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
Jarrod
February 3rd, 2010
2:08 am
Somebody please tell me, IF this kid is so over rated, if his grades aren’t good enough, if he played against weak competion, then WHYYY did all of these schools make him offers
BAMA
Florida
Florida State
Mississippi
North Carolina State
UCF
West Virginia
Mississippi State
memphisdawg
February 3rd, 2010
2:08 am
Rivals and Scout have him as a top talent. Understanding that they are often wrong, i still put more stock in their statements than a guy that saw him play against Buford.
Jarrod
February 3rd, 2010
2:09 am
Somebody please tell me, IF this kid is so over rated, if his grades aren’t good enough, if he played against weak competion, then WHYYY did all of these schools make him offers
BAMA
Florida
Florida State
Mississippi
North Carolina State
UCF
West Virginia
Mississippi State
Jeff
February 3rd, 2010
2:09 am
Hey Jarrod — UGA recruited him because you’d be stupid NOT to try to sign a receiver in your home state that is that highly regarded by scouts. Now, maybe he wouldn’t pan out at Georgia, but at least you could say you tried… but take note, there have been some prep players in Georgia that were so questionable, character-wise, that Richt didn’t go after them, and I’m proud of him for that.
I hope that your new coach will do the same… I think Dooley has a lot of integrity, and that will be a MUCH needed boost for your program, considering you actually hired Lame Kiffin last year.
Georgia should always at least show token interest in any kid in the state who is good enough to play Division I football… but when they get to the program, the good ones stand out and the others have trouble.
Like I said in my earlier, post, Jarrod, I PERSONALLY was not thrilled when he committed to UGA in the first place… I know coaches and people in Calhoun’s region, and he’s had question marks for years. So I didn’t want the kid unless he had a serious come-to-Jesus moment with Richt.
However, after hearing comments from OTHER SEC recruiting experts and people in the know, about his academic problems and character issues (he talks about “hoes” on his facebook page? c’mon), then I am MORE glad now that we don’t have to deal with him.
We’ll see how much of an impact he makes next year when he has to play UGA in Athens…. Ogletree just might knock Da’kid’s head off Da’body when he comes across Da’middle.
verbal
February 3rd, 2010
2:09 am
Money Talks & Bull*&$% Walks!
Jarrod
February 3rd, 2010
2:10 am
And above all UGA, who is the home team in this stinkin’ blog
SagaciousSam
February 3rd, 2010
2:11 am
From his own very rational perspective, choosing Tennesse was in his best interest as UGA has AJ Green, Israel Troupe, Tavarius King,Rantavious Wooten, and a senior receiver who was injured last season who is returning. Also, the play of Orson Charles as a hybrid-H back tight end would give less tosses to other receivers. Orson will probably be used a lot more next seaon. Despite being a 5 star athlete, it is doubtful that he could have beaten any of these players for a starting position, certainly not Green and probably none of the others. He will possibly be the best receiver for Tennesse next season. He certainly would have not been that at Georgia. Nonetheless, he will be a excellent receiver. It is quite possible that the firings of the three UGA assistant coaches did not help Mark Richt with issues of loyalty and it is probable that Da Rick felt far less compelled to show a similar loyalty to a Georgia program that demonstrated its own problems regarding this matter. Let’’s hope next year will produce better results. Georgia will be ok, just not a top team in recruiting this year. The defensive tackles and backs seem to have avoided UGA even before the firings…Hmmm. Hope tomorrow brings better luck.
Rogers' Facebook page
February 3rd, 2010
2:14 am
I mean its happened before Jarrod..LOL at you using “if his grades aren’t good enough” people sneak guys in all the time.
Rogers' Facebook page
February 3rd, 2010
2:15 am
All I know is I make the hoes stop breathing
memphisdawg
February 3rd, 2010
2:16 am
to change the subject, everyone should take the time to read an article on Dawgpost.com about Gates commitment to UGA and his ordeals he has suffered in life. I hope he is a success on the field and have no doubt that he will be successful in life no matter what life throws at him. Welcome to dawg nation Kentarious and good luck with everything you come across.
Jeff
February 3rd, 2010
2:17 am
And Jarrod, you know this…. college recruiting is a slimy business to begin with… we worship these dam kids from the time they are 16, so now WONDER they feel like entitled little punks and expect to be treated like rock stars in college.
That’s why I love AJ Green — kind, humble, hard worker and committed to his teammates. Now, why is NOBODY saying that about Da’Rick? And why has he missed so much school at Calhoun this week? And why did he get booted from two other HS programs before he went up there?
Some things to think about… I never put a lotta stock in “signing day” anyhow… find me when players actually report to camp in early August and then we’ll see who is there and who can play. Remember, there are a LOT of college football stars on PAPER, on scouting reports… there are a lot fewer actually on the field.
Have a good night, Jarrod… gotta turn in for the night. Good luck with your team next year.
Rogers Facebook page
February 3rd, 2010
2:20 am
BTW, thanks Mr. Nance for swaying me to Tennessee… your money and influence and direction have been NOTHING but positive for my life! I’m sure I’ll be quite the role model for people at UT. And i’m also sure that your boy Nash will be the next coming of Peyton Manning.
C’mon UT hoes, check me out shirtless!
memphisdawg
February 3rd, 2010
2:21 am
Didn’t UGA pass on Ambles b/c of character issues (yes) and go after Rogers. Rogers is an 18 year old kid; he has an ego, but can you blame him. He has had a spotlight on him for the last three years and perhaps has developed an ego in the interim; but he has a better head on his shoulders than half of our committed prospects. I guess ignorance is bliss.
P. Bull Terrier
February 3rd, 2010
2:22 am
I don’t think you can make any judgements about UGA as a whole based on the Rogers flip flop because it is something of a unique situation. The Nance family may be just as evil as some on here think, or may be just the same as any other Div. I prospect family, but either way I’m sure they played a role in the switch to UT. The only way UGA could have prevented whatever influence the Nance family had would have been to recruit the Nance kid as bait to entice Rogers. If UGA didn’t feel Nance would contribute to their team, I wouldn’t have them play this one any other way. You don’t mess with an 18 year old kid’s life by using him to get to his friend, then crushing his hopes and dreams as he sits at the end of the bench for the next 4 years.
From everything I hear, Coach Dooley Jr. is an honerable man. I have to belive he sees Nance as a player UT can use or he wouldn’t have offered him. If that offer brings in another five star recruit, then that’s just a nice bonus.
The thing that surprises me is that with all NCAA attention Kiffin brought to UT, Dooley didn’t run away from both of these kids. Where there’s smoke, there’s usually fire, and it seem like there’s a whole lot of smoke hanging around UT, Nance and Rogers, I’d hate to see Dooley on the hot seat for recruiting violations this quickly, but I smell a little burn already.
The bottom line is that UGA may have lost a key prospect to another SEC school, but no one ecpected Rogers to be the second coming of Hershal, David, Stafford anyway. If you look at this like UT stole one of our players away, then that seems bad. If you look at it through the eyes of an 18 year old kid, who isn’t getting much parental guidence, but is getting plenty of encoudagement and support from his best friend’s dad, you shouldn’t be surprised to find that the Nance adjenda has become the Rogers agenda.
Because of the unique players, parents, and relationships involved in Rogers recruiting this year, Rogers to UT says nothing about the state of UGA football – other than there’s one less guy in the battle for #2 WR and it’s time for someone to step up and take te spot.
Jarrod
February 3rd, 2010
2:22 am
Personally, I didn’t know much about kid. didn’t look into it till tonight. Don’t know about Nance and his apparently rich daddy. All I do know is that this kid is really hyped, and that UGA fans are dissing him just because he switched schools. Kids do it all the time. I just don’t understand it. Maybe because I’m in NC, I just haven’t heard the buzz about this kid. I just look at the signs, 5 star recruit, comparable to AJ Green (potentially) and a shorter Calvin Johnson. That’s what I’ve read. So there’s at least a 50% chance he’ll have success at UT. And if our WR core is bad enough for him to be starting against y’all that early in his freshman year, he better be pretty damn good, or we’re in for a heap of trouble
Jarrod
February 3rd, 2010
2:26 am
i had a good response typed out, and it didn’t post, i’m done for the night, All i’m sayin’ is a 5 star recruit as as good and chance as anybody to succeed. I’ll take a kid drawing comparison to AJ Green (potentially) and a shorter Calvin Johnson anyday. Dooley seems to have a good head on his shoulders, and should be able to manage Rogers. Kid’s 6′ 3, 4.4 , 205, and has a 41 inch vertical. GLAD he’s not going to Athens
Jarrod
February 3rd, 2010
2:27 am
lol
Brock Lesner
February 3rd, 2010
2:28 am
UGA=Kentuckcy. Never Thought I’d see it. Wow. And I really admire UGA. You guys need a tougher man (Pat Dye, Bear, etc.).
new Jarrod
February 3rd, 2010
2:30 am
I think i got banned for cussing, my last 3 didn’t post
new Jarrod
February 3rd, 2010
2:31 am
yeah that was it, All I’m sayin’ is the kid’s got the talent and potential to be a outright nasty receiver at UT. 6′ 3, 205, 4.4, 41 inch vertical, I’ll take that any day. Any kid drawing comparisons to AJ Green(potentially) and a shorter Calvin Johnson is a legit prospect in my book. That’s all they are anyway right? ALot falls on the coaching staff to develop them as a player into their full potential. I’m glad he’s in Rocky top and not down in Athens, that’s for sure.
Brock Lesner
February 3rd, 2010
2:32 am
Or Kentucky
Texas Dawg
February 3rd, 2010
2:40 am
I tried to post earlier, but didn’t make it. So I’ll make this one shorter. Not going to bash Rogers or Nance or families cause I don’t know them. It hurts if Rogers doesn’t come to UGA, if only for appearances sake, whether he ever plays for UT or not. It just looks bad that UGA can’t get the #1 recruit in the state of Ga., after having him committed for months. Regardless of HOW it happened, it happened, and does not look good. And, unfortunately, it’s part of a disturbing trend of just not being on top of our game. Look around, we not only lost recruits this year, we also failed to get COACHES that we wanted. Somehow, there’s a stink around Athens and all of us Dawg fans need to quit bashing kids, and their parents and other schools and start holding OUR OWN coaches and staff accountable. Somehow, with the Urban Meyer situation and Saban being Saban, both UF and ‘Bama managed to keep their recruiting classes intact. Why can’t we? All the other kids who decommitted on us or who never committed to us in the first place can’t all be “heartless, gutless, lying, punks” with families who “pay” off coaches to take a package deal for some other kid. So it’s not just that. Someone, tell me, why is that so many kids who normally would have been begging for a chance to play at UGA are bailing this year? What is it that they are hearing (and obviously believing) out on the recruiting circuit that’s making them go elsewhere? And, more importantly, IS IT TRUE?
Texas Dawg
February 3rd, 2010
2:48 am
Since no one responded, guess this means that I’m — LAST!
Jim
February 3rd, 2010
2:53 am
Based on watching Rogers from the stands in the state title game, UGA hasn’t lost much since when he was defended he didn’t perform that well. For example, standing there & not breaking up an interception right next to him. Maybe it was just one of those days for him, but it did not look good considering the kind of competition he will face at practice and on the field.
Dr. Knox
February 3rd, 2010
3:21 am
45-19
You guys should really be more concious of what you’re saying.
UT is down and full of worthless, talentless prima-donas?
Once again: 45-19.
Scoreboard. Thats all I have to say.
dagnabit
February 3rd, 2010
3:29 am
I sure am enjoying this.
Come now
February 3rd, 2010
3:30 am
America urgently needs you. Come now to conquer the world.
http://www.erepublik.com/en/referrer/katerinkos
Pi$$onaDawg
February 3rd, 2010
3:45 am
I’ll paint my a$$ white to be a DAWG, but Da”rick ain’t no godz and wez didn’t wantz hem no wayz. Wex dudn’t wernt nosebody dat diddn wert to bez a DAWG 2z startm wiz. He ain’tz no goud nowzs no how.
DawgDexter
February 3rd, 2010
3:51 am
All I needed to see was that picture. He has “locker-room distraction” written all over his face. I no longer think the dawgs need him and all his baggage.
Pi$$onaDawg
February 3rd, 2010
3:51 am
My how the DAWGS starts licking their own BUTT HOLE and not their nuts when the GREATEST tells UGA to Go To HELL. HAHAHAHHAH. Don’t worry DAWGS you can paint all the mutts white and still find a DUMB African to come to your school and not take classes while getting a degree in lawn mowing. HAHAHAHAHAHAH. PI$$ ON A DAWG and make the white paint run off his butt. HAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHAH.
DirtyDawg
February 3rd, 2010
3:58 am
Don’t believe that UGA is losing all that many prospects, as opposed to other schools that are improving in their ability to attract these same young men – with promises of early playing time or whatever. The program in Athens is steady as a rock and continues to attract and ‘coach-up’ talent and compete and win. Being a big fan of Vince Dooley I can only wish young Derek well – until he comes up against us of course, and as for the young man from Calhoun, I hope life is good to him – or more appropriately, I hope whatever he achieves it will be because he has earned it.
As for Mark Bradley’s questions – and challenges – about Tebow and Florida and his future as a professional. What it says to me is that Urban and his coaches either knew the kid didn’t have the prerequisite skills to perform as a QB in the NFL and didn’t care enough to try and teach him better, or they didn’t know it and still didn’t care. Tell that to young men considering enrolling at UF – that the chances are they won’t be taught the best way to play the game at the next level…that whatever God-given talent they came with is what’s gonna get ‘em anywhere else they’ll go. And don’t tell me that’s a load of crap cause everybody has been saying that Tebow needed to learn more about taking the ball from under center, dropping back, turning and reading the defense and releasing the ball quickly…and they haven’t, apparently even attempted to work with him on it. All that mattered to UM and UF was to use his talents as a running QB – not an option one mind you, just a hard runner.
We’ll take Mark Richt and make young men better men and better football players. Good luck to Derek, but whatever you do don’t try a fake punt at mid-field with the lead and only a couple of minuets left in the game in front of the home orange…and if you do, make sure your dog is in the house…better yet, better not get a dog for a while. You never know. Just ask Bill Battle.
Old Gator
February 3rd, 2010
4:17 am
Only Ga fans can say that not getting the top player in the state is a good thing. With their new defense, scoring points will not be a big thing I guess.
savannadawg
February 3rd, 2010
4:22 am
LISTEN. Don’t know much except for what I saw in the Georgia Dome and that armour all b.s. in fla. The kid DID NOT!!!! make plays when it was essential that he do!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dawg in Japan
February 3rd, 2010
4:26 am
ALEC OGLETREE, YOU HAVE YOUR TARGET.
HAHA Georgia SUCKS!!!!!!
February 3rd, 2010
4:28 am
I saw where on page 1 where someone said that Tenn is a hick state…. So except for Atlanta, Ga, what does that make GA? I thought that was where the truck hicks were….just ask Sonny and Saxby….
Conyers Yellow Jacket
February 3rd, 2010
4:33 am
Recruiting is a crap shoot You win a few and loose a few. The UGA football program`s record speaks for itself. I do not dislike UGA and wish them the best until the GT game each year.
What I don`t understand is why so many UGA fans expect perfection. You guys have great success
over the long run. You have a respected Coach. Be thankful!!
heeldawg
February 3rd, 2010
4:47 am
DaRick Rogers may or may not be a big-time player, but he’s certainly a big-time prospect. His last-minute decommitment has nothing to do with Coach Richt or his staff except for their decision not to offer Calhoun QB Nash Nance, who is DaRick’s best friend. Nance, whose father has used DaRick as his son’s Golden Ticket for the last several years, originally committed to Vanderbilt, where there was little chance of DaRick going along for the ride. However, when Kiffin left UT, the Vols offered Nance, who decommitted from Vandy and instead became a Vol. Georgia had offered Hutson Mason at QB and had no plans to take another player at that position, a decision which angered Nance’s father. Nance’s dad–who is DaRick’s sugar daddy, in essence–then convinced DaRick to join his son at UT, and the deal was done.
Ironically, Nance’s dad may have done his son a disservice. Nash is a straight A student who would have benefited greatly from a free Vandy education. As a Commodore, he’d have a chance to start. In Knoxville, he’ll be holding a clipboard on the sidelines for four years. He has essentially no chance to play in the NFL. For a player in Nance’s situation, is a UT education as a career backup superior to a Vanderbilt education with a shot at playing time? I don’t think so. Moreover, the things Nance Sr. has “taught” his son and DaRick about character and the value of honoring a commitment may well come back to haunt both young men at some point later in their lives. This is part of what’s wrong with today’s young people–a sense of privilege, no accountability and no honor.
I wish both young men well in their careers. I hope when they get older DaRick will be able to see how Nance Sr. used him, and that both young men can overcome that in their own personal development.
What recruiting drama remains for National Signing Day? | AJC College Sports Recruiting
February 3rd, 2010
5:02 am
[...] Calhoun wide receiver Da’Rick Rogers sopped up most of it when news leaked Tuesday night that he’d backed out of his eight-months-long commitment to Georgia in order to sign with new Tennessee coach Derek Dooley, who has recruited him for two weeks. Colleague Mark Bradley has an opinion on that and is seeking yours. [...]
TheBiggestDawg
February 3rd, 2010
5:23 am
He’s history now. If he qualifies, and if he plays this year, Todd Grantham’s defense will knock the snot out of him in Athens this year.
Kevin
February 3rd, 2010
5:26 am
Hell yeah, it’s a big loss. As UGA fans you can’t sugarcoat this. I was excited when he committed. He doesnt all of a sudden become untalented or a bad kid just b/c he signs with Tenn.I wish him well. Mr. Nance gives this kid everything he’s got, he’s just paying him back by going along with a unsavory, but all too seen deal.Nance Sr. is a dirtbag, heeldog has it right. I now hope that all these UGA ppl who were wishing Dooley well in Knoxville will wake up and see he is the enemy just as much as Urban Meyer is the enemy. And a more dangerous one in the long run than Lil Kiff would have ever been. Let’s face it. Look at all the top talent going to out of state schools this year. Looks like the Goff years when UT and Aub won big with Ga. players. The warning signs are all around. We are slipping fast. Only one cure. Richt better win and win big(10+ wins) next yr or it’s just a matter of time. I sure hope Grantham knows what he is doing. And one more thing: hire sombody that can recruit for the last opening. That guy from UConn doesn’t know a single HS coach in the south. And that matters. Not a good day for UGA. not all all.
Rob Murray
February 3rd, 2010
5:40 am
No loss at all. We have plenty of super talented wide receivers. Let’s move forward DAWG fans!!!
richtfan
February 3rd, 2010
5:46 am
mike nance payoff. cars, cash etc. teh ncaa is headed to calhoun very soon to verify all of this. UT will be in even more trouble than they’re already in.
UncleTed
February 3rd, 2010
5:55 am
The photo tells me alot. LOOK AT ME!
Old Gold
February 3rd, 2010
5:57 am
This is NOT the kind of kid you want in your program.
CD Davis
February 3rd, 2010
5:59 am
DaRick WHO??????????????????
BuLLdawg
February 3rd, 2010
6:04 am
How are they going to work on the Cow Palace, the Stegosaurus, and play the sports that are in there when what is needed in the first place is a properly designed facility somewhere else from the ground up so that we can compete in the sports that are to be held in it.
This is going to be a very poor recruiting class for UGA. At this point, we are ranked the Number 15 Scout.com and the Number 16 Rivals.com recruiting class in football in the nation, by far the worse recruiting class for UGA. We have added some recent commitments and the recent commitments are just warm bodies with none of the recent commitments impact players and none of the recent commitments the holes we all see so glaringly. We started this recruiting class off right. We need to have some big good surprises today, such as a top running back, a tall fast secondary, a tall fast wide receiver, a great linebacker, and another defensive tackle.
What is going on in our Bulldogs’ Football Program 4 of the 5 now current years ? 3 of the last 4 years have been huge disappointments, and now we start this season like this. The recruits we did not get on offense are an indictment on the coaching staff for Coach Richt’s Offense. It is going to be a long year, and this then makes it 4 of the last 5 years that we will have a long year.
Sad.
We have 7 of our recruit commitments who are not considered very highly at their position, nor even as football athletes in the state they are from. This is a bad recruiting class, and it will be written that it is a bad recruiting class.
It is the worst recruiting class of the Coach Richt Era by a long long long long way.
We are officially in decline, and it is too bad because we will field a very good defense this season and we have the 2 best kickers in the nation on one team. So, where is the problem that 7 scholarships are given to warm bodies and 20 other schools are adding a lot more than we are today with us coming off an 8-5 year in which we lost to Florida again, lost to Tennessee (7-6) again, lost to LSU again, lost to Oklahoma State who even Houston beat, but not us; and for good measure lost to Kentucky (7-6.)
We end the season just over not ranked in the AP Poll and not ranked in the USA Today Coaches’ Poll. We start this 4th year of the last 5 now disappointing years likely as not, unranked, and the first thing everyone is going to say is that you had a unranked team last year 8-5, played in a sorry bowl game in Shreveport, and piled on the dead last worst recruiting class in the Coach Richt Era.
Jaime
February 3rd, 2010
6:10 am
That picture about says it all – IDIOT
Uncle Rico
February 3rd, 2010
6:14 am
I heard Nu’Keese Richardson is available.
bigdaddyj
February 3rd, 2010
6:21 am
Bradley – I know you write crap to get readers but seriously…all the GT love and dawg hatred this past year? Just because you went to Kentucky I would expect a little less hatred and nonsense.
As for Rogers – if that is where he wants to go and play with his buddy than fine. It is his choice. Recruting classes are a total hit and miss. You can’t measure a kids desire and heart. Dawgs need OL and DL far more than wide receivers as we have them stock piled for the next 3 years.
Da Rick Rogers Blogs
February 3rd, 2010
6:23 am
[...] Mark Bradley asks AJC readers what losing recruit Da’Rick Rogers, who apparently is headed to Tennessee, mean to Georgia?Read more [...]