Tag: Oak Ridge

Georgia ‘has made a surge’ in recruitment for 5-star LB Justin Williams

In addition to Oregon and Georgia, Williams has offers from 30 other programs.

Oregon is not kidding around when it comes to finding linebacker talent in the class of 2024. Over the last several days the Ducks have recruited a pair of four-star prospects at this position from California and they appear poised to get another from Texas that some analysts consider the very-best linebacker in this class.

For now, On3’s prediction model has Oregon as the favorite (58.7%) to get a commitment from Oak Ridge (Texas) five-star linebacker Justin Williams. However, according to Cole Patterson at Rivals, Georgia (39.4%) has made a surge for him.

“Justin Williams has been considered an Oregon lean for a bulk of the process, but Georgia has made a surge in his recruitment. Especially with his teammate and Rivals100 defensive end Joseph Jonah-Ajonye committing to the Bulldogs this week. Kirby Smart and former assistant Dan Lanning will continue to battle it out.”

Jake Rowe at On3 thinks the Bulldogs have been steadily “pulling in the right direction” since a recent visit from Williams.

In addition to Oregon and Georgia, Williams (6-foot-2, 205 pounds) has offers from 30 other programs. He is first among linebackers according to the 247Sports composite rankings, third overall in Texas and No. 11 nationally in the class of 2024.

For now, the Ducks have ridden a hot streak up to No. 8 in the nation in the 2024 recruiting rankings, while the Bulldogs remain at the top spot.

More football stories

Florida and Missouri among teams to recruit 4-stars this week

HS Football’s top teams in each state ahead of the 2023 season

Georgia football offers nation’s No. 2 LB Justin Williams

The five-star is one of the top players in the country…

Georgia football has offered a scholarship to five-star linebacker Justin Williams out of Conroe, Texas.

Williams (6-foot-2, 205 pounds) is rated as the No. 2 linebacker, the No. 5 player in the state of Texas and the No. 24 player overall in the 2024 recruiting class, according to 247Sports Composite.

247Sports recruiting expert Steve Wiltfong currently has Williams projected to sign with the Oregon Ducks, led by former Georgia assistant Dan Lanning.

Here’s a look at Williams’ sophomore season highlight tape. 

Robert Ayers named defensive coordinator at Oak Ridge

Former Vol Robert Ayers Jr. named defensive coordinator at Oak Ridge.

Robert Ayers Jr. has been named defensive coordinator at Oak Ridge High School in Oak Ridge, Tennessee.

Ayers Jr. played linebacker and defensive end at Tennessee from 2004-08.

He comes to Oak Ridge after serving as defensive coordinator and defensive line coach at Knoxville Catholic High School (Knoxville, Tennessee) during the 2020-21 seasons.

Ayers Jr. was selected No. 18 by Denver in the first round of the 2009 NFL draft.

In the NFL, Ayers played for Denver (2009-13), the New York Giants (2014-15) and Tampa Bay (2016-17).

Ayers totaled 257 tackles, 35 sacks, 14 pass deflections, eight forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and one defensive touchdown during his NFL career.

Follow us at @VolsWire on Twitter and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of University of Tennessee athletics. Let us know your thoughts, comment on this story below. Join the conversation today.

[vertical-gallery id=36044]

Tennessee offers 2024 wide receiver Brandon Heyward

Tennessee Vols’ football recruiting news.

Tennessee and head coach Josh Heupel have offered 2024 wide receiver prospect Brandon Heyward.

The 5-foot-10, 162-pound Heyward is from Oak Ridge High School in Oak Ridge, Tennessee.

He recorded 45 receptions, 643 receiving yards and seven touchdowns for Oak Ridge in 2020. The Wildcats appeared in the 5A state championship game last season.

Heyward scored the Wildcats’ lone touchdown in the state championship game, a 28-7 loss to Summit High School.

The 2024 wide receiver prospect attended a camp at Tennessee on June 4.

Heyward has scholarship offers from Tennessee, Pittsburgh, Michigan State and Marshall.

Tennessee’s 2022 football commitment tracker

Big board: Tennessee’s 2022 football recruiting class by position

[vertical-gallery id=40968]

Tennessee city to settle with Billy Casper Golf for $175,000

The Oak Ridge City Council will pay a $175,000 settlement to Billy Casper Golf Management, which ran Tennessee Centennial Golf Course.

OAK RIDGE, Tenn. — The Oak Ridge City Council voted unanimously to approve a resolution to pay a $175,000 settlement to Billy Casper Golf Management, which formerly ran the city’s Tennessee Centennial Golf Course.

Council member Ellen Smith made the motion and member Chuck Hope seconded Monday night.

Billy Casper Golf Management managed the course for the city from 2000 until 2017. The city ended that agreement in 2017, alleging a “failure to manage Centennial Golf Course in a financially effective manner,” city Attorney Ken Krushinski stated in a memo included with the agenda for the meeting.

However, in 2017 statements to the media, the city cited its desire to make repairs to the course as the reason for taking control.

“Golf is an extremely dynamic sport, and we have to adapt in order to remain competitive,” City Manager Mark Watson was quoted as saying in a 2017 city news release. “Our goal is to have a truly great public golf course, and this is the first step in making that a reality.”

Since 2017, the City of Oak Ridge owns and manages the golf course.
Krushinski stated in the memo that Billy Casper Golf Management contested the city’s termination of the management agreement “for cause.” He stated the company originally claimed the city owed it $522,792 in termination fees. However, he stated Billy Casper Golf Management later agreed to accept a $175,000 settlement from the city.

Krushinski told the city council at the meeting that paying the settlement will help the city “maintain the golf course as we had intended” while avoiding “costly litigation.”

Funds to pay the $175,000 are available in the city’s insurance fund, Krushinski stated.

Ben Pounds is a staff reporter for The Oak Ridger. Call him at (865) 441-2317 and follow him on Twitter @Bpoundsjournal.

[lawrence-related id=778070318,778069342,778069166,778069055]