Credit to Richt: A big recruiting yield at a big moment for UGA
Coming off its first losing season since 1996, Georgia is poised to sign the most illustrious recruiting class Mark Richt has assembled, which is saying something when you consider two 2006 signees were among the top dozen taken in the 2009 NFL draft. Obvious question: Who saw this coming?
Said Chad Simmons, the Southeast recruiting analyst for Scout.com/FoxSports: “I am a little surprised … but I’m not that surprised.”
If we’ve learned anything this past month, it’s that the Georgia program might be in a weakened state but that the Georgia name remains a powerful thing. Four different SEC programs have accounted for the past five BCS titles, and yet Georgia, at least on Signing Day 2011, seems positioned to stand with any of them.
Said Simmons: “I don’t think wins and losses make a difference. There’s a chance Georgia, which was 6-7, will outrecruit Auburn, which won the national championship.”
Said Jeff Dantzler, the astute Athens radio man: “This is the most important recruiting class coach Richt has ever had, and it’s one of the most important in Georgia history. And it’s not just because of talent — it’s because of the psyche of our people.”
We pause to insert the disclaimer: Recruiting isn’t an exact science; if it were, Georgia wouldn’t have been 6-7. But such was the discord in and around the program — fans in a tizzy, media (blush) in high dudgeon, the strength coach being re-assigned — that a diminished recruiting class figured to be the next falling domino. But no.
Scout.com ranks Georgia’s class the nation’s seventh-best, and Simmons said there’s a chance the Bulldogs could clamber into the top five. Still in play: The running back Isaiah Crowell of Carver-Columbus, the defensive end Jeoffrey Pagan of Asheville, N.C. and the massive defensive tackle John Jenkins of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College.
Simmons: “If all the chips fall their way, this would definitely be the top class Richt has had. It would throw over the [2006] one with Matthew Stafford and Knowshon Moreno and Reshad Jones.”
Let’s recall: The calendar year began badly. Having lost the Liberty Bowl to Central Florida on New Year’s Eve, Georgia watched Xzavier Dickson of Griffin and Quan Bray of LaGrange use the Jan. 5 Under Armour All-America Game to announce for Alabama and Auburn, respectively. That prompted even more hand-wringing among Bulldog Nation — and much tut-tutting, it must be said, from this observer — but Richt and Co. have since gotten almost everybody worth getting. How?
“It’s a tribute to these coaches for not giving up, for selling Georgia as still being Georgia,” Simmons said. “They want these guys to be difference-makers, the guy who’ll turn it around.”
We say again: With Richt, recruiting has never been the overriding concern. At issue is how well assembled resources have been marshaled. Which leads to this: Should Georgia land Crowell and Jenkins to go with Ray Drew (defensive end, Thomasville) and Damian Swann (defensive back, Grady High) and Jay Rome (tight end, Valdosta), could the Bulldogs win the SEC East next fall?
Simmons: “These next few days [Crowell is announcing Wednesday, Jenkins not until Saturday] will be big for Georgia. Those are guys who can play for Georgia next year. They’re big pieces in this class. Jenkins is the 6-foot-4, 340-pound nose guard that [defensive coordinator] Todd Grantham needs for his 3-4 defense.”
Let’s see. Big interior lineman from a junior college: Didn’t Auburn just win it all with one of those? (The name was Nick Fairley, in case any Bulldog fans have forgotten.) And a hotshot freshman runner: Didn’t the arrival of Marcus Lattimore lift South Carolina to a breakthrough SEC East crown? Said Simmons: “Crowell can be that same type of player for Georgia.”
We pause here for breath, and also to remember: Georgia went 6-7 and didn’t beat a team with a winning record. But such is the promise inherent in recruiting, and no school knows better than this one. In 1979 the Bulldogs were 6-5. They signed Herschel Walker (running back, Wrightsville) on Easter Sunday 1980; on New Year’s Day 1981, they became national champs.
By Mark Bradley
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523 comments Add your comment
kral
January 31st, 2011
9:45 pm
found it your good but you do not know the history behind the blogs..may have been…check pizz or someone acting as pizz..if it was deleted so be it I have seen a lot worse on here..an please quit questioning my maturity,,,no sometimes I may sound immature to you, but you sound very judgemental to me..so I do not know you i you do not know me..so if I offend you ignore me..but do not get sanctimous with me..because we all know no man is perfect..unless i just met one on a blog
Swarles Barkley
January 31st, 2011
9:51 pm
You did. I’m perfect.
I’m kidding.
No seriously, though, I didn’t mean anything by it. I’m not judging your character or maturity in the least. Again, as we’ve both stated, we don’t know each other. It was only a reference to one comment you made.
I apologize for sounding judgmental. I didn’t intend to be. I say we put our differences aside and focus our efforts towards idiots like tech stinger.
kral
January 31st, 2011
9:53 pm
Thank you SB
Swarles Barkley
January 31st, 2011
9:54 pm
You’re welcome.
Unfortunately, it looks like everyone else we would argue with has left.
kral
January 31st, 2011
9:55 pm
sometimes the voices of reason run them away
Swarles Barkley
January 31st, 2011
9:57 pm
Haha. Does that mean we win?
NOBODYYOUKNOW
January 31st, 2011
10:01 pm
Hey “Headless Lamar”- Slobberknocker is no techie, or anything else but a big bulldog booster. And he knows his football. Football history, past and present. I’ve never met the guy but I am impressed with his knowledge of the game. So give it a rest.
kral
January 31st, 2011
10:05 pm
no you never really win on a blog…cause they will be back tom…less wiser than they were the day before
Denise
January 31st, 2011
10:07 pm
All I can say is, GOOOOOOO DAWGS!
Teriyaki Dawg
January 31st, 2011
10:27 pm
National signing day at hooters anyone? Columbus ga hooters actually has super hot women. Really.
Just Sayin'
January 31st, 2011
10:29 pm
I don’t care who you mutts recruit. Coaching is what wins championships and obviously you idiots at UGA don’t have the ability to “coach ‘em up”
kral
January 31st, 2011
10:29 pm
refrain you are gutless pizzer if that was you for your jokes..I think they blocked my original post do not blame them …see you
kral
January 31st, 2011
10:32 pm
No-1 draft pick…maybe 2 top picks this yr,,dang…we just can not coach them up…JS
Cin
January 31st, 2011
10:49 pm
I am truly embarrassed that the ajc cannot spell Georgia correctly. Wow.
DAWG 555
January 31st, 2011
10:52 pm
Decided to check to see if there was any new recruiting news tonight. Did I somehow get on a 13 year old’s blog? Sheesh…..
Wartown Demons
January 31st, 2011
10:59 pm
GO DAWGS AND TAKE TECH WITH U. GSU BABY
Judson smith
January 31st, 2011
11:09 pm
Wow!!! Did mark Bradley give some props to Georgia and mark rich? Get your coats back out the cold winter is not over cause h:!! Is freezing over!!!!!!!
The Watergirl
January 31st, 2011
11:11 pm
Mark Bradley is talking about UGA in a positive manner, not sure whats going on but I figure UGA fans should clue him in we dont care what he writes!!! He talks bad about the dawgs all the time and now he wants to write a positive article, GO TO HELL you techie
Schultz = Trash
January 31st, 2011
11:37 pm
You suck so hard Mark Bradley. Fish Fry loves it when you talk sweet to him.
cullowheedawg
January 31st, 2011
11:42 pm
If I remember right, Georgia was pre-season picked to win the SEC and ended up 6/5 and then won the NC the next year. Well with a similar outcome is possible, especially if we can get the defense on board.
DO IT CMR.
Herschel Talker is a girly man
January 31st, 2011
11:52 pm
Yes it is me Herschel Talker the girly man. I like to run my mouth as if I was a UGA fan but in fact I am only on this blog to talk to you men. Yes I like men. No women thank you. All the rest of you fake dog fans please assemble at my place on signing day and we can root against the dogs or we can just root around if you know what I mean. MRBIGUNS, JOE. DAWGINLEX and a few more of you wimpy crossdressers please come on over because I know we think alike and I have a feeling that is not the only thing we have in common..We are all girly men that like to pretend we like football and other manly things because we are of a gentile nature and need each others company.
bulldawgbob
February 1st, 2011
1:11 am
Greatest Sports Illustrated cover EVER !
Rest of the SEC
February 1st, 2011
1:18 am
You guys gotta be kidding. Dogs are a mere afterthought. When you’re done coming down from your hype please get started polishing the bcs trophies for the rest of us. Head west to Bama and start there since the last 2 bcs titles reside in that state. Then go to Florida and La. to polish theirs. Last head north to UT to polish theirs which is the oldest. Nevertheless at least they have one. BWAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH
ERQEL
February 1st, 2011
1:21 am
Good recruiting class means nothing. The players won’t be developed and UGA will post a losing record in this, CMR’s last season.
whatever
February 1st, 2011
1:26 am
Yea – UGA may have a great recruiting class (haven’t they been in the Top 10 for at least the last 10 years??) – but what will CMR do with them once they are here. Remember Jasper Sanks – supposed to be the next Hershel, or the present day King – what a disappointment.
It doesn’t matter what these kids did playing mostly poor teams in HS – it matters what they do (and how they are coached) once they are wearing the Red and Black.
What happens to the rest
February 1st, 2011
1:29 am
Looking back article…
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/recruiting/football/news/story?id=6059178
Now for the real world
February 1st, 2011
1:48 am
MB states “they signed Herschel Walker (running back, Wrightsville) on Easter Sunday 1980; on New Year’s Day 1981, they became national champs.” Well – what happened to them in 1981 and 1982?? They still had Walker. 1980 was a fluke – what are the odds of winning the FL game on the last play?? Remember – UGA folks – if it were not for GT (yes – I know you hate this – but it is true) – you would not have won the NC that year.
As far as this coming season is concerned – look at UGA’s ridiculous schedule – they only play 2 serious teams from the SEC – Florida and maybe Auburn (but Auburn will have lost most of its offense with Newton gone and half of their D with Farly gone). SC is losing too many. And who knows what TN will be like. So – everyone else on their schedule are pansies.
What happens to the rest
February 1st, 2011
2:26 am
Here is an answer to my question and proof that you never know who will take advantage of their opportunity and who will not. Good luck gentlemen on you college careers. By the way, almost every school had some sad endings.
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/recruiting/football/news/story?id=5652297http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/recruiting/football/news/story?id=6059178
Bill King
February 1st, 2011
4:28 am
JUST WIN BABY ALL THE OTHER BS WILL BE TAKEN CARE OF !!!!!
Runnin With The Dawgs
February 1st, 2011
5:33 am
Dawgs will win !
Preacher Richt
February 1st, 2011
6:23 am
Dreams can become nightmares too. These Ga recruits are a bust, wait and see. Auburn, Alabama, Florida, and even Tennessee have again out recruited the preacher. As a matter of fact, Auburn is way ahead of Ga., and as always, Ga always tries to emulate Auburn’s winning ways.
bitter dawgs fan
February 1st, 2011
6:40 am
more than anything—–the new “O” line coach—way more important—-
——–JUST SAYING————-
Beast from the East
February 1st, 2011
6:49 am
Good looking class, but you still gotta coach ‘em up.
Herschel Talker
February 1st, 2011
6:50 am
Will any in-state kids ever go to tech again? I doubt it! Paul johnson and his offense scares them all away! If Johnson came to my frontdoor..I would keep it locked!!
Your turn
February 1st, 2011
6:53 am
Hey Dawgs. This just in. The following schools have all won national championships since your last one:
Clemson (2 hour drive)
Georgia Tech (30 minute drive)
Tennessee (3 hour drive)
Florida State (4.5 hour drive)
LSU (8 hour drive)
Florida (6 hour drive)
Alabama (3 hour drive)
Auburn (1.5 hour drive)
Prince of Alabama
February 1st, 2011
6:53 am
Looks like Georgia will do well but you have to play the game like we do at bama!
JoeDon
February 1st, 2011
7:25 am
SOS. Just like a broken record. UGA has another great recruiting year…like all of the others…and still can’t win the big games. Reckon it may be the coaching???
big eagle`
February 1st, 2011
7:27 am
Georgia has the players, but doesn’t have the coaching. If they had the number one class for ten years they would still have the same record in football.
Buckeye
February 1st, 2011
7:41 am
2011 Mantra: ‘Remember the Liberty Bowl!”
» SEC: How accurate are football recruiting rankings? John Clay’s Sidelines
February 1st, 2011
7:48 am
[...] to Alabama. Still, Mark Bradley of the AJC thinks that Mark Richt, under difficult circumstances, will end up with a good haul on Wednesday. And Georgia’s top recruiter isn’t who you might guess, writes Tim Tucker of the [...]
Buckeye
February 1st, 2011
7:49 am
My home state is a dump. I claim Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Columbus, 3 toxic waste sites. I like men.
cantondawg
February 1st, 2011
7:50 am
Someone please play with me in my mom’s basement. I have no friends. I am a tool. I like mediocre football programs. I want UGA to win only 6 games a year because I am a fool. I work at McDonald’s flipping fries. I like Elton John and Siegfried and Roy.
Runnin With The Dawgs
February 1st, 2011
8:06 am
How can we tell exactly how good a college player really is when the NFL is sitting, waiting to snatch them up after their third year. I wouldn’t want to be in MR’s shoes or any other college coach for that matter. UGA had the potential to win the SEC championship with Stafford and Morino, and look what happened. The NFL Monster gobbled them up and we’re left with Cox and Ealey.
Buckeye
February 1st, 2011
8:07 am
2nd Buckeye – you, Sir, are a fraud.
6-7 Baby!
Buckeye
February 1st, 2011
8:16 am
My team is 1-10 against the SEC. We beat the 5th best team, and now I’m just giddy. We cheat. Our players are cheats. We lose all big games because we are soft. I love Richard Simmons.
Floze
February 1st, 2011
8:21 am
Wow. When the adults are away the children are on their laptops.
Thanks @yourschoolsucks @iamhomophobic @IneverattendedanSECschool and making the real football conversation stick out like a sore thumb. I wish your post were greyed out like the author’s so I would know how much attention I need to pay to your “insights”.
BG
February 1st, 2011
8:22 am
Dream Team baby! GO DAWGS!!!
1967dawg
February 1st, 2011
8:28 am
does good recuriting classes need great coaching=yes
talent needs direction=coaching
non coaching 2011=5&5 season from raw talent
change 2011 coaching before start season=8 wins
David Holland
February 1st, 2011
8:35 am
Georgia is one of my favorite football teams created. last year was uga’s worst year in a whole long time. uga has the best recruits ever this year. malcolm mitchell is my favorite recruit for uga this year, because me and him are in the same class. jay rome is also here at valdosta high school.
and go dawgs!!!!!!!!
Runnin With The Dawgs
February 1st, 2011
8:35 am
Year after year UGA has had an easy game to open the season with, but not this year.The Dawgs open the 2011 season in the Dome with Boise State. This will be the game that tells us if we have indeed improved or we’ve got to suffer through another year of the doldrums