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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503 comments Add your comment
Top Row Dawg
January 28th, 2011
11:30 am
After the sack, the Sanford crowd goes Druuuuuuuuuw!
Come on Crowley, that will be 8 of the top 11. Flip that coin again Dickson, make it 9 of 11.
Ropedawg
January 28th, 2011
11:30 am
GT Joe: “What has our coach done? took a bunch of 2/3 stars to a BCS bowl game. That’s all.”
AAAAAAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
You forgot to finish that sentence with… and lost that BCS bowl game. Oh yea… GT lost that year to UGA too…. at home. Ouch…
Let’s face it… GT fans HATE seeing this type of news.
GO DAWGS!!!!!!!
DawginLex
January 28th, 2011
11:30 am
GT joe,
All this class does is increase the heat on Richt for 2011 to win at least 9 or 10 games.
Johnson on the other hand is losing recruits Tuitt and Jackson and talking out of both sides of his mouth about “honoring your commitment”. I guess that honor stuff didn’t apply when Tuitt was committed to ND and Johnson was begging him to come to Tech.
GT Joe
January 28th, 2011
11:31 am
Branden Smith and Richard Samuel: 2 UGA 5 stars, where are they now? LOL, the black hole of football talent…
Jim key
January 28th, 2011
11:31 am
Anybody know who the Richardson kid is?
tony
January 28th, 2011
11:32 am
Hunting Dawg, I believe they can win it all this season.
DawginLex
January 28th, 2011
11:32 am
Brandon Smith will start at corner next year.
Richard Samuel will start at OLB
Next
DawginLex
January 28th, 2011
11:33 am
Antonio Richardson is an offensive tackle who is big enough and strong enough to actually play as a true freshman and not redshirt. He is from Tennessee and has been a strong UT lean but not committed.
Sportsrealist
January 28th, 2011
11:33 am
GT Joe, in the end the better team wins. You yechys understand math, so I thought I’d help you out. That makes us 90% in the last 10 yrs.
GT Joe
January 28th, 2011
11:34 am
Dawginlex: not sure where the CPJ hypocrisy is: If a kid is still visiting schools, then he isn’t committed. Tuitt visited GT, so he’s fair game. Jackson visited another school, so he clearly wasn’t commited to GT.
Get it?
Dreams Fulfilled
January 28th, 2011
11:36 am
The Dawgs are back in town! Thanks to Minister Ray Drew and all the other great commitments for deciding to take their talents to GEORGIA. Our dreams are coming true with the 2011 Dream Team. Now let’s coach these guys up and go win several national championships. Go Dawgs!
Mike
January 28th, 2011
11:36 am
Grantham is cleaning up in the recruiting. This is an excellent sign because recruiting on that side of the ball had really fallen off. So now you have 2 of the top 5 CBs, a top 10 safety, a top 5 rush DE, a top 10 strong DE coming in plus they are in the lead for a top 5 Strong DE and the top JUCO DT. Add to that, Rashard Samuel and Jarvis Jones coming in at LB from Redshirts, and Grantham has reloaded VERY impressively.
GT Joe
January 28th, 2011
11:38 am
Thanks for the stats Sportsrealist. Here’s another stat for you:
UGA top 10 recruiting classes in the last 5 years: 5.
UGA top 10 finishes in the last 5 years: 1.
GT top 10 recruiting classes in the last 5 years: 0
GT top 10 finishes in the last 5 years: 1.
DAWGS RUN YOUR FACE
January 28th, 2011
11:38 am
DAWGS!!!!!!!!
Jim key
January 28th, 2011
11:38 am
Thanks dawginlex
Sports Guru
January 28th, 2011
11:38 am
When has the Georgia football program been elite since the 1980 season, the term elite is used way to much these days. How about lets win the mythical recruiting title first, then beat Florida, win the SEC East, win the SEC Title Game, and represent the SEC in BCS Title game, and win that game. Then we will have the right to say our program is elite and join other SEC teams who can say it and deserve it.
PaleRider
January 28th, 2011
11:39 am
Looks to me that we need to start anywhere from 6 to 10 freshmen.
Maconbulldog
January 28th, 2011
11:39 am
Alabama fans are still stuck in 2008 when they finally beat the Dawgs. Satan errrr I mean Saban has been shot down while in the state of Georgia………..hope to see you Bammers in the Dome this year and also can’t wait to see you on 9/22/12.
cmarlarty
January 28th, 2011
11:40 am
dawgs could get all the # 1’s in the country and they still couldn’t win the east
the minister of sacks; Ray Drew
January 28th, 2011
11:42 am
gt joe better tell that sorry excuse who cant throw the ball 10 yards of a quaterback tevin washington to get ready to run for his life with ray drew, jeff pagan chasing him and then mr 6 foot 4 340 pound jenkins will finish his sorry butt off. Go Dawgs
DawginLex
January 28th, 2011
11:42 am
GT joe,
This was debated on another blog yesterday.
My opinion is that Johnson has his own set of rules that apply toward any kid who has committed to Tech. Once you are committed, he expects no more visits. That implies that the other coaches don’t entertain the recruit.
Flip it the other way thoug, and Johnson says the rules don’t apply to him. Tuitt had told the ND coaches he was committed. Johnson knew that. Why didn’t johnson say to Tuit “you publicly de-commit from ND and we can talk. Until then, you are ND.”
That is my point.
GT Joe
January 28th, 2011
11:42 am
Ok dawginlex: 5 star recruits finally start (maybe) at UGA in their 3rd season? So much for “immediate impact”.
mgdawg
January 28th, 2011
11:44 am
The nose guard and running back can definitely make a huge impact this year. As for the other recruits, i hope that Richt gives them a chance and doesn’t lean towards redshirting them. Now a days freshman have shown they can make a huge impact in college football, these look like they should be some of the best out there.
Jim key
January 28th, 2011
11:44 am
GT Joe go Fall in a ditch. DAWGS rule!!!!!
GT Joe
January 28th, 2011
11:44 am
DawgInLex: CPJ says “anyone who is still visiting is therefore not committed”, i.e., fair game.
What WOULD be hypocritical is if CPJ was mad at FSU for entertaining Jackson, but that’s not the case. He’s mad at Jackson, not FSU.
Evansdawg
January 28th, 2011
11:44 am
With this type of recruiting success, if the Dawgs can win 8 or 9 games, be competitive throughout the season, and show to be ‘on the rise,’ Richt will stay. You don’t want to cut your nose to spite your face. But, that will bring the pressure to 2012 to win 10+ games.
DawginLex
January 28th, 2011
11:45 am
I have never expected immediate impact. This class contains may 3 or 4 kids that will contribute significantly.
Jenkins at nose tackle(if he comes)
Crowell at RB(if he comes)
Mitchell at WR(committed)
Richardson on the OL(if he comes)
The rest need to lift weights for a year and redshirt or at best play on special teams.
GT Joe
January 28th, 2011
11:46 am
Smart man, Lex. Now tell your fellow doggies that a NC in 2011 or 2012 is silly talk.
GTBob
January 28th, 2011
11:46 am
Perhaps some of those snarky folks who laughed at Mark Richt’s “Dream Team” gambit are taking it somewhat more seriously now.
People weren’t laughing at that. That happens every year. It will happen again for the next 50 years. People laugh because one, calling 17 year olds a dream team is corny and creepy and two, it doesn’t matter. If UGA lands the top 100 recruits in America they still won’t even win the SEC east.
DawginLex
January 28th, 2011
11:47 am
It is hypocritical for Johnson, given his policy, to entertain a committed recruit. He should have said to Tuitt “de-commit, then we talk”. Otherwise, he is playing by his rules to his advantage only and saying to he!! with everyone else.
My $.02
Sportsrealist
January 28th, 2011
11:48 am
GT joe, Again, your running your mouth to a team that beats you year in and year out.
DawginLex
January 28th, 2011
11:49 am
National title-2011 absolutely silly. I’ll take 10 wins
2012-Not out of the realm of possibility.
All depends on strength and conditioning.
Phil
January 28th, 2011
11:49 am
If Richt will put the best players on the field REGARDLESS of whether they are a freshman or not, then these kids coming in could make a huge difference. I think it’s clear to everyone that sticking with Joe Cox 2 years ago instead of letting Murray play was a bad decision. Cox was one of the worst QB’s we’ve ever had. Put Drew, Crowell(if we get him) and and all these other studs on the field!
Jim key
January 28th, 2011
11:50 am
GT sucks. DAWGS rule end of story
Starring Kam Fong as Chin Ho
January 28th, 2011
11:50 am
The reports of Mark Richts demise have been grossly overblown. An excellent job on the recruiting front. Next up, a great hire for line coach and a strong 2011 campaign.
Jerry
January 28th, 2011
11:50 am
Georgia would have won 9 games with either Mettenberger (I’d like to have seen him suspended for 2 games, no kicked off), Mason or even Logan Gray at QB. Murray was simply ineffective against any decent team, went 0-6 against teams with winning records.
3 weaknesses of 2010’s team:
1- poor QB play against good teams
2- poor runing attack
3- poor run defense
It remains to be seen whether Lemay, Ealey, and Ray Drew can solve those problems.
No Jenkins yet, no Crowell yet, no Pagan yet.
the minister of sacks; Ray Drew
January 28th, 2011
11:51 am
lets see gt joe 5 star matt stafford first year starter aj green first year starter where do you get your facts
Starring Kam Fong as Chin Ho
January 28th, 2011
11:52 am
@ Phil, Murray had an injured shoulder 2 yrs ago. Think before you speak please.
jimmy campagna
January 28th, 2011
11:52 am
Georgia will start out 0-2 but will improve as the year goes on. They will show enough progress with some unexpected wins and some competitive losses to save Richt’s job for one more year. Then, we’ll have another year or mediocrity followed by another year of mediocrity. By the way, do you realize that this “top-five” program has averaged only 8.5 wins over the last 30 years? Where do we get the idea that we are elite? Never have been. Top 25 consistently? Sure. Top 5? Get real !
GT Joe
January 28th, 2011
11:52 am
hypocritical to entertain a committed recruit? Every coach in america does it.
It’s really very simple: if a recruit is still visiting, he’s fair game. If a GT COMMIT is still visiting, he’s fair game to any other team, and therefore not a true GT commit, and GT can’t hold is scholly for him.
Again, CPJ isn’t mad at a coach for entertaining (because CPJ does it too), he’s mad at the recruit. If you say you are a commit, and GT is holding a scholly for you, then don’t visit other schools!
cmac
January 28th, 2011
11:54 am
This recruiting class is good news for Dawgs. Maybe richt should be threatened with job loss every year! Also, before you UGH fans get to giddy, think about how many true freshmen come in & play right away ….. not many. At least the next coach will have some talent (just like richt had when he followed donnan)!
the minister of sacks; Ray Drew
January 28th, 2011
11:54 am
jerry 24 tds to 8 ints is poor qb play explain that one yeah he didnt have a good game againist uf but he did bring us back he brought us back in the arky game and he didnt have a good game againist ucf but to not go for it on the 1 yard line dont understand why so called uga fans dont like murray better stats than stafford
Lucky Dawg
January 28th, 2011
11:55 am
The Dream Team idea/goal was a good one and I think Richt has been successful in pursuing it. But you cannot ignore the following: 1) How many of these incoming freshmen are going to be starters? One or two, perhaps? 2) How many great recruiting classes have we had over the past five years that failed to produce a single SEC East Title let alone an SEC Championship? It is one thing to sign a recruiting class of Dream Team caliber. It is quite another to coach them into a championship team. There is nothing in the record to suggest Richt and his staff are capable of doing what needs to be done to the the “dream” into a reality. And you of all people should be immune to the Siren’s Song of Mark Richt & co.
SHANNON
January 28th, 2011
11:55 am
The kids coming in this year who will help immediately:
Junkins, Crowell, Mitchell, and Drew.
Walker, Texas Ranger
January 28th, 2011
11:55 am
We have had higher rated classes in the past but if we get the RB, then all around this is the best class. We are a little light at LB and didn’t get a replacement for Green but I like what they are doing in the trenches and that is where it is won and lost. Now we got to get them stronger and hopefully that area has been addressed.
GT Joe
January 28th, 2011
11:56 am
Yeah, UGA KILLS Tech every year. CPJ is a paltry 1-2 against UGA, and both losses by whopping 14 points combined? With all those top 10 recruiting classes (compared to our top 50 classes), UGA should be ashamed.
Steve Superior
January 28th, 2011
11:57 am
Yes we did lose to Vandy 2 years in a row. But we are South Carolina a team UGA cant score a TD on.
Jerry
January 28th, 2011
11:58 am
Morant & Stripling DE’s from last year’s class should also help the D-Line, as could Smith and Thornton from last year’s class.
Murray 24 td’s? Yeah, 7 were against teams with winning records, 17 were against teams like Louisiana Lafayette and Vanderbilt and Idaho State.
Georgia needs Lemay or Mason to come on strong.
DawginLex
January 28th, 2011
11:58 am
GT joe,
Bottom line for me is CPJ is talking out of both sides of his mouth and the rules only apply to him.
The other bottom line is because of his rules, he lost Jackson who he desperately needed. And he lost Tuitt because Tuitt’s mom watched Rudy too many times.
Later
We
January 28th, 2011
11:58 am
GT Joe – The only stat that you should be concerned about is one out of nine!!!
Oh and thanks for the comical article about man boobs! I’m sure I over looked it, but I did not see tek in the top 25 in recruiting???? Your Johnson is stinking it up