Georgia’s handling of Branden Smith impresses recruits
Georgia freshman cornerback Branden Smith -- and several recruits -- learned about redemption on this 61-yard TD run against South Carolina. (Photo by Jim Hipple/UGA Sports Communications)
What Georgia did with Branden Smith against South Carolina on Saturday helped them win the game against Gamecocks. But it may have also helped them win over minds of some recruits.
Smith had a couple of key plays in the Bulldogs’ 41-37 victory. First he fielded a kickoff four yards deep in the end zone and fumbled it over to South Carolina on the Georgia 8-yard line after he decided to bring it out. Just five minutes later, the freshman cornerback was back on the field, this time on offense. And this time he held onto the ball, taking a reverse pitch and showing blazing speed on the way to 61-yard touchdown.
While the touchdown play did wonders for Smith’s confidence — not to mention the Georgia scoreboard — it really resonated with the many elite recruits there to watch the game.
“I really liked the way they used [Smith] on both offense and defense,” said Newnan’s Alec Ogletree, the state’s No.1-ranked defensive back and an early UGA commitment. “I wouldn’t mind playing some offense if they asked me, but I’m I wouldn’t say I’m as fast as he his. And I liked that they stuck with him after he fumbled that kickoff. They put him right back out there and that really showed me something.”
“They told me to watch how their young players played,” said Manning, S.C., cornerback Johnovan Fulton, who is rated as South Carolina’s top defensive back, told Scout.com. ” I was really impressed with how they used Branden Smith and that really opened my eyes and made me like Georgia even more. . . . I liked the way they utilized him all over the field.”
Smith was the top-rated cornerback in America when he signed with Georgia out of Atlanta’s Booker T. Washington High. He said being able to play on both sides of the ball and return kicks was a major reason he chose the Bulldogs from more than 30 offers.
“It was a big factor,” the Georgia freshman said Tuesday. “Since the first day they recruited me — they were the first people to offer me a full scholarship — it was something we talked about. Coach [Mark] Richt said he wanted me to play both sides of the ball and I really wanted to play both sides. He told me I could if I committed. I did and it’s all come out true.”
Georgia’s coaches took some heat for even having Smith back returning kickoffs Saturday. Sophomore Brandon Boykin had returned the previous kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown. And Smith was criticized the week before for bringing the ball out of the end zone despite fielding it deep.
Then Smith lost the handle on the football without even being hit and South Carolina recovered deep in Georgia territory. He didn’t know what to expect coming to the Georgia sideline.
Smith said he was surprised by what he encountered.
“Hearing my teammates keep rooting me on, that just put the spirit back in me,” Smith said. “They were saying to forget about it, that I’d get another chance. Coach Richt told me, ‘Don’t worry about it, I’m gonna put you back in. Redeem yourself.’ It took a little while. The whole time I was just thinking to myself, ‘if I can touch the ball again, what can I do?’ When they called my name to get in on offense, I was just talking to myself saying, ‘I have to make something happen on this play.’ Once I got the ball, it was just good blocking by the receivers and the O-line and I just made it happen.”
Smith said he could see how his experience this past Saturday resonated with recruits. It was, after all, not so long ago that he was one of the guys standing on the sideline wondering what it might be like to play there.
“That’s one thing I can really tell recruits: Coach Richt is a man of his word,” Smith said. “If he says something he really means it.”
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77 comments Add your comment
Flo-Ri-Duh!
September 15th, 2009
3:31 pm
Mark Richt is a man of his word. That is important to a recruit as many head coaches (Meyer, Saban, etc. ) move on to the next pay day leaving the guys they recruited behind.
Debbie Downer
September 15th, 2009
3:35 pm
Just dont make stupid and boneheaded mistakes like you have done. You are lucky that you didnt cost UGA the game.
GO GAYTUH
September 15th, 2009
3:36 pm
Urban Meyers don’t take no jive. That mark Richts is a fine man, but tha gaytuh is not only the best academic, but athletic in the conferences we play in. Look how corch Meyers use Percy Harvey.
This season’s metaphor « Get The Picture
September 15th, 2009
3:47 pm
[...] affected Georgia’s standing with recruits. Here’s something that caught my eye in his Branden Smith story: … Georgia’s coaches took some heat for even having Smith back returning kickoffs Saturday. [...]
Alabamadawg
September 15th, 2009
3:47 pm
Nice article, thanks. Any word on Juwan Williams, if he is planning a visit to Athens etc. ???
dooley
September 15th, 2009
3:47 pm
book it, Branden Smith will be a Heisman Contender next year.
richard cranium
September 15th, 2009
3:50 pm
Play your school up Chip… they need it.
“MR is a man of his word”.. this stuff is coke through the nose funny!!
Keep it coming.
Lighten up
September 15th, 2009
3:52 pm
Branden Smith is the real deal! I just hope they continue to use him. What is the deal with Marlon? Is he having trouble with the run blocking?
Todd - Dacula
September 15th, 2009
3:55 pm
Debbie Downer go and bake some cookies or something. You are traveling outside of your lane. No one play totally contribute to a loss. There are no mistakes made on the grid iron. It was a fumble.
Thursday Night Lights
September 15th, 2009
3:58 pm
Smith, Brown, Charles and Green in on the same play would be impossible to defend. Give these guys some time.
BurningRedBleedingBlack
September 15th, 2009
3:59 pm
Branden and Orson have really impressed me. They are worth everybit of hype i’ve heard about them.
What is the deal with Marlon and how is Ealey doing now? With the speed we have we should create more plays that can become explosive catch opponets with there pants down they’ll never expect it from us, we never call plays like that reverse.
Einstein
September 15th, 2009
4:01 pm
Anyone know the status of Dontavious Jackson? Is he healthy and available to play? Thanks,
Mikey
September 15th, 2009
4:03 pm
The next gamecock to lay a finger on number 1 will be the first.
Look at the way Greg Reid played against the U last week…
These guys are awesome!
DawgFan24
September 15th, 2009
4:05 pm
I think Marlon might be a little bit of a dummy and doesnt know the entire playbook. Anyway, with all the talent we have being hearing about that guy, there should be no excuse why Branden Smith is playing and he isn’t. That’s gotta be the only explanation.
GATOR CHOMP
September 15th, 2009
4:05 pm
Stop dreaming Mutts the Gators are going to euthenize you stray dogs “Book It” cowards. GATORS or DIE!!!
Diamond Dawg's Parole Officer
September 15th, 2009
4:19 pm
We’ve got the best recruiting class every year! (Go dawgs) Top 5 class baby! We’re as good as SC, OU, UF, LSU and Texas! (Although all of those schools have won National Championships in the past decade) Who wouldn’t want to come to Athens. Its the greatest! (Go dawgs!)
UGA is quickly becoming the Atlanta Braves of college football. Always close but no cigar… (In defense of the Braves, they’ve won a World Series and played in at least 4 that they didn’t win)
Urban Myer is A Drooler
September 15th, 2009
4:20 pm
Gator Chomp you need to get back to doing your homework, what are you in now, the 6th grade ?
Memphisdawg90
September 15th, 2009
4:21 pm
I know for a fact that Marlon is no ‘dummy’, He went to a really good private school here in Memphis and works very hard at academics. My guess is that he has not fully grabbed this opportunity and has not proved himself to the coaching staff.
Kendawg
September 15th, 2009
4:27 pm
Marlon will probably get his chance pretty soon. He’s too good a prospect not to get a chance.
Brian
September 15th, 2009
4:27 pm
Where was Marlon against South Carolina? The coaches indicated to the AJC he would play last week. He is another gamechanger and we need to get him on the field. He can open the eyes of other out-of-state talent. The guy was the top recruit in all of Tennessee last year. AJC, please ask CMR and staff again.
takedowndawg
September 15th, 2009
4:30 pm
gator chomp, gators can “euthenize” all they want as long as they don’t euthanize someone! That could be deadly. Pun intended. By the way, it looks like you’re only going to play 4 teams this year on your schedule during your regular season to go to the SEC E. Championship Game. Aren’t you a least a little embrassed with the first two games your AD set you up to play and Florida International at the end of the season? What 35th hardest schedule in the country. When someone asked you, who did Florida play last weekend? ugh……..Gator, I don’t think that this year is a DAWG Year. Most of us dawgs are bummed with the caliber of play calling our coaches are providing. But, hoping for improvement. Could be a long season for us. Siiiiccckim! DAWGS. anyway.
Nate
September 15th, 2009
4:44 pm
Gators or die huh? First of all, it was not very creative and already lame when P. Diddy did it with voting.
Second, sadly it is actually a tough choice. But after further consideration I am going to have to choose death…
In fact I read recently an extensive study about Americans top three fears:
1.) Fear of Public Speaking
2.) Fear of wearing Jean Shorts
3.) Death
126Dawg
September 15th, 2009
4:51 pm
Branden Smith did not “inexplicably decide to bring it out” the kick off he fumbled. The up back motioned for him to come out with after he caught it five yards deep. From where I was sitting it looked like he was content to down it and take the touchback. If you watch the replay I am not sure you will see the upback motion to him, but you will see Branden hesitate after catching it.
BT
September 15th, 2009
4:55 pm
Actually, some of us are still impressed with a man of his word. I still may not agree with his handling of some of his coaches
dawgstephen
September 15th, 2009
4:57 pm
Mark Richt is a man of his word. That came from a player. That didnt come from a writer, or a family member, and it wasnt coached out of him. He said that because he believes it. There are many fine coaches in this conference, and I am proud that we can call Coach Richt OUR coach.
Go Dawgs
dawgstephen
September 15th, 2009
4:58 pm
THis is the kind of team who could actually surprise a lot of people. Future is bright, and this is going to be a fun year. Go dawgs
UGA NATION
September 15th, 2009
5:05 pm
I with you on that dawgstephen!!
http://uganationblog.blogspot.com/
bow wow pup
September 15th, 2009
5:07 pm
Really impressive . . . BOW WOW! BOW WOW! trying to impress Lane Kiffin’s freshmen DOG TRAINERS . . . BOW WOW! BOW WOW!
MoDawg
September 15th, 2009
5:07 pm
If by “fun” you mean, heart wrenching, hair pulling, teeth gritting, patience wearing…then, yes, it will be fun.
It’s great to be a Georgia Bulldog!!
Richard Cranium may have been taking some coke through the nose in the upward direction instead of outward, as I believe he intended. Richt is a man of his word and this does resonate with the players and recruits. Nothing wrong with meaning what you say, is there?
dawgfan1911
September 15th, 2009
5:13 pm
Marlon and Ealy will get their chance. Is Caleb playing this week? What is Houston saying about getting his first action of the season? Having Branden in the wildcat and returning kicks and in the slot at receiver is awesome! He will be a great player at Georgia. I actually wanna see Aaron Murray. If he dosent play this week maybe he will be redshirted. I hope not!
MiltonDawg
September 15th, 2009
5:14 pm
hopefully that will solidfy verbal commits for 2010 & grab the remaining slots for top players. i’m really prepared for anything this year- given what we’ve seen the past 2 games. enjoying the progress and seeing the new faces develop. arkansas game will be huge especially with the backs’ coming off a bye week. houston needs to step it up bigtime to make up for losing battle & suspension. i dont know about you guys but i want to see more Samuel on the field and throw in Smith maybe 3/4 plays a half or game.
Roll Tide Roll
September 15th, 2009
5:17 pm
Dawgs, congrats on winning the SEC by beating USC. I bow down to your greatness. I heard that Nick lost a few of his recruits to UGA once they saw what you did to Spurrier.
Geesh, give me a break. Recruits are classy and aompliemntary and you guys eat it up. Oh, let me play offense and defense.
dawgfan1911
September 15th, 2009
5:22 pm
Samuel ran like a guy o n a mission against SC. If he is going to run like that, he needs to get the majority of the carries, though I do think Carlton needs to be apart of the screen game and plays out of the backfield. He can make things happen. We cant talk about national or conference title with this team but they may prove to be a fun group to watch! I actually think Aaron Murrays sophomore year is the national title year, but thats just me! Think of what Charles, Branden , Marlon Ealy Wooten those great offensive and defensive line recruits will look like in a couple years WOW!
UGA_2001
September 15th, 2009
5:28 pm
Debbie Downer, save your advice for your kids. We don’t need that kind of negativity.
Dude
September 15th, 2009
5:41 pm
Debbie Downer you are a Downer! You dont have to be your last name. Too many words associated with your comment, Like Bone, Head and Downer! Wow!
Pi$$onaDawg
September 15th, 2009
5:54 pm
YES, coach please burn up one of my years of playing time to let me play special teams. I know I can get a chance to be great on 8 plays a game if I am lucky. Wait Willie is our D coach so I may get 10 chances a game to return kicks + 4 or 5 punt returns.
Preston
September 15th, 2009
6:04 pm
Diamond Dawg, The Braves had the luxury of facing their opponents on the playing field instead of dealing with the BCS system. In 07′, NOBODY wanted any of UGA at the end of the season and a 2 loss LSU got in the big game. Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad an SEC team got to play in it but an 8 team playoff sure would be nice!
Johnny DangerDawg
September 15th, 2009
6:22 pm
The new TV contracts are forcing UGA to play more nights games. Will this help us in recruiting now that we can have the electrified nighttime crowds/atmosphere? Previously, UGA resisted night games more than other schools.
LoelGator
September 15th, 2009
6:47 pm
many of you say GA will surprise the fans and have a good season. It won’t be a surprise. They may win all their games left except the gators. My goodness that speed against SC. Florida fans better take note.
dawgfanatic24-7
September 15th, 2009
6:50 pm
Brandon Smith is the man! I doubted him after the fumble but figured it was freshman nerves. He did make up for it and showed the Bulldog Nation why he was a five star recruit. Eventually he will lose the nerves and have ice in his veins. This kid is fast and I can’t wait to watch him in Ark. If Boykin can jump to someone’s ears then CMR needs him blocking FG’s.
bkbroila
September 15th, 2009
6:56 pm
I’m ready to see Brandon Smith line up at tailback and streak down the sideline, let’s see a LB cover him out of the backfield!
Stinger
September 15th, 2009
6:59 pm
Danger
Wow, ya’ll beat SC, a very ordinary team and lost to an ordinary Oklahoma St. Okl. ST. got beat by an ordinary Houston team. Your recruiting is always 3rd or 4th in the conference. You don’t think that all teams are playing more at night. UGA is a loser and from the looks of it you are staying that way..
TampaGator
September 15th, 2009
7:10 pm
Georgia has excellent talent and good to decent coaches (even Martinez folks) and a very good head coach. The Dawgs need a really good QB and a little more experience and they will right back in the top 10 or top 5 soon. Smith will only get better with time and experience. Same for Charles. Not sure about Brown. Playing WR is not just about speed and talent. It is about how to effectively use that speed and talent against speed and talent. Cox might get you 9 wins this year. Possibly 10. But if I were Richt, I would be getting ready to play one of the other three QB’s a lot and real soon so I will be prepared to contend with the Gators next year and the years after that. The Gators aren’t going down after Tebow no matter what you think. John Brantley is really good. And Tennessee is going to get much better real soon. Kentucky is developing a fine program, and South Carolina is coming on. So I would determine who my QB is for the next three years and play the kid now. Cox is not your future and one of the other kids can probably play at Cox’s level real soon…and will be much better than Cox for years to come as a result. You certainly don’t want to go into next year with an inexperienced, red-shirt QB.
F. Sinkwich
September 15th, 2009
7:17 pm
Samuel played better against SC than the Okies for sure. Cox looked better too, but that’s not saying a whole lot.
This could be a very fun and entertaining season. I’m really looking forward to Arkansas this Saturday.
Why do these Gator fans think they need to talk so much smack so early in the season? They’ve really looked good so far against against Maria and her convent <— The hills are alive!
Sorry Bloggers..This is still Dawg Country
September 15th, 2009
7:56 pm
As much as all the non dog fans hate to hear it: This is still dawg country. Sorry you didn’t grow-up in Atlanta or the AJC newspaper does not support your team.
You come here and post out of jealousy. Why, because 1 win or 12 wins we still love and support our dawgs. It is funny you guys only come in here and bash UGA when your team does well, has a great coach. Classic, I did not hear from Bama, Florida, Tennessee or GT fan’s until they either beat UGA or had great seasons.
Why do you hate UGA, you have to live in Georgia and you can’t stand the blue collar fan base. We bleed red and black and we love the G on the helmet regardless of the scoreboard and W-L record. Because your system of worth regarding football is W-L, you probably only support your team during good times, which by default you bash UGA because you feel superior.
May your team teach you the true meaning of football. It is not the fan’s, money and the stadium. It is the kids taking the field and living a dream. When they take a knee at the end of the game and hold hands, that is what it is about.
I played for 15 years of my life and currently coach.
Some fan’s are like some players, they never learn what football was meant to teach them. Humility, respect and understanding their is more to life than what is between the ply lines.
Oledawg
September 15th, 2009
8:14 pm
The SC game loosened up some good feelings about this team and as the week goes on I see less nit-pickin’. Maybe the mystery of who will be the next burner will keep other teams wondering while practicing. Most of you have the spirit now and that does wonders for the team to know. These kids and this year promises to be fun. We will still have the gut wrench at game start, but this gang looks to be having a lot of fun without us. Great for them.
Boling’s game should be lauded as much as Smith’s. No flash, just smash. Didn’t know he was such an animal. Great game and future games for him. We should all be enthused with the depth and heart of this team. I felt before season that the Porkers would be the toughest early season opponent. Why do some people think that they have slipped a step? Let me hear it from you fans! GO DAWGS!!
DoctorC
September 15th, 2009
8:23 pm
After Brandon Boykin’s electrifying kickoff returns, South Carolina started kicking it short. Why not put Boykin and Brandon Smith in together on returns and play one around the 15 and the other on the goal line? This way, a playmaker will get the ball either way and both should know how to block. They could alternate every kickoff. This seems rather obvious to me…anyone else agree or is something wrong with this logic?
Paddy
September 15th, 2009
8:27 pm
debbiedowner…this is not the forum for you. You miss the point of how football is played and with what emotion is important to a team trying to win. Stick with Oprah or Rachel Ray or some other reality show that is all uninteresting and requires no thought.
Johnny Test
September 15th, 2009
9:06 pm
Stinger…. thanks for your compliments. It is always nice to see you deep in the conversations about the DAWGs. It is facinating to see a teck fan spend so much time sharing their feelings on Dawg subjects. If I didn’t know better I’d say folks on the teck blog don’t like you anymore than they like M or yellow fuzz. Why else would you spend so much time with us Dawgs? You gotta get some new material. You and M both have no imagination.
Chip Towers
September 15th, 2009
9:25 pm
Brian: Marlon Brown was out there on the field Saturday. He didn’t catch a pass but he was playing. So was Rantavious Wooten, FWIW.