Jay Rome: Does Georgia or Alabama Have The Edge?
Valdosta (Ga.) tight end Jay Rome has been a hot recruit on the trail and many of the nation's top programs are trying to convince him to join forces with them.
Rome has offers from a slew of schools, including Florida State, Notre Dame, Stanford, Tennessee, Michigan and Florida.
While all those schools are hot after him, he seems to be down to Georgia and Alabama. Many banter about who has the edge. Let's see for ourselves.
Rome's Strengths
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Rome is a very tall pass-catching tight end prospect with very long arms. He's got a skinny torso but a very thick lower body through his legs.
His main assets are his hands. Rome has a large strike zone and catch radius, which allows him to pluck balls away form his frame.
He rarely body catches, and his body control allows him to run solid routes underneath.
Rome also has the speed to attack safeties up the seams, and unlike many tight ends, he is a true threat after the catch.
He's very strong with the ball and runs like he is insulted that defenders are even trying to tackle him.
Rome's Weaknesses
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Rome's skinny torso is a clear indication of his lack of upper body strength. Right now, he doesn't really factor consistently as a run blocker and has problems sealing the edge.
He can stall in the run game and lacks the ability to stop, stack, and steer at the point of attack. He must get stronger if he is to become a well-rounded tight end.
Also, Rome has garnered a bit of a reputation as a player who can disappear at times due to a lack of focus.
Best As a Bulldog?
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Hailing form the Peach State, Rome has Georgia in his final two and many claim as the favorite.
He stated he really enjoyed his trip to Georgia, and visited with his mother and father, Stan Rome, a former Clemson Tiger. Rome has stated Athens is a great place and he likes the players on the team.
Georgia has been very honest with Rome, telling him their plans for his development as a receiver and in the weight room.
Mark Richt and Co. have quietly heard whispers about not putting a fence around Georgia and are out to squash that talk in recruiting.
Playing with Aaron Murray and forming a great tight end tandem with Orson Charles could also be a great draw for the Dawgs.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Or a Terror With The Tide?
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Alabama is scheduled to host Rome for a critical official visit this weekend in Tuscaloosa.
The Tide have been fluctuated in Rome's list of favorites during the process, but securing a visit this close to signing day can work in their favor.
They can convince Rome that he could be part of the nation's No. 1 recruiting class and one of the deepest in recent memory.
Playing with the stars already committed to Alabama, other stars that Alabama is on track to land in this class, and an already loaded Tide roster is extremely attractive for the big tight end.
Rome would get considerably stronger and certainly develop as a run blocker in Alabama's power-run offense.
When In Rome...
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Rome has also stated he likes Tennessee a lot and Clemson as well, yet we feel he will ultimately be a Georgia Bulldog.
It just seems Georgia has been his leader from the start, they're recruiting him hard and he is comfortable in Athens.
He's close with his parents and they can easily make the short drive to see him play at Georgia on Saturdays in the fall.
Mark it down: Jay Rome will be a Dawg.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
