ESPN: Tech is the second-worst at keeping in-state talent
Jonathan Dwyer: One of the exceptions who proves the rule. (AJC photo by Johnny Crawford)
One of the charms about ESPN is that the Worldwide Leader has enough correspondents to satisfy every viewpoint. Just yesterday, ESPN recruiting correspondent Jamie Newberg was lauding Georgia Tech for its success in finding prospects of lesser portfolio. But now comes LaRue Cook of ESPN the Magazine to serve as the bad cop.
Georgia Tech, Cook writes, is the nation’s second-worst program at attracting high-end in-state players. (Only Arizona keeps Tech from being No. 1.) Cook’s rationale: Over the past five years, the Jackets have landed only two of the 74 Georgia recruits ranked in ESPN’s top 150.
Wait. It gets worse.
Neither of the two — Jonathan Dwyer and Morgan Burnett — was landed by Paul Johnson and staff. Those two were signed by Chan Gailey, who last coached Tech in 2007. Only one Tech signee under Johnson, Cook writes, has cracked the ESPN 150, and that was Vad Lee of North Carolina.
More from Cook (link requires registration): “Over the last five years, Alabama and Auburn have combined for 10 blue-chip preps out of the Peach State, while Florida and Florida State have combined to sign nine.”
As has been noted a time or two in this space and others, Tech under Johnson hasn’t been shopping at the same ritzy store as do the big SEC programs — so we can’t say Cook’s findings are a shock. Still, there’s something about seeing the chilling number (2-for-74) that drives the point home. Thank goodness for Arizona, huh?
By Mark Bradley
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746 comments Add your comment
Nobis
January 31st, 2012
8:23 pm
1 4 GT here she is………..http://www.thepostgame.com/blog/training-day/201201/college-footballs-strongest-cheerleader
Nobis
January 31st, 2012
8:23 pm
http://www.thepostgame.com/blog/training-day/201201/college-footballs-strongest-cheerleader
Direct Hit
January 31st, 2012
8:24 pm
Buzz 2011, Why don’t Tech football players graduate? Why does Pj offer amny of the same recruits as georgia? 32 on the UGA roster of 2011 had Tech offers, Would PJ offer that many that he wouldn’t be able to get through admissions? Perhaps the academic crutch is just that, many who would easily qualify at tech don’t want to play for PJ.
lance manion
January 31st, 2012
8:25 pm
Twib Dawg, that is big talk from a team that got embarrassed by LSU and Boise State and lost to a mediocre Michigan State Team. You are not even competitive in the SEC.
lance manion
January 31st, 2012
8:27 pm
Oh and Twib, tell us about that girl beating thug UGA player who got locked up last week. Guess she just pissed him off…… Nice culture over there in Athens. Before long, they’ll have an AD who get’s fired for driving drunk and having a pair of panties in his lap. What kind of program has people like that???
JB
January 31st, 2012
8:29 pm
Tech wants very badly to be in the college National football conversation. The people that run Tech will not budge. Good for them. But, don’t go 8-4 and lose your bowl game EVERY year and ask ” what’s wrong”. We all know what’s wrong. Look at the football landscape and ask what the common likeness is among the traditional football powers. Well, there are 2. Reputation and academic accommodations.
Tech has neither. Other than that split title and a good team or two, Tech’s rep as a football power died with Bobby Dodd.
Twilb Dawg
January 31st, 2012
8:29 pm
We beat Tech, which of course is not saying much. But that is the point of the discussion here.
What is funny that the only argument you dorks ever have is that we got beat by somebody else. It must really stink to be OWNED by such an “uncompetitive” team. 10 out of 11 and counting!!!
FIRECPJ
January 31st, 2012
8:30 pm
What does graduating from collge have to do with football?? Are you going to run your dick suckers about Calvin Johnson who did not graduate college?
JB
January 31st, 2012
8:31 pm
Two words for the academic excuse. Reggie Ball. He got in..and stayed eligible for 4 years. Yes, a box of rocks. Nuff said………If I only had wings…..
FIRECPJ
January 31st, 2012
8:33 pm
I am ashamed to be a TECH Fans these days. Most of you fans take so much pride into how much of a education GT has to offer and bla bla. It is a football! maybe someone wants to play a sport for a living.
KeithB
January 31st, 2012
8:33 pm
What’s worse, this, or getting all of the talent and still not contending?
FIRECPJ
January 31st, 2012
8:34 pm
@JB-all of these dumb ass tech fans can say is academics is the excuse.Im tired of hearing it! I am to the point where GT is about to lose a fan.
FIRECPJ
January 31st, 2012
8:35 pm
UGA is beating GT and that is what really matters here
JB
January 31st, 2012
8:37 pm
CPJ can not attract players to Tech because of …………………………………..coach Paul Johnson. I think the word of his style of coaching on game day is out. He really needs to reel in the cussing out of players on TV and the ridicule of them….Some Tech folk like it when I’ve brought this up………….But his last 3 classes have been ranked south of Key West. ESPN is correct. What he’s selling ……ain’t working.
Twilb Dawg
January 31st, 2012
8:37 pm
Seven 10+ win seasons, 4 Divisional Championships, 2 SEC titles, and 3 top 5 finishes in last 10 years. That is pretty competitive.
Tech will never sniff anything close to that.
But, go ahead, in typical Tech fashion, bring up another program besides your own to compare to UGA…
lance manion
January 31st, 2012
8:38 pm
FIRECPJ, looks like you used spell check that time. As for your ugly language, I guess that is all you can bring to the table. Like I said, you couldn’t get accepted at Tech or UGA. Looks like you could use a remedial writing class at metro vocational. As for JB, I’m not sure you want to play the Reggie card. Lets see, Washaun Ealey, Quincy Carter, your former drunken adulterer AD, your basketball coach whose kid taught the infamous “basketball class” for the remedial education basketball players. Doesn’t sound like an academically excellent sports program over in Athens. But is that really what you wanted to discuss?
JB
January 31st, 2012
8:38 pm
The folks in Florida hope we keep Richt……………..We’re hoping you guys keep Johnson.
Alex Teate
January 31st, 2012
8:39 pm
Georgia is rich in high school football talent meaning that every D1 school in the nation is trying to steal players.
FIRECPJ
January 31st, 2012
8:42 pm
I honestly think the head people at GT need to sit down and discuss where they want to stand in athletics! If they are not going to lower the academics standards and etc then GT should move out of the acc and into the ivy leagues.
JB
January 31st, 2012
8:42 pm
lance……………….don’t believe it’s me on here daily saying you gotta be a rocket scientist to get in Georgia. There are many other examples other than Reggie from Tech. Half of the ex players are working at Air Tran in baggage…..and that’s a fact……The academic card is way old. That’s hate UGA 101 stuff.
The Truth
January 31st, 2012
8:44 pm
This is no surprise. GA Tech Lies & Cheats & Everyone knows it. Everyone!!!!!!!!!
Why would anyone want to play at a school like that? I certainly would not! GA Tech’s program is a big joke. And I would never allow my child to play for a man like Paul Johnson. Any other school besides GA Tech would be a better choice for any athlete out there. Especially the good ones!
Direct Hit
January 31st, 2012
8:44 pm
Lance manion, can you say Robert Hall? is he still beating up his girlfriends?
FIRECPJ
January 31st, 2012
8:45 pm
Lance=bitch.
FIRECPJ
January 31st, 2012
8:47 pm
Georgia Tech football is slowing going down hill. Oh well, after CPJ loses to UGA in athens this year. He will be fired on the spot.
Direct Hit
January 31st, 2012
8:47 pm
JB, I agree with you about Florida, but Richt has beaten Fla. 3 x more than tech has beaten UGA.
lance manion
January 31st, 2012
8:50 pm
FIRECPJ, thanks for the compliment about our team playing in the Ivy league. We have been happy to be VERY competitive in the ACC since we joined and are just fine here. The program is in good shape and good hands. Don’t worry about us. As for JB, check out the numbers on graduation rates for athletes after the five year period. Tech has a program that brings back athletes who finish their degree. As the parent of a Tech student, I can tell you most Tech students, including athletes graduate in five to six years, not four. That happens when you have a world class institution and a tough curriculum in all disciplines. Like I said, we are fine, don’t worry so much about us. You need to spend time to figure out how to beat Florida, LSU, Bama, Boise State etc…… Have a nice evening!
Direct Hit
January 31st, 2012
8:51 pm
Lance, What subject to Stephon Marbury get a degree. Why did Techs BB program lose scholarships for not meeting minimum grad. requirements? Can you say Academic Myth ?Tech football lowest grad rates in ACC. Lower than UGA.
Direct Hit
January 31st, 2012
8:53 pm
Lance shouldn’t tech worry about 5.5 decades of being dominated by Georgia in football? 15 wins in 55 years great record.
JB
January 31st, 2012
8:53 pm
Direct hit…………………Now let lance cherry pick his academic glory. Don’t be bringing up all those facts.
Twilb Dawg
January 31st, 2012
8:57 pm
The only thing you got it right Lance, UGA does not have figure out how to beat Tech. We own you!
JB
January 31st, 2012
8:58 pm
Two of my business partners are Tech alum. They were taught from day one on Campus to hate UGA.
They will never look at the academic advances UGA has made in the last 20 years. They wouldn’t believe it…or care……….Outside of their little world down there, their is nothing in Athens worth having……And yes, winning only 15 football games in 55 years kills them
Dawglasville
January 31st, 2012
9:00 pm
GTBob – That is the point Bob. You play the stupid blog game like you are a first year Rat. “@Well, it’s pretty tough to get past MIT. We are the fourth best engineering school. Man we are great.” But Lord forbid UGA finishes in the top 5 in football it’s “@You haven’t won it all so who cares. Richt is a joke.” And if I said, “Well it’s pretty tough to get past Saban and his zillion dollars and his win at all cost attitude with a whole state of psychos backing them because what the hell else is there to do in Alabama?” you would say, “typical mutt, always making excuses.” You really are unbelievable Bob.
Coach Fatty
January 31st, 2012
9:03 pm
I just have to tip my cap to all your nerds that still plop down your hard-earned money for this football team. P.T. Barnum would be proud. Plus, the tickets, hotdogs, Cokes, anime porn, and fried fish don’t buy themselves. Ole Tech has the best alumni in the world, even if they are a little naive.
Twilb Dawg
January 31st, 2012
9:04 pm
The funny thing is how it eats at every Tech alum, and fan that Georgia OWNS Tech, and yet they try so hard to pretend otherwise. Our little brother is just so cute.
lance manion
January 31st, 2012
9:05 pm
Hey Twib, FIRECPJ, take a look at this. You really do dominate us in something. God, how embarrassing. Take a look at recent arrests.
2008
Justin Anderson, OL — Simple battery
Donavon Baldwin, CB — DUI, improper driving
Clint Boling, OL — Suspicion of DUI
Jeff Henson, LS — Public intoxication, urinating in public
Michael Lemon, DE — Aggravated battery
Jeremy Lomax, DE — Speeding, possession of a concealed weapon
Fred Munzenmaier, FB — Underage possession of alcohol, being a pedestrian walking in the roadway
Trinton Sturdivant, OL — Simple battery
Vince Vance, OL — Driving without a valid driver’s license
Brandon Wood, DT — DUI
2009
Vance Cuff, CB — Driving a motor scooter on a sidewalk with a suspended license
Jonathan Owens, OL — Driving a motorcycle without a valid license
Montez Robinson, DE — Simple battery, criminal damage/second degree
Montez Robinson, DE — Underage possession of alcohol
Vince Vance, OL — Driving without a valid license
2010
Trent Dittmer, P — Public intoxication
Washaun Ealey, RB — Hit and run of a parked vehicle, driving with a suspended license
Dontavius Jackson, RB — DUI, underage possession of alcohol, following too closely, leaving the scene of an accident, violation of the move-over law, violation of a learner’s permit
Tavarres King, WR — Underage possession of alcohol
Jordan Love, CB — Obstruction of a law enforcement officer
Zach Mettenberger, QB — Sexual battery
Josh Parrish, OL — Underage possession of alcohol, possession of false identification
Montez Robinson, LB — Simple battery/family violence
Demetre Baker, LB — DUI, underage possession of alcohol and improper driving
Alec Ogletree, S — Theft by taking (misdemeanor)
oleyeller
January 31st, 2012
9:05 pm
FIRECPJ, hey its not a matter of Ga. Tech lowering its standards, its the Georgia Board of Regents who refuses to authorize courses and majors as granted to UGA. The standards are biased and has been discussed many times. Get your facts straight.
JB
January 31st, 2012
9:06 pm
The FACT that GTBob lives on sports blogs….and all UGA blogs, morning, noon and night tells us a lot.
1. Not a Tech grad…or successful one. Don’t they work? You know, the smart ones.
2. He’s in prison with access to the web
3. Would have to point out the woman in a line up.
4. obsessed with UGA.
5. Missing a brick..or two.
FIRECPJ
January 31st, 2012
9:08 pm
GT SUCKS AT FOOTBALL POINT BLANK.
Coach Fatty
January 31st, 2012
9:09 pm
Hey, Dawgs, do you like fried fish? I fried enough of it to feed a full house of nerds at our stadium, but I’ve got a few left over. Come on down to North Avenue while the fish and hushpuppies are nice and hot.
JB
January 31st, 2012
9:10 pm
oleyeller………………UGA is the State of Georgia’s flagship state University…like all states have, and all have the basic same majors. Tech is an engineering school…..That try’s to field a football team.
Supersize that order, mutt
January 31st, 2012
9:10 pm
Hate to say it, but FIRECPJ is right. Time for some new blood.
JB
January 31st, 2012
9:12 pm
Super………………….I don’t believe that’s you that said that. Tell me were you live so I know that’s you.
JB
January 31st, 2012
9:15 pm
don’t think 9:10 is the supersize I know.
Supersize that order, mutt
January 31st, 2012
9:17 pm
Augusta. Why do you need to test me?
FIRECPJ
January 31st, 2012
9:18 pm
It is going to take a special coach for GT to become great again. O’leary had GT headed in that direction but we all know how that story ended, I was not a fan of CPJ when he was hired.I hate the TO! Kids want to play in the NFL. His stupid Offense does not get a kid ready for the NFL. With that said after he loses to UGA in NOV. DRAD and CPJ will be fired! Why are you GT fans not screaming for DRAD to fired, Hell this guy sucks to!
JB
January 31st, 2012
9:19 pm
Because I’ve never seen you post anything but positive things about Tech. And yes, It’s you….It’s North Augusta actually.
FIRECPJ
January 31st, 2012
9:22 pm
There is no reason why GT is not ranked inside the top 30 in every recruting site! I don’t expect GT to have a top 10 class every year, But there is no excuse for not being inside the top 30.To much talent in this state for GT not to be.Recruiting has to get ALOT better if GT wants to win another ACC championship(look at the 2007 class that won that game) or if they plan on beating UGA.
Supersize that order, mutt
January 31st, 2012
9:23 pm
It’s been a disappointing off-season, and Coach hasn’t done much to convince me next season will be better. Maybe we’ll get some good news one day. I really don’t have anything else to say. Talk to you later.
FIRECPJ
January 31st, 2012
9:25 pm
Coach fish fry will be fired after the the loss to UGA this year. Atleast i would think he shoud be! Does anyone else agree with this??
oleyeller
January 31st, 2012
9:27 pm
JB I guess you agreed to what I said. Always trying to catch up to a biased system.