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Georgia avoids recruiting violation | Football recruiting | ajc.com

With the threat of an NCAA rules violation hanging in the balance, Georgia coaches told Henry County receiver Jamal Patterson to skip Saturday’s junior day.

When Georgia coaches learned late last week that Patterson was scheduled to participate in a Georgia High School Association-sanctioned track meet and attend junior day in Athens on Mar. 22, they told the junior to delay his visit until early April.

“[Georgia defensive coordinator] coach Willie Martinez called and said a player can’t participate in an athletic activity and attend a junior day on the same day,” Patterson said. “So he wants me to be there on April 5 for the spring game.”

Patterson’s scholarship haul climbed to 32 over the weekend when offers from Middle Tennessee State and Rutgers arrived. He already had offers from powerhouses such as Alabama, Clemson, Florida, South Carolina and Tennessee.

Patterson had hoped to learn over the weekend if Georgia will jump on the bandwagon and extend an offer. Now he must wait nearly two weeks to gauge the Dogs’ interest.

“Coach Martinez did say there is some good news, but he wants me to wait and talk to [offensive coordinator] coach [Mike] Bobo and [wide receivers] coach [John] Eason at the spring game.”

Ironically, Patterson is scheduled to be in Athens on Saturday. He has been invited to participate in the Rivals 5-star combine.

April will be a busy month for Patterson. After visiting Georgia on Apr. 6, he will trek to Florida on the 12th before visiting South Carolina the following weekend.