What, if anything, would losing Da’Rick Rogers mean to UGA?
Da'Rick Rogers: If he's a Vol, is Signing Day sunny for Georgia? (AJC photo by Jason Getz)
Vince Dooley, who knew a thing or two about recruiting and about winning, said of the former: “It’s the way you win in the offseason.” And if that’s the case, would Da’Rick Rogers’ apparent defection to Tennessee — esteemed colleague Chip Towers has the breaking news — constitute a loss? A 45-19 sort of loss?
On the one hand, you can’t lose what you never actually had. On the other, Rogers is considered the best player in the state and is rated No. 9 nationally by Rivals.com. He’d committed to Georgia last summer. Bulldog fans — and Bulldog coaches — had been counting on him for a while. But now it appears he’ll be a Vol instead, and if that’s the case he’ll have spurned a program that has won 90 games in nine seasons for one that changed coaches last month.
I’m headed to Athens for tomorrow’s Signing Day doings, but on SD Eve I wanted to ask you folks: If Rogers does wind up signing with Tennessee — he’s scheduled to make his announcement at 9:45 a.m. at Calhoun High — does that take the fizz off Georgia’s recruiting class? Is this a loss? A Big Loss? Or is it no loss at all?
And with that, the floor is open for what I know will be our usual erudite discussion. Thanks in advance.
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568 comments Add your comment
BrokeBackJacket
February 3rd, 2010
8:50 am
Rogers is a great “prospect”!
Does it hurt to lose him? Yes!
Wish the kid nothing but the best!
NOW….recruits “flip” on their commitments every year…some to your school of choice…some away from your school of choice! These are for the most part 18 year old KIDS!
What reeks of the Roger’s happenings is HOW and WHY!
Mike Nance is a sleaze…BIG TIME SLEAZE!!!!!!
He used Rogers like a pawn on a chess board…according to the people in Calhoun who really know what is going on…has been for some time now!
Mike Nance parlayed Da’Rick’s athletic abilities into an offer for a scholly to UT, which he would NEVER have received EXCEPT for his ability to deliver Rogers to UT!
Anyone who believes differently is in denial and delusional…unless Dooley and UT are going to be recruiting 2* QBs not even ranked in the top 125 HS QBs in the country!
While doing so…Mr. Nance, while trowing his influence ($$$$) around…held 2 universities recruiting efforts hostage……Vandy’s at QB…UGA at WR! All in an attempt to live vicariously thru his somewhat talented son!
I wish Da’rick the best…he might not even realize he was used and played…and may not care if he does…he is benefitting already (new car) with much more to come, I am sure!
In the meantime….I hope Da’rick is not caught up in the inevitable KARMA awaiting Mr. Nance as a result of the game he choose to play!
Stinger
February 3rd, 2010
8:53 am
Daaaaarick can’t hold AJ Greene’s jock….Ask the little defensive backs from Buford….The fact they shut down the great Daaaaarick should make them at least 3 stars if he was a 5 star….and one is only in the 10th grade….
PMC
February 3rd, 2010
8:54 am
This is a bigger get for UT than it is a loss for UGA. UGA has more than enough depth at receiver. Tennessee doesn’t.
Steven Daedalus
February 3rd, 2010
8:55 am
Saw him play twice, this kid has alligator arms, way overrated, perfect fit for UT.
DAWGNUTZ
February 3rd, 2010
8:56 am
The DAWGS will be fine with or without Da’Rick. He’s going to be in for a big surprise when he gets on the field with UT. They will have to find a way to run the ball or they’ll get hammered, which means no receptions for him in the near future.
REALIST
February 3rd, 2010
8:58 am
One of the main problems in recruiting for all schools and not just UGA is when kids back out of verbals late there has been too much time lost recruiting others….it changes the dynamic of what you may or may not have done as far as recruiting. Obviously the whole Rogers/Nance UGA/UT was a brokered deal. But isn’t this just the norm for college football? Of course it is. I saw 2 of the Calhoun playoff games and Nance is not an SEC caliber QB. Rogers has the physical weapons but against quality DBs? Did you see the State Championship game? Lots of questions..and yes Mark there are plenty of folks out there who were saying “prima donna”. UGA is hit or miss right now and can be a coaching black hole at times. DD is in deep waters at UT and may not have a big enough life jacket.
George
February 3rd, 2010
8:58 am
Boycot Nance Sh!tbag carpets.
Bob Nance
February 3rd, 2010
9:00 am
Email me please bob.nance @ nancecarpet.com
Al
February 3rd, 2010
9:05 am
Tennessee is just such a weird choice because they haven’t shown any promise of returning to the national stage. I understand wanting to go to school with you high school buddy, but let’s be honest, that is a very short-sighted reason because new friends will be made. I hate that Rogers is no longer listening to his high school coach because that guy seemed to have good perspective.
Matt
February 3rd, 2010
9:05 am
He would’ve been the biggest signee of this class. Yeah I’d call it a loss. Also, I realize that the #1 RB is from S.C. but why in the $^#*&#@* would he sign with S.C.?!?!?!?!
dawg26
February 3rd, 2010
9:06 am
If you are a dawg fan that has any clue about our problems the past two seasons this should end the discussion. As reported in the Dalton Daily citizen the day after his 45 yard penalty game….
“After his first touchdown, Rogers slowed down as he crossed the goal line and turned to wave the ball at Washington, then yanked his helmet off, which earned him two flags and caused the Jackets to kick off from their own 12. After his touchdown return, he acted as though he was going to take his helmet off again, but stopped half-way, which game officials took exception to and threw another flag.
“I tried to stay calm, but there was just so much animosity in the air after so many years of losing to Dalton that I just couldn’t hold it back,” he said after the game.
Do your research and quit whining about this guy. Run the football and play defense….
Tyshaun
February 3rd, 2010
9:07 am
Mr Mike Nance – My name is Tyshaun. I 16 years old run the 40 in 4.2 vertical jump is 44 and i catch ball. Please partially adopt me and take me to Tenn and get me laid. I will do whatever you want me to. Just show me the Money and the Women
what has Georgia done since 1980..paul johnson
February 3rd, 2010
9:08 am
they shouldn’t let you near athens Mark…you moron……stay in atlanta with all the other flagboys
Stinger
February 3rd, 2010
9:08 am
Pi$$onaDawg:
The Greatest what? covered like a glove in the State Championship Game by smallish def. backs from Buford….Couldn’t get it done on the big stage in the GA. Dome…..Never blocks, only wants to catch….High school coach probably wishes he had stayed in Rome…..If he really liked Tennessee better, we would have no problem with him going there, but he was part of a package deal….he got bought out…..Darlington was much better off after these two “lets make a deal players” left….Good Riddance
what has Georgia done since 1980..paul johnson
February 3rd, 2010
9:10 am
and this Da Hick fellow..didn’t he play aa high school ball…a five star recruit who couldn’t catch a cold in the game on pubic hair television against a short db from buford,, then he showcased on espn and dropped every pass…hey da hick …please hurry up and sign with tennessee so the kid from the big time school in tampa will go to UGA
what has Georgia done since 1980..paul johnson
February 3rd, 2010
9:11 am
Doesn’t the Calhoun County team have a yeller Jackette for a mascot? please go elsewhere , not Athens
Sonny Clusters
February 3rd, 2010
9:12 am
Anybody that didn’t see this coming wasn’t looking in the right place . . . Da’rick playing for De’rek. Makes sense to us.
LAKE OCONEE DAWG
February 3rd, 2010
9:13 am
After watching daaaarrriicckk in the Georgia Dome, he couldn’t run a 4.4 off the side of Stone Mountain….All he can do is run tunnel screens…..
takedowndawg
February 3rd, 2010
9:15 am
Does anyone remember exDAWG, Brandon Miller? As a recruit, he was billed as a 5-STAR, # 1 in the state, #2 in the nation, so big, so fast could not fail at his position. He never, quote never, lived up to his billing. He also was a flirt with the other SEC teams until the Signing DAY. Remember, UGA history is cemented in outstanding 2-3-4 star players. Pollack and Green come to mind. The speed of the SEC, offensively and defensively, humbles quite a few 5-Stars. Da-Rick may or may not prove to be one of those. I personally dislike that recruits that string a University along, tying up a valuble roster spot.
Da Rick Rogers Blogs | Worldwide News
February 3rd, 2010
9:17 am
[...] Mark Bradley asks AJC readers what losing recruit Da’Rick Rogers, who apparently is headed to Tennessee, mean to Georgia?Read more [...]
Wordy
February 3rd, 2010
9:21 am
Don’t matter for UT or UGA, if UF recruits live up to their rankings neither y’all beating the Gators for a loooooooooong time. Their D line is going to be ridiculous.
Buzz
DawgGirl32
February 3rd, 2010
9:24 am
Wow. So the kid in the picture with the shades and earring is Da’Rick? He’ll fit right in at UT.
Marseilles Mutt
February 3rd, 2010
9:28 am
….as Willie the Bard once said,this is “….much ado about nothing!” To me the most important thing is tomorrow’s sunrise, and just being around to see next season.
Although reading the line re “…Da’Rick playing for De’rek” somehow made it seem somewhat worthwhile. Nice line Clusters, even Lewis would have enjoyed that one.
julio franco
February 3rd, 2010
9:29 am
Enough with the cynicism!
Wow the Walmart fans are out in droves today. Could you ever imagine CMR doing anything like Leach, Kiffin or pulling all the drama queen theatrics of Urban Meyer. Don’t question CMR’s worth he is an asset to our school and state. I will take 10 wins and an SEC championship every few years, just not to deal with the cesspool of career coaches out there.
Seriously if yall are that upset with the program PLEASE LEAVE! Don’t complain.. switch affiliations please! Real UGA fans are content and know our school will be fine. If you constantly need to feel heard and complain about underachieving, ask Da’rick if you can car pool with him to Knoxville.
Adios! and Good riddance Walmart fans!
BO/calhoun
February 3rd, 2010
9:30 am
Won’t really hurt Ga.-and may help DaRick. Probably his only chance to stay in school since Nance will be there to provide some guidance. This kid showed up well all season-til the playoffs and the All- Amor game where they shut him down flat. Guy will go as far as his attitude will let him-which is on the bench at Ga. for a while! We need defense-and we don’t need problems in attitude and discipline. Good luck kid!
Happy Signing Day! « GoWoodruff.com Pigskin Review Blog
February 3rd, 2010
9:31 am
[...] For my Georgia Bulldogs, today will be a day of mixed blessings. While we covet each and every recruit signing with us this year, two recruits have decided to decommit and go elsewhere. The problem I have is these guys have been committed to the Bulldogs since last Summer…now all of the sudden they are changing their mind. It stings a little knowing that all along we have built our recruiting class around the supposed belief that D’Rick Rogers (WR out of Calhoun, Ga) and Nikkell Robey (CB out of Frostproof, Fl). Here is a link to an article outlining the D’Rick Rogers recuitment. I think it is interesting to see the Bulldogs faithful comments on Mark Bradley’s blog. Link is: http://blogs.ajc.com/mark-bradley-blog/2010/02/02/what-if-anything-would-losing-darick-rogers-mean-t…. [...]
N.GA.DAWG
February 3rd, 2010
9:33 am
I seen the kid play and he is good. You can not blame him for going to UT with his friend and team mate. I think UT did a great job of marketing. Give away 2 scolly’s for 1 player. The truth is UGA was not willing to do that.
AceDawg
February 3rd, 2010
9:36 am
It’s a loss, but the important thing now is to hate Da’Rick Rogers with a passion, like all Vols, and to crush the Vols in 2010.
Gen Neyland
February 3rd, 2010
9:37 am
Glanced at Rivals Top 25. UGA was posted at 17, UT at 8. USCw has jumped from 8 to 5 since 0800. CDD is picking ‘em up today. Go Vols
UT Hostess
February 3rd, 2010
9:39 am
We did the job on DaRick—he was da’ bomb baby!!!
RockyTop
February 3rd, 2010
9:40 am
All you poor little Dawg fans stop your whining bout the number one player in your home state going Orange on you he joins a long list ( Eric Berry, Jamal Lewis,etc………) that will be playing for a team now with a coach with a last name that will have you really upset come October when he walks out of Stanford with a BIG W thats when you will hurt more than today
Mr. Nash
February 3rd, 2010
9:41 am
I hope my son likes wearing headphones, splinter-proof pants, and baseball hats at Neyland.
At least they can save money on the helmet since they just lost a scholarship.
Gen Neyland
February 3rd, 2010
9:43 am
julio franco : You need to run down to Wal-Mart for a minute. Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and they have a great sale on cadium laced jewlery. Check it out for the ol’ lady…
Fellow Vol Fans
February 3rd, 2010
9:47 am
This is great news. We have a new Nukeese.
Anyone want to come to my trailer for a big orange tickle pile?
Walmart in Athens
February 3rd, 2010
9:49 am
Update to all UGA fans in Athens…..we have had a run on Kleenex and Depends this morning since all you rednecks are crying and pooping your pants about losing Da’Rick and having another sub-par recruiting class. We are completely out of Kleenex and only have XXXL Depends left. The trucks from the warehouse are on the way to restock our shelves. Please stop your crying and pants-pooping until our trucks arrive. As always, thank you for shopping at WalMart. PS….we still have plenty of wife-beater UGA shirts in stock.
Red Bud Dawg
February 3rd, 2010
9:49 am
Heard Da’Rick was waivering at the last minute and leaning toward the DAWGS again.
Fellow Vol Fans
February 3rd, 2010
9:49 am
I hope we find a good mentor for him so that he can turn out like Jamal Lewis or Leonard Little – UT Role Models.
I hope our new coach stays longer than 10 months. We have become a stepping stone job.
Sonny Clusters
February 3rd, 2010
9:50 am
They was no Clusters in this year’s signings. Had they been a Clusters all the talk would be about Da’Clusters instead of Da’rick. When we was playing ball Coach did not allow ear-rings or tattoos. We was mostly clean-cut and respectful and we was always taught to keep our promises. Stinky Wintes was the exception on clean-cut.
Mark Bradley
February 3rd, 2010
9:58 am
He just signed with Tennessee.
Anybody remember last year ???
February 3rd, 2010
9:58 am
Didn’t UGA go into Tennessee and get Marlon Brown last year? Didn’t we go into SC and get AJ Green the year before that? Listen, recruiting goes up and down. If we win more games with a better defense (which I am optimistic about), we will more likely be able to lock down GA talent. Anywho, David Pollack was a three star recruit, and Tim Jennings got a scholarship offer because another big name recruit bailed on us in the last days. Of course, these guys have huge up sides but that’s just it, only up side. Recruiting is more about addressing needs then getting the “best” players in the state.
Saint Augustine
February 3rd, 2010
9:58 am
Rivals 9:55 am
1. Florida
3. Auburn
4. Alabama
7. LSU
8. Tennessee
16. South Carolina
17. Georgia (7th in SEC-Shreveport City again)!
Bob
February 3rd, 2010
10:00 am
Darick will sign with Georgia I guarantee it
NC Dawg
February 3rd, 2010
10:02 am
Duck Fa’Rick. Big mistake.
Shreveport Shorty
February 3rd, 2010
10:02 am
UGA fans—it looks you might end up in shreveport in 2010! We welcome your fans back and remember—that motel 6 near the freeway books fast and we have the coldest PBR in the south!!! So come on down for some good times and real purty ladies!!!
Motel 6 in Shreveport
February 3rd, 2010
10:05 am
Since the Dogs will be back in Shreveport this year please go ahead and book your rooms now. For the first 50 UGA fans to book early we will include a free crying towel with a picture of UGA on it. For best selection of rooms closest to the outhouse, call now. 1-800- 364-7785 ( 1-800-DOGS-SUK )
Brian Marx
February 3rd, 2010
10:06 am
The picture says it all. We can live without that.
Gen Neyland
February 3rd, 2010
10:07 am
Red Bud Dawg and Bob : If that happens, will the Dawg ‘fans’ spewing trash turn those frowns upside down..? Until a kid signs, he’s available, people need to get that. Most don’t ’cause they’ve got Chicken Little Syndrome. I guess many want to be the first to rag on somebody. Makes ‘em feel like they have a set…
robodawg
February 3rd, 2010
10:18 am
He’s sticking with his best buddy Nance (who we didn’t offer). At 17, your friends are your life.
Yeah, it’s a loss for us. A double loss considering that he’s going to strengthen one of our chief competitors. But it’s not a HUGE loss. We’re okay at receiver for the short term. Thornton choosing UGA probably makes up for it since D line is a more immediate need.
Now if Christian Green were to choose UGA, that would really make up for it.
Kevin
February 3rd, 2010
10:20 am
Yes Mark, He was a prima donna when he committed to UGA and he is a prima donna now with UT. Just because he is not at UGA doesnt make him a bad kid but at some point in life you have to start honoring your commitments (18 is a good year to start). I would love to hear your comments on whether Nance’s dad had any part in this story or is it just UGA fans being whinners. I think we are all smart enough to know that Nance’s dad is the one behind the scences. He bought him a car for goodness sake and he employees his mother but I guess that is just out of the kindness of his heart huh? Patiently waiting for your response Mr. Bradley
Declining UGA
February 3rd, 2010
10:34 am
90 Wins but not a single – Program noticing win!
Wow…beat 18th ranked Hawaii!
Wow…beat 18th ranked Michigan State
Wow…beat 13th ranked Georgia Tech
Where are the earth shattering wins? Only SEC titles were when UF had very sub-par years and yet they still beat UGA both years. Fiasco with Bama. Fiasco at home verse GT last year. Loss to KY???this year. Drilled by a first year coach in the UT game this year.
Why would anyone truly want to play for UGA if championships were the goal??? They have what….one?! ONLY one national championship according to CBS Sports data bank. 1980!!! Three decades ago. Mediocre program in decline by all appearances.