Football Recruiting: Top prospect commits to UGA after serious flirtations with archrival Georgia Tech (Updated)
UGA coach Mark Richt went public with his recruiting goal of building a “Dream Team” of elite prospects from Georgia’s high schools.
Loading ...The Bulldogs added an all-star with the commitment of Wilcox County’s Nick Marshall.
The 6-foot-2, 190-pounder picked the Bulldogs over Georgia Tech, and also had offers from Alabama and Florida Sate. Marshall switched to UGA after reportedly being a “silent commitment” to Georgia Tech.
“This really all came out of the blue,” Wilcox County football coach Mark Ledford told the AJC’s Chip Towers. “Nick was leaning to Georgia Tech as of late last week. He had a close relationship to Georgia Tech the last month or so. Then out of the blue, Coach Richt called and wanted to offer him as a defensive back.
“Nick told me Monday he wanted to commit to Georgia. I said let’s talk about it Tuesday and see if you feel the same way. We talked after his work out and he said he defintely wanted to go To Georgia. I talked to his Mom and explained what that meant. She called Coach Richt and committed [Tuesday] night.”
What about being a “silent commitment” to Georgia Tech? “I don’t know if you’d call it a silent commit,” Ledford told Towers. “I’m not sure where that term came from. I’ll just say he was very close to committing to Georgia Tech.”
BREAKING NEWS: Wednesday was a tough day for Georgia Tech, which also saw football recruit Jake Skole sign with baseball’s Texas Rangers for a $1.557 million bonus. (Click here for story)
Marshall is considered the state’s No. 1 overall athlete for 2011, earning Div. I offers in both football and basketball. He started at both quarterback and defensive back while leading Wilcox County to the Class A state championship in football, and has pledged to sign with Georgia at defensive back. Marshall will also walk on UGA’s basketball team.
Richt has compared Marshall’s athleticism to the Charlie Ward, the 1997 Heisman Trophy winner from Florida State who played 11 seasons in the NBA. With Marshall, UGA has 11 commitments for its 2011 football recruiting class, including 10 from Georgia. The only outsider so far is QB Christian LeMay of Matthews, N.C. The other homegrown headliners of Richt’s “Dream Team” are East Hall DE Sterling Bailey, North Paulding WR Chris Conley and the “state’s fastest man” — Mitchell County WR Justin Scott-Wesley.
Earlier this spring, Marshall admitted UGA caught his attention with a signing day surprise, both offering and signing his cousin (Wilcox County 6-foot-7 WR Lonnie Outlaw) to a football scholarship on the same day. The Bulldogs signed Outlaw knowing he was a few credits shy and will require two years at Georgia Military College before being admitted UGA. Were the Bulldogs laying down the groundwork for a “package deal” to eventually land Marshall? Click here for the story.
No. 14 in blue is UGA's commit No. 11 (AJC)
Back to the “Dream Team” of Georgia prospects: Last April, UGA sent out a press release with Richt declaring his recruiting priorities. “By the end [of spring], our assistant coaches will have been to more than 350 schools in the state of Georgia,” Richt said. “Our coaches are really pounding the state of Georgia. The focus of our staff is to make sure we recruit the state of Georgia first.”
Who may end up being the biggest winner out of the Nick Marshall sweepstakes? UGA basketball coach Mark Fox, who is riding a wave of momentum after beating out powerhouses such as Kentucky, Texas, North Carolina and Memphis for the AJC’s Mr. Basketball, Westlake High’s Marcus Thornton. Marshall plans to also play basketball at UGA. At shooting guard this past season, Marshall led Wilcox again to the semifinals, averaging 27.5 points, including a 52-point performance in the playoff opener against Montgomery County.
“I’d say Nick is one of the best I’ve seen in high school basketball, and I’ve been around this business for 38 years,” Wilcox basketball coach George Kennedy said. “He just does some stuff that is God-given talent that you don’t see every day.”
- Georgia Tech loses football recruit Jake Skole to Texas Rangers for $1.557 million bonus (click here)
- How did Cam Bedrosian, son of 1987 Cy Young Award winner, celebrate his first-round selection in MLB Draft? Dining at the Waffle House (click here)
- Will Georgia first-rounder Kaleb Cowart be the $3,000,000 man? Click here
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
196 comments Add your comment
Greensboro, Georgia
June 9th, 2010
9:04 am
-
….. Nesbitt for Heisman …..
******************************
Georgia & suwaneedawg
June 9th, 2010
9:04 am
No you didn’t, I. Are you the pitcher or the catcher? Not that there’s anything wrong with that.
Ric Flair
June 9th, 2010
9:05 am
I have no idea what that means, JB.
LizDawg
June 9th, 2010
9:05 am
Welcome aboard and looks like yet another athlete realizing gt athletics is a sinking ship!
JB
June 9th, 2010
9:07 am
Meaning one of us signs off with HBTD!!! and one doesn’t.
HBTD!!!
SCJacket
June 9th, 2010
9:07 am
Same ole dawg crap. Recruit the heck out of state and the country but you cant coach ‘em up to play any better than mediocre. Richt’s a class act and we are all glad he is your coach and not ours. Ours? Yep all of us in the SEC, ACC, Big 12, Big Ten etc. wouldn’t trade our coach for your recruiter/ want to be coach. Enjoy the fall it will hurt when you hit the bottom. Remember Ray Goff?
Ric Flair
June 9th, 2010
9:07 am
Then he’s as dumb as all the Tech posters think he is, LizDawg. Creative name, by the way.
just saying
June 9th, 2010
9:08 am
Nancy, you are really showing your true colors.
Ric Flair
June 9th, 2010
9:08 am
Got it, JB. Fair enough.
please
June 9th, 2010
9:11 am
SCJacket, Name three coaches with five years at their current school with a higher winning percentage than Richt. You cannot, but this is not because you are ignorant.
PMC
June 9th, 2010
9:19 am
This is a huge get for UGA all around, the guy is an outstanding basketball player too. I just wonder… with Lemay supposedly coming too… is he going to play QB?
Chris
June 9th, 2010
9:22 am
Hopefully Richt keeps landing these recruits, give him job security that other teams in this region are hoping for. Richt will always be good but not great.
PMC
June 9th, 2010
9:23 am
Mark Richt has 2 average years for the first time at GA and people forget the SEC titles and Sugar Bowl in 2007 really?
Mark Richt is one of the best coaches in the history of the Georgia program he just made a mistake with Martinez whose philosophy didn’t fit the players he had. BFD. Guy is a tremendous coach.
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater
June 9th, 2010
9:27 am
Hello Octagon, where is James Westfall?
Dawgs will recruit at least 2 RBs this year, IMO. Ealey & King still have some years remaining, Malcome/Thomas/Jackson, and 1 other i can’t seem to remember his name.
Chris
June 9th, 2010
9:28 am
He’s a good coach, done some nice things. But you aren’t on the elite level and never will be with Richt.There is enough talent in GA alone to become elite.
DP
June 9th, 2010
9:29 am
Florida’s 2006 recruiting class won 2 national championships and I don’t recall it having a name. Alabama’s 2008 recruiting class went 16-0 in the SEC regular season over the last 2 years and won a national championship. It doesn’t have a name either.
Can Mark Richt and Georgia and its fans operate without gimmicks like “blackouts” in the stands or black pants and helmets or labeling a recruiting class a “Dream Team”? Isn’t the state university supposed to dominate in-state recruiting?
the Truth
June 9th, 2010
9:30 am
HOW BOUT THEM DAWGS….NERDS GET SLAPPED IN THE FACE AGAIN.
suwaneedawg
June 9th, 2010
9:31 am
Leave it to a techie to try and win an argument about your school to start making homosexual cracks. Like I said, it sucks to be you. Oh yeah, your baseball team got kicked out of the tourney by, who was that, oh yeah Alabama an SEC team. DAMN, really sucks to be you!
St. Richt
June 9th, 2010
9:36 am
To my fellow GT fans: please stop with the excuses on why this kid committed to UGA. It is what it is and we lost out- I don’t care who influenced his decision. this is a nice pick up for Georgia but I’m a little surprised the kid doesn’t want to play QB. Regardless, Georgia’s recruiting class seems to be shaping up A LOT better than ours. So rather than criticize another team, we need to be gettin some answers from our coaching staff on what plans B, C, and D are. Seems like I haven’t seen a GT commitment in quite some time. Bueller?? Bueller??
Georgia & suwaneedawg
June 9th, 2010
9:37 am
Leave it to a UGA fan to live vicariously through Alabama. You’re baseball team got their teeth kicked in by, who was that? Oh yeah, Georgia Tech…an ACC team. DAMN, really sucks to be you.
suwaneedawg
June 9th, 2010
9:44 am
We live through any team in the SEC that is playing Tech because we have pride in our conference. You on the other hand do not have one ounce of class in you and are a perfect example of a techie who lives through trashing UGA with dumba*# remarks about homosexuals and the likes because you can not defend your program. In other words, you are a loser.
DawgDave
June 9th, 2010
9:46 am
“Yet another fine recruit going to the land of mediorcrity. Too bad he will never be coached up like we do at Bama”…….once again sour grapes from a Bama fan bc they didn’t get the recruit. Check the number of UGA players in the NFL against the number of Bama players in the NFL and then talking to me about being “coached up.”
RxDawg
June 9th, 2010
9:50 am
Wow, this is a nice pick up that I wasn’t expecting. I don’t know too much about Nick other than what I read on here. But from what I hear he is a pretty darn good QB. I’d imagine UGA will give him a shot QB, unless his heart is at DB. Which is fine too. Welcome aboard Nick!
RxDawg
June 9th, 2010
9:53 am
I’d also bet that Auburn fans are pretty happy about this as well. I’d think that means they will get that Uzbo…. (I forgot his name) QB from this.
Georgia & suwaneedawg
June 9th, 2010
9:54 am
Please. I have a feeling Auburn isn’t living through Bama. And if you were honest with yourself, you’d know you don’t live through Florida. But I wouldn’t expect you to admit that because you do not have one ounce of class in you and are a perfect example of a UGA fan who lives through trashing Tech with dumba*# remarks about anything you can think of. In other words, you are a loser and you suck at life.
FBR
June 9th, 2010
9:54 am
What is this “Dream Team” crap that the AJC insists on using? Nobody has ever talked about, spoken of, related to, or called this recruiting year THIS!!! Drop this BullS__T “Dream Team ” garbage. This is a recruiting year just like any other. Everyone wants a “Dream Team” every year!!!
“Dream Team” Member Nick Marshall Commits to Georgia
June 9th, 2010
9:59 am
[...] UGA’s Mark Richt Adds Another Member of Dream Team – AJC.com Categories: Basketball, Basketball Recruiting, Football, Football Recruiting Email Print | Share [...]
DP
June 9th, 2010
10:02 am
While ranking recruits is obviously an inexact science, the top 10 rated recruits from Georgia in ESPNU’s top 150 are uncommitted, contrary to all the “Dream Team” nonsense. I’m sure he’s a good player but Nick Marshall isn’t rated in ESPNU’s top 150.
Moo Moos
June 9th, 2010
10:04 am
It’s funny how GT people always make fun of UGA fans for saying “we didnt’ want him” or “he wouldn’t have got in anyways” when someone commits elsewhere. Lo and behold, when someone doesn’t choose GT, the comments of “well the coach paid him off” is the only reason he didnt go to GT. Hilarious.
Delbert D.
June 9th, 2010
10:05 am
Big L – “John Wooden of Ohio State said Michigan was just another game. They fired him cause he did’nt recognize the magnitude of that game and he’s in the college football hall of fame.”
John Wooden. Huh.
Ric Flair
June 9th, 2010
10:08 am
Moo Moos, you don’t address the criticism in your point. Are to assume that had he gone to Tech, UGA fans would have said he sucks and we didn’t want him anyway?
Dawgforlife
June 9th, 2010
10:08 am
Techies…Techies…Techies…when a kid is (silently) going to Gt, everything is fine; but, let him side with UGA and now he is somehow to dumb to graduate high school (how was he going to get into tech if that is the case btw?) or there was somehow some sort of crooked deal. And before you mention UGA whining about Rogers, he was not a “whispers” silent committment. He was on the list until the day before signing day. That is why outlaw got offered. Rogers bolted and we had an opening for him. What ya’ll can’t get over is the best quarterback in this state thinks he has a better chance making the NFL playing defensive back at UGA than quarterback in Tech’s out of date offense. Also, you can’t get over he would rather play basketball at lowly UGA. Truth is truth. Tech is a fine school, but athletically no match for UGA.
The Dude
June 9th, 2010
10:11 am
Is it required that every sedan with a terrorist driver have a GT plate on the front of it?
Frank
June 9th, 2010
10:22 am
113! Beat that if you can.
Monticello Dawg
June 9th, 2010
10:22 am
Let’s review what is happening here:
1. Richt brings in a top DC, and some quality defensive assistants, to right the team’s biggest problem last few years. Expect to see a better coached, more fundamentally sound unit, even while installing a new system. Result: Upgrade
2. Richt turns over the team to one of the most talented high school quarterbacks in his class, on a par with Matt Barkley. Murray has been a film room junkie, and has the intangibles. Result: Upgrade
3. Richt and staff has hit the recruiting trail with a vengeance, and to the dismay of our foes, the Dream Team is shaping up nicely. While no one can get them all in a talent rich state like Georgia, the targeted athletes are responding favorably. Result: Upgrade
This explains why some (not all) fans of rival schools are becoming increasingly agitated, and flaming on any blog mentioning the great state of Georgia’s flagship university.
Georgia & suwaneedawg
June 9th, 2010
10:29 am
Let’s review what’s happening here:
1. Richt brings in an unknown DC and several other unknown defensive assistants because he got left at the alter by 708 other coaches that didn’t want the job. Result: Unknown
2. Richt turns over the team to the third best QB in the spring game. On par with Matt Barkley? That’s great. Barkley was extremely generous with the football last year, throwing 14 picks. Result: Same as Joe Cox
3. Richt and staff have hit the recruiting trail to get more highly sought after recruits who will end up in Athens for four years and produce zero championships. Result: Same as usual
This explains why some fans of rival schools are becoming increasiningly emboldened, and showing up on any blog mentioning the overrated state school in Athens.
Adonisdaking
June 9th, 2010
10:40 am
Be Patient The Recruiting Period For UGA Is Shaping Up Nicely…Alot Of 5 Star Recruits Wont Commit Until The US ARMY ALL AMERICAN GAME or Later In The Year But Be Sure That UGA Will Get Even Better Prospects When We Reveal Our New Aggressive Style Defense and Running Attack….The State Of Georgia Has Some Really Good Talent This Year…As We Start Winning More and More Prospects Will Start Committing Just Being Realistic Cause UGA Cant Sign All The Talent I Think We Will Get These Following Players…RB Isaiah Crowell WR Charone Peake
DT/DE Gabe Wright DE Stephon Tuitt CB Damian Swann ILB James Vaughters OT Watts Dantzler OT Xzavier Ward NT Chris Mayes OLB Deion Barnes OT Zach Debell ATH Nick Marshall..
Sugarfree
June 9th, 2010
10:43 am
Athens Community College has a football team?
THWG
19th Hole Dawg
June 9th, 2010
10:43 am
Welcome to the Bulldawg Nation, Mr. Marshall.
We’re thrilled to have you as a two-sport athlete.
This class is shaping up to be something special. It’s good to see the hard work our staff has put in this Spring is paying off.
Good luck to Mr. Marshall during his senior year. Look forward to seeing him in Red and Black.
To all the hater Tech fans: It really says a lot when a major athlete prefers to play DB at UGA rather than QB at Tech. Good luck with another mediocre recruiting class.
suwaneedawg
June 9th, 2010
10:43 am
Let’s say that your three points are true. We will still kick tech’s a*# this year and you will still envy our program. You will be demanding cpj be fired by the 2011 season. And like I said before dummy, I will pull for any SEC team playing tech because of conference pride. Pride is something you do not comprehend. Your posts today are examples of your class or lack there of.
Gary
June 9th, 2010
10:56 am
Too all the Tech fans bashing Geargia, football has one purpose. Putting fans in the stands on Saturday. That is it. Not National Championships, conference titles, or even wins. It is about selling tickets. The above may help, but the fact of the matter is demand to see georgia football continues to increase at record levels. Look in the stands and tell me CMR is not doing his job when you come to visit in November. Saturday in Athens has been very successful during his tenure. We are doing just fine. Maybe you should try and figure out why some of us are willing to drive for three hours to see a game and most of you will not drive 15 minutes to sit in the small little stadium.
BG
June 9th, 2010
10:59 am
The nerds get beat by the Dawgs again!! HAHAHAHAHA!! GO DAWGS!!
suwaneedawg
June 9th, 2010
11:00 am
Good points Gary but, you are asking some tech fans to try and comprehend logic about their program. Not going to happen sir.
Clint
June 9th, 2010
11:11 am
Ward won the Heisman in 1993, not 1997. Charles Woodson won it in 1997. You might want to correct that.
JB
June 9th, 2010
11:12 am
If that TECH offense get’s bogged down this year by ACC teams with athletes ( who’s going to throw or catch a pass), some Tech diehards will start to have some doubt. I really think replacing these Gailey skill players will be bigger than they think. Groh will help some, as Grantham will help Georgia some, but you still needs eggs and butter to make a good cake.
1eyedJack
June 9th, 2010
11:12 am
Georgia & suwaneedawg
Let’s review what’s happening here:
You are too low for ZERO!!!
Welcome aboard Nick. It’s good to see players from my part of the state not going to UF or FSU.
Go Dawgs!!!
Georgia & suwaneedawg
June 9th, 2010
11:12 am
We’ll see, suwaneedawg.
Gary, it’s an interesting point, but in it you contradict yourself. I actually agree that selling tickets is the primary objective. But if Richt’s performance is based on that, then you should never have hired him. Using your own rule, Ray Goff would be the coach still as the stands were full then. And if they weren’t, then your comment is, by definition, wrong because you were unwilling to drive to see the team get beat.
Georgia & suwaneedawg
June 9th, 2010
11:13 am
And, believe me, we are not envious of UGA. At all.
Brookhaven Bulldawg
June 9th, 2010
11:26 am
To Roll Tide: “Better than Murray and Hutson Mason right now”. And your expertise on this is what? I imagine you have probably personally watched all three work out together. Or are you basing your opinions on watching this young man throw against single A south Georgia defenses. Maybe you should contact Saban and apply for a recruiting position. “Average in the SEC”: That’s another amazing observation. We have been top contenders for the last decade with a tough rebuilding year after losing two top prospects to the NFL. As soon as “The Mercenary of College Football” retires, Bama will return to it’s decades of bottom feeding tradition.
Da'reek
June 9th, 2010
11:27 am
I don’t know why Tech fans can’t grasp the fact that he would rather play DB and play basketball for UGA than play QB for Tech and an underachieving basketball team. Also, if he’s wanting to go pro in either sport then his best chance will be at Georgia – he would never make it to the NFL as a QB in an option team, he can however, make it to the league as a 6′2 corner.
Welcome aboard Nick. Should be good to see him thrive on the court and on the field.