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Recruiting Notebook: Jesuit's Smith Picks Georgia Tech

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 21, 2008

One look was all it took for Jesuit OL Phil Smith.

Smith committed to Georgia Tech on Sunday morning after spending the weekend on the school's campus. Smith received a scholarship offer from Penn State last week but ultimately decided against a visit there because he was sold on Georgia Tech. He informed the Yellow Jackets coaching staff shortly before boarding a flight back to Tampa.

"I really got a great sense of how close the team is," Smith said. "It's a family atmosphere and I liked that."

The new coaching staff at Georgia Tech made Smith a priority. He was the first offensive lineman to receive a scholarship offer.

"They seem really committed to running the ball and I think that's how you win football games," Smith said. "The tackles in their system have to be quick enough to take on safeties and use their speed and I think that's one of my strengths."

TERRIER COMMITS: Hillsborough coach Earl Garcia said Marc Thomas was the best linebacker he's had during his coaching career.

"He wasn't the biggest, but we've never had a better linebacker than Marc," he said. "Marc was my ball boy when he was 9 years old. I've grown very fond of him. I'm going to miss his personality."

Garcia announced Thomas had committed to Georgia Southern on Sunday.

Thomas, a Class 4A first-team all-state and Tribune All-Hillsborough County selection, visited the school over the weekend. He also had interest from Middle Tennessee State.

Thomas will be teamed with older brother Ricky Ponton, also a former Terrier, who transferred to Georgia Southern from USF.

WINTER IN WAITING: Two of Plant's best returned from college visits Sunday, one of them with a scholarship offer. WR Derek Winter could make it two later this week.

OL Rhonne Sanderson received an offer from Michigan State after visiting the campus this weekend. Sanderson is scheduled to visit Florida State next weekend.

Winter visited Auburn but left without an offer. Plant coach Robert Weiner said Winter should hear something by Tuesday.

"They should know how their numbers are working out by then," Weiner said. "He's definitely the next guy on their list."

SHOPPING AROUND: Others may be quick to announce their collegiate intentions, but Jefferson LB Gorby Loreus is taking his time.

Loreus wrapped up a weekend visit to Middle Tennessee with breakfast next to an unlikely patron - Armwood's Sergio Joyner, who picked up an offer from the Blue Raiders but will take some time before deciding whether to accept and may visit at least one more program, Hawks coach Sean Callahan said.

For Loreus, one of the most dominant defensive players in Hillsborough County, the visit was his second in recent weeks. Having already visited Western Kentucky, Loreus' destination is still up in the air.

"My options are still open," Loreus said. "I'm working on setting up other visits."

Loreus said he liked the Middle Tennessee facilities and coaching staff, and particularly its defensive scheme, but he'll continue looking.

"I can't wait until I find out where I'm going to go," he said.

Chamberlain DB back Justin Bell also will wait another week to make his decision.

The Class 5A first-team and All-Hillsborough County selection visited Youngstown State this weekend but said he will make his decision after taking more official visits. He plans to visit New Hampshire next weekend with teammate Devin Persaud and Eastern Kentucky the following weekend.

Bell said he enjoyed his trip to Youngstown and was even given a tour by freshman DB Josh Lee, who played at Freedom.

"It was great," Bell said. "They have some pretty nice uniforms, too."

Katherine Smith,

Nick Williams, Adam Adkins

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