Malcolm Mitchell Commits Live From Valdosta

Malcolm Mitchell Commits To Georgia Over Alabama, Live From Valdosta

Valdosta WR/CB Malcolm Mitchell, a Rivals four-star, verbally committed to the Georgia Bulldogs over the Alabama Crimson Tide at a crowded hibachi restaurant in his hometown Thursday night as his mother looked on in a Florida Gators hat (?). Mitchell eventually placed the hat on the table next to Georgia and Alabama hats, delaying the announcement for over 40 minutes and actually personally calling for a commercial break at one point. Congrats, Dawgs, you’re getting a drama queen.

Jay Rome was also in attendance — both he and Mitchell were decked out in red and black.

The announcement was also supposed to broadcast live on talk921.com, but seriously, you guys just invited every Bama fan at once onto your website and you’re surprised it crashed? ROLE TAAAAHD.

Mitchell, like Rome before him, narrowed his list down to the Dawgs and Tide, but this one was actually a battle. While Rome had been thought of as in the bag for Georgia for weeks, the race for Mitchell came down to the wire, with coaches from both teams paying him visits up until today.

The six-foot-one, 187-pound speedster also received offers from four other SEC schools plus the Clemson Tigers. He’s ranked by Rivals as the nation’s top cornerback and the No. 15 player from the state of Georgia. Quick and lengthy with 4.4 speed, he’s been talked about as a potential return man.

Malcolm Mitchell Commits Live From Valdosta Video

Malcolm Mitchell leads available WRs

With national signing day (Feb. 2) around the corner, here is a look at the top uncommitted wide receivers.

 

Malcolm Mitchell (Valodsta, Ga.)

Player rank: 45 | Position rank:7 | Grade: 81 | Stars: 4
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 185 pounds | Evaluation
Considering

Why they want him: You won't find many athletes in this class rangier and faster than Mitchell, a legit two-way prospect who will have offensive and defensive coordinators fighting over his services at the next level. His blend of speed, ball skills and athleticism are off the charts. He is explosive off the line and can quickly get defensive backs on their heels. Shows he can quickly stretch a defense and get behind coverage.
Recruiting update: Mitchell will announce tomorrow between Alabama and Georgia. He visited the Dawgs last month and the Crimson Tide this past weekend. It's too close to call.

 News From: sports.espn.go.com

Georgia DOT Clear Interstates and State Routes from Snow

Georgia DOT: Prepared to Clear Interstates and State Routes from Snow and Ice in West Central GA

Winter weather preparations kicked into high gear this evening as 399 Georgia DOT employees were on call and the first shift of the maintenance crews in District Three in West Central Georgia gassed up trucks equipped with snow plows and salt and stone spreaders, in case roads become covered with snow or ice.

In the 31 counties of West Central Georgia, the state DOT has the following resources to deal with the current winter weather storm:

399 employees on call
45 snow plows
7 Hopper Spreaders
17 motor graders
4,600 tons of salt
4,000 tons of gravel

When winter weather hits West Central Georgia, keeping the state highways safe for emergency vehicles becomes a top priority. Georgia DOT crews focus first on clearing interstates and heavily traveled state routes from snow and/or ice, and will specifically target areas vulnerable to freezing, like bridges, ramps and interchanges.

Motorists are urged to:

* Slow down and stay behind the snowplows. The road behind the plow will be the safest place to drive. Allow at least ten car lengths between your vehicle and snowplows or hopper spreaders.
* Do not pass. The plows are wide, and sometimes a group of trucks will work in tandem to clear snow quickly, especially on major highways.
* Be particularly aware of black ice conditions on surfaces such as bridge decks and entrance and exit ramps late tonight and the early hours of tomorrow morning.
* Remember that technology helps, but only to a point. Four-wheel drive, anti-lock brakes and traction control are beneficial advancements in today's cars, trucks and SUVs, but they can't take the place of good driving habits and the need to reduce speed on snowy or icy roads.
* Call 511 or visit www.georgia-navigator.com to get current information on road conditions. Georgia 511 is a free phone service that provides real-time traffic and travel information statewide, such as traffic conditions, incidents, lane closures, and delays due to inclement weather. Callers also can transfer to operators to request assistance or report incidents 24 hours a day, seven days a week. More information is available at www.511ga.org

Good Travel Conditions May Change

Travel Conditions are better than expected across Georgia on Christmas Eve. (Image Courtesy Georgia Navigator)

ATLANTA — Forecasts for a white Christmas may bekeeping last minute shoppers and travelers off the road. State officials say traffic across Georgia has been calm and free of congestion. Local county police departments that braced for an onslaught of crowds were surprised as the roads remained clear.
Christy Lowe with Georgia Navigator says although conditions are good now, highways could change at any moment.

“There are a hand full of people that are out shopping but with the traffic it could change at any time. Right now we’re not showing any problems. Tomorrow should be about the same but it could change because of the weather.”

Lowe says it’s impossible to predict what will happen later in the evening. But, she says if the weather does change, Georgia Navigator will have alerts about road closures and dangerous conditions throughout the weekend. People can reach Georgia Navigator by dialing 511 or by visiting www.georgia-navigator.com

Wsbtv Weather News Reports

sleet storms create headaches in South

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama (Reuters) - Severe winter storm warnings were posted by the National Weather Service for Sunday and Monday for states across the South from Texas and Arkansas in the west to Georgia and the Carolinas in the east.

The National Weather Service also warned of a winter ice storm in Alabama, while the Weather Channel's website said: "Snow, sleet, ice and rain target the Southeast."

The sleet was just beginning in Birmingham, Alabama, late on Sunday afternoon, but Alabama Governor Bob Riley had already declared a state of emergency.

In a written statement, Riley urged motorists to stay off roads because of "accumulations of ice that are projected to begin tonight."

Alabama's Department of Transportation had dump trucks at the ready to spread sand or salt on roadways and Department of Public Safety officers were working 12-hour shifts to assist motorists who insisted on traveling.

The state's Emergency Management Agency had activated its Emergency Operations Center, and the Alabama National Guard had 7,000 troops on drill duty.

The Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department issued warnings of sleet, snow and ice for numerous highways and roads in the state on Sunday, and told drivers to exercise caution.

Birmingham, Atlanta, Dallas, and Shreveport, Louisiana were among cities the Weather Channel said on its website were in the potential "snow or wintry mix zone" that could see sleet or freezing rain mixing with snowfalls.

North Carolina's Department of Transportation warned of severe winter weather hitting the eastern part of the state starting on Monday, with accumulating snow changing to freezing rain, advising motorists "to be alert and exercise extreme caution on all roadways," driving only if absolutely necessary.

In Atlanta, ABC affiliate WSB-TV reported that Georgia Power officials had put employees on standby to prepare for power outages and various airlines including Delta and AirTran had said there could be possible flight delays and cancellations.

In Shreveport, power company SWEPCO warned customers to be prepared for possible outages.

"Snow, especially wet heavy snow, can cause problems for the electric system because its weight brings down trees and power lines," Malcolm Smoak, Southwestern Electric Power Company vice president, said in a statement.

"In addition, with continuing low temperatures, the snow can be a problem for several days."

Historic Snow Fall Totals In For North Georgia

ATLANTA -- The official numbers are in from what turned out to be a very White Christmas for many across north Georgia.

With the first measurable snow in Atlanta on Christmas since 1882, the official snow total for the day was 1.3 inches.

Everyone north of Macon got a dusting of snow.

Parts of the metro area saw as much as 3 inches.

North of Atlanta, the mountains had frequent reports of 6 inches or more. The winner for the most snow reported was in Fannin County; McCaysville had reports of 10 inches of snowfall.