Richt’s ‘Dream Team’ could provide the spark UGA badly needs
Malcolm Mitchell (left) and Jay Rome committing to Georgia is a major coup for Mark Richt. (Chip Towers / AJC)
Georgia landing a verbal commitment from Valdosta’s Jay Rome was huge.
It’s not that the five-star player, rated the nation’s top tight end prospect by ESPNU, likely will be needed to make a big impact immediately on the field for “Tight End U,” as he called it. Rome certainly will be given the chance to play early, but the Dogs are well stocked at the position with Orson Charles, Aron White and Artie Lynch, even if Bruce Figgins switches to fullback.
No, Rome’s biggest immediate impact might come before he ever even signs on the dotted line with UGA, by giving momentum to Mark Richt’s alternately praised and derided concept of a signing an in-state “Dream Team.”
After making his announcement on national TV, Rome was on hand Thursday night as Valdosta teammate Malcolm Mitchell, a Top 30 prospect at wide receiver and/or cornerback, also put on a cap with the Georgia “G.”
Both picked Georgia over Nick Saban and Alabama, which has to rank as a major recruiting coup for Richt. “I believe Mark Richt is a great coach,” Rome said. “I don’t feel like he’s going anywhere anytime soon. If we can get a couple of more guys to come in with me in this class, we’ll have everything we need at Georgia, and I believe we’ll start winning football games.”
Rome used his national media platform to try and get more prospects to climb on board the Dream Team train. Along with junior college defensive nose guard John Jenkins, Georgia badly needs Columbus running back Isaiah Crowell and Thomas County defensive end Ray Drew, who reportedly was present at Mitchell’s announcement in Valdosta.
“Isaiah, Ray, come be a Dawg,” Rome said on his broadcast. “We can have the dream team and we’re going to do it. Be a Dawg, baby!”
There are no guarantees in any of this, of course. The verbal commitments aren’t binding. And high school prospects don’t always pan out exactly as planned.
But Richt needs to restore some glamour and prestige to a program that’s been sadly lacking in momentum the past couple of years. Making his Dream Team a reality would provide some of that offseason momentum the Dogs need as they get ready for their national showcase game in Atlanta against Boise State to open the most important season in Richt’s coaching career.
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480 comments Add your comment
Tiger Mania
January 21st, 2011
12:13 pm
BobDog,
As someone else wrote on that pot shot piece by Jeffrey Schultz:
Has Alabama, LSU, Auburn, Ole Miss, or Florida ever been over the 85 scholarship limits?
When UGA has two or 3 kids in this class not Clear the NCAA Clearinghouse what will you dumb UGA fans say then,
Dawg 1, all I need to say is 2010-2011 BCS National Champions
You are still upset that a Georgia player led our team to the title while UGA wanted to use him as one of those great Tight Ends that UGA always over commits each year.
14-0 > 6-7
8-5 > 7-6
Murphy
January 21st, 2011
12:14 pm
Tiger Mania,
I would love to sit here and argue with you concerning your comments but I cant.You are mostly correct in your comments.We have always got good players and somehow can never get the best out of them.Its basically do or die for this coaching staff in 2011. We still need to recruit the creme of the crop for either this coaching staff or a new one comming in.I can assure you I wont make any excuses in 2011,I dont have any more to use.The past 5 years have drained me. Only time will tell if UGA can crawl out of the cellar,but getting the recruits we need sure cant make it worse.
Lowcountry Bulldawg
January 21st, 2011
12:14 pm
Bunch of idiots here. The big deal is in the fact that border schools even with UGA having had such a terrible season are unable to get the top talent from the staff. If UGA can land Crowell and Drew the STAFF WILL HAVE LANDED 4 OF THE TOP 6. That is pretty damn impressive having to fend off Auburn who just won a title and other SEC elite teams like Alabama and Florida. It does give fans something positive to look forward to and that cannot be question unless you are a flipping bozo.
AthDawg
January 21st, 2011
12:15 pm
Could Georgia end up with the …
#1 TE in the Nation – Verbal
#1 RB in the Nation
#2 and #5 DT in the Nation – 1 Verbal
#1 and #5 DB in the nation – Verbals
#4 LB in the Nation – in school
#3 QB in the Nation – Verbal
WOW, what a class that would be! That would make for a good 2012,13,14. Certainly no excuses to be a Top 10 team the next few years barring injuries…..and suspensions.
Al
January 21st, 2011
12:16 pm
Gary @11:38. You sir are an idiot.
59bulldawg
January 21st, 2011
12:17 pm
It’s great to get some good recruiting news. If Richt can keep the recruits who have already committed . . . and also pick up Jenkins, Crowell, and Drew, he will have helped himself tremendously. But getting the talent to Athens has never really been a problem at Georgia under Richt. The problem has been developing the athletes he signs and pro-actively working to keep them out of trouble once they arrive. If the coaches will truly physically and mentally prepare the team for each week’s opponent, things can change for the better. But Richt is gonna have to show me before I will believe he’s the man to do it. I guess what I’m really saying is that our recruiting class is shaping up to possibly be special one this year. But it’s only the first step. Now he’s gotta “finish the drill” or he’s gonna be finished as head coach.
DC
January 21st, 2011
12:17 pm
Year after Chizik left Iowa state went to a bowl game…those kids he recruited turned out well for that college…so do your history on the guy before you question…teams do have rebuilding years…UGA should never have rebuilding years or ever say they do with the recruits they get…
Tiger Mania
January 21st, 2011
12:17 pm
We folks at Auburn and Alabama will be defending our turf next year as our state talent is very very abundant and the 5 star players and 4 star players are very rich in our teams state.
How many Alabama guys do you have on your rosters? 2, 3 or 4
While we and Alabama just come to Georgia and take the ones we really want and turn them into ALL Americans.
AltamahaDawg
January 21st, 2011
12:18 pm
The “best” players have always been on the field, irrespective of class. Always have, always will. “loyalty” has never been a consideration for meaningful playing time. There is a long list of player beating out others despite seniority under Richt.
The falsification of that loyalty myth is based on assuming that Richt doesn’t play the guy you believe he thinks is best,(that would defy logic and be incredibly stupid of him,) it’s that he doesn’t always think the best player is who you believe. (which is a judgement that should based on direct exposure to the actual players involved).
Tiger Mania
January 21st, 2011
12:19 pm
ATH DAWG,
You still finish 7th or 8th overall in the league and gotten a jump start on the fulmer cup already for the 2010-2011 year.
LMAO!
Lowcountry Bulldawg
January 21st, 2011
12:21 pm
Tiger Mania,
You do not believe what you just posted. The talent level in Georgia is only topped by California, Texas and Florida. Hince UGA has zero need to come into Alabama to recruit. You know that aswell I I do. That is why you see Auburn come and recruit a Georgia kid, Cam Newton, who just led your team to that National Title. Why wasn’t it a home grown Bama boy doing that for ya if you have so much talent oozing out of the state. Really good try though.
AthDawg
January 21st, 2011
12:22 pm
Al, I agree with you. Gary knows NOTHING about running a business. There are just too many reasons to mention on here why he is wrong.
AltamahaDawg
January 21st, 2011
12:22 pm
As I have said before, the “Dream Team” concept has already been a success. It’s not a matter of it might.
It was about publicity and a rallying point withing the coaching staff to focus thier efforts this recruiting cycle. Done and done.
Shug
January 21st, 2011
12:22 pm
UGA has dream recruiting every single year. Where has it led?
Tiger Mania
January 21st, 2011
12:23 pm
BOB DAWG:
Where are you at?
Answer the question.. Has Auburn, Alabama, LSU, Florida, Ole Miss ever been over the 85 scholarship limits?
Since you went into hiding I will answer it for you. NO! Never.
A BIG 10 idiot came up with that moniker and used the term “Oversigning” when he should have said ” Over committing” and Over Committing is a good thing, that means that the best players want to come to your school and you do not have to go out and beg for them.
DC
January 21st, 2011
12:23 pm
This will be a huge year for the state of alabama in regards to NFL draft…I don’t know if it will continue but first round draft will have tons of em..
7576DAWG
January 21st, 2011
12:24 pm
It would be great to keep all the committed so far and get Crowell, Drew, and Jenkins . Even though I still think Bobo is over his head as defense coordinator I will admit and alway’s have agreed that he needs to stay on our payroll . Bobo should be promoted to recruiting coordinator and made the coach of the Quarterback’s. That’s where he has proven his value.
Knowing this will not happen, CMR needs to send Bobo to PLAY CALLING 101 SCHOOL after national signing day so he will learn to stick with what is working and stop trying play’s that is not working. And CMR need’s to go to MAKING ADJUSTMENT’S DURING THE GAME SCHOOL, before the 3rd quarter.
Head coaches and coordinator that will admit there is still some thing’s they can learn will go a long way in turning around UGA’s horrible 2010 season.
I put UGA’s 2010 failures about 75% on the coaches and 25% on the player’s. Can’t wait to see the coaching philosophy and scheme changes. If we don’t get that then the coaches and CMR are blaming the players. These kid’s need leadership.
I think Grantham’s defense will show great improvement in 2011 with his first recruiting class and last year’s red shirt’s playing. Georgia will blitz a lot more in 2011 and look a lot like the old Junkyard Dawg’s
AthDawg
January 21st, 2011
12:26 pm
Tiger Mania,
We’re preparing for the future. We had our 2 down years which is cyclical in the SEC. Congratulations on keeping the National Championship in the SEC. I wish you the best next year with a much tougher schedule instead of 8 home games. Recruiting is very important, but dont underestimate scheduling either.
Tiger Mania
January 21st, 2011
12:26 pm
Bo Jackson was a pretty darn good one.
My Point is Georgia should run a program that keeps their best players in the state as their only real competition is a Basketball Conference School.
Georgia, Louisiana, Tennessee have the advantages of having only one real school to capture the talent base.
Murphy
January 21st, 2011
12:26 pm
Out of here-Yall have a great day.Go Dawgs-Hope Monday brings more great recruit news.
South Ga Dawg
January 21st, 2011
12:27 pm
Dawgs will be fine!!!
Tiger Mania
January 21st, 2011
12:29 pm
You guys wanted to say it was Our Schedule at Auburn ( which of course was pretty darn kind) I have to admit, but when it was Alabama and their 7 games against bye week teams and they played the two best teams outside of us on the road and you UGA folks gave that no credence. You cannot have it both ways.
Tiger Mania
January 21st, 2011
12:30 pm
You had 3 down year and 1 year of major disappointment to the fan base when you had a total of 9 First round NFL draft picks on it.
Lowcountry Bulldawg
January 21st, 2011
12:31 pm
Tiger,
What does Bo have to do with dittly poo? What was your argument again? It has been lost in translation apparently as you are making irrelevant points now.
How many guys on your National Title team where from Georgia? The answer is 21. So do not tell me about which state produces talent my friend. That is a insane argument you are making.
gt4ever
January 21st, 2011
12:32 pm
You guys are a laugh a second….. You sign a dream team every year, but when does it matter….. Priceless………. Always a good laugh from UGA fans, about their football team that is on the verge of winning a MNC or SEC championship…..
WIN WITH RICHT
January 21st, 2011
12:32 pm
Tiger Mania
Richt has won 4 out of last 5 from Auburn. 2010 was just a fluke. Richt and Dawgs will make a huge rebound in 2011.
AthDawg
January 21st, 2011
12:32 pm
The Dawgs currently have 21 players verbally committed with 4 Scholarships left.
Of those 21, 5 are from out of state.
They are currently targeting 3 more from Georgia. Players #1, 2 and 9.
This is going to be a tremendous recruiting class!!!
They are also targeting 2 JUCO players to fill the same position, we only need 1 of these 2.
The amazing thing is Ga has gotten EVERY Offensive player in the AJC Top 50 they have wanted except 2 that are still uncommitted.
They have gotten all of the Defensive players in the Top 50 except 6, with 1 still uncommitted. This is because there were so many good Defensive players in Ga this year.
Getting these last 3 players would mean that the Dawgs got every player they wanted in the Top 50 except 5. That would be amazing!
The Dream Team is alive and UGA’s future looks very bright!
REDMAN
January 21st, 2011
12:32 pm
Very good class shaping up but just remember Fla had what some said was best class ever last year and struggled this year. Grade them 2 and 3 years from now.
Lowcountry Bulldawg
January 21st, 2011
12:33 pm
And we still whipped your arse 5 straight years til this past one, so again why are you running your mouth? O you won the National Title that Cam Newton was paid to do.
I bet you are the punk from the airport booing Chizik and now your the “Biggest” Auburn fan.
Gbal
January 21st, 2011
12:36 pm
Anyone lese notice….We have an obvioius opportunity to write something positive regarding UGA and neither Bradley or Shultz care to seize the opportunity.
Again, theres your sign… the biggest anti UGA writers in the country, both working for the home state paper…. Send ‘em both to Bama and bring back Bisher!
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
January 21st, 2011
12:37 pm
We need a Dream Team Coaching Staff
You know like Muschamp is putting together at FL
But our stupid fan base will keep drinking this kool-aid and there wont be any coaches to get by then
7576DAWG
January 21st, 2011
12:40 pm
Bill, when you talk about a spark needed ;
We lost the bowl game after CMR decided to kick a field goal instead of going for the first down. Nobody would have said anything if we had gone for the first down and not made it because UCF would have gotten the ball on the 2 yard line and it would have shown confidence in the player’s to get the job done. CMR can never not take advantage of an opportunity to show confidence in his team even if it doesn’t work. KEEP THE SPARK LITE ,DON’T DO SOMETHING THAT WILL PUT IT OUT.
chazzo
January 21st, 2011
12:43 pm
Happy to hear of some shake-ups and good recruits excited to come to UGA. Now, if you can just instill teamwork and self-respect….
Uga Duck
January 21st, 2011
12:44 pm
Nick Marshall will be the STAR of this class.
DC
January 21st, 2011
12:44 pm
People are comparing Richt to Tubs and Fulmer…ie the SEC has passed him bye and he cant catch up…
as an AU fan..I can see that…
as for smarting off about AU losing to UGA so many years in a row…big deal..streaks like that happen…we still own the series record..and won the NC this past year…so basically…you need to “shhh” until you can get out of the 7-6 6-7 rut…go ahead say scam nick unfairley…I’ll say 2010 BCS national champs…you’ll say…FBI..victoryland…I’ll say proof please and laugh..
WIN WITH RICHT
January 21st, 2011
12:45 pm
Tiger Mania
You know probation is coming. Its just a matter of time till the axe drops.
Greg
January 21st, 2011
12:45 pm
Will look forward to seeing all of these guys on the police blotter or day 3 of the NFL draft in a few years. As the evil genius said “they get all of these 5 star recruits; where do they all go?”, or something like that.
Tiger Mania
January 21st, 2011
12:45 pm
Will, IF, GOING TO, and the past :\
All great words use by the fans of UGA.
You want to bring up past 5 years with us, but when Florida or Alabama guys bring up their win records against them you change the tunes.
You are so good at turning the Stats or to favor your side but yet you still went 7-6 and 6-7.
The point about the talent and Bo Jackson was that one of you morons said that the our best players ALL come from Georgia, and I threw one out there in the name BO Jackson.
Georgia should have more talent than Alabama, the population in the 90 mile radius of Athens is more than the entire state of Alabama. DUh…..
But in the 2012 signing class the number of 5 star players and 4 star players in Alabama for the first time is almost even with Georgia, that was my point.
Walker, Texas Ranger
January 21st, 2011
12:46 pm
Bama has a dream team but UGA is getting a whole lot better
Tiger Mania
January 21st, 2011
12:48 pm
Just a reminder all you Guys from UGA who love these 5 star players so much, your best overall three players were 3 star players out of high school and add 5 star AJ to it and you can pretty much say without the 3 star guys all those 4 star guys you stock pile have been busts.
Gary
January 21st, 2011
12:48 pm
You have to wonder:
If McGarity is SOOO conident that Richt is the right coach for Georgia, then why hasn’t he extended his contracy beyond 3 years to help recruiting and to retain recruits & coaches like Searels?
His actions speak louder than his hot air baloney.
NCAA Critic
January 21st, 2011
12:50 pm
Why does recruiting season in Athens always seem like a trailer for a B-rated movie-the preview is so promising, but the actual picture ends up being a dud?
Walker, Texas Ranger
January 21st, 2011
12:51 pm
This bumped UGA up to number 9 on the Rivals site. If they get the 3 mentioned, they will be a top 5 class. All three are very important for any success next year, especially the NT.
AthDawg
January 21st, 2011
12:53 pm
New AD McGarity has helped Coach Richt evaluate the program. Richt knows he needs to …
1. Recruit well (done)
2. Delegate responsibility (done)
3. Evaluate coaches (done)
To Do List:
1. Win 9 games in 2011
2. Coach up the players
3. Put Ga in a bowl game
4. Win back the Ga fanbase
5. Show some emotion and motivation in the locker room and the sidelines – This may be his toughest obstacle.
6. Reduce player arrests
7. Beat Florida
All of these are very attainable goals for Coach Richt.
AthDawg
January 21st, 2011
12:55 pm
Gary,
Richt already HAS a contract Knucklehead. Both HE and UGA are honoring the agreement that was signed. Sheesh!
Tiger Mania
January 21st, 2011
12:56 pm
8. STAY OFF THE DIVING BOARD
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
January 21st, 2011
12:56 pm
To Do list
That wont happen with this staff
DC
January 21st, 2011
12:57 pm
sorry walker but UGA is not breaking the top 5…AU still only has 18 recruits…oklahoma has 16, Oregon isn’t finished, FSU isnt finished, Notre Dame has a couple more kids as well…just be happy you might be in the top 10…but I don’t know even after it is all said and done that you will…i def see a 11 or 12 finish class which is good..
Tiger Mania
January 21st, 2011
12:58 pm
3. Evaluate Coaches- done?
You got to be kidding me. Richt? BoBo? Last year it was the defensive coaches fault at UGA, this year it is the Offensive Coaches, Is Mark Richt the new TEFLON Man?
McDawg
January 21st, 2011
12:58 pm
weed need DT/NGs period -how about Jenkins, Drew, Gabe Wright, Crowell and Xzavier Ward to round out the class