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
State of Alabama
February 2nd, 2011
2:48 pm
THUGA,
Trivia question 5- which state recently had 2 schools put on SACS probation- I’ll give you a clue- Clayton County and the initials ATL
Cool aid drinker
February 2nd, 2011
2:48 pm
Auburn – bad news – no more Cams to be bought. Probation/death penalty coming.
Bama – Saban gone soon
Florida – stumbing n the dark
Tech – HAHAHAHAHAHA
Georgia – the beginning of a new Championship Era
Way to Go!
February 2nd, 2011
2:49 pm
Welcome! Way to go Richt and go Dawgs!
chazzo
February 2nd, 2011
2:49 pm
Lots of potential? YES!!!! Key to season? Not necessarily.
Nick Fairley
February 2nd, 2011
2:49 pm
Yes being 1-5 against UGA over the last 5 years kills me, but not as much as knowing we just lost most our team from tlast year. But at least we bought I mean won an NC before we go back to being an average team. WDE!!!!
Buckeye
February 2nd, 2011
2:49 pm
“NO MO BO BO GO GO?”
athdog
February 2nd, 2011
2:49 pm
IF he turns out to be our Lattimore, he will be the biggest signee of the last several years. IF…King and Ealey were, as you say, hugely recruited, as well. K and E averaging over 5 per carry points out that it may have been the plays, not the players, that were suspect. Maybe not, but don’t dismiss it.
Now on to the next big question Who’s coaching the O line?
Nick Fairley
February 2nd, 2011
2:50 pm
Sorry I meant 1-4 in the last 5 years.
Dean
February 2nd, 2011
2:50 pm
Alright Bama, I’m just messing with you. I like Alabama alright. I just can’t stand that Nick Fairley dude. Anwyay, no real direspect just wanted to shut him up. No southern disrespect. We both have our problems and our successes. Peace!
State of Alabama
February 2nd, 2011
2:52 pm
Dean,
Originally from NY son and have lived in both Georgia and Alabama. What makes Atlanta great is certainly not the native Georgians son. Even you know that. Otherwise there is essentially no difference between the 2 states- a trailer park in rural ga is the same as one in rural bama. You’re nothing more than one stinking redneck trying to look down on another. You aint New York son.
Stinger2
February 2nd, 2011
2:53 pm
Its a great day for UGA football. I, a GT fan wish them well.
Belcher
February 2nd, 2011
2:53 pm
Heard Bama got PAGAN AND CALLOWAY. Oh s#%*!!!!!!!!!!!!
Big Ed
February 2nd, 2011
2:55 pm
I find it amusing that some of these so-called Auburn fans talk about their program like it has been a national power house of a team for the last 20yrs. Or even 5yrs. Auburn was above avg. at best before one incredible season. One that included a 1st year qb and nt who probably were the best at their positions in the country. Congratulations on the NC and a great recruiting class but act like you can handle it. Be careful not to assume things or take them for granted. Remember, before last year your program was considered to be down and maybe a notch below UGA.
Dawg1
February 2nd, 2011
2:55 pm
Fairley
I personally think the world of Auburn. Great school, great alumni, great fans. Very happy for my friends who went to Auburn or have children attending Auburn.
You seem to be the exception. Better fit for say ‘Alabama’.
Enjoy your summer. Rub it in every chance you get. We’ll see what happens from this point forward.
jaybird123
February 2nd, 2011
2:56 pm
Folks, he is a good recruit from a 2A school. He got all his stats from almost the smallest classification. Ealy-also a 2AA recruit-King guess- also 2A. Unless he has played with the big boys from 5A (Brookwood, Loundes, Grayson and Camden) I would not get my hopes up.
Dean
February 2nd, 2011
2:56 pm
Now, you’re going to pull the New York card and try and look down everyone just like a true New Yorker. Very classy! Your southern speech oozees out and you ain’t now Manhatten socialite. So just go on and get over yourself. Whoever that is your pretending to be at the moment. I just gained a modicum of respect for Nick Fairley after talking with you.
JAKE
February 2nd, 2011
2:56 pm
all you alabama fans and alum go f— yourselves . you guys have struggled for years ………
Dean
February 2nd, 2011
2:57 pm
“No Mahattan socialite”, it should read
Dean
February 2nd, 2011
2:58 pm
No no, they were really good when they had coach Fran, Price and coach Shula (great guy as an aside) and the fat guy who was cheating so bad.
learn something everyday
February 2nd, 2011
2:59 pm
You know, I used to not mind Auburn fans at all even have Auburn alums in the family. It’s usually a good game and I never had a real hate for them like I do for the rest of our rivals, it was usually pretty respectful. But now…
You guys had a great season, nobody can take that away. (with one of those irrelevant GA players)
But that crystal trophy you won will always be tainted in anyones eyes outside of Auburn fans, and you know it. And there IS the POSIBILITY it could be yanked away, and you know it. (sources cited are not needed, you obviously have a computer so look to google)
Yet low and behold some of the worst internet Trolls I have ever seen in my life are now out and about causing a rucus that will not end until your first loss next year. Man, I thought jort wearers and bammers were bad, but good lord i am really starting to hate barners. Give it another month and a few more trolls and you guys may even make the North Ave trolls look bad.
Yellow Fuzz
February 2nd, 2011
2:59 pm
Yeah Yeah, yeah talk to me in November. Our top 40 class is not going to let your top 5 class beat us by a touch down again.
45-42 still stings and you know it does.
clay
February 2nd, 2011
2:59 pm
GTBob
February 2nd, 2011
2:10 pm
Trying to hype him up as the next Marcus Lattimore is pretty unfair to the kid. It’s pretty rare that a running back can make that kind of impact that fast regardless of who they are. He is a great recruit but don’t make him out to be a once in a lifetime recruit. It could mess with his head similar to Harrison Barnes of UNC.
Nice reference man. I was thinking the same exact thing before i read the last line. Im a huge carolina bball fan and now that he is settled in. He is starting to show what he was supposed to be doing all season.
Thuga
February 2nd, 2011
3:00 pm
Good pick up thuga. I think the AU/UA and AU/UGA games going forward are going to be great. Happy to see UF recruiting fall behind for a change.
GIVE ME A BREAK
February 2nd, 2011
3:01 pm
Crowell called Richt a religious dude. Even the high school players don’t respect him. I see the Athens jail in his future.
Dawg1
February 2nd, 2011
3:01 pm
GT Bob:
You have it right. Crowning this kid the savior to the program is not smart by anyone. Hopefully CMR and staff will start talking ‘team’, games being won on the line of scrimmage, defense, special teams,etc.
Nick Fairley
February 2nd, 2011
3:02 pm
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!!!
—
Or Delta Air Lines is based here and not in Alabama, which is too bad, it’d be a lot better over there than in the cesspool that is Atlanta.
tony
February 2nd, 2011
3:02 pm
Celeb King was a 4 star last time I check. Crowell is no Celeb King. Crowell is more closer to H.Walker than any rb to ever play in a dawgs uni. Willie McClendon was the best rb I ever seen @ uga until H.Walker came along. Crowell has all the tools H.Walker possess except Walker’s power. Crowell has power too but not quite like H.Walker. He should be their #1 rb when they open the season against Boise.
Nick Fairley
February 2nd, 2011
3:03 pm
Only a ‘dawg’ fan would steal someones name and try and talk in my place. Goes to show you, when beaten, they resort to chop blocks. When chop blocked, I destroy your QB.
John
February 2nd, 2011
3:03 pm
I am not a UGA fan or hater, but I think Richt messes up when he makes statements like he won’t be surprised if Crowell starts the season as the # 1 back. He should make him earn it 100% and not place in his mind that it is his to lose. The kid has not even stepped on campus yet.
Idiocy
February 2nd, 2011
3:04 pm
Learnsomethingeveryday, ain’t it the truth. You never hear from a certain school until they get on top for a mement. Then all of a sudden, what once appeared to be level minded people become the biggest, loudest, baddest memeber on the block. They will yell insults and taunt you when just a moment before they were all peacefull. It shows a bit of a disconnect from reality and too much focus on a game. That’s why all these people wanting to fire Richt get under my skin. Relax, go spend time with your family and your teams succes does not define you as a person. Now, as a matter of the day, Go Dawgs!
Dean
February 2nd, 2011
3:05 pm
Yes, Atlanta stinks, but Birmingham is no better
Nick Fairley
February 2nd, 2011
3:05 pm
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.
—
Wow, 5 of the last 6? Do you know how to count? You might want to go back and learn, that grade inflation thing has gotten out of control. By the way, National Champions.
Dean
February 2nd, 2011
3:07 pm
Hey Nick, you can have one every 50 years. Still, win one without the hint of cheating and then you can have all the kudos you want. The 1957 team did it without cheating I guess, But that was before I was born so I’m not sure of that one.
Nick Fairley
February 2nd, 2011
3:08 pm
Dean
February 2nd, 2011
2:39 pm
YOu stink auburn and you are cheaters and that NC will never stand!
—
Source please.
GATA
February 2nd, 2011
3:08 pm
Exciting day for UGA but please, please, please coaching staff don’t redshirt these guys into obscurity. Coach them up and let them freakin’ play. I’m sick of seeing big time recruits get redshirted, play 2 years and then gone.
Nick Fairley
February 2nd, 2011
3:08 pm
Dean
February 2nd, 2011
3:07 pm
Hey Nick, you can have one every 50 years. Still, win one without the hint of cheating and then you can have all the kudos you want. The 1957 team did it without cheating I guess, But that was before I was born so I’m not sure of that one.
—
When is the last BCS National Championship that Georgia won? You’ve had 5 SEC teams win 7 of them, which one did UGA win?
Confused
February 2nd, 2011
3:09 pm
Schultzie, how do you suppose Crowell “will be given every opportunity to win the starting job in the spring”? I was under the assumption that he would still be in high school come spring and wouldn’t be reporting until June with the other incoming freshmen. Am I missing something?
Nick Fairley
February 2nd, 2011
3:09 pm
Go TECH!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yellow Fuzz
February 2nd, 2011
3:09 pm
What I do know is that 3-5 years from now, Tech will have done far more with their top 40 recruiting class than the dogs did with their top 5. Good luck to the dog players and coaches but I look forward to deciding it on the playing field like the last 3 meetings! We no longer fear the dogs and NEVER feared the obnoxios dog nation fan base. I have rolled more than a few of you AH’s over the years. Hahahaha
UTOrange
February 2nd, 2011
3:09 pm
That crush you hear from UGA is knowing that Tennesse is coming to destroy them with a Dooley on the sideline. Go Orange!!!! And Alabama you do stink! And Fairley they did cheat!
Mobile Dawg
February 2nd, 2011
3:10 pm
“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.”
That statement is very “un Mark Richt’ish”, who always seems to err on the side of caution. To put this much pressure on a Freshman “could be” looking for trouble. There are no more “Herschel Walkers”, and remember, he didn’t see action until what, the fourth game?
I would sure like to see him focus these types of comments applying pressure to the likes of the “offensive line”, himself, and his assistant coaches.
Mikool
February 2nd, 2011
3:10 pm
It is unfair to compare him to lattimore. He looks more like Bo Jackson to me if you see the highlight video.
Dean
February 2nd, 2011
3:10 pm
1980 and still proud of it. Hey, if we come in under the 50 year window then we still have you beat.
Oh yeah, and it was a legitimate win!
WarEagleRut
February 2nd, 2011
3:10 pm
OK, Dawgs…….go to rivals.com and do the math position by position and see who has the #1 ranked Offensive Line recruiting class in the country……#1 is Auburn. UGA is tied for 25th………AU ranked 2nd overall. Got to have the horses up front, UGA.
Dean
February 2nd, 2011
3:12 pm
So if we win one by 2032 then we are ahead of you guys. You may be off probation by then
Dean
February 2nd, 2011
3:14 pm
War eagle, you still got to coach them up. these recruit mean nothing but potential at this moment Look at what happened to Texas this year and look wherre there recruiting ranks are every year. I think Roof is solid and Malzahn is either great or a flash in the pan. I do not beleive coach Chizik is very good. He didn’t even know what he had with Newton until into the South Carolina regular season game. Let’s see if he can coach, especially when Malzahn goes off to be a head coach. Congrats on your title this year.
Nick Fairley
February 2nd, 2011
3:15 pm
2032? Too soon.
Dean
February 2nd, 2011
3:16 pm
52 years. It will beat 53
Recruiting scorekeeper
February 2nd, 2011
3:16 pm
Rivals
1. bama
2. AU
3. FSU
6. UGA
7.LSU
12. UT
13. UF
ESPN
1. FSU
2.AU
3. BAMA
6. UGA
8.UF
11. LSU
Scout
1.AU- 3 TOP 100 PLAYERS 25 COMMITTS
2.FSU- 11 TOP 100 PLAYERS 27 COMMITTS
5.UGA- 5 TOP 100 PLAYERS 25 COMMITTS
7.BAMA- 7 TOP 100 PLAYERS 23 COMMITTS
9.LSU- 5 TOP 100 PLAYERS 22 COMMITTS
10.UT- 4 TOP 100 PLAYERS 27 COMMITTS
Interestingly scout has AU rated above FSU which has 11 committed players of the national top 100 while AU has only 5. Bama has 7 of the top 100 but fewer committs. Georgia like AU and LSU has 5 of the top 100. UT making up some ground late with 4 of the top 100 players and 27 overall committs. Just what Dooley needs.
Nick Fairley
February 2nd, 2011
3:17 pm
In his second year he won the national championship with a first year QB that ended up winning the Heisman and blowing historical stats out of the water, a first year defensive lineman that won the Lombardi and a true freshman RB who was the National Championship offensive player of the game.
If you ask me, that’s really good coaching in his 2nd year no less.