RECRUITING
Trio plans syncronized commitment
By MATT WINKELJOHN
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 08/21/06
Three of the state's top high school football players will announce their college intentions on Aug. 31, but it's unclear whether Nick Claytor, Josh Nesbitt and Jonathan Dwyer conspired in making that decision.
If all three pledge to share the same huddle at Georgia Tech, though, it's a lock to create a buzz, or as recruiting analyst Scott Kennedy of Scout.com said, "With a solid nucleus already on the commitment page, [that] would give Georgia Tech a championship level class."
Gainesville High's Claytor is ranked the state's No. 1 offensive lineman by Rivals.com, Greene County's Nesbitt the No. 1 quarterback, and Kell's Dwyer the No. 2 running back. How'd that be for a 1-1-2 punch for Tech?
"It would be very big," recruiting analyst J.C. Shurburtt of Rivals.com said. "All three ... could be a big part of Tech establishing a ground game in years to come. I see Dwyer and Nesbitt getting the ball in their hands as true freshmen. I see Claytor as a 3-, 4-year starter at tackle for Tech or whatever school he decides to go to."
Claytor's ready to be a star somewhere. "I'm going to commit on August 31st on ESPN," he said. "Josh Nesbitt, Jonathan Dwyer, and [Walton tight end] Bailey Woods, who committed to Auburn ... I talk to guys like that, but I don't know exactly what they're going to do.
"Hopefully, we'll go to the same place because they're both highly touted prospects, great players."
Tech coach Chan Gailey doesn't have room for a lot more incoming players. He said last month that he anticipated signing 16 to 18 players to letters of intent. The Jackets have 12 commitments. Available scholarships could increase if some players transfer or otherwise leave the program early.
The staff also would like to leave an opening or two for non-committed players who excel in their senior seasons.
"It's always subject to change with kids who continue to develop in their senior years, especially in-state," Tech recruiting coordinator Giff Smith said. "We'll re-evaluate some. When it comes to the last three or four scholarships, you've got to look not only at specific positions but best players [regardless of position]. Coach Gailey will make the decision on which route we will go."
Scout.com ranks Claytor Georgia's No. 3 offensive lineman.
Dwyer, who rushed for 1,898 yards and 23 touchdowns as a junior, is ranked No. 2 in Georgia by Scout.com behind Greater Atlanta Christian's Caleb King.
Nesbitt, who passed for 2,844 yards and 35 touchdowns and rushed for 1,898 yards and 23 touchdowns in 2005, is ranked No. 1 in Georgia, No. 14 in the nation at quarterback by Scout.com.
Claytor eliminated Ohio State and said he's considering "Auburn, Florida State and Tech." Dwyer said he's down to "Tech, Georgia, Florida and Florida State." Nesbitt is considering Tech, Georgia and North Carolina.
Kennedy of Scout.com said that if the Jackets land that 1-1-2 punch "and can string together two or three classes like that in a row, they would have the talent to compete for the ACC championship."
:tongue2: . 
