National Signing Day, December, 2023: Central Georgia high school/transfer signings
By Michael A. Lough
The Sports Report
centralgasports@gmail.com
Just when you thought it might be quiet, Central Georgia turns out repping coast to coast, gulf beaches to frozen tundras.
Through what’s been made available publicly, as of 6:30 p.m., Central Georgia had nearly 20 players sign with Power 5 programs, not including two preferred walk-ons at Georgia.
There was news of a major flip in the area, though. Standout wide receiver Ricky Johnson had committed to Stanford back in June, but didn’t sign on Wednesday with his Houston County teammates.
But around 6:30 p.m., the social media posts started that he had changed his mind, and he has now signed with Mississippi State.
Georgia Southern expanded its Central Georgia footprint with five signings, including two from the portal.
Houston County led the way with six signees, with Warner Robins next with four.
A year ago, South Carolina media didn’t know or ignored the fact that Tattnall’s Zavion Hardy left the school after his junior year for transfer opportunities that never developed and played only two games at Howard as a senior. He ended up at East Mississippi JC and played in 12 games in 2023.
Clemson media was apparently unaware that Ricardo Jones was dismissed at Northside after five games and was never ruled eligible at Peach County.
Peach County hosted his signing ceremony on Wednesday, and Jones posed with Trojan coaches.
Tigernet.com’s analysis falsely stated that Jones “played for Marquis Westbrook at Peach County” and never mentioned Northside or his abbreviated senior season.
GPB also named Jones to its state all-star team last week despite only half a season.
And it appears none of the recruiting media changed his rankings despite playing only half a regular season.
The early signing period is only for Division I football.
The early signing period for Division I football ends on Friday, with the mid-year transfer period for Division I and II endingon January 15.
The next signing period for Division I and II football is Feb. 7 until April 1 for Division I and Augu. 1 for Division II.
The signing period for Division I and II sports other than football and basketball is Nov. 8-Aug.1.
Fort Valley State and GMC won’t have official signings of high school players until February.
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7 p.m.
(Please send updates to centralgasports@gmail.com as signings happen)
Baldwin
RB Micah Welch, Colorado
Dublin
DL Nasir Johnson, Georgia
FPD
QB Jakhari Williams, Syracuse
Jasper County
DB Kaidon Whidby, Liberty
Whidby, a two-time all-region football pick and state track point-getter last spring in the 110-yard dash, picked Liberty over Georgia State, Western Kentucky, Georgia Southern, Austin Peay, and Eastern Michigan, among others. He’s an early enrollee and will report for bowl practice for the Fiesta Bowl against Oregon.
Jones County
WR Zion Ragins, Oklahoma
WR Tyler Stewart, Temple
Houston County
OL Jeremy Blute, Air Force
CB Jaquari Brown, Georgia Southern
OL Kahlil House, Stanford
WR Ricky Johnson, Mississippi State
WR Recordo Tarver, Georgia State
WR Kale Woodburn, Cincinnati
Mary Persons
OL J’vyon Tatum, Alabama State
RB Duke Watson, Louisville
Northside
DL Isaiah Harvey, Chattanooga
DB Ricardo Jones, Clemson
Peach County
LB Cedric Roberts, Alcorn State
Perry
WR Dakarai Anderson, Cincinnati
QB Colter Ginn, Georgia (preferred walk-on status)
DB Maurice Hayes, Jr. , Bowling Green
Southwest
WR Carmelo Mays, Georgia Southern
Tattnall
OL Web Davidson, Virginia Tech
Veterans
WR Preston Bird, Samford
DB Antonio Scott, Northern Iowa
Warner Robins
QB Judd Anderson, Miami
WR Isiah Canion, Georgia Tech
WR Cam Flowers, Western Kentucky
TE Mikhai Isaac, Georgia Southern
OL Nick Reeves, Georgia (preferred walk-on status)
West Laurens
LB Quentin Clark, Indiana
DL Jayden Todd, Florida State
Westside
OL Michael Horton III, Mercer
ATH Quavo Marshall, Kentucky
DB Tony Mathis Jr., Ohio
Transfers/Junior College signings
Central
DL Adam Lamar, from Hutchinson JC to Louisiana Tech
Peach County
CB Dorrian Smith, from NE Mississippi CC to Georgia Southern
Putnam County
QB Gerald Kilgore, from Tennessee Tech to South Carolina
Warner Robins
TE Tyler Fromm, from Auburn to Georgia Southern
Softball
Bleckley County
Riley Hayes, Gordon State