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Hey Now, You're An All-Star: The Under Armour All-American High School Football Game.

Jonathantaylor4_medium

Don't make Jonathan Taylor angry. You wouldn't like him when he's angry.

When not busy dressing the Maryland Terrapins like an XFL team or producing inane commercials with Steve Spurrier (picks up phone . . ."Yeah, this the Head Ball Coach . . . I told you he could drink like a fish and party like it's 1999!") the folks at Under Armour also host one of the national high school all-star games going on this week. Like the Semper Fidelis game which we previewed on Tuesday this one has a lot of players for Bulldog fans to keep an eye on.

Star-divide




The Under Armour All American game began in 2008 and has become a major draw for big time recruits from across the country. That first UA game featured future All-SEC performers and first round draft picks A. J. Green and Julio Jones among others, and the game has only grown from there, largely in symbiosis with Under Armour's increasing prominence in the athletic apparel game.

Three Georgia commits and a host of Bulldog targets should feature prominently in the game. Tailback Keith Marshall, perhaps the crown jewel of the Bulldog class, will be in the backfield for the White team. Marshall has drawn positive reviews during practice for the game by demonstrating the speed everyone knew he had, but also a willingness to run hard between the tackles. Marshall also appears to have put on some weight over the 190 pounds he's listed at. Finally, he's reported to have been recruiting nonstop for the Bulldogs, even working on players like Aberdeen, Mississippi's Channing Ward who have shown little interest in the Dawgs.

Marshall will be joined on the White team by Jenkins County standout and fellow Bulldog pledge Jonathan Taylor. Taylor has also drawn praise this week for his combination of size and athleticism. At 6'4 and 320 pounds Taylor is hopefully the next jumbo nose tackle in Todd Grantham's 3-4. He's in great shape for his size and quicker than a guy that size should be. Taylor had a tendency to lose focus against lesser competition in high school. I'll be watching this evening to see how he does against guys on his own level.

The White will also feature Bulldog commit John Atkins of Thomson, who could be one of the real sleepers in this class. Atkins will likely end up at defensive end in Athens, unless he grows into a nose. That's a real possibility, as his high school coach recently reported that his star player is up to 305 pounds. Oh, Atkins is also the goalkeeper for the Thomson soccer team and, as you saw if you clicked on the link above, played some tight end. Think about that for a moment.

Also keep an eye on Brandon Greene, an offensive tackle from Cedar Grove High in Ellenwood. Greene recently reaffirmed his verbal pledge to the Alabama Crimson Tide, though I wouldn't count on the Georgia staff backing off. Greene is an excellent pass blocker for his age, and could really grow into a good one down the road.

He'll be joined by another Georgia offensive line target, Palm Beach Gardens tackle Avery Young. Young had appeared to be down to Georgia and Auburn before recently reopening his recruitment following an in home visit with Nick Saban. Young spent much of his childhood in Cuthbert and is the cousin of former 'Dawg Thomas Davis. In the end I think Auburn will still be the main competition for him. Young may not be as ready to play right now as Greene, but he has a ton of upside if he fills out and develops the technique to match his current athletic ability.

The Black team includes Tampa star Nelson Agholor, who will not be participating in the game because of injury. Agholor is an electric playmaker, but unfortunately it appears he's headed to either Gainesville or South Bend, despite a dogged effort on the part of the Georgia coaches. Agholor's as good as anyone in the country with the ball in his hands, and it's a shame we won't get to see him in this game. Almost as much of a shame as the fact that we likely won't see him in Athens.

Suiting up for the Black will be Creekside cornerback Josh Holsey, who reconfirmed his Auburn pledge in November after taking an official visit to Athens. Holsey is a smaller corner tham Coach Lakatos appears to prefer, but he's speedy and tenacious. We'll see more of him in the future.

Also playing in the game is Banneker High defensive back Chaz Elder. Elder is down to Georgia and South Carolina, but has appeared for some time to be favoring the Gamecocks. I wouldn't count Georgia out of it on this one, but I'd be sorely tempted to. He'll announce his choice from among the Bulldogs, Gamecocks, and Vanderbilt Commodores at tonight's game.

The Under Armour All-American Bowl will be televised tonight at 7:30 on ESPN.

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I've seen Taylor up close in a non-football environment

Impressive physical specimen to say the least. Hope he winds up being the star we know he is capable of, cause large NT’s are obviously crucial in the 3-4

They hit the road doing ninety
Leave them steel mills far behind.
Ain't no good life down at the Ford plant
Three guitars or a life of crime.

by Dawg in Beaumont on Jan 5, 2012 11:05 AM EST reply actions  

Yeah, the thing that gets me is how little bad weight he has . . .

at that size. He could easily end up in the 335-340 pound range without losing much agility.

Now on Twitter at @MaconDawg. Same great snark, fewer characters!

by MaconDawg on Jan 5, 2012 11:29 AM EST up reply actions  

He is NFL material

I have watched him come up through high school and he has developed into a fine player. He will do well in Athens….

by Ogeechee River Dawg on Jan 5, 2012 12:00 PM EST reply actions  

I've been meaning to ask you this...

but where are you on the Ogeechee? Scarboro?

Also, seeing as you’ve seen both of them play, what can we expect to see from James Deloach? I know MaconDawg touched on him a little last week, but I wanted to see if you had any first-hand insight.

by hailtogeorgia on Jan 5, 2012 3:42 PM EST up reply actions  

I have watched him play many times...

I have followed Jenkins County football for many years. Both my son’s played here with my oldest winning the Wendy’s High School Heisman .
Jonathan Taylor is a pretty good player. I think keeping him motivated is all it’s going to take for him to do great things at Ga.
I live just out of Millen on the river at a place called Bennetts Landing…

by Ogeechee River Dawg on Jan 6, 2012 6:31 AM EST up reply actions  

Good deal.

I grew up in Screven County, so I’m familiar with the area. Used to go by that way when going to McKinney’s Pond and Coleman’s Lake in Midville.

by hailtogeorgia on Jan 6, 2012 9:55 AM EST up reply actions  

I believe Chaz is a lock now.

Editor, "Dawgsports"

"The ball ain't heavy." Herschel Walker

by chuckdawg on Jan 5, 2012 12:21 PM EST reply actions  

Don't follow recruiting closely

what makes you think that?

They hit the road doing ninety
Leave them steel mills far behind.
Ain't no good life down at the Ford plant
Three guitars or a life of crime.

by Dawg in Beaumont on Jan 5, 2012 12:37 PM EST up reply actions  

...

Editor, "Dawgsports"

"The ball ain't heavy." Herschel Walker

by chuckdawg on Jan 5, 2012 3:46 PM EST up reply actions   1 recs

Well played, sir.

Editor, "Dawgsports"

"The ball ain't heavy." Herschel Walker

by chuckdawg on Jan 5, 2012 4:25 PM EST up reply actions  

imma rec this...

after I get the Ovaltine out of my lungs from laughing. This made my day…and the Ovaltine.

Editor @ Dawg Sports. 3rd degree Red 'n Black Belt.
"If we score, we may win. If they never score, we'll never lose."
-Erk Russell

by DavetheDawg on Jan 5, 2012 5:41 PM EST up reply actions  

I do, too.

I just don’t know for whom.

by first and thom on Jan 5, 2012 4:18 PM EST up reply actions  

Yes. He'll be in Athens as early as tomorrow from what I understand.

Now on Twitter at @MaconDawg. Same great snark, fewer characters!

by MaconDawg on Jan 5, 2012 3:02 PM EST up reply actions  

Gotta love a kid

like Keith. He evaluated, considered his options, made up his mind, committed and is about to start classes. Some kids are genuinely conflicted and wait until the last minute. Some love to milk it until the last minute and then announce in front of the cameras. There’s nothing wrong with this, but it’s increasingly rare that a kid like Marshall can make a decision as quietly as a 5 star can, then go about business with a quiet humility. He’s going to be a good one in many ways.


This is not an example of humility, by the way…

Editor @ Dawg Sports. 3rd degree Red 'n Black Belt.
"If we score, we may win. If they never score, we'll never lose."
-Erk Russell

by DavetheDawg on Jan 5, 2012 5:47 PM EST up reply actions  

Also, and I'm not sure precisely how I did this . . .

I left out Harris County outside linebacker Jordan Jenkins, a huge recruit who is down to Alabama, Auburn, Florida and Georgia. He actually won the lineman challenge yesterday at the Under Armour skills challenge.

Now on Twitter at @MaconDawg. Same great snark, fewer characters!

by MaconDawg on Jan 5, 2012 4:01 PM EST reply actions  

I was wrong!

Editor, "Dawgsports"

"The ball ain't heavy." Herschel Walker

by chuckdawg on Jan 5, 2012 9:49 PM EST up reply actions  

Chaz is a bum

Just kidding. Wish him well, but I hope he loses a lot of games!

by shanammons on Jan 5, 2012 9:43 PM EST via mobile reply actions  

Agreed. Let's make him regret the decision by stringing together some wins against the 'Cocks.

How disappointed should we be about this?

One of the authors at DawgSports.com
I am the 99% of Americans who love college football

by Spears on Jan 5, 2012 10:00 PM EST up reply actions  

We already have a top 5 Safety committed for next year

His name is Tray Matthews, and he’s a good one. So im not terribly disappointed.

Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win.

I Corinthians 9:24

by Southern Dawg on Jan 6, 2012 12:03 AM EST up reply actions  

ya and hopefully we can get his good friend reuban foster also

by kurt.brucker on Jan 6, 2012 12:15 AM EST up reply actions  

It depends

On who leaves this year:
1. Boykin
2. Rambo?
3. Williams?
4. Smith?
Also, if we can grab at least one of the Memphis guys, it won’t be that big of a deal.

by fotodog on Jan 6, 2012 1:28 AM EST up reply actions  

By "use him right"

you do mean running him on a draw play on third and long, right? Using his speed on sweeps or even off tackle plays just wouldn’t be fair.

by Swarles_Barkley on Jan 5, 2012 9:49 PM EST up reply actions  

What you did there - I see it.

Editor, "Dawgsports"

"The ball ain't heavy." Herschel Walker

by chuckdawg on Jan 5, 2012 9:52 PM EST up reply actions  

If the White team played, say...

the New Mexico Lobos (now with 100% more FOOTBAW), by how much do you think they’d be favored? Give them a month to practice together. Is it really that crazy to think they’d whip one of the weaker FBS teams?

One of the authors at DawgSports.com
I am the 99% of Americans who love college football

by Spears on Jan 5, 2012 10:18 PM EST reply actions   1 recs

That announcement was hilarious.

You could tell his mama disagreed them minute he said it. I guess when he heads off to Tuscaloosa she will still have to live in NOLA.

by hbtd on Jan 5, 2012 10:43 PM EST reply actions  

Okay, so that was quite the Landon Collins commitment

He goes to Bama. Whatever. But his mom (?) is sitting there disappointed as hell he didn’t choose LSU.

The 984 Has Spoken!

by The984 on Jan 5, 2012 10:44 PM EST reply actions  

Alabama is now at 26 commitments

with 16-17 departing seniors and 4-5 early departures. Who is going to be the next 5-6 nick Fanzuzzis, Nick Crumps, Star Jacksons. I hope the SEC lowers the hammer on Nick Saban’s roster management program and realizes and exposes his abuse of the gray shirting, medical scholarships and encouragement of players to seek playing time elsewhere.

I HATE ORANGE, and DGNBs

by Dawg2011 on Jan 6, 2012 2:42 PM EST up reply actions  

And he's going after more, like Jordan Jenkins

so in addition to cutting his own roster, with the 25 signee limit now imposed by the SEC, he’s gonna have to cut some commits too.

http://sportsandgrits.com/

by Mr. Sanchez on Jan 6, 2012 3:12 PM EST up reply actions  

Yeah I was looking at that last night.

There are some lower rated guys from outside the state of Alabama (including a couple from Georgia) who may be encouraged to look elsewhere. The numbers just don’t add up, even with the 3-6 players Bama could have leaving early.

Now on Twitter at @MaconDawg. Same great snark, fewer characters!

by MaconDawg on Jan 6, 2012 3:31 PM EST up reply actions  

I went back and looks at the signing classes from 2007 to present

as well as the present roster, and regardless of what Saban says there are 85 players that signed LOI’s in the past 5 years on the current roster. So I find it hard to put faith in Saban’s statements that they have less than 85 scholarship players.

I HATE ORANGE, and DGNBs

by Dawg2011 on Jan 6, 2012 4:24 PM EST up reply actions  

Are any of this year's commits for Bama going to be early enrollees to count against last year?

Or would that still somehow run afoul of the new oversigning rules?

The 984 Has Spoken!

by The984 on Jan 6, 2012 9:15 PM EST up reply actions  

With 85 slots taken by current roster players

I don’t see where they have room to count any against last year

I HATE ORANGE, and DGNBs

by Dawg2011 on Jan 7, 2012 11:20 AM EST up reply actions  

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