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
Logan Booker
January 21st, 2011
1:50 pm
Tiger Mania how about I take a $.hit in your mouth? would that make you feel better? WOOF!
DC
January 21st, 2011
1:51 pm
JB, lets be fair…our teams those years weren’t the greatest either…we were good but not great..I’ll give you props when we were ranked though…
WIN WITH RICHT
January 21st, 2011
1:51 pm
Tiger Mania
2011 Auburn goes from the penthouse back to the outhouse.
Georgia Saturdays Built FOR LOSERS
January 21st, 2011
1:51 pm
JacksonvilleTire Shop
January 21st, 2011
1:49 pm
To: Georgia Saturdays Built FOR LOSERS
Glad to see you join us; you did use the word “WE”!
JacksonvilleTire Shop how big of a loser are you idiot, the SEC knows Thuga sucks
JB
January 21st, 2011
1:51 pm
Damn Tiger Mania…. Don’t write something we agree on….LOL
DC
January 21st, 2011
1:52 pm
what would that make UGA this past season from the outhouse to the?
Logan Booker
January 21st, 2011
1:52 pm
Tiger Mania, I thoroughly look forward to the day 2 years from now after Auburn has won 9 games in 2 season. What will you have to say about Chizik then? Is it too much to ask that the NCAA finds AU DID commit violations that same year? HAHAHAHAHAHA
Go dawgs!
Fairness
January 21st, 2011
1:52 pm
All the fans of other schools make me laugh making comments like, “What does Richt and UGA ever do with all that talent they get.” Try winning two SEC titles, finishing as high as #2 in the nation just 3 years ago, and sending a TON of players into the NFL (probably more than any school of any of the fans on this board making this criticism). If things would have broken the same way they did for Florida and LSU we too could have had a National Championship but we weren’t so fortunate to get into the Championship game when we had great teams with 1 or two losses like those teams were able to do (neither went undefeated while winning the championship). Because of the high turnover rate of players due to college only being 4 years (sometimes 5) it is very hard in college to be dominant year after year, especially in the SEC. People’s memories are just too short or they just have selective memories. UGA and Richt will both be just fine.
Run Dog
January 21st, 2011
1:53 pm
Good job boys, welcome aboard. Dream on!
Browndog
January 21st, 2011
1:53 pm
I just hope to see an improved UGA football team in 2011. The first two games will set the tone for the year. We have to have a pass rush to stay in the game with BOise State and have to stop the run against South Carolina. Will know where we are after those two games. UGA will be at least 7 point dogs in each game.
Tech Stinger
January 21st, 2011
1:53 pm
Will all of you Georgia Convict fans stay off our Tech blog idiots, I know it is hard because you losers can’t read just like your football players can’t read speed limit signs
JacksonvilleTire Shop
January 21st, 2011
1:56 pm
Georgia Saturdays Built FOR LOSERS
How many National Championships has the SEC won in the last 5 years?
Buy a Ford and get a life, all other SEC coaches drive them, don’t they?
Tiger Mania
January 21st, 2011
1:56 pm
See how UGA fans are, just cursing and having no argument.
All of you UGA fans just waddle up to the bar tonight and slap each other on the backs and talk about how good the recruiting is going and get your weekly drunk on. In 8 months you will be back at the bar cursing Mark Richt and talking how bad of a coach he is.
I figured it out: The UGA football program is just like the Movie Ground Hog Day,
the difference being is your story repeats annually, great signing day, arrest during the off season and getting the crap kicked out of in the fall along with your annual beating in Jacksonville.
Someone please call Animal Control, that same dog gets beat every year in Jacksonville.
shane
January 21st, 2011
1:57 pm
It’s not a recruiting coup when you get commitments from kids in your home state. That’s what SEC programs are supposed to do.
Bama Mike
January 21st, 2011
1:57 pm
Crowell will not start at Bama or Auburn. That is why in my opinion he is a Gerogia lock. I cant speak for Auburn but we have Richardson and Lacy both physically strong fast and bruising collegiate backs. I was really impressed with Dee Hart. I think his commitment to Bama aided the decision to Georgia. Crowell his the speed but as with all freshman needs more muscle to take on the pounding of SEC defenses. If Crowell went with Oregon or any other PAC 10 for that matter Big Ten school he might be a Heisman finalist. But the SEC defenses are so physical.
We also have 10 starters returning on defense and with Robbie Green ( former 5 star recruit ) returning from suspension we are now 2 deep at every position. Great opportunity for Georgia to keep in state players.
It has really gotten to be a headache being back on top.
how2fish
January 21st, 2011
1:58 pm
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville really..I thought that it all started with the HC and Ol’Mack is still standing..and by the by CMB’s staff averaged over 10 years with him…he wasn’t not exactly making snap decisions…CWM may put together a great coaching staff..but that really won’t be know for a couple of years. unless they win the East out of the gate..and that could happen but I’ll take a wait and see approach.and the reason for that is that you didn’t bring in a Saban or a Meyer..you got a 1st time head coach and he should be a good one but like CMR did he will have to prove it..frankly the Gators that think this is a given that UF will be once again tops in the SEC crack me up.
Georgia Saturdays Built FOR LOSERS
January 21st, 2011
1:58 pm
JacksonvilleTire Shop
How many National Championships has the SEC won in the last 5 years?
And how many has Georgia won? ZERO YOU IDIOT
Tiger Mania
January 21st, 2011
1:58 pm
Fairness:
BE FAIR, IT WAS 4 YEARS AGO NOW…..DO YOUR MATH. OH THATS RIGHT THEY DO MATH AT GT.
chazzo
January 21st, 2011
1:58 pm
Tech Stinger,
You have a misplaced comma, a comma splice and no punctuation at the end of this amalgam of sentences. I usually don’t take issue with grammar and spelling on a blog, but since you are accusing people of not being able to read, I feel justified in suggesting that you learn how to write. Oh, and speaking of staying off blogs….
Logan Booker
January 21st, 2011
1:59 pm
Tiger Mania I would love to stick my b@lls in your mouth. Auburn has been SOOOOO good in the past. I LOL’d for 10 days when they were undefeated and left out of the NCG. HAHAHAHA
Im having a hard time deciding what would be sweeter. For the NCAA to discover violations now and vacate your one title, or hope that you guys do good and win two or three and have all of them vacated bc they’re somehow related to the other violations you have commited.
WOOF!
Dawg 39
January 21st, 2011
1:59 pm
If Richt is gone, then everyone that says he won with Donnan’s recruits can say the next coach (If he wins) won with Richt’s recruits. A solid recruiting year & winning enough games next year could prolong his departure. That works for me.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
January 21st, 2011
2:00 pm
JacksonvilleTire Shop
I did call your company and I got:
10+ years of top 10 recruiting classes
Ranking 4th in that time in putting players in the NFL
The results have been:
2-8 vs FL
13-12 in the SEC east since 05
Cannot go to an SEC championship without the help of FL losing out “not beating them on the field”
1-4 against top 5 teams
3-8 against top 10 teams
30+ arrests
12 arrests in 2010
My TIRE is still FLAT and your company needs to be fired!
how2fish
January 21st, 2011
2:00 pm
Bama Mike I agree as to why Crowell may stay in state and that he will need to add some muscle to reach elite status in the SEC.
Tiger Mania
January 21st, 2011
2:00 pm
I guess Mack Brown will teach Coach Searles how to coach Offensive Linemen again since you folks at UGA think he forgot how. He was just on a coffee break in Athens. He is going to eat STEAK in Texas.
Thuga
January 21st, 2011
2:01 pm
AU just landed another of the nations top O linemen. Currently ranked ahead of thuga by all three recruiting services! War Eagle! 2010 national champs!!!!!
Tiger Mania
January 21st, 2011
2:02 pm
LOGAN BOOKER IS GAY! Did you guys see what he wanted to do to me?
Now that is a loser for ya!
Well
January 21st, 2011
2:02 pm
we need all three of them. Jenkins is very crucial.
Tech Stinger
January 21st, 2011
2:03 pm
chazzo
Being honest, nobody cares about what you think loser. Georgia still sucks today, tomorrow, and the next day you idiot. How about you get a life and stay off our Tech blogs moron
59bulldawg
January 21st, 2011
2:03 pm
This blurb was in a BleacherReport article yesterday entitled “National Signing Day: Jay Rome and The Top Prospects To Blow Off Major Programs” The article goes on to say “Great players like Jay Rome and many other top high school prospects are recruited by top programs. It is every recruits’ dream to play at a big-time school, but it is hard to decide which one is for them.
Sometimes that decision is not to play at a “football factory” or the current hot college football program that dominates recruiting. At times, simply having the ability to play at home or getting early playing time is enough for a recruit to choose a school over a more major program.”
Articles like this say alot about how many see football at Georgia these days. I guess this writer thinks we’re no longer a major program. Sorta stings a bit, doesn’t it?
JacksonvilleTire Shop
January 21st, 2011
2:04 pm
To: Georgia Saturdays Built FOR LOSERS
To answer your question, go check your facts. You will find that UGA has won a National Champioship, not in 5 years, but your question did not address that.
You sir are THE F______IDIOT!
I’m done with You, you’ll get over it, most idiots do!
Tiger Mania
January 21st, 2011
2:04 pm
We all want you to get your recruits, we want you to play your recruits, but you are not going to win any titles, divisions or ANYTHING except the FULMER CUP!
We want to see the UGA IMPLOSION televised on WSB TV and carried on your flagship WSB AM 750.
JB
January 21st, 2011
2:04 pm
All kidding and BS aside, ( AU Folks know this), Auburn , with their schedule next year and the players they lost, a new QB, will be lucky to win 6-7 games. They will be circled on most teams calender also. Most AU folks on here are saying, yea, down year, 8-4. If He wins 8 games next year, I’ll eat every bad word and proclaim him the best coach in college ball. Ain’t no way they win 8….Unless it’s with a checkbook
Logan Booker
January 21st, 2011
2:05 pm
I just deduced you were a boner biting f@.ggot and thought you’d enjoy a set of balls in your mouth. Mine needed cleaning and I saw that as a way to get it done.
WOOF!
JB
January 21st, 2011
2:05 pm
I’ll take the Fulmer cup vs ya’lls Documented NCAA history.
Tiger Mania
January 21st, 2011
2:06 pm
JACKSONVILLE TIRE SHOP,
That is NOT a BCS National Championship, that was AP and Coaches polls and all of you guys keep bringing up that Alabama, Texas, Nebraska cannot count those.
Just the facts, it is NOT a BCS National Championship.
Georgia Saturdays Built FOR LOSERS
January 21st, 2011
2:07 pm
JacksonvilleTire Shop
You have left no doubt that you are a complete idiot, so get of the blog and make sure my burger and fries are fresh you troll
UGA Insider
January 21st, 2011
2:07 pm
CDAWG,
From everythiing I heard Malcolm did NOT impress much this past fall. Could even move to FB.
Sorry, I was disappointed as well but he may be awesome and get pt at the new postion.
Tiger Mania
January 21st, 2011
2:07 pm
logan….no you are just gay and only a gay person would even think of putting them in another guys mouth( unless you are in prison) Are you in Prison?
Tech Stinger
January 21st, 2011
2:08 pm
JacksonvilleTire Shop is just like all the other Georgia fans, all of them are just plain stupid
chazzo
January 21st, 2011
2:08 pm
Tiger Mania,
Get ready to return to mediocrity next season. bama and UGA are going to whoop your arse. No one cares about the crystal. It’s history. Just collecting dust with cam’s big gay lip prints on it in your trophy case. You’ll be giving it back in a couple of years anyway. So, I guess you can have your fun now.
BTW, most Auburn fans I have met are pretty cool. You are bringing the bar way down, jaggoff.
JB
January 21st, 2011
2:08 pm
Thuga@2:01……………Au lands another big one……….Tells me the Brinks truck showed up….LOL
Logan Booker
January 21st, 2011
2:10 pm
Your mom’s in prison. Seriously. Down in Milledgeville.
You didn’t answer my question. How will it feel in 2 years when AU’s won a total of 9 games in 2 seasons? You heard it hear first. Slurp on Chizik’s @$.$ hole some more won’t ya
WOOF!
Realistic Dawg Fan...
January 21st, 2011
2:10 pm
Is it me… or should we have everyone that posted before me neutered so that my children will not have to grow up in a world populated by morons. Talk about a group of classless idiots! (both Dawg and non-Dawg fans).
Anyways… here’s a Dawg fan enjoying the recruiting season and wishing every kid the best of luck with WHATEVER school they choose. At the end of the day, there is nothing wrong with a free college education regardless of the institution.
You all disgust me.
Regards,
The Management.
WIN WITH RICHT
January 21st, 2011
2:10 pm
Tiger Mania
Don’t put your national championship tattoo on in ink. Put it on in pencil so it it will be easier to remove.
Tiger Mania
January 21st, 2011
2:10 pm
JB,
Take it?
You guys earned it! Free and Clear and you have paid the taxes, bought the tag and put the license plate on it.
Wear it with pride.
Get T-Shirts made to celebrate it.
Instead of Auburn BCS National Title Shirts and Caps, have the FULMER CUP Shirts and Caps on your UGA website.
chazzo
January 21st, 2011
2:11 pm
Tech Stinger,
Apparently you care what I think, moron. Why else would you respond? Besides that you didn’t address anything I called you out on. You just sling names like a little grade school pansy.
Bobo's Lil Boy Richt
January 21st, 2011
2:11 pm
This was good news after 6 weeks of terrible news. Sign Crowell & Drew then the monkey might be off Richt’s back until Boise St. game…
Winner
January 21st, 2011
2:11 pm
Hey Georgia Saturdays Built FOR LOSERS
Learn how to spell “off” not “of”!
Tech Stinger
January 21st, 2011
2:11 pm
JB
How long before another Georgia Convict is arrested loser?
layinlow
January 21st, 2011
2:12 pm
UGA insider thats interesting what you said about malcome because others have said he looked great. Another guy on Chip’s recruiting blog said he saw several practices and Maclome was a beast. Oh well I guess we will know for sure when he steps on the field next year.