Three southern schools picked up commitments over the weekend.
College Football Recruiting: UGA, Miami, Vandy Have Strong Weekends
Georgia, Miami and Vanderbilt all secured verbal commitments from promising prospects over the weekend.
The Georgia Bulldogs picked up Faton Bauta of Dwyer High School in Palm Beach, Florida. Bauta plays quarterback for Dwyer and is a physical specimen at 6-foot-3-three and 220-plus pounds. Bauta is a very good athlete with noticeable power.
He previously played in New York against some very suspect competition (see video), but has fared quite well in South Florida:
"Georgia is getting a football player; Faton is a QB who can run and throw the football and gets better every day," Dwyer High School coach Jack Daniels told the AJC. "He was primarily used as a linebacker and fullback until last spring. He is very physical and will outwork everybody. He will make the Bulldogs very happy."
Note: the Tebow comparisons in the linked article are laughable.
Bauta will likely get an initial shot at playing quarterback for the Dawgs, but it is hard to see him sticking under center. He is a quality prospect at either linebacker or a hybrid-tight end role. The four major services see him as a three- or four-star player.
Georgia also made a major move in the battle for the signature of superstar end Jordan Jenkins.
“Jordan told somebody that Alabama and Florida are on top, and that UGA is right there with them,” his father, Ronald Jenkins, told the AJC. “But it’s really too close to call right now, I will tell you that. UGA really did impress us, and we didn’t expect them to impress us like they did. We almost canceled this trip a couple of times, and we’re glad we didn’t. I know Jordan was glad he went over there. It was a real good visit and opened up our eyes about Georgia.“Jenkins is a perfect fit for a hybrid 3-4/4-3 scheme at outside linebacker/defensive end. Georgia currently has 15 commitments.
Meanwhile, the Miami Hurricanes picked up a commitment from receiver/defensive back Rayshawn Jenkins. Jenkins plays for Admiral Farragut in St. Petersburg. He was committed to USF, but de-committed on Friday and made the switch to the 'Canes over the weekend.
Jenkins is not rated highly by the four major services, but Miami insiders say Al Golden sees Jenkins as a defensive back and not a receiver-- the position at which most services evaluated him. Jenkins is certainly athletic, and his skills could translate to the safety position, or perhaps to cornerback in a zone-heavy scheme.
Also, the play starting at 0:16 of this video is incredible.
Miami now has 27 commitments and may take 30-plus by signing day.
And James Franklin continues his strong recruiting at Vanderbilt, with the commitment of Andrew Jelks. Jelks is a 6-foot-six, 265-pound offensive lineman for Henry County High School in Tennessee. He considered offers from Alabama, Stanford and Tennessee. This is a win for Franklin over the in-state Vols. Jelks has a chance to crack the Vanderbilt depth chart early in his career if he gets in the weight room and adds to his frame.
Jelks displays plus quickness and athleticism, and it is encouraging that he bends at the knee and not just at the back. Jelks may be a multi-year starter in the SEC.
