Mark Richt’s ‘Dream Team’ picks up momentum

Ray Drew is the latest to say he'll join the "Dream Team." (Ray Drew)

Our Chip Towers reports five-star Thomas County Central defensive end Ray Drew announced this morning he’s going to become a Georgia Bulldog.

Perhaps some of those snarky folks who laughed at Mark Richt’s “Dream Team” gambit are taking it somewhat more seriously now.

Snagging Drew is a biggie not just because he’s rated a five-star player, but because Georgia badly needs talent on its defensive line. Now if  UGA can get another stellar DE, Asheville’s Jeoffrey Pagan, who recently decommitted from Clemson and is reportedly favoring the Dogs, plus sign junior college nose guard John Jenkins (who won’t announce until Feb 5), Todd Grantham’s 3-4 will be looking a lot more formidable.

And then, of course, there’s still running back Isaiah Crowell, who’ll make his decision public on signing day on ESPNU.

The Dream Team is far from complete at this point. But it’s closer to reality than many ever thought it would be.

Assuming these guys all sign on the dotted line, is that enough to elevate the Georgia program back to the elite? And can it be done in the 2011 season — in other words, are the Dogs likely to actually get turnaround performances from that many true freshman players this fall against SEC competition? What do you think?

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— Bill King, Junkyard Blawg