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Orson Charles' Next Stop: Athens

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By KATHERINE SMITH

ksmith@tampatrib.com

Published: March 7, 2009

Updated: 03/07/2009 12:33 am

TAMPA - Before he disrobed in front of 150 people, Orson Charles had some phone calls to make.

The first two went to USC's Pete Carroll and Tennessee's Lane Kiffin. The Plant wideout thanked both coaches for recruiting him but politely turned down their scholarship offers.

Then Charles called Georgia coach Mark Richt and reiterated that he was going to be a Dawg.

Charles announced his college decision in stylish fashion at a Friday ceremony in the school's gymnasium. He took off a gray pinstripe jacket and vest to reveal a black No. 7 Georgia jersey.

"This is a life decision because I'm going there for four years," Charles said of his drawn-out recruiting process. "This is the next biggest step in my life besides getting married. In the end, I just felt more comfortable with Georgia. "

During a nearly three-month process, Charles took official visits to Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Tennessee and USC. He dropped the Gators and Seminoles from consideration last month.

Former Plant quarterback Aaron Murray, who is on spring break from Georgia, attended Friday's ceremony not knowing where Charles was leaning.

"I'm pumped. I'm really pumped," said Murray, who was furiously text messaging Georgia coaches during the ceremony.

Charles said coaches plan to use him as a hybrid in the Georgia offense.

"More like a split end, split out and in the slot," Charles said. "I just want to win. I don't care where they put me. I just want to win."

Charles got used to winning at Plant, helping lead his team to the Class 4A state championship last season. In the one year Charles spent with the Panthers, he emerged as one of the top receivers not only in Hillsborough County, but in the state. Charles, a transfer from Riverview, led the state with 75 receptions for 1,421 yards and 21 receiving touchdowns.

"If you were to know Orson Charles just by the numbers I threw out, then you wouldn't know Orson," Plant coach Robert Weiner said.

Charles also improved in the classroom. Weiner noted that since Charles arrived at Plant, he's made nothing but A's and B's.

During the ceremony, Weiner also recognized three-year letterman Jim O'Connell, a wide receiver. The senior class president and valedictorian has applied to several Ivy League schools.

"I read off Orson's numbers, now check out Jim's numbers," Weiner told the crowd. "A 6.77 GPA and 1350 SAT score. I can honestly say that I don't know if there's a person I've met that I've ever respected more."

Reporter Katherine Smith can be reached at (813) 259-7860.

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