SB Nation Atlanta - Lynquez Blair is Signee No. 11 In Georgia State's 2011 Classhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/46601/atlanta-fave.png2011-03-29T18:28:29-04:00http://atlanta.sbnation.com/rss/stream/16431752011-03-29T18:28:29-04:002011-03-29T18:28:29-04:00Georgia State Football Recruiting: Lynquez Blair Joins 2011 Signing Class
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<p>According to <a href="http://www.forest-blade.com/sports/article_72c400c2-5a3d-11e0-a56c-001cc4c002e0.html">Swainsboro Forest Blade</a>, Swainsboro HS <span class="caps">ATH</span> Lynquez Blair has signed a letter of intent to play football for Georgia State.</p>
<p>The 5’10, 175lbs Blair did a little bit of everything in 2010 as he played <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ReXPJ1oh2c">Quarterback</a>, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hk6PO7WtHvw&NR=1">Slot Wide Receiver</a> and Defensive Back in his HS career. He will likely be headed for the defensive side of the ball under the watchful eye of Coach Anthony Midget.</p>
<p>Blair had 44 catches for 886 yards and 9 TDs as a Junior playing WR but shifted to Dual Threat QB in 2010 accounting for 894 yards of offense and 13 TDs. Blair also served as Swainsboro’s primary kick and punt returner.</p>
<p>Lynquez is the 11th signee of the 2011 recruiting cycle and is expected to join the Panthers in June along with the other eight freshman. The Panthers have three scholarships remaining and have entertained several recruits during spring practice so far in the last week. <a href="#" class="sbn-auto-link">Bill Curry</a> and the Panthers coaching staff have also not ruled using the remaining grants on <span class="caps">FBS</span> transfers.</p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/georgia-st-panthers/2011/3/29/2079547/swainsboro-ath-lynquez-blair-joins-georgia-state-2011-signing-classBen Moore2011-03-25T11:02:44-04:002011-03-25T11:02:44-04:00Report: WR Mark Young Joins 2011 Georgia State Football Signing Class
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<p>According to <a href="http://www.thecharlotteweekly.com/sports/2011/03/young-commits-to-georgia-state/">South Charlotte Weekly writer Aaron Garcia</a> and just confirmed by his HS coach Bruce Hardin, Providence Day School (Charlotte, NC) WR <strong>Mark Young</strong> has signed a letter of intent and will join the Georgia State football 2011 signing class.</p>
<p>Young is a 6’5, 200lbs X WR with good hands and very good speed. According to Hardin, he’s been clocked as fast as 4.5 in the 40 yard dash. Young also displays good body control and has very good balance for someone his size.</p>
<p>He looks to have the frame to hold another 10-15lbs without losing speed or flexibility. He is a little raw in his route running and will benefit greatly from extended work with WR coach George Pugh. Young finished his Senior season with 31 catches for 435 yards and 6 TDs.</p>
<p>Providence Day went 8-3 this past season in <span class="caps">NCISAA</span> Independent school action and Young had also considered Appalachian State before deciding on the Panthers. He and his family chose Georgia State because of Coach Bill Curry and his staff. He finished his Sr. season with 31 catches for 435 yards and 6 TDs.</p>
<p><a href="http://%20http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-9SoYFmf7M">Senior Highlights</a></p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/georgia-st-panthers/2011/3/25/2071556/report-wr-mark-young-joins-2011-georgia-state-football-signing-classBen Moore2011-03-11T17:01:14-05:002011-03-11T17:01:14-05:00Mike Tamburo Transferring From Boise State To Georgia, Not Georgia State
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<p>According to the <a href="http://blogs.ajc.com/recruiting/2011/03/11/qb-mike-tamburo-to-transfer-from-boise-state-to-georgia/">AJC’s Chip Towers</a>, former Boise State and North Gwinnett HS QB Mike Tamburo has been accepted and will walk on at Georgia this summer.</p>
<p>Playing time did not seem to be a concern as a change of scenery:</p>
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<p>"I’ve been talking to Georgia and to Coach [Mike] Bobo and I just liked everything about the idea of going that. "There’s the football program, the tradition and all that. I know about the all the guys on the depth chart and all that. But that’s not what this is about. I’m just looking for a fresh start."</p>
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<p>Tamburo mentioned that he took a long, hard look at Georgia State who now has an immediate need at QB with starter Drew Little being slapped with a four game suspension and back up Star Jackson leaving the program.</p>
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<p>"Yeah, yeah, I talked to them," said Tamburo, who accounted for 8,476 total yards and 90 touchdowns while playing for Bob Sphire at North Gwinnett High. "I’ve got a couple of buddies that play there and my little sister (Kristin Tamburo) is going there to play soccer. But there were a lot of things that went into my decision."</p>
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<p>I do not believe Tamburo will ever take a snap at Georgia with Sophomore QB Aaron Murray and incoming Freshman Christian LeMay on campus. What will truly be interesting if there happens to be a coaching staff change this December. Could Tamburo be on the move again?</p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/georgia-st-panthers/2011/3/11/2044988/tamburo-spurns-immediate-playing-time-will-walk-on-at-georgiaBen Moore2011-03-10T11:07:23-05:002011-03-10T11:07:23-05:00Mike Tamburo Could Transfer From Boise State To Georgia State?
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<p><a href="http://blogs.ajc.com/recruiting/2011/03/10/ten10-boise-state-qb-mike-tamburo-of-north-gwinnett-to-transfer-closer-to-home/">According to the AJC’s Chip Towers</a>, former Boise State and North Gwinnett HS QB Mike Tamburo is transferring to play "closer to home."</p>
<blockquote>"I am planning on transferring but, at this point, I don’t really want to talk about it until it is official," said Tamburo, who accounted for 8,476 total yards and 90 touchdowns while playing for Bob Sphire at North Gwinnett. "I probably should know in the next week or two where I’m doing. But I am planning on transferring somewhere closer to home. I’d rather not get into specifics because I just want to make sure everything works out first."</blockquote>
<p>Tamburo never took a snap for the Broncos and redshirted in 2009. There were even rumblings of a position change to defensive back or wide receiver.</p>
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<p>"That’s the goal," he said of sticking at quarterback. "I was helping out on the scout team some doing some receiver duty and doing what I could. But we just switched quarterback coaches and I was going to stay at quarterback. It just wasn’t working out for me there. I wanted to try somewhere else and get a fresh start."</p>
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<p>While he will not reveal where he’s going, he’s ruled out the University of Georgia:</p>
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<p>"I don’t think they’re too worried if I did want to go to Georgia. "It’s not like I’d be there during fall camp where I’d know the gameplan."</p>
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<p>Georgia Southern has a Senior incumbent in Jaybo Shaw and Georgia Tech does not run a Pro Style offense making an announcement to Georgia State all but a foregone conclusion as Tamburo could compete for immediate playing time.</p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/georgia-st-panthers/2011/3/10/2042078/could-boise-transfer-mike-tamburro-land-at-georgia-stateBen Moore2011-02-03T09:44:44-05:002011-02-03T09:44:44-05:002011 Georgia State Football Recruiting: Demazio Skelton Caps Class
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<p><b>Coach <a href="#" class="sbn-auto-link">Bill Curry</a></b> took the stage at the Georgia State National Signing Day Ceremony at the Student Ballroom at the downtown campus last night with a smile on his face.</p>
<p>“We signed nine players who we believe make our team better.”</p>
<p>A breakdown of three junior college transfers and six high school players highlighted the smallest class that coach Curry said he’s ever been a part of. It included two defensive linemen, one linebacker, three defensive backs, one kicker and an offensive lineman. While not the most sexy of classes, Curry said it addressed needs and provided depth.</p>
<p>Curry also said that the Panthers had two “disappointments” <a href="http://www.ajc.com/sports/georgia-state/gsu-signs-nine-loses-825716.html">which have been reported </a>to be QB <b>Imonni Carswell</b>, who signed with Tennessee State, and DT <b>Jakari Kinnie</b>, who signed with Jacksonville State. The Panthers still have two scholarships to offer and Curry hinted that this is the season that <span class="caps">FBS</span> transfer start to make decisions about transferring.</p>
<p>Comment from Curry about each recruit:</p>
<p><b>Kicker Christian Benvenuto</b> – “Incredible kicker. Immediate impact player. Has gotten stronger and can punt, place kick and kick off.”</p>
<p><b>CB D’Mario Gunn</b> – “Prefers to be called ‘Phat’. Can play Safety or Corner. Strong, Hard Hitter. Will contribute immediately.” He promptly introduced Gunn and sent him out of the ceremony so he could attend his 6pm class.</p>
<p><b>DE McClain Head</b> – “Tremendous growth potential. 6’5, 250 lbs. and will likely play at 280 lbs. within two years. Very strong and getting stronger.”</p>
<p><b><span class="caps">ATH</span> Nick Henderson</b> – “Will likely play Safety for us. Excellent hands. Very quick. Versatile.”</p>
<p><b>OG David Huey</b> – “Incredible athlete. Played tackle and guard. He’s a real stud. Very strong. Played first base on the baseball team.”</p>
<p><b>QB Ben McLane</b> – “Coach’s son. Winner. Played behind an inexperienced offensive line as a sophomore and junior. Led Brookwood to a state title as a senior. Strong arm and very accurate. Got much better than when we saw him last.”</p>
<p><b>LB Qwontez Mallory</b> – “Inside linebacker. Very strong. Has put in a ton of work in the weight room. Is about 235 lbs. now. Always around the ball. Very good hitter.”</p>
<p><b>DE Roderick Thompson</b> – “Very quick. Very disruptive. Will play at 250 lbs. within two years.”</p>
<p><b>S Demazio Skelton</b> – “Big, physical safety. Had to send his <span class="caps">LOI</span> to his parents in Myrtle Beach so that’s why we are only announcing him now. Hard hitter. Great hands and anticipation. Has the ability to take interceptions back all the way [<i>while Curry said this Skelton’s highlight of a 105-yard <span class="caps">INT</span> for a TD played behind him</i>].”</p>
<p>Coach Curry also mentioned that the Panthers return 97 players from the 2010 squad (including walk ons) and he’s eager to find those who are serious about the process. Curry took a poll with the returning players asking if the 6-5 finish was a good season. He did not have a single person who was satisfied with those results. Curry stated, “Recruiting did not get easier with this class, it got harder because people now take us seriously.”</p>
<p>The Panthers are participating in off season workouts and will convene for Spring Practice in March. The Spring game was announced to be Thursday, April 14th at the Georgia Dome to further the <span class="caps">GSU</span> tradition of football on Thursday nights in Atlanta.</p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/georgia-st-panthers/2011/2/3/1972426/2011-georgia-state-football-recruiting-skelton-caps-classBen Moore2011-02-02T13:17:51-05:002011-02-02T13:17:51-05:002011 Georgia State Football Recruiting: Roderick Thompson, David Huey Join Class
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<p>Georgia State has added two big pieces along the lines with their latest two signees. Mays HS <a href="http://rivals.yahoo.com/footballrecruiting/football/recruiting/player-Roderick-Thompson-117770">DE <strong>Roderick Thompson</strong></a> and Pearl-Cohn HS (Nashville, TN) <a href="http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/recruiting/player-David-Huey-117145"><strong>OG David Huey </strong></a>have signed their LOIs.</p>
<p>Thompson committed very early to the Panthers and projects as a 255lbs Strongside Defensive End. At 6’4, he has very good speed, explosive first step and has very good hands.</p>
<p>Huey is a road grader along the offensive line. Played Tackle and Guard in HS and is very impressive on film. Has the frame to hold 305lbs and has gained nearly 20lbs since his Senior season ended.</p>
<p>The Panthers coaching staff did lose 1 commit, as Gadsden City HS (Gadsden, AL) <a href="http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/recruiting/player-Jakari-Kinnie-114647"><strong>NG Jakari Kinnie</strong></a> has signed his <span class="caps">LOI</span> with Jacksonville State.</p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/georgia-st-panthers/2011/2/2/1970653/2011-georgia-state-football-recruiting-roderick-thompson-david-hueyBen Moore2011-02-02T11:52:35-05:002011-02-02T11:52:35-05:002011 Georgia State Football Recruiting: Kicker Christian Benvenuto Signs
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<p>The Panthers signed Matanzas HS (Palm Coast, FL) Kicker <a href="http://rivals.yahoo.com/highschool/football/recruiting/player-Christian-Benvenuto-119483"><strong>Christian Benvenuto</strong></a> this morning.</p>
<p>Rivals.com rates Benvenuto as the 18th best Kicker and he had legit range to 60 yards. He has an excellent shot to start as a Freshman and is a very good punter as well.</p>
<p>This is signee number 5 this morning and 6th commit of the 2011 cycle with CB D’Mario Gunn already enrolled.</p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/georgia-st-panthers/2011/2/2/1970393/2011-georgia-state-football-recruiting-kicker-christian-benvenutoBen Moore2011-02-02T10:46:11-05:002011-02-02T10:46:11-05:002011 Georgia State Football Recruiting: Qwontez Mallory and McLain Head Join Class
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<p>The Panthers add two more this morning as Georgia Military College LB <strong>Qwontez Mallory</strong> and Whitewater HS DE <strong>McLain Head </strong>have signed with Georgia State.</p>
<p>Mallory is 6’2, 220lbs <span class="caps">OLB</span> prospect who is the second former <span class="caps">GMC</span> Bulldog to join the Panthers. His former teammate D’Mario Gunn is already enrolled at <span class="caps">GSU</span> for the Spring semester.</p>
<p>Head is a 6’4, 240lbs DE prospect who is a 2nd generation Curry player of sorts. His uncle Tony Head played FB at Georgia Tech in the late 1970s when Coach Curry was an Asst. Coach.</p>
<p>The Panthers expect to sign a total of 11 players to Letters of Intents today and will have a <span class="caps">NSD</span> Ceremony at 5pm on campus.</p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/georgia-st-panthers/2011/2/2/1970234/2011-georgia-state-football-recruiting-qwontez-mallory-and-mclainBen Moore