DALTON, Ga. — Watts Dantzler finally found something that could knock him off his feet.
The 6-foot-7, 320-pound Dalton High School offensive lineman had his tonsils removed this week, temporarily stalling the recruiting whirlwind surrounding the proud program’s most high-profile recruit.
The junior tackle, according to Dalton athletic director Ronnie McClurg, has offers from “everybody” and isn’t close to choosing a school just yet.
“All the ACC and SEC schools are after him, and he has offers from Notre Dame, Southern California … you name it,” McClurg said. “He has what every program is looking for — size and athleticism. His footwork improved so much just this basketball season. I mean, it was amazing to see the athletic moves he was making out there.”
While the Catamounts have sent numerous athletes to college programs, none has received the attention of Dantzler.
“He’s easily the biggest recruit ever at Dalton High,” McClurg said. “There is so much technology and media interest in recruiting now that everybody knows about him.”
Dantzler does list five Southeastern Conference schools where he has the most interest right now: Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, Tennessee and Vanderbilt, in no particular order. He does hope to narrow his choices in the coming weeks.
One northwest Georgia football player who may be close to committing is Ridgeland’s Devin Bowman.
According to coach Mark Mariakis, Bowman is visiting Georgia this weekand and could commit to the program.
“He’s leaning toward Georgia,” said Mariakis, who spoke with Bulldogs coach Mark Richt Wednesday morning. “It wouldn’t surprise me if he committed this weekend. I told him, ‘If you have an offer from the school you want to go to, why wait?’ Georgia loves him because he can play on both sides of the ball. Coach Richt said he was at the top of their list for athletes.”
The 5-11, 174-pound Bowman runs a 4.4 40 and starred for the Panthers last season at running back and cornerback. He also is interested in Alabama, where brother Mike will be a redshirt freshman this season, Auburn, Clemson and Notre Dame.