Dawgs’ 2013 recruiting class: Solid, but no superstars … yet (UPDATED)
Despite some disappointments, Mark Richt was all smiles Wednesday. (Associated Press)
When the King boys were young, there were two kinds of Christmas mornings.
There were what we called “bicycle” years, when the bounty delivered by Santa was dominated by a shiny new bicycle or some other major gift. And there were other years when there weren’t one or two spectacular gifts but instead we got a whole lot of things we wanted … and even a few we needed.
The years with a new bicycle might have been more exciting, but we never really thought we had a bad Christmas Day.
College football’s national signing day is a lot like that for the Georgia Bulldogs.
Some years the program is rewarded with a burst of national excitement generated by a highly ranked recruiting class topped off by couple of five-star players donning a UGA cap on national television.
And then there are years like this one, in which Mark Richt signed his largest class ever and filled just about all his program’s needs — what my Mom would have called “a very nice haul” — but didn’t get any five-star players and signed only two of the top 10 in-state recruits.
It wasn’t a “bicycle” year, in other words.
Yes, it was tough for Bulldogs fans to watch “SportsCenter” interrupted to show signing announcements by a string of top players, three from the state of Georgia — and none of whom signed with UGA.
Of course, running back Alvin Kamara going with Alabama was expected, and it wasn’t particularly surprising that defensive lineman Montravious Adams followed the man who recruited him for UGA, former defensive line coach and recruiting coordinator Rodney Garner, to Auburn. But the loss of much-needed offensive lineman Laremy Tunsil, long considered a lock for the Dawgs, to the sudden, mysterious recruiting mojo of “the University of Ole Miss” (as Robert Nkemdiche called it) was particularly hurtful.
And most of the top talent in Georgia leaving the state — in what’s considered one of the most bountiful years of high school players in quite a while, perhaps the best ever — is disturbing.
Looking at the bigger picture, while the loss of Garner at the height of recruiting season no doubt discombobulated UGA’s efforts a bit this year, the puzzling lateness with which the Dogs have approached some top in-state prospects in recent years, last year’s drastic undersigning (with only 17 players), and the continued lack of emphasis on signing offensive linemen — only four out of 32 players??!! — can be laid at least in part at his feet (along with the relative underperformance of a highly regarded defensive line this past season). So Garner leaving might prove to be a case of one step back this year and two steps forward in the future, with coaches who are more active and on top of things on the local recruiting scene taking his place.
The recruitment of Tunsil also was the latest example of UGA going with the high-risk you’re-our-guy strategy of making one top recruit their entire focus at a position — putting all their eggs in one basket. It worked with Isaiah Crowell at tailback two years ago (though it didn’t pay off in the end when he got kicked out of school and the Dawgs were left sorely lacking in depth), but was an abject failure with Tunsil this year. Watching UGA’s coaches scramble to try to come up with a Plan B when it became obvious Tunsil was going elsewhere was embarrassing.
Still, Richt and company signed a solid, deep class that especially addressed needs at linebacker and in the secondary, even if it was lacking in some of that signing-day which-cap-will-he-pick-up-off-the-table drama that ESPN promotes — and which has skewed media (and fan) perception of the class as a whole. It might not be close to the No. 1 class in the country as Richt defiantly hailed it Wednesday (the various rankings average out to No. 11), but, as Georgia’s head coach noted, “We took care of business in the areas that we needed. We got the guys that are very, very talented and are excited about being here.”
And once they actually start playing games, some of these players could well end up outshining those given five stars by the recruiting services.
Besides, those overall class rankings can be deceptive. Two words: Dream. Team.
Yes, perhaps the case can be made that the attention lavished on signing day’s late deciders is warranted because they tend to be among the best players who are recruited the hardest. Still, the horse-race style coverage tends to overlook some top-quality players who commit early and don’t waver.
Todd Grantham refused to end speculation about his future at UGA. (Associated Press)
Finally, what to make of this whole Todd Grantham soap opera?
While perhaps before signing day Georgia’s defensive coordinator might have seen the speculation about a possible NFL job as somehow enhancing his standing in the eyes of prospective recruits, it’s been reported that rival coaches used it against the Dawgs.
If he stays, you wonder why he endangered the signing of Davin Bellamy, Georgia’s main signing day triumph, by equivocating rather than coming right out and putting an end to the rumors. And if he’s truly leaving, then you have to figure he was at the very least disingenuous with some of Georgia’s signees, if he didn’t outright mislead them.
Frankly, Grantham’s continued dancing around the issue and refusal to say yes or no on signing day makes him look like a bit of a jerk.
UPDATE: I’m off for a couple of days but I stilll have one eye on Athens and was pleased to see that Grantham is staying at UGA … for the time being. That doesn’t mean, however, that I’ve changed my mind about the awkward, unnecessarily distracting way he handled this latest flirtation with the NFL. I’m just hoping the lingering uncertainty over Grantham’s future plans doesn’t come back to bite the Dawgs in recruiting defensive players for next year.
Got something you want to discuss about UGA athletics? Got a question you want the Junkyard Blawg to tackle? If so, send it to junkyardblawg@gmail.com.
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194 comments Add your comment
Bulldawg35
February 10th, 2013
5:32 pm
Lol……I agree with that. Tech will be lucky to win 5 games next year!……
LABULLDAWG
February 10th, 2013
9:23 pm
we’ll be fine! UGA FILLED NEEDS! THESE GUYS WILL FILL DEPTH ISSUES! WE HAVE A SENIOR QB! ‘BAMA, HER WE COME! GO DAWGS!
AltamahaDawg
February 11th, 2013
9:56 am
I suspect God has a little more on his plate, than your desire to see a football coach move to another job.
AltamahaDawg
February 11th, 2013
11:30 am
We’ll be more than fine. This might end up being the most inportant class, UGA has signed in the near and past few years. The pity is that folks have to come in here and defend it. Against some of the comments that are completely diven by hype. (and agenda in some cases).
Much of which does not line up with reality.IE. Georgia gave out 129 offers this past recruiting cycle. Of those, TWO players from Georgia, holding offered from Georgia, ended up signing with Alabama. But to read some comments, you would have thought that they came over here with moving trucks and emptied out our locker rooms.
flatsdawg1
February 11th, 2013
11:32 am
I think this will be a surprisingly productive class, more speed than usual on and at least a couple of playmakers there.Love JJ Green, Tramel Terry, Trey Mathews, the DB’s we got are a very good bunch. A big bunch of four stars that will play as freshman, very good potential. Dawgs will be alright. We will be back to see you BAMA!
Bulldawg35
February 11th, 2013
12:01 pm
@atl dawg……hey god may of not answered my prayers then but maybe he will down the road. This class should of been much better. We still lack depth on the d-line. We still need a couple of great o lineman. I cannot get excited about this class when ole miss and auburn out recruited us.
Skokie Dog
February 11th, 2013
12:17 pm
It appears that U.Ga.’s incoming class of recruits, including those already enrolled, will shore up areas of need on defense, mainly linebackers and the secondary, and among the receiving corps on offense. The lack of recruits for the offensive and defensive lines, however, is a persistent problem that this coaching staff seems content to ignore. This is an unfortunate pattern in recruiting at U.Ga.
It’s a successful recruiting class if we consider quantity, but remember that the number of scholarship players had declined, creating the need for a large class this year. The lack of five-star recruits will show up on the field at some point in the next four years. My hope is that the three- and four-star recruits will play well as a team, assuming that they get the opportunity to play.
NCDawg
February 11th, 2013
3:22 pm
I think everyone is beintg a bit harsh on Grantham. He could not cut himself out… jeez he was being interviewed by a team that if their defense is even decent could be in the Super Bowl. The timing was really bad and no I don’t think he lied to recruits. He is contractually obligated to inform UGA if he is offered an interview not if he is being contacted about the possibility. He has a clause in his contract that allows him to take an NFL job with no buyout so he has all but declared loud and clear that he wants the opportunity if it arises. You can’t blame the guy. The NFL is still the apex of the profession. I think the Saint’s timing sucked pretty badly but that is what happens when NSD is a week after the Super Bowl..
The class isn’t what it could have been but maybe we will get the benefit of a couple of under the radar guys that always seem to crop up on somebody else’s team. 5 stars isn’t a lock that they will be coachable and have a good work ethic so it’s a crap shoot any way. I just really wonder what Ole Miss did to put the whammy on Tunsil? Could it be as simple as the right girl? or is it something else? Maybe someday the truth will come out.
NCDawg
February 11th, 2013
3:40 pm
Ty – Kamara would have gotten more time on the field at UGA than he will at Bama. Bama basically used 2 backs most of the time. The competition angle is crap. Murray played more this past year than he normally would have to protect Mason’s redshirt and because Lemay and Parker did nothing to warrant more playing time. Same thing with Malcomb. He did not make the most out of his opportunities. Jeez… which is it people? Is it running back by committee or ride the stud? You complained about not using Gurley more early in the year and now we don’t g8ive enough guys a chance? Talking about schizomoid! And we seem to be able to run the ball well enough to have a guy who was at the top of the conference so you can’t complain about not being committed to the run either. The NFL is a PASSING league now… you can’t just line up and run the ball down people’s throats just because you WANT to… you have to have balance. Bama is a run first team but Bama WILL NOT be able to do that next year. They will have to rebuild the O line after losing several NFL caliber linemen… they will try and will be forced to throw more to be able to run. Sure they have the talent there but they still have to gain experience and gel. Perhaps midway through the year, barring injuries, they can start to bulldoze a bit more.
Bulldawg35
February 11th, 2013
4:23 pm
@ ncdawg…….haha….Grantham sucks as our dc!!!! We were 80 th in the nation at stopping the run last year….that’s just absurd. What good offense has he stopped since he has been here??? We haven’t had a great d-line since 2003. We only have Mayes ..Taylor…Atkins and bailey ….Thornton….ray drew and garrison smith. That’s not enough depth and only won of them are proven and that’s garrison. We will struggle again next year….this time I think we will finish 95 against the run
Bulldawg35
February 11th, 2013
4:33 pm
Bama is the king of college football and when saban retires he will have won more championships at Alabama than bear Bryant. Bama will three peat next year with Tj Yeldon and Derek Henry paving the way
AltamahaDawg
February 11th, 2013
5:46 pm
Well let’s see 35. when you “prayed for a whole damn week”………….was it for God to have things work out for the best..in which case you may very well see that down the road…………OR was it “please give ME what I want”.in which case I suggest you find a new strategy for following sports. .
Bulldawg35
February 11th, 2013
6:29 pm
Well you know bro my prayer will be answered when Grantham leaves after next season…..nice try but no cigar. Richt will soon get tired of these stunts every season and force him to leave. Atl dawg…..go have another beer and worship Grantham some more…..even though he just like joe kines
RED DOG 77
February 11th, 2013
11:24 pm
Boys, Boys………….knock-it-off……………You’re both right………….When Mark Richt hired Todd Grantham “our” DOGS were reeling……….we couldn’t stop anyone. In Grantham’s defense I saw him instill an agressive attack style attitude to our DOGS………….We had been lacking agressive play for way too long. With Grantham our D improved, but has lveled off and seems to have peaked……..I thank him for bringing back the “fire” which is still there……..I am one who belives his time at Georgia has run it’s course…………coach O, Lakatos and others young coaches with fire are out there, and can do the job…………..We just don’t need the drama of Grantham and the NFL every year………..Regards, RED
AltamahaDawg
February 12th, 2013
8:22 am
Go worship Grantham some more? really? What are you, 12?
and Red, knock off what? I never said a word about Grantham. good or bad.
Bulldawg35
February 12th, 2013
9:32 am
What does my age have to do with you worshiping Grantham?? 2014…..we will finish 8-5 because of our poor recruiting
AltamahaDawg
February 12th, 2013
9:53 am
The other way around. That comment has to do your your age. As in , you sound like a child when you say things like that. Is that clear enough?
And while are on it, What does anything I have EVER said, remotelyhave anythign to do with “worshiping Grantham”?
AltamahaDawg
February 12th, 2013
10:08 am
What 5 games will we lose in 2014?
I am assuming that you have some working knowledge of our opponents that you can definitively point out 5 teams that are certain of scoring 35 plus points on our defense BUT will not give up 40 to our offence.
We’ll all be looking forward to your analysis.
AltamahaDawg
February 12th, 2013
10:39 am
Building on my theme from yesterday………facts that don’t line up with the perception.
UGA has signed 15 OL in the past 4 years.
1) 5 star
2) 4 star
11) 3 star
1) 2 star long snapper
Alabama has signed 13 OL
1) 5 star
3) 4 star
9) 3 star
and if you look year to year, the numbers, total and the star count, are nearly identical ( including this past year that some folks are down about)
Stiffneck
February 12th, 2013
10:50 am
4 Bama players arrested – http://collegefootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/02/12/four-tide-players-arrested-three-on-robbery-charges/related/
whiskey breath
February 12th, 2013
10:51 am
So let me get this straight Bill, Richt get’s credit for the success of the class, and everybody else get’s credit for the ones that go away.
At least you are consistent. At Bama, we give credit to Saban for the ones that got away and the ones that stay, Kirby get’s credit. Would it be so horrible if Bro Richt ever took responsibility for the negative things? The biggest whopper was the managing of the clock at the SEC game. His ego wouldn’t let him admit he should have stopped the damn clock. Then blamed in on Homer Smith, who just happens to be dead.
AltamahaDawg
February 12th, 2013
10:55 am
Well, Callaway is gone then. I’d say the other guys are in serious danger of running some steps this summer.
AltamahaDawg
February 12th, 2013
10:57 am
gee whiskey…..did you think the 9th time you used that Homer Smith line in here, it would be a lot funnier?
AltamahaDawg
February 12th, 2013
11:12 am
In other news……….. several season passes are now availible at the will call window, formerly used by the Tuscaloosa County Sherriffs’ Department.
Stiffneck
February 12th, 2013
11:19 am
“In addition to the Sunday gun charge, Williams faces the second-degree robbery and fraudulent use of a credit card charges.”
If this kid can add a DUI charge ASAP, He’ll be NFL ready and his stock will skyrocket.
Stiffneck
February 12th, 2013
11:31 am
In a bold move, Saban has just announced these four players will be suspended for the national anthem for all 8 games against FCS competition in 2013.
AltamahaDawg
February 12th, 2013
11:40 am
They better be saying they are real sorry, or they will find themselves on the bench for the first half, in front of the 147,953 Alabama fans in attendance of that spring A-Day game.
Bulldawg35
February 12th, 2013
12:22 pm
I wonder if Chris Wilson is a good recruiter. I have my doubts about him….I think Rodney garner is going to own him in recruiting. Garner did a terrible job for us the last two years…it seems like going to auburn he found his mojo once again…….maybe Richt should ask homer smith how to recruit as well
Bulldawg35
February 12th, 2013
12:24 pm
Nothing childish about u worshiping Grantham….instead it’s down right disturbing. Lol
Bulldawg35
February 12th, 2013
12:39 pm
@ atl dawg…..our defense averages giving up close to 40 now against good offenses….our worst loss in history had to be the 83 sugar bowl against penn state. Second had to be at the hands of the poultry 35-7!……..maybe Richt should ask homer smith how to beat spurrier.
WDE
February 12th, 2013
12:47 pm
Bulldawg35 what troll name were you using last year…your sort of familiar but I can;t quite put my finger on it…yet?
AltamahaDawg
February 12th, 2013
1:16 pm
Sooo………the 83 sugar bowl. That’s your analysis of which 5 teams are going to outscore us next year. Fascinating.
AltamahaDawg
February 12th, 2013
1:43 pm
Needless to say WDE, this is the only remaining blog he can still comment on.
Bulldawg35
February 12th, 2013
2:04 pm
I’m not a troll….just a realist when it comes to Uga football. If u want to call me a trol, then so be it. Whatever floats your boat in your miserible lives. Well asking homer smith if u should spike the ball back in 01 was a terrible mistake. Richt just can’t make a decision when it comes to time time management. His worst weakness is managing the game. Cost us a shot at the mnc. We missed out on kamara…..what happens if gurley gets hurt….we will sink faster than a pig in the saluda river. Atl dawg u are about as Disney as they come…..so I just consider the source
AltamahaDawg
February 12th, 2013
3:19 pm
Considering that it takes me about 2 seconds to refute your petty juvenile comments, you would do well to consider the source.
Krystal Buger Cop
February 12th, 2013
3:20 pm
Bama has a HUGE lead in the Fulmer Cup standings so far this year! Roll Tide!!
AltamahaDawg
February 12th, 2013
3:34 pm
Clearly Saban’s player have no respect for him.
Bulldawg35
February 12th, 2013
3:49 pm
Saban is the best coach in the nation….you really think losing these 4 players are going to stop them from winning the mnc..lol……hey atl dawg why don’t go spoon feed saban some more. He is your king. You think my post are that bad huh…….we’ll I have to vomit right after I read your post because you are so delusional you should be trialed and convicted….it’s just inhuman to be that Disney old man.lol
AltamahaDawg
February 12th, 2013
4:20 pm
Losing 4 players? who is?
Bulldawg35
February 12th, 2013
5:26 pm
Trust me saban will suspend these guys…….saban is the greatest college football coach in NCAA history. I would trade Richt in a heartbeat for him. They are absolutely loaded with tail backs. I just can’t believe how they reload every year. I think they will finish 14-0 next season…..and beat Texas a&m for the mnc
fan
February 12th, 2013
8:31 pm
Garner really didn’t want to be at Georgia to begin with. His recruiting showed it because he got lazy. You have to stay after these players and go after them early…you can’t wait around to the last minute and think they’ll jump on board unless your Alabama with a pocket full of cash. I think whoever gets this kid out of Gainesville will probably have another Johnny football…he is the real deal. Who ever is recruiting him had better latch on tight, because everybody is going to go after him.
bubba4dawgs
February 13th, 2013
9:33 am
I will sy it now, the kid from Gainesville goes to Alabama! I wouldn’t be surprised if Nick Sabin has already moved in his house and breathes the same air he does. Sabin usually get what Sabin wants! Why? Because Sabin works harder at getting players than any other coach and Sabin wins! UGA needs a total overhaul in recruiting!
Shame that Gardner didn’t work as hard while at UGA as he is now working for Aw-burn!
I see that Spurrier has 4 coaches assigned to the state of Georgia for recruiting. He recognizes that the state is a hotbed for talent. He just picked up 12 in this class.
Dog4Life
February 13th, 2013
9:52 am
Do not understand Garner–must still be angry from being passed over for DC. CTG and his 3-4 is not and never will be geared to stop a good running game until we have ILBers that are at least 245 to 255; taking on the likes of Barret Jones is difficult — weight and strength disparity. I think, however, you will see a much improved O-Line this year. Go Dawgs!!!
Tndawg
February 13th, 2013
12:57 pm
I am frankly surprised no one met with Grantham and told him that if he pursued this interview process during the recruit signing period he would be fired. Can you ever see Smart telling Saban about two days before the signing period that he will be going on an interview for a job? Saban would tell him that if he did so, he would need to turn in his resignation.