rated the 25th-best prospect in the state of Georgia (Rivals)
* Rated the 31st-best prospect in Georgia (Superprep).
* Rated 34th on the AJC Fab 50 list.
* First Team 5A All-State.
* Registered 80 tackles and eight sacks as a junior in 2008.
* Has great speed for his size.

Jake Skole ATH / 6-1 / 175 Roswell, Ga. (Blessed Trinity HS)

Announced at 7:32 a.m.
* Rated the 96th-best prospect in the state of Georgia (Rivals).
* Rated the 76th-best prospect in Georgia (Superprep).
* First Team 2A all-state.
* Had nine catches for 168 yards, 124 yards rushing and scored seven touchdowns in 2009. Defensively, had 59 tackles.
* Was a two-way standout at receiver, quarterback and safety in high school.
* An outstanding baseball player. A two-time all-state selection.
* 2008-09 MVP of the prestigious Cobb County Baseball League.
* Scored 14 points in the 2009 state basketball championship.
* Brother, Matt, plays on the Georgia Tech baseball team.

Morgan Bailey OL / 6-4 / 298 Loganville, Ga. (Loganville HS)

Announced at 7:28 a.m.
* Rated the 71st-best prospect in the state of Georgia (Rivals).
* Rated the 68th-best prospect in Georgia (Superprep).
* Rated 32nd on the AJC Fab 50 list.
* Was a dominating run-blocker in high school.

Quayshawn Nealy LB / 6-1 / 220 Lakeland, Fla. (Lakeland HS)

Announced at 7:24 a.m.
* All-State FSWA 5A Honorable Mention and All-Area Second Team LB.
* Co-Defensive Player of the Year in Polk County.
* First team all-county.
* Named 2010 Florida Varsity Top 100.
* As a senior in 2009, recorded 121 tackles (85 unassisted), 25 tackles for loss, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, three pass break-ups, two interceptions, five sacks, two blocked punts and eight quarterback hurries.
* Career stats: 354 tackles (234 unassisted), 66 tackles for loss, five forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, six interceptions, 11 sacks, two blocked punts, one blocked field goal.
* 126 tackles, four sacks and two fumbles caused as a junior in 2008.
* Has outstanding speed.
* Played four seasons of football including two as team captain under coach William Castle.
* Also played four seasons of basketball.
* Led Lakeland High School to district championships in 2008 and 2009.
* The 2008 team was the state runner-up, the 2009 team was a 5A state semifinalist.
* Full name is Quayshawn Tyree Nealy.
* Born August 5, 1991 in Winter Haven, Fla.
* Has two siblings - Zedrick and Jimmie, Jr.

Charles Perkins BB / 6-0 / 205 Lawrenceville, Ga. (Collins Hill HS)

Enrolled
* Rated 4th on the AJC Fab 50 list.
* Rated the 35th-best prospect in Georgia (Superprep).
* Rated the 34th-best prospect in the state of Georgia (Rivals).
* First Team 5A all-state.
* Enrolled at Georgia Tech in January.
* Rushed for over 1,300 yards and 13 touchdowns as a junior in 2008.
* Possesses good size and speed.
* Expected to play the B-back position.

B.J. Bostic CB / 5-11 / 165 Louisville, Ga. (Jefferson County HS)

Enrolled
* Rated the 17th-best prospect in the state of Georgia (Rivals).
* Rated 16th on the AJC Fab 50 list.
* Rated the 20th-best prospect in Georgia (Superprep).
* 2009 Region 3-AA Player of the Year, All-State, State Offensive Player of the Year, Augusta Chronicle Player of the Year.
* 2008 first team All-State, All-Area and All-Region.
* 2007 first team All-State, All-Area, All-Region.
* Played in the third annual Offense/Defense All-America Bowl in Myrtle Beach, S.C.
* Accounted for 2,600 yards as a quarterback in 2008.
* A versatile player who could play any skill position.
* Played four years of football at Jefferson County HS under coach J.B. Arnold.
* Served one year as a team captain.
* Also played three seasons of basketball and ran track for three years.
* Led high school team to regional championships in 2006 and 2009, and regional runner-ups in 2007 and 2008.
* Rushed for 1,227 yards on 165 carries, scoring 17 touchdowns as a senior in 2009. Averaged 7.4 yards per carry.
*Also caught nine passes for 231 yards and four touchdowns.
*At quarterback, threw for 1,124 yards and 17 touchdowns with a .680 completion percentage.
* Set 15 school records at JCHS.
* First name is Barry but prefers to go by B.J.
* Born July 2, 1992 in Fort Riley, Texas.
* Has two siblings - Krystal and Ebony.
* Is related (cousin) to Yellow Jacket redshirt freshman Christopher Crenshaw.

Isaiah Johnson S / 6-2 / 175 Tyrone, Ga. (Sandy Creek HS)

Enrolled
* Rated the 21st-best prospect in the state of Georgia (Rivals)
* Rated the 28th-best prospect in Georgia (Superprep).
* Rated 9th on the AJC Fab 50 list.
* Enrolled at Georgia Tech in January.
* Earned All-State, All-Region and All-County honors as a safety in 2009.
* Broke school records for career and single-season interceptions.
* Member of the academic honor roll in high school.
* Helped lead Sandy Creek to a state championship in 2009.
* Recorded 53 tackles and seven sacks as a junior in 2008.
* Has great instincts and good speed.
* His stock rose with outstanding performances in the state playoffs.
* Full name is Isaiah Nathan Johnson.
* Born May 16, 1992 in Columbus, Ohio.
* Has three siblings - Aaron Smith, Tyler Smith and Sierra Johnson.
* Chose Tech because "it prepares you for life," Johnson said.