Isaiah Crowell: From recruit to key to Georgia’s season?
Two young Bulldogs (one human): Isaiah Crowell of Georgia and his little pal. (AP photo)
(Updated with Mark Richt comments.)
ATHENS — Isaiah Crowell just signed his letter of intent to attend Georgia. So is it too early to assume he’s the key to next season? I don’t think so.
Crowell is a 5-star recruit. He’s the nation’s consensus top running back. Highlights and statistics from Carver-Columbus project possible greatness. But we’ve seen too much to assume anything. Most recently, we’ve seen Caleb King, a former 5-star recruit who has been a huge disappointment.
But if Crowell lives up to the hype, he will become something even more important than the best player in Georgia’s recruiting class. He’ll be the most important player on the Bulldogs’ roster next season.
When asked how he sees Crowell contributing, coach Mark Richt said, “Heavily. … I wouldn’t be shocked to see him running that rock in the Dome against Boise State on the opening play if he does what he’s supposed to do.”
The Bulldogs have lacked a lot of things lately, but a solid running game tops the list. Poor offensive line play is part of the reason. The other is that the Dogs haven’t found a consistent — or even above-average — replacement for Knowshon Moreno. Last season the team ranked 10th in the SEC in rushing (ahead of only Vanderbilt and Tennessee) and 73rd in the nation. The passing game was fifth in the SEC, 40th in the nation. The onus was on a freshman quarterback, Aaron Murray, and A.J. Green.
King has struggled. Washaun Ealey has been inconsistent and generally a disappointment.
Crowell can make a difference. Great running backs can cover up for deficiencies on a team, particularly on the offensive line. A great running back in college can have at least as big an impact on an offense as a great quarterback. Look what Marcus Lattimore did for South Carolina.
Georgia needs Crowell to be their Lattimore next season. He’ll certainly get the opportunity. Coach Mark Richt is not going to come out with a depth chart Friday that lists Crowell first but the freshman will be given every opportunity to win the starting job.
“I’m gonna be a Dog,” Crowell said after putting on a Georgia hat. For the perfect touch, somebody then handed him a bulldog puppy, and the newest Bulldog held him up in the air.
He was the Dogs’ 25th recruit to sign his letter of intent — and easily the most important one of all.
♦
Earlier posts
– Georgia recruiting: Now Richt must turn stars into wins
– Georgia recruiting: Waiting on Isaiah Crowell (and normalcy)
– As Braves get started, Fredi Gonzalez looks like Cox 2.0
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321 comments Add your comment
D A DoubleU G
February 2nd, 2011
2:27 pm
Does anybody have a link to the announcement? Just got out of class and I want to see Isaiah pull out the puppy.
DawgByte
February 2nd, 2011
2:27 pm
Make no mistake… this is a huge pick-up for UGA, but Crowell still has to prove it on the field. Let’s hope he’s the real deal and not another head case.
Nick Fairley
February 2nd, 2011
2:28 pm
So lets get this party started shall we?
IT’S GREAT TO BE AN AUBURN TIGER I SAID IT’S GREAT TO BE AN AUBURN TIGER.
you say these things when you’ve won the national championship and own the Heisman versus when you’re 6-7 and lost to UCF and think a kid that Alabama isn’t missing is the greatest player ever. It’s not a great time to be a Georgia Bulldog, or Bulldawg? Can’t remember how to misspell bulldog.
Can it be true?
February 2nd, 2011
2:29 pm
Hummon
February 2nd, 2011
2:10 pm
If you’re into the ESPN rankings, see the first three UGa signees on the 2007 list:
when you look at that list the only team to whiff seems to be Georgia. Only Mr. Trinton has made a contribution except for mr. fair catch?
Maybe mr. Garner is to blame? As I looked down the list some great names and contributions.
Dean
February 2nd, 2011
2:29 pm
I think Nick Fairley is jealous because he can’t stop talking about UGA. It’s okay Nick, when the NCAA strips Auburn of the title you will still have millions from the NFL.
Nick Fairley
February 2nd, 2011
2:30 pm
Some ole same ole
February 2nd, 2011
2:24 pm
Yes we heard the same hype about Stanks, Lumpkin, Ware, Bum legged King and fumblitis Ealey. Call me win UGA wins anything of significance.
—
You’ll never get a call.
Belcher
February 2nd, 2011
2:30 pm
What’s been the problem the last three years????
PMC
February 2nd, 2011
2:30 pm
I think he’ll play as a freshman, but it’s probably too much to expect him changing outcomes as a freshman, at least in the later games.
Look at Lattimore, who was about as good as it gets in high school. I think in the end they won about the same number of games and he wasn’t as effective late in the year.
It’s a grind. I would expect Crowell to come in and play well and contribute, but other than that… I think it’s more on the upperclassmen to produce next season.
Wake-up call
February 2nd, 2011
2:30 pm
Maybe Fairly can put it out of his a** for you. Because that is where Georia’s boot will be when Auburn shows up again. Last five years 4 – 1……….Dawgs!!!
Tide Rising
February 2nd, 2011
2:31 pm
Jeff,
You mentioned how lowly Boise and TCU’s recruiting rankings were the past several years yet they end up in the top 10 so your conclusion is that recruiting rankings mean very little? Not so fast. You also leave out that Boise and TCU rack up wins mostly against other teams with even lower rated recruiting classes.
Secondly, if recruiting rankings mean so little then why is it that the teams with the top ranked recruiting classes consistently are the same teams that are fixtures in the top 10. The Ohio States, Alabamas, LSUs, Oklahomas, Texas, and Florida. Now Texas and Florida obviously had off years last year but the fact is that over the previous 5-10 years those 2 teams were consistent top 10 programs on the field as well as in the recruiting rankings.
Alabama is a good example- terrible recruiting rankings under Shula and terrible records as well. Top 5 rankings every year under Saban and top 10 finishes every year.
Bottom line is that if you look at the bcs teams that are consistently in the top 10 in most years you will also see a direct correlation where those teams are also consistently in the top 10 in recruiting in most years. Just a fact that is verified by statistical analysis.
Bringing up Boise and TCU is comparing apples with oranges since those teams rarely play bcs powers. TCU over Wisconsin and that’s pretty much it for TCU. Boise over OU and maybe one other bcs team lately and that’s pretty much it for Boise.
Dean
February 2nd, 2011
2:31 pm
Lat four years, UGA 4, Auburn 1. One mythical NC just waiting to be stripped away.
Now go back to your irrelevant campus in your irrelevant state in your irrelevant town.
glsjunior
February 2nd, 2011
2:32 pm
Come on downtown to Georgia St. Caleb!
SECFOE
February 2nd, 2011
2:32 pm
Wait till he runs up against the Defenses in The SEC , yall will be hurtin then, You know Auburn and MSU defenses are gonna be ready to put the hurtin on him,
Georgia 4 Life...
February 2nd, 2011
2:32 pm
Let’s Go Dawgs!! Roof Roof!!
headley lamar
February 2nd, 2011
2:33 pm
Maybe Fairly can put it out of his a** for you. Because that is where Georia’s boot will be when Auburn shows up again. Last five years 4 – 1……….Dawgs!!!
Actually its 5 of the last 6. Auburn fans have short memories though.
They will go back to being irrelevant shortly.
DawgByte
February 2nd, 2011
2:33 pm
Fairly – We beat you guys 4 straight years, before Chizik put his thugs on the field last year. Now that you’re gone, the OL is toast and pay for play Newton is history… you’ll be lucky to win 7 games this year. UGA is going to destroy Auburn, bank on it!
learn something everyday
February 2nd, 2011
2:33 pm
Can it be true?
Uhhh did you not see the top 3 that signed with USC?? don’t think we were the only team that wiffed that year…. BTW check the entire list we got from that year, its mostly filled with stinkers.
TRUE FAN
February 2nd, 2011
2:34 pm
WIN WITH RICHT
FAN
February 2nd, 2011
2:34 pm
Don’t ever forget………………4 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS ARE BETTER THAN 1! Ugay, signing day heroes, championship ZEROES!
WEST GUY
February 2nd, 2011
2:34 pm
UGA is sounding like Ole Miss, Must be nice for yall to celebrate Recruiting instead of wins on the field, Keep on with the top 25 classes While the other teams celebrate wins…
State of Alabama
February 2nd, 2011
2:35 pm
Dean,
Irrelevant state? Not quite considering the last 2 Heismans and the last 2 bcs titles reside in the state of Alabama. Please let me know if that has ever happened in Georgia or ever will. Who are we kidding? That will never happen in a state of football irrelevancy such as Georgia. Now come over and polish our bcs trophies.
Dean
February 2nd, 2011
2:35 pm
I think Jay Rome is the one who is really going to be great in this class
the wayner
February 2nd, 2011
2:35 pm
crowell can not even speak,da,da,da,
Dean
February 2nd, 2011
2:36 pm
You never had Herschel Walker! Go ask anyone outside of Bama how relevant the state is.
Thuga
February 2nd, 2011
2:36 pm
Dawgbyte, you may want to look at the OL class AU put together last year and this year as well. AU D shut down Lattimore in both games and will do the same to IC as well. Last I checked, AU has a winning record against the pups.
Can it be true?
February 2nd, 2011
2:36 pm
Jenkins is the key to class for sure. We need a Fairly or Cody to stop gap the middle. Great class with just a few slip ups but over all a big boost to the DAWGS!
Frank
February 2nd, 2011
2:36 pm
Dont worry Mark Rick will surely find a way to Eff it up. If you check auburn, alabama, and florida’s recruiting classes are right there with orus.
While Marcus Rick may be able to outathlete the Ole Misses, Tech’s, and Kentucky’s of the world, it will take coaching to beat the big boys. Hope he gets back to studying the game of football.
Dawgtavius D'barky
February 2nd, 2011
2:36 pm
Running game the missing link? You better hope we can count on Isiah and praise him for more than just a biblical name. A running game maybe all we have this year after loosing all our recievers.
The Braves, they...
February 2nd, 2011
2:37 pm
Seems rather waste of good talent to have these fine athletes going to UGA. Let’s keep track of their on and off the field episodes in the years which follow.
Dean
February 2nd, 2011
2:37 pm
State of Bama- State of Inadequacy. Oooooh, you have a couple of cheating college teams and not one professional team.
Nick Fairley
February 2nd, 2011
2:37 pm
Dean
February 2nd, 2011
2:29 pm
I think Nick Fairley is jealous because he can’t stop talking about UGA. It’s okay Nick, when the NCAA strips Auburn of the title you will still have millions from the NFL.
—
No, it’s that I live in Atlanta and love rubbing our 15-0 record, Heisman, SEC Championship and BCS National Championship in the face of Georgia fans who every February think they’re going to win the national championship. With what? You have no talent on the field or on the sideline. YOU SAID IT YOURSELVES WHEN YOU LOST TO UCF!!!!
The best thing you had was AJ Green, you lost without him and then sort of won with him but then still lost bad to Auburn 49-31.
It’d been fun to see Crowell go to Alabama, not impressed by him for sure anyways and neither was Auburn I guess as they recruited around him! But I’d love to have seen the crying here, similar to what I heard from your QB last fall as he rolled around on the ground.
Dan
February 2nd, 2011
2:37 pm
WOOF! WOOF! WOOF! Suck it Bama!!!
Dean
February 2nd, 2011
2:38 pm
Go ahead, ask anyone outside of that state what they think of Bama. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
frank
February 2nd, 2011
2:38 pm
memo to Coach Rick. pleae no more high dives.
That time coudl be better spent studying the game of football. First test is boise state.
PUPPY BUZZ . INFO » Isaiah Crowell Signs With Georgia, Wins Signing Day By Bringing Puppy Onstage - SB Nation
February 2nd, 2011
2:38 pm
[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) [...]
david
February 2nd, 2011
2:39 pm
Dawgs win national title next 4 years! The dynasty just started.
Dean
February 2nd, 2011
2:39 pm
YOu stink auburn and you are cheaters and that NC will never stand!
Dean
February 2nd, 2011
2:40 pm
You can’t even win anything in Bama without Georgia players. As I said earlier they just don’t grow much over there.
david
February 2nd, 2011
2:41 pm
Our recievers are underrated. Passing game will rock next year.
Nick Fairley
February 2nd, 2011
2:41 pm
Let’s look at UGA’s 2011 schedule:
Boise St - Loss 0-1
SC – Loss 0-2
CoastCar Win 1-2
@OM Loss 1-3
MSU Loss 1-4
@UT Loss 1-5
@VAN Win 2-5
OPEN Loss… probably players arrested during the down time
@UF LOSS 2-6
NMexSt Win 3-6 “COMEBACK!!!”
AUB BAD LOSS 3-7
UK Loss 3-8
@GTech Win 4-8
CMR IS THE GREATEST COACH EVER!
State of Alabama
February 2nd, 2011
2:42 pm
Dean,
Say what you will son but the fact of the matter is that when it comes to college football Georgia is IRRELEVANT. Just a fact of life son. And BTW the 2 Alabama schools own both Georgia and Tech in head to head series records. Just another inconvenient fact son.
Trivia question for ya Dean- Where was the book and film Deliverance with all the man raping hillbillies based on? Clue- It wasn’t Alabama.
Trivia question 2- What state was the movie Gone with the Wind with all the intermarrying first cousins based on. Clue- It wasn’t Alabama
Trivia question 3- What state was settled as a colony by former prisoners, parolees, felons. Once more I’ll give you a clue. It wasn’t Alabama.
Nick Fairley
February 2nd, 2011
2:42 pm
^^^ And the whole time all you’ll hear about is A) UGA is going to win the national championship! followed by B) UGA is going to come back strong and nobody will want to play us to C) FIRE CMR!!! WHAAAA! to D) One more year with CMR, that’s it, after that NO MORE!!
Same story every year. But it’s fun to watch you suffer.
learn something everyday
February 2nd, 2011
2:43 pm
Nick Fairley :
“No, it’s that I live in Atlanta and love rubbing our 15-0 record, Heisman, SEC Championship and BCS National Championship in the face of Georgia fans who every February think they’re going to win the national championship.”
And when they strip Auburn of that championship and Netwon is forced to give back the heisman, everyone of the people you rub it in on will be more than willing to serve you second and third helping of humble pie with a bowl of crow on the side in spades.
Nick Fairley
February 2nd, 2011
2:43 pm
Dean
February 2nd, 2011
2:39 pm
YOu stink auburn and you are cheaters and that NC will never stand!
—
As always with you people, source please?
Dean
February 2nd, 2011
2:44 pm
Let’s see son, your state sucks and you know it. You probably live in Georgia becasue you can’t get a decent job over there. Son!
5-1 Fairley!!!
Thuga
February 2nd, 2011
2:45 pm
Trivia question 4- which state, AL or GA has higher SAT scores. Clue-It is not GA.
nimoy
February 2nd, 2011
2:46 pm
Hmmm, great pickup by UGA. This Tech fan says congrats. Alabam and Auburn fans. Why are you even over here.
camp
February 2nd, 2011
2:46 pm
Dear UGA recruits and players,
Go to class, make good grades, work hard in your workouts and please stay OUT OF TROUBLE!!!
savh dawg
February 2nd, 2011
2:47 pm
The most important recruit in this class is Jenkins. Unless UGA improves on the line of scrimmage, these skill players mean nothing.
State of Alabama
February 2nd, 2011
2:47 pm
Dean,
And so where are Georgia’s best players from?
Georgia’s best 3 players in recent years- Stafford- Texas, Moreno- New jersey, AJ Green- South Carolina
Current team Murray- Florida, Orson Charles- Florida, Ben Jones- Alabama.
Dean, You should just shut up. The more you speak the more you show your profound ignorance.