Mark Richt says Georgia may pursue Penn State players
Mark Richt said he and his assistants already have gone over Penn State's two-deep roster. (AP photo)
Penn State avoided the “death penalty Monday,” but NCAA sanctions were so severe — including a four-year bowl ban — that players are being allowed to transfer to another school without having to sit out a year.
Will Georgia pounce? Possibly so.
Coach Mark Richt said at a fans’ “UGA Day” Monday night, “Some colleges are going to be interested in some of their players, and we’re one of those schools. It’s pretty well-documented that we’re under our 85[-scholarship] limit. We’ll try to get in touch with some of these young men and see if they’re interested.”
Approached by a few media members following the event, Richt said he and his assistants already have gone over over Penn State’s two-deep roster. But he was vague — probably intentionally — on what (or how many) players Georgia would pursue.
“We do have some space available and if somebody fits a need and they’re excited about coming we would look into that possibility,” he said at the Cobb Galleria Centre. “There may not be anybody. But we’re at least going to explore. … I don’t want people to think we’re trying to load up a bunch of them. It could be zero, it could be one or two.”
Richt believes coaches are limited to one recruiting phone call per week per player, but admits, “We don’t have a whole lot of previous relationships with kids on that team.”
Personally, I don’t know what structure, if any, the NCAA has set up for this. But this seemingly could get pretty chaotic if all the nation’s coaches start descending on Penn State players.
“I’m sure there were some young man who were recruited by Georgia, as well as every other school,” athletic director Greg McGarity said. “I’m sure it will be active both ways as far as these young men who may or may not want to stay. But it hasn’t even been 24 hours. So it may be jumping the gun for individuals to be assuming things are going to happen. Penn State is still going to play, obviously. There’s some restrictions but it’s not like they’re canceling the football season.”
Some other comments from Monday night:
• McGarity on the NCAA’s sanctions against Penn State: “I think it’ll take 48 to 72 hours to digest everything. I’m interested to read the documents to see all the information that’s there, other than just the high points. Like the president of Oregon State said, this is like a gut check for everybody to make sure their house is in order. In all situations like this, whether it’s this or Southern Cal, it’s lessons learned.”
•McGarity on the NCAA penalizing Penn State for non-competitive issues: “There’s several areas of NCAA rule book that talks about ethics, talks about reporting violations, and whether that’s a violation of NCAA rules or just basic principles of life…”
• McGarity also said he and his senior staff went over every page of the Freeh Report when it came out ‘just to make sure we weren’t missing anything.”
• Dogs basketball coach Mark Fox on the NCAA’s decision: “We’re talking about crimes against children. Let’s just hope – and there’s no comparison here, because the offenses are different – but will the NCAA be as stiff with people who cheat to get a competitive advantage? For them to get involved in this, it’s groundbreaking.”
• Fox on Mark Emmert being compared to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell: “I’ll say this: Roger Goodell is the one commissioner who’s not afraid to penalize his stars. He’s not afraid to say, ‘This is how it’s gonna be.’ I have a lot of respect for how he operates on the whole. It’s what leaders are supposed to do.”
Previously
– NCAA hits Penn State hard but not hard enough (with video)
– Penn State deserves ‘death penalty’ for Sandusky cover-up
By Jeff Schultz
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
431 comments Add your comment
RTR22
July 24th, 2012
10:33 am
Looks like Michigan is breaking out the special “unis” for the opener against the Crimson Tide. We all know how that works out dont we doggies….woof woof
OTPVol
July 24th, 2012
10:37 am
WWSD (What Would Spurrier Do?)
Nel-Dorado
July 24th, 2012
10:40 am
I enjoy reading this blog from time to time, but give me a break with some of this crap. To say Mark Richt doesn’t have morals, what a joke? This team needs players and if a kid wants to leave, why not see if he wants to play at UGA, which believe it or not is a very desirable school/football program to be a part of.
And with John Thomas(UGA’s new Strength and Conditioning Coach) who came from Penn St. it only makes sense for UGA and CMR to explore their options. UGA offered at least 4 of their players scholarships so you never know.
And to all Bama and Tech turds on this site,
Bama, you will get yours!
and Tech, just stop!
ADMan
July 24th, 2012
10:49 am
Hey RTR22 it’s been well documented that Bama beat the Dawgs when they wore the black jerseys….so that is nothing new….what people forget about that game is …in the second half Georgia completely dominated Bama…out scored them 31 to 10. And please don’t tell me Bama called off the dogs in the second half because they did’nt. Still a loss is a loss no matter what the final score. I love to think about how in 2007 the Dawgs ripped the heart out of Bama in overtime at Bama when Stafford hit Henderson alone in the endzone to send you Bama fans home to your trailers in silence…..LOLLOLLOL
kingdaddy
July 24th, 2012
10:50 am
@ALL TROLLS
Remember this: You came to us to “whine”, we didn’t come to you!!! This means WE OWN YOU…
Brainiac(Dawg For Life) / (CMR fan for life)
July 24th, 2012
10:51 am
@ GaDawg(10:30pm post)
Have you no shame???????????????
I demand that you apologize to “Fat Bellied,Snuff Dipping, Ignorant,Morons” everywhere!!!!
How would you like it if someone compared you to “BUTTER BEAN FLOYD”(aka Fat A$$ Floyd)
Nother thang!!!! He has a “Triple Wide” , not a doublewide. That is so he can get his huge posterier in and out without turning sideways!!!
PS Nother thang!!!! He ain’t got no wife. The load limit on the Triple Wide is only 2 Tons and it is really hard to reproduce when one is having sex with no one else in the same room!!!!!!!!!!
kingdaddy
July 24th, 2012
10:52 am
BWAAAAAAAAAAHAAAAAAAAHAAAAAAAAHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA…LOSERS…
kingdaddy
July 24th, 2012
10:53 am
Cool, I love to hit the top of the page with something like that, lol…
Brainiac(Dawg For Life) / (CMR fan for life)
July 24th, 2012
10:58 am
It really doesn’y say much for a WANNABE Bigtime Football school when Louisiana Monroe doesn’t even brag about their kicking Bammy A$$ all over Tuskalooser(aka Bammy’s Home Field).
I guess it’s all in the PERCEPTION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nel-Dorado
July 24th, 2012
10:58 am
Well said ADMan! I was at the UGA/BAMA game in T-town 2007 and will never forget Stafford sending all those BAMA fans home! I guess the Traditional, Classic Crimson Uniforms with the #’s on the Helmets didn’t work that night. Maybe BAMA should have worn Black, it would have been more appropriate.
I’d love for UGA to play BAMA in the SECG! If BAMA can make it, that is.
air of mendacity
July 24th, 2012
11:00 am
neutral – good point on how will they know? – did the NCAA lay down the “rules of engagement” – hard to believe they didn’t or it might devolve into a free for all.
Big Crimson 75
July 24th, 2012
11:00 am
Willie @ 9:28am — good work.
We know Penn St as well as anyone.
Personally, aside from some big uglies in the trenches, I didn’t see too many Players on their squad the last 2 yrs that make our 2 deep.
That said, ya never say no to quality Linemen!!
Roll Tide….
15 Minutes from the Hedges
July 24th, 2012
11:03 am
I’d like to comment but I would need to look at the PSU roster first…be nice if AMurray could get another AJ Green type of receiver or if the D could get one of those vaunted PSU linebackers…with UGA’s relatively soft schedule this year, looks like no one can beat us but ourselves…
Brainiac(Dawg For Life) / (CMR fan for life)
July 24th, 2012
11:06 am
Something is REALLY WRONG on here!!!!!!!!!!!!!
As far as I can tell nobody has accused CMR of hiring John Thomas in order to get a little leverage on the dividing of Penn State leftovers!!!!!!!!!!!
Well
July 24th, 2012
11:08 am
“You don’t know anything about me. i know who you are though “BCS Champs 2010″. Think i didn’t recognize your 1st grade posts?
Where is your degree from?”
If you know me then you already know the answer, Lex. I can’t wait to see the mature comments to follow. I wonder if you’ll call me stupid, cheater, idiot, moron, retard?
air of mendacity
July 24th, 2012
11:10 am
15 minutes – I agree – need to get by Mizzou (with suspensions) and gamecocks and then it is granny bar the door. could be 11-1 and SEC championship game – and then who knows? depends on O-line and how running game comes along. Murray needs to be a little more accurate in the clutch to me.
air of mendacity
July 24th, 2012
11:13 am
what happened to my comment re 15 minutes?
Brainiac(Dawg For Life) / (CMR fan for life)
July 24th, 2012
11:14 am
@ Dawg In Lex:
Isn’t “Aubarnn Cheater” an oxymoron???
Sorta like “Bammy Cheater” maybe???
air of mendacity
July 24th, 2012
11:18 am
15 minutes- depends on O-line and how running game develops – could be 11-1 if things go well – then SEC championship and dare I say – the elusive BCS game? It would make for a good fall college football season. Need to care care of Mizzou and Cocks – then granny bar the door
5150 UOAD
July 24th, 2012
11:18 am
Wow the NCAA Prez talks Ethics in the Penn St decision but Ethics go out the window when allowing other schools to POACH Penn St players.
air of mendacity
July 24th, 2012
11:19 am
try again – did me saying something about the gamecocks censor the post?
5150 UOAD
July 24th, 2012
11:20 am
Brainiac….like Georgia education?
Vince Dooley
July 24th, 2012
11:20 am
CMR should be ashamed of himself having to stoop to this level to land players. To think this callous shell of a human represents a fine institution like UGA.
ARdawg
July 24th, 2012
11:21 am
Thomas Brown
“Mark Richt is all wrong in his statements. Those from Penn State do NOT count toward the 85-man limit AT ALL.”
Please explain this to me? Why would not any players Richt picked up from anywhere including Penn St and offered them a scholly not count toward the 85 max?
Wilson Pickett
July 24th, 2012
11:22 am
USCW is trying hard to get the best RB from PSU. I think I read the total number on scholly at USC is 72 and they can have 75. Doesn’t seem fair to see a team on probation take players from another team on probation but this is America!
Wilson Pickett
July 24th, 2012
11:25 am
Those that come from PSU will not count this year but they will next year. So take a SR and get him free for a year! Take a Jr and you get him free as well for this year but he will count toward your 85 next year.
Journalistic Integrity
July 24th, 2012
11:26 am
Lazy reporting Shultzy. How hard would it have been to list some of the players from Penn State’s “2-deep” roster that could make an immediate impact on Georgia’s team? Or comment on some of those players that were once recruited by UGA and might have a chance of transferring to UGA? Not very. Instead you just regurgitated what you heard at the UGA Fan Day.
For those of you that are not brain-dead and actually require information instead of a glorified press release, The Macon Telegraph offered some insight into two players that were recruited by Penn State.
Dissapointed Shultzy. Laziness has taken hold.
Brainiac(Dawg For Life) / (CMR fan for life)
July 24th, 2012
11:28 am
@ Wilson Pickett:
Very good insight and analysis on both posts!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Brainiac(Dawg For Life) / (CMR fan for life)
July 24th, 2012
11:36 am
@ AR Dawg:
In order to give some semblance of being “Fair” to all players/recruits tied to Penn State the NCAA has decreed that those that transfer will NOT have to sit out a year and will not count against the 85 scholly limit for this upcoming season but everything NCAA reverts back to normal for the following season and the “Sit out a year/85 schollies only” will be in force!!
FANMAN
July 24th, 2012
11:40 am
They should go after the running back Silas Redd! The guy is a SEC type back that could comoe in right away and get some carries. Watch his tape on youtube.
ROBERT MEANS
July 24th, 2012
11:42 am
When a program is down the vultures come out. No surprise that Kiffin and Richt would be the first two vultures. Feel sorry for anyone who goes to either school since going to USC, Texas and UGA is like falling into a black hole never to be seen again. All three schools are better at introducing players to the criminal justice system than developing them for the NFL.
Terry
July 24th, 2012
11:42 am
Well, You’ve been commenting on here since 8:26 am, and you think your mature, please stop with the Childest antics, you, and others like you are what’s wont with this United States. Your first post was a personal attack on UGA (We can look forward to new UGA players going to jail. Goody.) If you were mature, you wouldn’t have even started with an insult, but I guess that would be asking to much. If you want to be treated like an adult post as one.
Terry
July 24th, 2012
11:44 am
you, and others like you are what’s wrong with this United States.
RTR22
July 24th, 2012
11:47 am
Neldorado, Rest assured if Bama played Jawjas SEC schedule they would be in the SECCG, and you know the opposite would not be true playing our schedule. 22 SECTitles……How many you got lol……………………
Brainiac(Dawg For Life) / (CMR fan for life)
July 24th, 2012
11:51 am
I am making my New Year RESOLUTIONS about 5 months and a week early this year!!!!!!!!
I resolve to Refrain from reading anything submitted by Thomas Brown, I found that I can save 55% of the time I spend on this and similar blogs if I just skip his repetetive trash. I also discovered that out of 31 submissions there is NOTHING of Significance that he hasn’t icluded in dozens of prior submissions.
Kingdaddy: If he accidentally comes up with something different AND worthwhile please let me know. I have neither the time or stomach to continue!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It really breaks my heart to admit this but sometime in the recent past Thomas(akaTurdhead) Brown apparently got one thing right!!! He reportedly said that transferring Penn State players would NOT count against the 85 limit. I’m guessing he either actually read the Schultzie article or copied that off some person with an IQ of 50 or 55 tops.
HERE COMES THE JUDGE
July 24th, 2012
11:58 am
Had a very good conversation last evening and this morning with a long time close friend who’s connected to the PSU football program. His take is that a lot of the kids initially want to stay…those who may have some skills to make it to the next level know that one does not have to be on TV every weekend or to be on an undefeted team to be considered to play at the next level or the BOTTOM LINE… to get an education! I was told that the few players considering transferring will end up in the Big 10, Atlantic 10 or some other northeastern conference school. I’m absolutely sure that if any of the players end up in an SEC or ACC school, their presence will be very low key…that is if the media leaves them alone…which isn’t likely. This tragedy will be on our minds (and hearts) for years to come as a reminder that no matter how much of a hero, legend or other pedestal we put them on…they’re HUMANS!!
FANMAN
July 24th, 2012
11:58 am
Why do people take Blogs so serious and it turns into a personal insult situation. Get over yourselves, its all for fun! I bet many coaches are looking over that Penn State roster trying to see if there is a player that fits their system. I am sure they will be trying to contact them in some way. Lets not forget college football is all about money and winning and when your team loses, you get on this same blog and talpj the same shi*!
Brainiac(Dawg For Life) / (CMR fan for life)
July 24th, 2012
11:59 am
@ RTR:
Please rest assured Bammy will NOT be playing UGAs schedule nor will UGA be playing Bammy’s schedule so you should continue to worry because at the rate Bammy is losing recruits, etc. they may end up so low in the SECw that even Saban The Miracleworker will not be able to politic and whine his way into the BIG GAME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Going on recent history (2007-2011) Bammy has not had to win their Division in order to play in the SECCG
azdawg
July 24th, 2012
12:00 pm
Not sure how many kids on PSU roster are from the south but if there are they may choose a school in their home or border state. Otherwise, the Big 10, or ND have best shot at those players wanting to transfer to other school.
Joey
July 24th, 2012
12:02 pm
So, 5150 UOAD, which color do you use to do it on a Dawg? Natural, or lime green?
intheknow
July 24th, 2012
12:02 pm
Hey Vince Dooley….My sources tell me that Saban called at least ten PSU players last night three hours after they were told of the sanctions. Looks like Saban is trying to spread his BS above the Mason Dixson Line. He’s like a buzzard after fresh meat….aways has been. His day will come…He’s been telling lies to recruits for years…..it’s only time before he’s caught!
Hollywould
July 24th, 2012
12:03 pm
Well, you know Lex will call you names. Just as The leghumpers own everyone. HA
AdMan
July 24th, 2012
12:06 pm
RTR22…How old are you? You post like your twelve years old!
Brainiac(Dawg For Life) / (CMR fan for life)
July 24th, 2012
12:06 pm
Did anybody else read Bill King’s blog about why most of the BS/Hatchet Job was in fact incorrect??
Sorry Jeff. It was a glorious read and shot your thingy down in flames but congrats on getting 20 pages of responses although 11 pages were submitted by Thomas(aka The Idiot) Brown!!!!!!!!!!!
Brainiac(Dawg For Life) / (CMR fan for life)
July 24th, 2012
12:09 pm
Ad man:
There you go disrespecting 12 year olds!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
RTR22 is more along the line of 5 year olds(Mentally challenged 5 year olds)
5150 UOAD
July 24th, 2012
12:10 pm
Brainiac….Bill put me on HOLD so i can’t comment right now. I hope he will let me back when the games start.
5150 UOAD
July 24th, 2012
12:11 pm
Brainiac…..be careful talking about children……The NCAA might slap down your posts.:)
ARdawg
July 24th, 2012
12:11 pm
Brainiac
I understand the not sitting out for a year but, UGA or any other university will still not be able to exceed the 85 limit because Penn St in on probation. That fact doesn’t qualify any university to go over just because they absorbed a Penn St play does it? I can’t really digest that
Sweet Old Buck
July 24th, 2012
12:15 pm
Damned predator!
Truth
July 24th, 2012
12:21 pm
What a presious little story. Maybe UGA can get some cast-offs from another program to help them out. HAHAHAHA
It doesn’t matter, they will still be underachievers and the culture in Athens will have them locked up in no time.