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
Mick
January 31st, 2011
9:03 pm
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHA
AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAH
Swarles Barkley
January 31st, 2011
9:03 pm
Exactly how many convicts has UGA produced? I’m only aware of mostly minor law breaking. Not excusing the behavior, but it’s not like they’re shooting or robbing anyone.
Tech Stinger
January 31st, 2011
9:04 pm
Maybe if thuga’s classless fan base can grow up and act like adults then maybe their team can beat UCF
Mick
January 31st, 2011
9:04 pm
no joking. You guys really do crack me up.
Central Florida
January 31st, 2011
9:05 pm
Georgia State is not far behind
Central Florida
January 31st, 2011
9:06 pm
Neither is Kennesaw State
Thuga's incoming Convicts
January 31st, 2011
9:06 pm
Swarles Barkley
January 31st, 2011
9:03 pm
Exactly how many convicts has UGA produced? I’m only aware of mostly minor law breaking. Not excusing the behavior, but it’s not like they’re shooting or robbing anyone.
The Fulmer Cup explains it all
http://www.everydayshouldbesaturday.com/2010/9/1/1663448/the-fulmer-cup-season-closes-and
Swarles Barkley
January 31st, 2011
9:06 pm
Yep. We should grow up and stop commenting on Georgia football blogs…..wait. What? Tech Stinger, isn’t there a Tech blog somewhere. I guarantee all of the UGA fan comments you’re whining about will be virtually absent on those blogs.
kral
January 31st, 2011
9:06 pm
First of swarles I respect all programs my self…and please do not try to tell me what I should or should not say…because only point out people who are stupid..and if they disrespect me I let them have it..now if you want to teach something about blog behavior point out a specific comment..also read the blogs I refer to…do not be condensending to me…eexcuse my spelling….but if the kitchen get’s to hot go in the den
Back to Shreveport in 2012
January 31st, 2011
9:07 pm
go dawgs
Back to Shreveport in 2012
January 31st, 2011
9:07 pm
and take your fans with you!
Swarles Barkley
January 31st, 2011
9:08 pm
I said convicts. Look it up in a dictionary. I didn’t say arrests. A convict is someone IN PRISON. I’m not debating how many player arrests there have been. That topic has been beaten to death already. I’m just correcting your terminology – terminology intended to make the situation sound worse than it already is.
BJ
January 31st, 2011
9:09 pm
I for one have had enough of the Dawgs and their blind faith followers
Thuga's incoming Convicts
January 31st, 2011
9:10 pm
Half of this class will be borderline jailbound in a year, lock up all the thugs starting with caleb and washon
Swarles Barkley
January 31st, 2011
9:10 pm
kral:
I was only referring to you using derogatory language, not the content of your messages. People are allowed to disagree and I accept that, but it’s your language I had a problem with. No offense intended, I just wish we could all act a little more mature.
Swarles Barkley
January 31st, 2011
9:11 pm
I for one have had enough with BJ
WOW
January 31st, 2011
9:11 pm
Swarles Barkley: It’s really just semantics isn’t it. Breaking the law is breaking the law everywhere except Athens Georgia.
kral
January 31st, 2011
9:11 pm
Enter your comments here
Flag Boy, The Permanent Mascot
January 31st, 2011
9:12 pm
Oh, yellow fuzz, I love it when you talk that way! Please come over….wink, wink…..
Tech Stinger
January 31st, 2011
9:12 pm
I wonder how long it will be before another mutt is arrested, UGA is the cesspool of the south and these thugs needs to be lock up like their classless fans
Swarles Barkley
January 31st, 2011
9:13 pm
Yes, but breaking the law doesn’t make you a convict. Semantics is when exact wording is unnecessary. Calling someone a convict for a motorcycle helmet infraction is not semantics. It’s wrong.
Hahahaha
January 31st, 2011
9:13 pm
look up player arrests in the dictionary (or UGA player program).
Hahahaha
January 31st, 2011
9:15 pm
stealing a motorcycle helmet is NOT just a motorcycle helmet infraction.
Swarles Barkley
January 31st, 2011
9:15 pm
Tech Stinger:
No one is making you pay us attention. If we’re so classless and you’re above us, then you can leave. Calling an educational institution the ‘cesspool of the south’ is really immature.
Thuga
January 31st, 2011
9:15 pm
Cesspool of the South
BJ
January 31st, 2011
9:16 pm
I agree with Hahahaha. Stealing a motorcycle helmet is NOT just a “motorcycle helmet infraction”.
kral
January 31st, 2011
9:17 pm
I hate to tell you Swarles..But I do not need you to judge my maturity also..I am 55..south ga boy..call me a redneck if you want too..but the best descriptors sometimes are cuss words…you no when its shiiiiiit how else better can you describe it..your not preaching to the choir….
Swarles Barkley
January 31st, 2011
9:17 pm
My apologies. My memory of the incident was wrong. But my overall point stands. Arrests does not equal convicts. May I ask what team you’re a fan of? Or are you just putting people down for sport?
Valdosta Native
January 31st, 2011
9:17 pm
gt4ever:
Why would this class be any different you ask? Okay, so here are some statistics you can crunch. Mark Richt was hired in 2001 and brought in Van Gorder. 2001-2004 UGA went 42-10. Willie Martinez brought in 2005-2009 UGA went 48-17. That’s six more wins and seven more losses compared to Van Gorder’s tenure in one less year…the same difference Todd Grantham had in 2010 with our 6-7 record. For all of you thinking that defense is the key to winning, there are many more factors that that. Yes getting a big tackle in Jenkins would be great, getting another top DE or S will help, but those saying not gettting a top rated RB won’t be a loss are crazy. It’s all about how the stars align. This next year will be a tale tail story for the program. It should be a better year and I’ll go out there and say it’ll be a nine win season. Consistency is a key. If we had kept Green and Houston in the mix next season, I’d venture out to say that we’d be in the hunt for another SEC championship season, but still….look for good things, better play next season for the dawgs. Look for them to get back towards greatness in 2012! GO DAWGS!!!!
RAID
January 31st, 2011
9:18 pm
Well, I see the Tech fans are really thinking out of the box tonight……..Seems like you don’t have much to do with your time…….But then again Doug does’nt get that many hits on his blogs anyway so I guess I can understand where you might want to be involved in the action on our blogs!…..But please Techies, come up with something new and orriginal….you bore me!
BJ
January 31st, 2011
9:18 pm
uga football has become a breeding ground for run ins with the law. Ask Fran Tarkenton
Swarles Barkley
January 31st, 2011
9:20 pm
There’s a time and place for cuss words. I use them in certain appropriate social settings. It’s all about how you use them. Instead of attacking people and cussing at them, it’s more constructive to respond in an intelligent manner. And I never called you a redneck. I’m from Georgia, so that would be hypocritical.
kral
January 31st, 2011
9:20 pm
I like positive thinking VN
Yellow Fuzz
January 31st, 2011
9:21 pm
“call me a redneck if you want too”. Your moma’s neck is red too!
Swarles Barkley
January 31st, 2011
9:22 pm
Kral:
One more things I forgot to mention. I never commented on your maturity – I don’t know you. You just left a comment I thought was immature.
Swarles Barkley
January 31st, 2011
9:23 pm
kral
January 31st, 2011
9:20 pm
I like positive thinking VN
I second that. Go Dawgs!
The Captain of the Titanic
January 31st, 2011
9:23 pm
Anyone who thinks that these kids will help Saint Richt keep his job is an idiot. Any coach who will not go for it on 4th and 6 inches on the opponents 3 yardline is finished coaching. And Valdosta, you had Stafford and Moreno and you could not win the SEC, give up humpers.
kral
January 31st, 2011
9:26 pm
I did not say you called me a rn..but to give me an etiquette lesson on cursing is strangely hilarious, but SB I will keep my eyes open to when it is appropriate to cuss…found it a blogggg
Yellow Fuzz
January 31st, 2011
9:26 pm
kral:
Your grandmother’s neck is sooooo red that she can correctly execute the sleeper hold
Yellow Fuzz
January 31st, 2011
9:28 pm
kral: Your wife’s neck is sooooo red that her best shoes have steel toes
kral
January 31st, 2011
9:30 pm
If that is you pizz my grandmothers are all dead…plus my parents so try something else…I do have young grand-children take a shot at them
Swarles Barkley
January 31st, 2011
9:30 pm
Kral:
If your comment was so mature / appropriate, tell me why it’s been removed.
Tech Stinger
January 31st, 2011
9:30 pm
Swarles Barkley
January 31st, 2011
9:15 pm
Tech Stinger:
No one is making you pay us attention. If we’re so classless and you’re above us, then you can leave. Calling an educational institution the ‘cesspool of the south’ is really immature.
Georgia has the worst classless fans in the SEC, then talks so much trash but hasn’t won anything. You guys get arrested more than beating
Swarles Barkley
January 31st, 2011
9:32 pm
Kral:
My mistake, found it –
“oooo yo know things but you come on here an act lick and asssshoooole..an then call your self a big man you need to learn what it takes to be a big man”
- pictured above, maturity
Swarles Barkley
January 31st, 2011
9:33 pm
Tech Stinger:
You’re making generalizations that aren’t true about all UGA fans. Do you think you’re a great representation of GT fans? Despite your efforts, I assure you I have respect for GT fans – just not the ones who riddle Georgia football articles with comments about how dumb UGA fans are.
Tech Stinger
January 31st, 2011
9:35 pm
UGA Fans= Cesspool of the South
kral
January 31st, 2011
9:35 pm
the enter the comment was me not being good with a keyboard sw…try again..none of my blogs have been removed
Swarles Barkley
January 31st, 2011
9:37 pm
kral: I know it wasn’t. That was my mistake, but I did adress it already.
Thuga's incoming Convicts
January 31st, 2011
9:37 pm
Swarles Barkley
If you are so confident about Thuga then make a wager that UGA will have no arrests this year loser
Swarles Barkley
January 31st, 2011
9:38 pm
Tech Stinger = Cesspool of the largely respectable Georgia Tech fan base. My condolences to the rest of you that have to put up with your unfortunate, however fellow tech fan.