Turner Commits To USF, Mayes Commits To UGA

October 10, 2010

By Alan Richards of Griffin, Georgia High School Football


Turner gives So. Florida the nod; Mayes headed to be a Ga. Bulldog
Griffin High tight end Ty Turner during a practice last month at GHS. (John Sullivan/Daily News)slideshow
Chris Mayesslideshow

Griffin High tight end Ty Turner became the latest local football player to commit to an NCAA Division I college when he verbally gave the University of South Florida the nod last week.

The 6-foot-3, 240-pound Turner had also fielded offers from Western Carolina and Marshall, among others. But in the end he went with the Bulls for two reasons: One, the coaching staff reminded him of the staff at Griffin High, and two, he was told he could see starting time as a true freshman.

It's easy to see why the staff reminded him of home. While Skip Holtz is the South Florida head coach, former Griffin High head coach Steve Shankweiler (1996-97) is the Bulls' offensive line coach. It was Shankweiler who hired current Bears 10th-year head coach Steve DeVoursney as an assistant in 1996.

A week or two before Turner committed, Spalding High defensive tackle Chris Mayes verbally gave the nod to the University of Georgia. The 6-foot-5, 295-pound Mayes - who is only in his second season of playing football - is rated 31st at his position by Rivals.com.

Mayes, who transferred from Griffin High to Spalding as a basketball player three years ago, also fielded football offers from Miami, Maryland and Oklahoma State amongst others before deciding on the Bulldogs.

Other local players in the Class of 2011 to verbally commit include Griffin High safety Corey Moore (Georgia) and wide out Nile Daniel (Kentucky) as well as Spalding High running back Zay Sharp (Louisville).

Two other local players, Griffin High defensive end/tight end Xzavier Dickson and cornerback Chandler Worthy, have yet to commit.

Worthy has received offers from Troy and Marshall, while Dickson - the area's blue chip prospect - has received offers from Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Middle Tennessee State, Mississippi State, North Carolina, Purdue, South Carolina and Texas Tech. Dickson said he won't commit until after the season.