UGA lands another Florida speedster

David Brent Martin
The Union-Recorder

June 24, 2009 08:00 am

— The University of Georgia has more of that deep south speed coming its way as one of the sunshine state’s top cover corners has given his verbal commitment to the Dawgs.
Ball-hawking Derek Owens, a 5-11 defensive back from Andrew Jackson High School in Jacksonville, made his decision on Friday, picking the Dawgs over conference rivals Florida and South Carolina.
“When I visited Georgia, I didn’t want to leave,” stated Owens, who tallied 15 career interceptions with the Tigers.
Owens is one of Florida’s most athletic players and is known to make big plays in big games. Last year, he played receiver, cornerback and handled all of Jackson’s kicking duties as well.
In 2008, Owens recorded six interceptions and was named First Team All-First Coast and was a FSWA 3A Third Team All-State. In 2007 he also recorded six interceptions, 47 tackles, and scored two touchdowns on defense. He’s also rated as the No. 26 cornerback in the nation by scout.com.
Jackson coach Kevin Sullivan raved about the skills of his two-way star.
“Derek is such a great competitor,” Sullivan said. “He has such great ball skills and cover skills. I really think he’ll flourish at Georgia. He loved it there on his visit and really seemed drawn there.”
The Bulldogs now have nine quality prospects lined up for 2010, including five from Florida.
As far as five-star blue chippers, the Bulldogs are still in the running for Plano, Texas (Plano West) defensive end Jackson Jeffcoat, considered by some to be the top defensive end in the nation. Jackson is the son of former Dallas Cowboys star Jim Jeffcoat and is a huge defensive lineman at 6-foot-5, 230 pounds.
Georgia is also one of many schools going after Jeff Luc, the nation’s top linebacker prospect. The rock-solid Luc is 6-foot-1 and weighs 230 pounds and is known to lay down the hammer on the football field. Luc plays for Treasure Coast High in Port St. Lucie, Fla. and is also ranked the No. 4 player in the nation by scout.com.
Ft. Lauderdale (St. Thomas Aquinas High) defensive back Lamarcus Joiner also has the Dawgs on his list. Joyner, the top cover corner in south Florida, has more than 20 offers.
Defensive end J.R. Ferguson, ranked as the nation’s No. 14 overall prospect by rivals.com, is also a prime target for the Dawgs in 2010. Ferguson, from Hargrave Military Academy in Virginia, recorded 32 tackles for loss and 14 quarterback sacks in 2008.
As far as instate players, the Bulldogs need to shore up McDonough (Henry County) wide receiver Markeith Ambles. Ambles is ranked as one of the nation’s top wideouts and is considering Georgia and a host of other schools. In 2008, Ambles hauled in 53 receptions for 993 yards and 13 scores. He is also being recruited by Florida, Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Florida State, Nebraska and Tennessee to name a few.
The Bulldogs should also make a strong push for defensive tackle Garrison Smith from Douglass High in Atlanta. Smith is ranked the nation’s No. 2 defensive tackle and is 6-foot-4 and weighs 250 pounds. In 2008, Smith recorded 108 total tackles with 14 quarterback sacks — just what the Bulldogs need to get after those Gators, Vols and War Eagles.
Newnan’s explosive free safety Alec Ogletree is also high on the Bulldogs’ wish list. Ogletree is ranked the No. 2 safety in the land by scout.com and is 6-foot-3 and weighs 212. He also runs the forty in 4.50. Ogletree has great range and instincts, breaks up a lot of passes and is very intimidating according to Chad Simmons, South Region Analyst.
UGA is also in the hunt for electrifying wideout Christian Green from Tampa, Fla. (Tampa Catholic). Green is 6-foot-2 and 185 pounds and is ranked the No. 5 wide receiver in the country by rivals.com. He is also being recruited by Florida, Florida State, Miami and Tennessee. The Bulldogs will probably have to wrestle Green away from the Seminoles, who appear to have the early lead.
The nation’s top center, Brandon Linder from Ft. Lauderdale (St. Thomas Aquinas), also has the Dawgs high on his list. Linder is 6-foot-6 and weighs 290 according to scout.com — So keep your fingers crossed on Linder.
If UGA keeps it up they’ll finish with a Top 5 class in 2010. And out of all of these prospects the Dawgs really need to secure Ambles, Smith and Ogletree — and not let the likes of Tennessee, Florida and Auburn spoil it for them in the end.