A double whammy: Two touted Georgians spurn the Bulldogs
Xzavier Dickson dealt a blow to the Bulldogs by choosing Bama. (AJC photo by Jason Getz)
Say what you will about the unseemly process of football recruiting, but the young men at the heart of it are expert trend-spotters. They know which program is Hot and which is Not Hot. On Wednesday two ballyhooed Georgians used the Under Armour All-America Game as the venue to announce they’d be making runs for the border, and there you have it.
The Georgia Bulldogs = Not Hot.
Xzavier Dickson of Griffin is bound for Alabama. Quan Bray of LaGrange is taking his talents to Auburn. According to ESPN.com, both rank among the nation’s 25 best prospects. We should also mention that ESPN.com has Georgia’s 2011 recruiting class rated No. 8 nationally. We should also mention that Rivals.com has the Bulldogs 23rd, while Scout.com puts them 20th.
Yes, rankings can and will change. (And yes, recruits have been known to reconsider. Ask Da’Rick Rogers, currently enrolled at Georgia … er, Tennessee.) But seeing Georgia ranked outside anyone’s top 10 always constitutes a shock. Rivals rated the Bulldogs’ signing class among the 10 best every year from 2002 to 2009; last year the Bulldogs were 15th according to Rivals, 21st according to Scout, 12th according to ESPN.
Even in lesser seasons on the field, Georgia under Mark Richt has always been able to point to its recruiting. Now, with lesser seasons running together, the program that controlled its state controls it no more. The buzz about this program has been downgraded to a murmur, and the murmur concerns the future of its head coach. Which grows more tenuous by the moment.
Four SEC schools have qualified for the BCS title game since 2005, Georgia not among them. Seven league members have qualified for the SEC championship game since 2005, Georgia not among them. This program of vast resources has been rendered second-rate.
The Bulldogs lost 19 times in Richt’s first 95 games as coach; they’ve lost 15 times over the past 35. Recruits know this better than anyone. Recruits can sense a program on the descent, even if it’s the flagship school in their state. Thus does the cycle of football spin onward: Win and you’re the place to be; stop winning and you’re the place to flee.
This isn’t to say Georgia can’t and won’t land an uncommitted player or two to bolster this class — Jay Rome of Valdosta and Isaiah Crowell of Columbus are still in play — but Marc Weiszer of the Athens Banner-Herald offers this nugget: The Bulldogs’ last known public commitment was rendered on Aug. 22.
Put another way, not one recruit has been moved to pledge himself to the Bulldogs since the football season began. Talk about Not Hot.
By Mark Bradley
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
571 comments Add your comment
JB
January 6th, 2011
10:18 am
Lowcountry Bulldawg……….On one condition………….He fire his entire staff and McGarity has to approve and sign off on every new assit.
hot carl spackler
January 6th, 2011
10:19 am
Move along, nothing more to see here. Bradley seems to be getting lazy. I guess the game of dueling douchebags between he and Schultz is being extended. Winner must get an autographed photo of Paul Johnson.
RxDawg
January 6th, 2011
10:19 am
Meh, yeh it sucks to see GA players (that UGA wants) go out of state. But this is a spin job to make it sound worse than it is. UGA will have a fantastic recruiting class. These guys were just small pieces of the larger puzzle.
Please tone down the rhetoric
January 6th, 2011
10:19 am
Mark, I understand the pressure on the entire newspaper industry right now. But, the gross mischaracterizations in this article do a grave disservice to the young men and the universities involved, as well as yourself. You imply a cause and effect here with no support whatsoever. Instead of this being a case of two young people accepting offers from the schools where they felt most comfortable, you decided to assume causality and make UGA “wrong” or “lacking.” I don’t get the impression you lack journalistic ability, so sadly that leads me to suspect you chose to spin the story this way to drive reader interest (and fuel the mindless rhetoric) and harvest web page hits. You were in a position to ask each of these guys their thoughts on the current environment at UGA and whether/how that related to their decisions. That would be the obvious first question (journalism 101). Or, was that a question you really didn’t want to know the answer to? You might have learned the truth was less news worthy. Take a look in the mirror, please.
Falcsfan10
January 6th, 2011
10:20 am
Crowell won’t be going up against the best defense possible like he was in the all-star game. Those guys will be on 20 different teams not all on one team. Crowell will be a Heisman rb for some team. My hope is its the Dawgs.
bob didier slept here
January 6th, 2011
10:20 am
This season has reminded me of the Ray Goof era……I have not been this down on UGA football since the 1990’s. How in the heck could this progam take a slide like this:
Oh and Mr Dickson, take your act and go to Tuscaloosa Pal! You never wanted to go to UGA to begin with. In some ways I don’t blame you.
These kids know that the writing is on the wall for CMR…….
Does anyone have Jim Donnan’s phone number?
todd grantham
January 6th, 2011
10:20 am
how can a coach go from being the pilot of a BCS contender to one that can’t beat a junior college team?
did he get more concerned about his shades and tan than the football team?
Ray Goff
January 6th, 2011
10:21 am
did i hear someone call my name?
DIT
January 6th, 2011
10:23 am
Can’t say I’m surprised. They never had UGA a clear #1 choice. As we have found out in the past 4 or 5 star recruits don’t mean squat at UGA. Just need to fin recruits that are dedicated and scrappy.
Kudo’s to CMR for revoking the scholly of that WR always getting in trouble. Still, too little too late, but it’s a step in the right direction.
Falcsfan10
January 6th, 2011
10:24 am
But remember, Bobo & Searels have done a GREAT job. UGA is 6-7 with about as much offense as a boxer with only two fingers and cerebal palsy…
JB
January 6th, 2011
10:24 am
Can’t help but to think about 2012. I wish these Dawgs nothing but good luck in 2011, but some attitudes need to change….players and coach’s. This Kid from Wilcox counyy could be a game changer on offense, but you gotta use him the right way. Blocking for Murray to throw an incomplete pass is not the way.
Falcsfan10
January 6th, 2011
10:25 am
That WR will go to Arkansas or some other SEC team and be like Randy Moss.
Dumbo
January 6th, 2011
10:26 am
Jim….you stuff it….I put my money where my mouth is…UGA donations to both General Fund & AD Fund, along with season tickets…I support my University and figure if things aren’t right I have as much right as anyone to complain and grip. And dear friend, things have been going downhill for quite a while in Athens, starting with Adams & Leebern forcing Dooley out…hiring Panty Man amoung others and now this mess.
Go Dawgs!
January 6th, 2011
10:27 am
This program is a train wreck right now. Richt has NO answers, we are and have been getting recruited out of our socks. Bama, Auburn, FL , Tenn and now even SC are coming into GA and hand picking recruits.
Richt’s press conference was a joke. No substance, no meat, just more of the same ol same ol. “We’ve got to do a better job.”
I guess when you’ve got to do a better job at EVERYTHING then it’s just easier to say a better job period.
So in order for UGA to get the ship back on course CMR & co. have to do a better job at:
1. Recruiting
2. Preparing the team to show up for games
3. Coaching our players and developing them
4. Making adjustments mid-game
5. Motivating the team to play a full 4 qtrs
6. Improving their overall strength and conditioning
7. Making the best use of talent and getting players in the best situation to succeed
8. More creative playcalling
9. More accountability among the coaches-quit blaming the players for “lack of execution”
10. Did I mention recruiting?
Did I miss anything?
Now if we’re sitting here after 10yrs and THOSE are the things that need to be addressed, then one has to ask the question what has been going on with the program? CMR is the steward of the football program and for us to have those issues smacks of a lack of accountability, focus and drive. What are the so-called “admistrative duties” that have had him bogged down?
I think the Dawg Nation deserves some answers and when I say answers I mean SPECIFICS on WHAT has been the problem(s) EXACTLY, WHEN can we expect to see changes, HOW are these changes going to implemented, and WHO EXACTLY will be both RESPONSIBLE AND ACCOUNTABLE for SPECIFIC items.
I’m in a sales position and I can assure you if I go into my boss’ office and said, “Yeah, I know I need to close some business, I gotta make more calls, I gotta do a better job of getting people to say yes.”
And if he then asked me “What are you going to do to get there?” and I replied: “I’m just going to do a better job.” I can’t think of too many organizations mine included that wouldn’t bounce my butt out on the street. I can assure you I wouldn’t be blogging if my business wasn’t squared away.
CMR’s business hasn’t been squared away for quite sometime. Not sure why, not sure if he’s having some internal conflict about whether he wants to coach or preach, but he needs to get off the fence and choose one path or the other.
hot carl spackler
January 6th, 2011
10:27 am
oh, and Bray seems like the second coming of Carlton Thomas…Good athlete, but not the type of back that georgia needs. I really don’t know why they were targeting him in the first place. He has a chance to be special at Auburn.
Dumbo
January 6th, 2011
10:27 am
Excuse the spelling typo, I meant “among” not amoung
papadawg
January 6th, 2011
10:27 am
Maybe the kid from Lagrange liked Auburn because it was closer to home and not a slam on UGA. Was UGA the only other college he was considering.
Curious George
January 6th, 2011
10:27 am
Mark,
Thanks for the info.
Just to be clear: Is your beef (no pun intended) with Chick-fil-a, the Chick-fil-a Bowl or BOTH?
Will you be trying a Spicy Chick-fil-a Biscuit?
Falcsfan10
January 6th, 2011
10:27 am
You deserve that right to grip Dumbo.
Buck Commander
January 6th, 2011
10:28 am
My new goal for this year is to put rawdawg in his place, second that is!!
JB
January 6th, 2011
10:29 am
Dawgs won’t get a top notch proven head coach because of the “situation” ( Ask Tennessee, that AD’s phone battery went dead calling coach’s) And will turn to one of it’s own, one Kirby Smart. Not the most popular choice, but he’ll get it over some no name from New Mexico.
OkieDawg
January 6th, 2011
10:30 am
Jim….You are right. I have not ever prepared an FBS game plan. Also, I don’t make $3,000,000+ a year to prepare one. For that kind of $$$$$, one would think a team could score more than 6 points aganist UCF!
Reverend Richt
January 6th, 2011
10:30 am
What recruits? Weren’t these kids reassured by my press conference?! I pledged to keep my staff in place and start paying attention to football! What more do they want?
The Most Interesting Man Alive
January 6th, 2011
10:31 am
DIT, I agree but he also needs to dump Christian “ME” LeMay. Kid was suspended his entire year and because he is a 5-star recruit, Richt has ignored it.
Mark Bradley
January 6th, 2011
10:32 am
I like Chick-fil-A very much. And I have no real beef — ho, ho — with the Chick-fil-A Bowl. It is what it is: A very successful third-tier bowl.
First tier: BCS bowls.
Second tier: New Year’s Day bowls.
Third tier: Chick-fil-A and its ilk.
Ninth tier: Shreveport
Falcsfan10
January 6th, 2011
10:32 am
Go Dawgs! you summed it up really well. I’d just maybe add 11)Get new offensive co-ordinatos & rb/line coach 13)Do not settle for field goals inside the 10 yard line 14)Have a stiff curfew for players during the season 15)Show some fire on the sidelines instead of acting like Mr. Cool
LCDawg
January 6th, 2011
10:32 am
We have several TOP tier silent commits i.e. Crowell, Swann & Rome…bank on it.
papadawg
January 6th, 2011
10:32 am
I’m telling you guys that Kirby Smart will be the next head coach at Alabama when Saban finds some greener grass in the near future. That’s how Saban talked him into not going to UGA
Dawglasville
January 6th, 2011
10:33 am
Look at the picture… this is an 18 year old kid that you guys are making into a rock star. How many of these kids fall into the epidemic of not having a father to protect them? They do one thing well, play football. The media has discovered that there is enough idiots out there to buy papers to see if which of these is coming to save their program. So you hype them up. Their high school coaches pimp them. The colleges take them in and don’t give a crap about preparing them for life. Then those who don’t make the NFL it’s good luck, see ya. That is the same for all of us after college but fortunately most of us were better prepared by our families to deal with it. The NFL takes the few, where everybody “GETS PAID” only to have 85% of them to leave bankrupt and broken bodies. No one is looking after the interest of these kids. Not the media, their absent fathers, the high school coaches, the NCAA, the NFL, the old friends and the wheel keeps on rolling. Keep putting up those Glamour Shot photos and keep cashing in.
Falcsfan10
January 6th, 2011
10:33 am
I meant 11)New o-coordinator & 12)New rb & oline coach
Sorry.
Dog Island Gator
January 6th, 2011
10:34 am
Inverted flat spin= uga football
azdawg
January 6th, 2011
10:34 am
If you let your vehicle go to pot the wheels will eventually come off. Thus, the story at GA. It use to run good but the owner(s) got complacent and didn’t take care of it and all of a sudden it runs like crap. What to do? Costs a lot to repair it and seems like no one is coming around to buy it even though you’re telling them all the parts are great. Then, the owners give up but one day a young guy that knows a lot about cars takes the car over and low and behold repairs it puts a fresh coat of paint on it and everyone in the neighborhood suddenly wants a ride and offers to buy it come pouring in.
Moral of the story. There’s always someone else out there that can do a better job maintaining their vehicle and retain that wow factor.
The Most Interesting Man Alive
January 6th, 2011
10:35 am
LCDawg, I guess you did not see Crowell last night, He sucked and quit when he got hit in the mouth. He also did not show up in the semi finals in the playoffs. If you are counting on him the future is bleak.
Rational Fan
January 6th, 2011
10:35 am
Dear AJC,
I know professional journalism died in about 2008; but, why do you have to take a drunken, asparagus-tainted p*** on its grave every weekend? Enough already.
5150 P.O.A.D.
January 6th, 2011
10:36 am
Mark Are you being MEAN to the dawgs again? Be nice today the dawgs are hurting for the Lost Recruits last night. They are realizing that RICHT can’t turn it around. If they don’t get good recruits this year, then with a new coach next year recruiting will suffer too. The Dawgs are feeling all RUSS the Temporary Mascot today.
JB
January 6th, 2011
10:36 am
Interesting if Both the UGA job and Bama job came open next year and Kirby had his pick…..and picked Bama.
Dostoveyskiy
January 6th, 2011
10:37 am
I don’t believe he knows “heads from tails”.
Falcsfan10
January 6th, 2011
10:40 am
Richt was given a pristine Ferrari and traded it in for a Yugo with 4 balled tires,a broken windshield,9 dents,no radio,and a hanging muffler…
Dumbo
January 6th, 2011
10:41 am
JB…if BAMA comes open, you’ll see the same old crap, we gotta hire a Alabama Man….remember Mikie Shula or does the name Dubose bring back a neck spasm or 2
Dream Team?
January 6th, 2011
10:43 am
more nonsense from athens.
Falcsfan10
January 6th, 2011
10:43 am
10th tier Liberty Bowl…
Concrete Pete
January 6th, 2011
10:43 am
If Quan Bray is one of the best 25 players in the country, there must be only 25 players in the country. Marl my words, he will not make a contribution at Auburn or wherever he goes. Any kid that dips out on his high school team before his senior season (Callaway, transfered to POWERHOUSE Troup, LOL) and then allows his ex team to drill his new, larger team in the first game of the year? Doesnt sound like a star to me
UGA VIII
January 6th, 2011
10:44 am
I am officially announcing that I’m transferring to MSU.
5150 P.O.A.D.
January 6th, 2011
10:44 am
Mark
If the ACC will step up the Chick-fil-A can be as GREAT as the Jan 1st games the next day. Chick-fil-A is the 1st best bowl after Jan.1 games because it always sells out, it is PRIME TIME viewing, and in a great city to celebrate the New Year. They just need to add Peach pies to the menue and the name of the Bowl game again.
William Buckley
January 6th, 2011
10:44 am
Why would anyone come to Georgia ?
1. Total Lack of Dicipline
2. Has a THUGA Reputation
3. No one knows how long they will keep Richt !.
4. An education sure doesn’t seem important under Richt
Dawgs NEED to step up TODAY and Fire CMR to start getting things back on track !!!
WinderDogg
January 6th, 2011
10:44 am
I would hate to think that the off season preparation begins by losing “Dream” recruits…The off season is just as important as the season. We just failed during the season…if we fail again in the off, what more does it take…success is not going to just happen.
CMR has to work for it and at 4 mil a year sounds like he is enjoying the “high life’…..time to take our beer back!
Wasshun Easterly
January 6th, 2011
10:45 am
Wadup homes ? I try 2 b scrate wiff u homes heah rach nows. Rix needs 2 goes rach nows. Tidday.
Dawglasville
January 6th, 2011
10:47 am
UGA VIII That is pretty damn funny. Apparently $180,000 is too much. The Seilers need to ask for less.
5150 P.O.A.D.
January 6th, 2011
10:48 am
BBB aka Uga VIII Miss St don’t want your unly, fat, inbred, unhealthy butt. They would rather have RUSS. Russ is a gamer. Russ plays hard when he is in the game. Russ gives his all all the time. Big Bad Bruce Ain’t.
DDPO
January 6th, 2011
10:48 am
WHAMMY!!!!!!!