Recruiting mavens weigh in on Tech, UGA and recruiting itself
Josh Harvey-Clemons of Lowndes: With whom will he sign? (AJC photo by Phil Skinner)
If you follow college football, you cannot ignore recruiting. Even if you think it’s overblown, attention must be paid. As Jamie Newberg, the ESPN recruiting analyst, said Monday: “Those stars [rankings for each recruit] do mean something. You just have look at the national champions the last 10 years to know that.”
Then this: “But then you look at a guy like [Virginia Tech's] Frank Beamer — he’s never in the Top 10 [of recruiting rankings] but he gets the guys who does what he wants … Paul Johnson has done a good job in that way, too.”
Paul Johnson, as we know, coaches Georgia Tech, and Tech is often seen as an afterthought on National Signing Day. The SEC schools load up on five-star guys and the Jackets make do with lesser lights, and when you look at the rankings — and we all do — Tech is never in the Top 10. But here’s Newberg on this Tech class, rated the nation’s 57th-best by Scout.com: “This is a typical Tech year … They find a way to get it done.”
Newberg mentioned two Tech commitments — and here we stipulate that commitments aren’t binding until somebody signs something; Wednesday is National Signing Day — to buttress the point: Francis Kallon, a defensive lineman from Central Gwinnett who committed to Tech before ever playing an organized game, and Travin Henry, a receiver from Cook County who committed Sunday night.
“Kallon is one of the best stories I’ve ever known,” Newberg said. “And I watched tape of Henry last night, and I thought, ‘Holy smoke! Where did they find this guy?’ He’s big. He can be another Stephen Hill or Demaryius Thomas.”
Georgia, as we also know, is rather different: The Bulldogs do pursue the big names, and if there’s any consensus on this class it’s that it’s good on big names. Georgia has garnered promises from the top players in Florida (offensive lineman John Theus) and North Carolina (running back Keith Marshall) but has, as of this writing, only 16 commitments. Which could, suggested Chad Simmons of Scout, be the reason for the disparity in the Bulldogs’ ranking.
Both Scout and Rivals.com have Georgia 21st nationally. ESPN tabs the Bulldogs fifth. “I’m not exactly sure how ESPN goes about it,” said Simmons, “but one thing that could put Georgia down is that they have only 16 commitments. Miami has 32, Alabama has 27, South Carolina has 25. It’s strictly a numbers game on the top end.”
According to Tom Luginbill, the former Tech quarterback who is ESPN’s national recruiting director, numbers are the least of it. “The difference between us and everybody else is that we don’t look at it as a mathematical equation,” Luginbill said. “We dissect the current rosters of the teams — where they’re devoid of talent, what they need to do to address needs and have they done it? … Our way doesn’t allow us to fall back on a numerical head count.”
In ESPN’s considered opinion, Georgia has filled needs nicely. Luginbill mentioned defensive tackles John Atkins of Thomson and Jonathan Taylor of Millen as fits “in the zero technique [meaning nose tackle]” for Todd Grantham’s 3-4 defense. And the addition of Marshall and Todd Gurley should offer depth at tailback, a position at which Georgia ran thin in 2011.
Ran thin? Despite the presence of Isaiah Crowell, the crown jewel of last season’s banner class? Well, yes. Crowell had one of the strangest rookie years in the history of humankind — he was named the SEC’s top freshman, but his absences, due to suspension and injury, left Bulldog fans wanting much more.
Said Simmons of Marshall and Gurley: “These two guys are high school All-Americans. They’re going to push [Crowell] to make him better. I don’t think he maybe he worked as hard as he should have. Marshall is the No. 1 running back in the country — he has the same type of notoriety as Isaiah, the same type of offers.”
The widespread belief is that Georgia could still spring some Signing Day surprises. “It’s a good class right now, but they have to add some pieces,” said Simmons, and he mentioned linebacker Josh Harvey-Clemons of Lowndes and offensive lineman Avery Young of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., both of whom are uncommitted.
Said Newberg: “It leads to a very intriguing Signing Day for Georgia.”
You’ll recall that Georgia’s class of 2011 was so loaded it was christened the Dream Team, and many of those heralded signees have yet to make a splash. Is another banner crop needed so soon? Yes, Newberg said. “The SEC is so competitive you can’t afford a down year. Alabama is recruiting at such an unbelievably high level, you’ve got to at least stay with them.”
If you follow college football, you must take heed of recruiting, and for that reason Signing Day is the single biggest date on the college football calendar. But I’m guessing you knew that already. I’m guessing you’ll stay tuned.
By Mark Bradley
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246 comments Add your comment
Spank that Doggie and Call PETA
January 30th, 2012
7:31 pm
Did anyone catch the commits from 2013 4 and 5 star juniors to Alabama?
richie
January 30th, 2012
7:31 pm
saban goes after kids ga doesnt want.
LakeDawg
January 30th, 2012
7:32 pm
Buckingham Palaze
The players UGA has signed are indeed very good players. My concern is they haven’t signed enough and that they are gonna miss out on their #1 position of need…OL. Sign Young and/or Greene and I’m happy. You gotta remember, UGA isn’t competing against the rest of the nation. They’re competting against Bama, LSU, Auburn, Florida, etc. They’re pulling in great players too, but more of them.
GTBob
January 30th, 2012
7:34 pm
So basically ESPN just makes up a ranking based on their own opinions? That’s good to know.
A
January 30th, 2012
7:35 pm
Marshall isn;t the #5 player bradley. He isn’t even 5 stars. Maybe you meant #5 rb which is laughable to even try to rank them. Orwin Smith is better than any back uga had last year and where was he.
Character counts
January 30th, 2012
7:36 pm
LHardingDawg
“The four going to Ala were ineligible for Georgia, they couldn’t make the grade” Do What? Are you THAT uninformed? Dillon Lee is already enrolled, Kenyan Drake, Geno Smith, Brandon Greene all are excellent students who had offers from Georgia and were heavily pursued by Georgia. I can guarantee if Drake, Smith or Greene called Coach Richt and wanted to sign with Georgia on Wed the paperwork would be there for them. I’m not an Ala supporter, I’m a Georgia alum, however I try to be informed with factually correct info, give it a try.
Wonder who Fish Fry will lose next?
Nobis
January 30th, 2012
7:37 pm
Spank that Doggie and Call PETA
January 30th, 2012
7:28 pm
Alabama football team leads SEC in Academic Honor Roll placements
per SECSPORTS.COM
That is like the tallest midget. Why not put all the Bama Honor Roll students and post WHAT classes they were taking to make the Honor Roll. I would bet there 10th graders at GAC, Lovett, & Westminster could make the Honor Roll taking the same classes IMO.
ole ball coach
January 30th, 2012
7:37 pm
Georgia will finish strong with this years “Ring Team”
Avery Young, the Clemons-Harvey stud and the Juco WR Patterson to name a few.
Go DAWGS and please take it easy my my gamecocks.
230gr Full Metal Jacket
January 30th, 2012
7:38 pm
Despite the misleading rankings, I think Tech has done a good job of filling in most of it’s needs. Now if we can somehow win the Tomlinson sweepstakes, this suddenly becomes a VERY solid class. Probably the best at Tech in many years!!! We also need to land a good place kicker (I heard we offered the #1 kicker in Georgia yesterday, but haven’t heard if he has decided yet). We lost a DB to Miami yesterday, but that’s not a real concern since the ones we have were all VERY young last year and several still had a good year despite that — plus we actually have some depth on that part of the roster. In place of him though, we got a commitment from a VERY good, BIG receiver, who somehow stayed under the radar of most other schools, but is a perfect fit for our offense which involves a lot of receivers blocking.
The D-Line is where we are hurting the most . But those needs are being addressed and we have some SERIOUS talent on that side of the ball that red-shirted last year, so I think we will have a solid defense to compliment the already potent offense by 2013, if not this season. Add a QB who can actually pass (which we have, but most of you haven’t seen play yet), and a decent placekicker (which we are currently working on), and suddenly Tech is a formidable adversary for virtually any opponent!!!! Naysayers can say what they will, but CPJ is doing a very nice job of filling our needs.
UGA, as usual, has an absolutely top-notch class and I expect a few last-minute surprises from Athens. The primary concern I see for the Dawgs is on the O-Line. I think Theus is highly over-rated and won’t pan out very well for ya’ll (I never understood why he is so highly ranked. Must be going on potential rather than current performance). However, it appears that you may be on the verge of signing a couple of real stud interior linemen, which would suddenly transform this into yet another top-10 class by most rankings. But, as other posters have stated, we (GT and UGA) have GOT to find a way to keep more of our in-state talent!!! We lose way too many fine recruits to out-of-state schools that are no better than either of our programs. I understand UGA can only sign so many players, and Tech looks for specific types of players instead of just looking at stars (rankings), but there are way too many that would be wonderful fits in either program that leave. We’ve got to find a cure for that (The best cure would be winning championships, I realize — but the teams getting many of these kids aren’t winning them either).
BiggDawgK
January 30th, 2012
7:44 pm
rivals has their lips pressed firmly to bama’s booty. stars are added or taken away depending on if they sign with satan
KB
January 30th, 2012
7:44 pm
A , everyone has an opinion some a little more biased and less informed but an opinion none the less.Tech can keep Orwin, he doesn’t fit the offense at Georgia.
T
January 30th, 2012
7:48 pm
The Dawgs are goinna finish STRONG!!! The Bama fans on here are pretty obnoxious…nothing last forever turdheads!
Falcaints
January 30th, 2012
7:48 pm
Georgia can sign all the top recruits it wants, but when you can’t coach it doesn’t matter. Is there a team in America who has done less with talent than Ga.?
Buckingham Palaze
January 30th, 2012
7:51 pm
Accoring to Scout, we gonna land a bunch of the top 300 like:
Dawson, CB, 2 out of 2 guys said UGA
Davon, DE, 2/2 UGA
Clemons, OLB, 2/2 UGA
YOUNG OT, 1/2 UGA (Toss up, 50/50)
Free article:
http://recruiting.scout.com/2/1151473.html
Nobis
January 30th, 2012
7:51 pm
BiggDawgK…and it never happens for UGa recruits to get bumped up a star. You need to be better informed if you are going to use that argument.
Buckingham Palaze
January 30th, 2012
7:53 pm
We gonna land 2 Dawsons, 1 at CB, 1 at DE (not Davon)
Stout
January 30th, 2012
7:54 pm
I think Josh Harvey-Clemons is going to commit to Fl.
wrecked
January 30th, 2012
7:55 pm
230 gram, PJs inexperience in recruiting and developing talent on this level are showing ,hopefully he’ll be back coaching 1aa or Mid level like Navy where the priorities and expectations are a lower soon .This class has few D1 players but not anywhere close to what Tech needs to stay competitive.This staff hasn’t shown the propensity to recruit or develop talent.
SugarHillDawg
January 30th, 2012
7:55 pm
230 gr, as long as Tech lineman cut block like cowards y’all will NEVER get stud linemen. What 6-5 or 6-6 kid wants to have to learn to chop block in college when that’s when they HAVE to master the way they block in the pros?? C’mon man use your head!!
SLAWDAWG
January 30th, 2012
7:56 pm
Falcaints………As a matter of fact, YES……Florida State, USC, Ohio State to name a few….How many teams this year have a trophy with “Division Champion” on it?…..O’Yea, the “Governor’s Cup” is sitting in it’s usual place…..ATHENS !!!!!
Nobis
January 30th, 2012
7:57 pm
SugarHill you are showing your state of Georgia government school education.
A
January 30th, 2012
7:57 pm
kb
You know very little about football.
Football Fan 14
January 30th, 2012
7:59 pm
Say what you will but Ga is in the top 10 in recruiting every year. CMR and CRG are proven recruiters. I am sure they have a plan, can’t wait till wednesday to see how everything shakes out.
Send'em Uhauls
January 30th, 2012
8:00 pm
Only 16 recruits? How pathetic… Its time to run these clowns out of Athens!
Spank that Doggie and Call PETA
January 30th, 2012
8:02 pm
Nobis
January 30th, 2012
7:37 pm
Spank that Doggie and Call PETA
January 30th, 2012
7:28 pm
Alabama football team leads SEC in Academic Honor Roll placements
per SECSPORTS.COM
That is like the tallest midget. Why not put all the Bama Honor Roll students and post WHAT classes they were taking to make the Honor Roll. I would bet there 10th graders at GAC, Lovett, & Westminster could make the Honor Roll taking the same classes IMO.
You just showed how ignorant you are. Any kid at any school playing Division 1 sports who makes the Academic Honor Roll deserves a pat on the back and the recognition that comes with it. The total lack of understanding on your part demonstrates the lack of education in your family tree.
As a college graduate myself, who played sports, worked my way through graduate school, I appreciate the efforts of ANY student at Any school who leaves with a degree in his hand which will ease the burden on us as a nation with better educated youth.
Lakedawg
January 30th, 2012
8:05 pm
Bamaman+Sabanrules====Somehow you conviently forgot that while bama got four of the 100 Ga d-1 prospects,, FLORIDA STATE got four of Bammers 12 D-1 prospects.
And yes please do not confuse me with that whiny mouth who posts with my name with a D.
Buckingham Palaze
January 30th, 2012
8:05 pm
ESPN has a team of 7 analysts predict where recruits end up:
Clemons, OLB, 6/7 UGA
Dawson, CB, 6/7 UGA
Dawson, DE, 4/7 UGA
Young, OT, 4/7 UGA
Nobis
January 30th, 2012
8:09 pm
Spank that Doggie with that as your blog name are you really going to try and take the high road now? Hahahah that is RICH. Just look at the players on the list then see what they are majoring in then get back to me.
Spank that Doggie and Call PETA
January 30th, 2012
8:13 pm
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The University of Alabama placed 56 student-athletes on the 2011 Fall Southeastern Conference Academic Honor Roll, the second highest total in the conference, SEC Commissioner Mike Slive announced Wednesday.
The Crimson Tide’s total included a league-best 38 football players. Overall, South Carolina led the way with 66 honorees followed by Alabama and then Georgia with 51.
The 38 members of Alabama’s 2011 National Championship football team that earned a place on the honor roll was eight more than the next closest school and included a dozen starters. Among those earning the academic accolade were Trent Richardson, Mark Barron, Barrett Jones, Marquis Maze, Jeremy Shelley, Brad Smelley and Jesse Williams.
The Alabama soccer team placed 14 on the SEC Academic Honor Roll, including eight starters from the squad that advanced to the NCAA Championships last November, including senior All-SEC goalkeeper Justine Bernier. The Tide volleyball team had four players earn a place on the team, including All-SEC junior Kayla Fitterer.
To earn a place on the honor roll, a student-athlete must earn a 3.0 or better grade point average for either the preceding academic year or their career and be a sophomore or better in academic standing. The Fall SEC Academic Honor Roll is based on the 2011 spring, summer and fall terms. Any student-athlete who participates in an SEC championship sport or a student-athlete who participates in a sport listed on his/her institution’s NCAA Sports Sponsorship Form is eligible for nomination to the Academic Honor Roll.
Once again Nobis ,your ignorance runs very very high, and your knowledge is very very low. Your opinion means nothing, and your form of jeolousy is insurmountable to your inability to succeed.
Spank that Doggie and Call PETA
January 30th, 2012
8:19 pm
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Alabama offensive lineman Barrett Jones, wide receiver Brandon Gibson and defensive lineman Jesse Williams were selected to the Capital One Academic All-District IV team it was announced on Thursday.
Jones graduated from the University of Alabama in just three years this past August with a degree in accounting and a 4.0 grade point average. He is a three-time first-team All-District IV selection and a two-time Capital One Academic All-American, earning first-team honors in 2010. He is currently pursuing a master’s degree in accounting. He was a member of the 2009 SEC Freshman Academic Honor Roll and the 2010 and 2011 SEC Academic Honor Roll.
He has started all nine games for the Crimson Tide this season at left tackle and 34 games overall on the offensive line. He is an integral part of the Tide’s offensive success this season with the Crimson Tide averaging 439.56 yards per game to rank 23rd nationally in total offense and 21st in rushing at 214.44 ypg.
The Capital One Academic All-District IV selection is the first for Gibson. A senior athletically, he has already earned his undergraduate degree in public relations and is currently working on a master’s degree in sports administration. He was selected to the 2010 SEC Academic Honor Roll.
Gibson is a three-year letterman that has played in all nine games this season and 28 during his career at the Capstone. He has eight receptions on the season for 78 yards and one touchdown. Gibson is also a regular on special teams for the Tide, starting on the kickoff coverage unit where he has made seven tackles.
Williams joined the Tide program in January of this year and quickly made an impact. He has a 3.66 grade point average in financial planning and is on track to graduate on time. He earned an associate’s degree at Western Arizona Community College in December of 2010
Just three of them Nobis….
Spank that Doggie and Call PETA
January 30th, 2012
8:22 pm
http://www.teamspeedkills.com/2011/10/25/2513811/sec-graduation-success-rates-for-football-basketball
Jockich Ahn Smelley, II
January 30th, 2012
8:22 pm
Did I read an earlier article that this dude’s granddad is a BAIL BONDSMAN??? He may be a good recruit for UGA…..ie., Commings, and the cast of several defensive and offensive players……I’m just sayin’……………..Could be a good referral source for Granddad!!
always over rated, always over hyped
January 30th, 2012
8:22 pm
Best recruiting class ever! Top ten class! The dream team!” And then they beat “nobodies” and lose to ranked teams.
Jockich Ahn Smelley, II
January 30th, 2012
8:25 pm
Give me a bunch of 3-stars, and I’ll build a SEC Championship team…….ie., David Pollack, David Greene……………I’m just sayin’!
Nobis
January 30th, 2012
8:27 pm
That is three you got anymore?
Bammer
January 30th, 2012
8:27 pm
Relax everyone. Richt knows what the hell he’s doing, ok?
is it world-beaters?
January 30th, 2012
8:27 pm
OR, women-beaters?
S Spurrier
January 30th, 2012
8:30 pm
Heck…as I’ve said before…I could beat ga with their own players.
Spank that Doggie and Call PETA
January 30th, 2012
8:32 pm
ALABAMA DEGREES: Alabama’s success on the field under the direction of head coach Nick
Saban has also coincided with the Crimson Tide’s success in the classroom. The 2011 Crimson
Tide began the season with 11 players that already have degrees in hand and following December
graduation Alabama will have 22 players with their degrees, including Brandon Gibson, who has
completed both this undergraduate (Dec. 2010) and graduate (Dec. 2011) degrees. Undra Billingsley
(Dec. 2011), John Michael Boswell (Dec. 2011), Hardie Buck (Aug. 2011), Josh Chapman
(May 2011), Nick Gentry (Dec. 2010), Jerrell Harris (Dec. 2011), Dont’a Hightower (Dec. 2011),
Barrett Jones (Aug. 2011), Chris Jordan (Dec. 2011), Phelon Jones (May 2011), Darius Hanks
(Dec. 2011), Robert Lester (Dec. 2011), Brandon Lewis (Dec. 2011), Marquis Maze (Dec. 2011)
Alfred McCullough (May 2011), DeQuan Menzie (Dec. 2011), Morgan Ogilvie (Aug. 2011), Chris
Underwood (May 2011), Courtney Upshaw (Dec. 2011), William Vlachos (May 2011) and Alex
Watkins (Dec. 2010). Over the past four seasons (2008-11) the Crimson Tide has seen 54 players
compete after having already graduated
Dawg in gatorville
January 30th, 2012
8:32 pm
Dawgs just can not seem to land the big “uglies” on the OL. To all Georgia high school players,
If you are good and you sign with UGA you will play and play a lot! Sign with Bama and you might play someday maybe. UGA NEEDS YOU BIG BOYS!!
bigcrimson75
January 30th, 2012
8:33 pm
I wish Ga well Wednesday. I have no problems with UGA, their Coach, Athens…..
I’m at a loss for why every Dawg fan on these blogs have to continuously bash everything about the Crimson Tide. We are not even rivals!!!! Never have been. Respect goes both ways.
When the Dawgs play the Gators or the Vols, I’m barking!!! There is an absolute hypocricy going on right now about this over-signing junk. We dress 85 players, same as the rest of you. If over-signing mattered, then Old Mrs would be winning everything!! They signed 37 players 2 years ago!! 37 players. Look how good it did the Nutt job.
Facts
January 30th, 2012
8:37 pm
http://www.thepostgame.com/blog/training-day/201201/college-footballs-strongest-cheerleader
Could this UGA cheerleader line up and play on the OL? UGA will need her.
marseilles mutt
January 30th, 2012
8:38 pm
230 gr-
Agree with your post, but think a lot of folks are guilty of overlooking the obvious. That is the state of secondary and even elementary public school education in Georgia. We all know about what the Gnats require to get admitted and El Presidente Adams has set the admission bar at UGA much higher than it has been in the past.
The result being that neither Tech nor UGA can offer many of state’s finest prospects year in and year out. Many schools in surrounding states do not seem to hold to the same requirements.
One can- dare I say it- even see examples of this ‘education’, or lack thereof, on some of the AJC’s blogs from time to time… not often, mind you, but every now and again.
Nobis
January 30th, 2012
8:44 pm
Facts
January 30th, 2012
8:37 pm
http://www.thepostgame.com/blog/training-day/201201/college-footballs-strongest-cheerleader
Could this UGA cheerleader line up and play on the OL? UGA will need her.
Hahaha it is a safe bet Sanders Comming didn’t date this UGa girl.
Dawg48
January 30th, 2012
8:46 pm
Sheldon Dawson just committed to the Dawgs!
Dwag
January 30th, 2012
8:48 pm
Nobis
“Hahaha it is a safe bet Sanders Comming didn’t date this UGa girl”
He doesn’t have the kahunas!
Jockich Ahn Smelley, II
January 30th, 2012
8:50 pm
Hey look, what’s the big deal that one of our own (Commings) beats the living crap out of his Old Lady??? After all this is UGA FOOTBALL! GOOOOOO DAWGSSS!!!! Look out CO-EDS!!!
Jockich Ahn Smelley, II
January 30th, 2012
8:52 pm
Hey Dwag, you are right…….the UGA girls can drink!!!!!!! Ohhhhh livin’ the dream in Athens!!!!!
Buckingham Palaze
January 30th, 2012
8:56 pm
Dawson just committed to UGA!!
Gonna be the next Boykin!!
Saban Never Sleeps
January 30th, 2012
8:59 pm
You Leg Humpers kill me. Do you honestly believe that you can take that bunch of under-achieving bunch and beat anyone of relevance? Here are a few things that stand in your way..(1) Athens-Clark County Police (2) Mike Bobo (3) No work Ethic (4) No Discipline (no Coaching or Leadership. How about getting back to us when you guys start taking football seriously.
Tech fans..dont even bother commenting..you guys have no idea about football. I do hear that you have some good table tennis teams.