Massaquoi, Nicks staying in touch

Had the chance to speak to Georgia receiver Mohamed Massaquoi, formerly of Independence High, this week at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala.

He was all set to show off his skills in the all-star game before suffering a sprained ankle.

We talked Monday night about his days at Independence playing with Hakeem Nicks, who went on to star at North Carolina.

Massaquoi was a year ahead of Nicks in high school, but they’re entering the NFL draft together this year because Nicks is turning pro after his junior season.

Though Massquoi was the first of them to star in high school, Nicks has progressed so much that he’s expected to be chosen before Massaquoi in the draft.

“We’re not really competing against each other,” said Massaquoi. “I just wish him all the best and he wishes me all the best. It’s going to be a fun process for the both of us.

“We both want to go as high as we can possibly go.”

They stay in touch regularly via cell phone calls and text-messaging.

“It’s special just to see him grow and mature as a player from the days at Independence until now,” Massaquoi said of Nicks, the second-leading vote-getter on the All-ACC first-team offense.

-- Charles Chandler