Georgia Tech recruiting class grade, overview
The bottom line
By mid-morning, the grade was in on Paul Johnson’s recruiting class, and it was … different depending on who assigned it. In terms of throwing bodies at perceived positions of need: B.
With at least nine defenders in the 18-man class (more offensive players may convert), a nod was made to the area that most frustrated the Yellow Jackets last fall. They added a scholarship kicker for the first time in years, and tried to grow some positions new defensive coordinator Al Groh considers critical: outside linebacker and safety.
But should the Jackets have added even more heft in the lines?
Bottom line grade, again: NRK — nobody really knows. “I think we’ve increased our athleticism,” Johnson said. “We’ll know in about three years,”
A-plus for that assessment.
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Scout.com ranked Tech’s recruiting class No. 6 in the ACC, behind Florida State, Miami, Clemson, North Carolina and Virginia Tech. Rivals.com ranked the Jackets No. 8, behind FSU, Clemson, Virginia Tech, Miami, Miami, North Carolina, N.C. State and Maryland.
Keep in mind that volume has much to do with those rating systems, and every team ranked ahead of Tech signed more players. By average stars per player, Rivals.com actually had Tech No. 4 in the ACC.
This isn’t science, and Johnson preaches a different brand of evaluation that has nothing to do with stars by players’ names, or rankings attached by anybody else. “You recruit off what you think you want in your program,” he said.
The head coach’s bottom line for all media-driven analysis about recruiting: “Believe nothing you read, and half what you see.”
The hits
Washington, D.C., cornerback Louis Young (the last guy to join the group), Grayson defensive tackle Shawn Green and cornerback Ryan Ayers look like candidates here.
Young, ranked the No. 11 cornerback in the nation by Scout.com, was committed to Stanford until a few days ago. He had been recruited by new defensive coordinator Al Groh before Groh was fired at Virginia.
“Besides having corner skills, he doesn’t have to be talked into playing cornerback,” Groh said. “A lot of kids have been running backs or something [else in high school]. This is a player who wants to be a corner. Sometimes, that saves you a year in getting the player ready instead of the player taking a year to get over not playing offense. He’s got really good hips, smooth, good ball skills, can jump on the run.”
Green (6-feet, 270 pounds) may have been a steal given perceptions of him.
“Probably a consensus from all the [high school] coaches that played against him was that he was the top defensive tackle in the state,” said linebackers coach Brian Jean-Mary, who helped recruit Green. “At 6-1, he probably didn’t get the recognition that he deserved. He’s big enough to play over the center or nose, and quick enough to play over the tackle.”
The misses
For a long time, the Jackets felt good about their chances with Stephenson defensive tackle Mike Thornton, who chose Georgia, and Beaufort, S.C., linebacker Justin Parker, who chose Clemson. They made a late push for Roswell wide receiver Chris Boyd, who made an official visit to The Flats last weekend and seemed genuinely interested before choosing to stick with his commitment to Vanderbilt.
Filling holes
Defensive tackles Shawn Green and Denzel McCoy might find themselves in wide-open competition for playing time right off the bat. Kicker Justin Moore will get a long look, especially on kickoffs, and outside linebacker Jeremiah Attaochu may factor early at the position Groh considers to be home of the Alpha males on his defense.
In-state success
The Jackets’ first 12 commitments were from in-state players, and they finished with 14 out of 18 from the Peach State. Thornton would have been a nice score from near home.
Out-of-state success
Having done about as well as they could have in-state by the time the number of available scholarships grew with the departure of four juniors to the NFL, the Jackets looked hard out of state, and fared well in landing four, including linebacker Quayshawn Nealy of Lakeland, Fla., and A-back Deon Hill of Phenix City, Ala.
Did you know?
Two of Tech’s final additions, Young and Attaochu, are not only from the Washington, D.C., area where Tech has not drawn for approximately two decades, but they weren’t even being recruited by the Jackets before Al Groh was hired as defensive coordinator.
So much for the concept of pledging to a school rather than a coach. Both players come from the prestigious D.C.-area Catholic league.
“They go to to schools that teach them to be academically accountable,” Groh said. “Shortly after I got off the phone with coach Johnson [to take the Tech job] … Attaochu was … excited immediately. It’s just one of those things that worked out perfectly. A year ago, neither one of us thought we would be at Georgia Tech.
“Louis is another player like Jeremiah who we became involved with a long time ago. He wasn’t really sure how much he wanted to go out [to Stanford, where he’d commited]. Louis happened to come into the office when I was [in D.C.] visiting Attachou. I said, ‘If there’s anything I can help you with …’ ”
Quotable
- “He’s very athletic, can bend and twist, be flexible. The ability to bend, twist, and be flexible is much more important than 40-yard dash.” — Groh on what he’s looking for in the outside linebacker position.
- “B.J. [Bostic] … grew up a fan of another school I’m not very fond of. I told him [junior year] my goal is when we come down here next, not to have any of this stuff around the house. When we brought in coach Johnson, that stuff was all gone.”– secondary coach Charles Kelly.
–Matt Winkeljohn, Special to the AJC
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176 comments Add your comment
Pedro
February 3rd, 2010
6:17 pm
Uno???
how2fish
February 3rd, 2010
6:22 pm
3 years and we will know more…
ugaaccountant
February 3rd, 2010
6:24 pm
I expect the UGA grading to be done on a consistent set of criteria or we’ll clearly see the favoritism towards Tech.
Hint – UGA met it’s needs too and did so with much more highly regarded players by any recruiting service or by the AJC’s own rankings of GA graduates.
The Man
February 3rd, 2010
6:35 pm
Since CPJ and Groh can coach folks up they have a great class.
All Richt and the ladies in Athens can do is keep folks for the most part out of jail.
With Dooley and Tennessee, Florida from another planet and even South Carolina coming back the Dawgs will have a lot more beatdowns than usual.
Couldn`t happen to a nicer group of people.
Imagine the trailor parks will empty as folks move to alabama.
The truth
February 3rd, 2010
6:38 pm
Team recruiting ranking are a joke. According to them its better to sign 25 2 stars than 12 4 stars. The average is much more meaningful.
In addition, the number of stars is directly releted to the number of subscribers that service has from the school he commits to. For example, a 3 at Tech is a 4 at FSU or UGA. I’ve got one thing to say about that, very smart marketing.
UGA has had top 5 recruiting forever. Tech has been from 20 to 50. Tech finished the year #15, UGA outside the top 25. Enough said.
Joe
February 3rd, 2010
6:39 pm
From a GT perspective to UGA- I would rather see Ga players sign with UGA than Tenn, Auburn, Clemson, etc. Both schools need to do a better job in football and basketball in that regard.
collegeballfan
February 3rd, 2010
6:39 pm
As coach said, we will see in three years. Anything else is hope or sheer speculation.
AccountingJacket
February 3rd, 2010
6:46 pm
Damn right! BJ took that UGA stuff right on down for Sheriff PJ!
Great comments!
Thanks Matt for contributing!
Buzz
February 3rd, 2010
6:47 pm
I think Tech did a good job. Many players, such as McCoy, Perkins, Days, Johnson and Williams were abysmally underrated….probably because Tech has far fewer subscriptions to the services than places like Uga, Notre Dame or Tennessee. Disappointed we missed out on a solid WR, but CB was a greater need and getting a stud in Young was fantastic, especially when you add another stud in Ayers with him.
Nice to see Al Groh, Tech’s first choice as DC and accomplished at the position not to mention desired by numerous NFL teams, paying dividends already.
This class will contribute early, and should help lead GT to numerous 10 win seasons. And, unlike certain other schools, they’ve all qualified so guys won’t be sent to Ga Military because of a lack of grades.
dawgy
February 3rd, 2010
6:58 pm
Buzz I know Gt plays in a weak league, but you won’t win ten games a year on a regular basis with classes ranked around 50th. PJ’s gonna have to step it up or last year was as good as it’s going to get
Massengill Nozzle, QB GT Commit
February 3rd, 2010
7:01 pm
Today was the best day of my life. I am now a proud member of the #43 Trek recruiting class.
What a day. I got to ride on Al Groh’s hoveround and Coach Johnson treated us all to an all you can eat hotdog and coke buffet. He said there were alot of hotdogs left over from last season, since no one comes to our games, even though we only seat 55,000 and are located in the largest city in the state.
I then met alot of my new classmates. Too bad none of them speak english. My new friend Syed Haris Ahmed says Tech is the bomb.
Coach Johnson assured me that I will start next year in his hook and ladder / fumble ruski / statue of liberty based offense.
He says that when we get our one win against Duke, we will get gold rings.
Proud to be a yellow bee (yatch)
ARTC
February 3rd, 2010
7:01 pm
I wonder when PJ and Groh will coach em up enough to end that end of season choke tradition at GT The Man? Ole PJ sure has coached em up to the tune of 10 offensive pts in 2 bowls. Now that Groh is on campus PJ and his bowl game tackling dummies are definately the weak link at Tech.
Gerald
February 3rd, 2010
7:04 pm
uga accountant:
Get over yourself, OK? Georgia and Georgia Tech are different programs with different traditions that are in different conferences who recruit from different pools of athletes, run different offenses and have different expectations. Georgia THINKS that they are competing for the national title. So instead of comparing your recruiting rankings with Georgia Tech, you need to be comparing them with Florida, Alabama, LSU, Ohio State, Texas, Oklahoma and USC. Now if you think that your program is competing on that level, you are deluding yourselves.
Meanwhile, Georgia Tech KNOWS that it is the #2 program in a state that doesn’t produce as many athletes as Texas, Florida and California. Georgia Tech KNOWS that they don’t have UGA’s enrollment, financial support, fan support or facilities. Georgia Tech KNOWS that they are an institution whose majors are primarily hard sciences and engineering and requires every student to take calculus. So, Georgia Tech KNOWS that its main competition is schools like Northwestern, Stanford, Vanderbilt, Duke, Clemson, Maryland, North Carolina, and Virginia Tech, and that its goal is to win the ACC every now and then. Oh yes, and to beat UGA.
Now guess which program is actually closer to reaching its goals? The one who is coming off an ACC title, and who has victories over Virginia Tech, FSU, Miami and UGA over the past two years? Or the one who hasn’t won the SEC East or beaten a top 10 team since 2005?
ARTC
February 3rd, 2010
7:05 pm
Buzz
February 3rd, 2010
6:47 pm
I think Tech did a good job. Many players, such as McCoy, Perkins, Days, Johnson and Williams were abysmally underrated
By who Buzz? You? Enjoy finishing 3rd in the Coastal this year. Last year was the pinnacle of the Paul Johnson era. Success is always short lived at Tech.
Massengill Nozzle, QB GT Commit
February 3rd, 2010
7:07 pm
60-39-5
30-24
73-66
And I just got robbed on the way to my dorm.
It’s hard being a jacket.
UGA Cowards
February 3rd, 2010
7:08 pm
hey dawgydoo, you idiots can play the weaker conference card all you want, but take a look at the ACC schools that had better recruitng rankings than you has beens. Gee, do not see UGA scheduling out of conference games with the likes of Clemson, Miami, VT, FSU, UNC or even Wake. If the conference is so weak, why not? We know why….
ARTC
February 3rd, 2010
7:09 pm
The Truth you’re an idiot. How do you explain the ratings assigned before the first recruit has committed to anyone? Moron. Is your IQ above room temperature?
Massengill Nozzle, QB GT Commit
February 3rd, 2010
7:11 pm
UGA doesn’t schedule ACC teams because it would KILL their strength of schedule. They already have to stoop down and beat us every year.
dawgy
February 3rd, 2010
7:12 pm
Last year we played Oklahoma St., Arizona St. and Ga Tech out of conference. We get to beat up on Clemson in two years
ARTC
February 3rd, 2010
7:13 pm
Was GT one of them UGA Cowards? Guess not, huh? Furthermore little girl, we play the mighty nats every year. Own their azz too. Speak of something you know about like going down on your boyfriend UGA Cowards.
GT Gay Pride
February 3rd, 2010
7:18 pm
Let me be the first to welcome you new recruits to the land of fruits and fairies. You guys are going to love it here.
Massengill Nozzle, QB GT Commit
February 3rd, 2010
7:19 pm
GT Gay Pride
Thank you
ARTC already invited me over for a pickle licking tickle fight
what if...
February 3rd, 2010
7:19 pm
the daugs started with a 40 or 50 ranked class instead of a top ten? They were not even ranked with all that past “drafts”!
Sam
February 3rd, 2010
7:22 pm
Maybe they play that card because it’s the truth UGA Cowards. It’s not just UGA fans that realize that. A conference that is 2-10 in BCS bowls is not credible.
Massengill Nozzle, QB GT Commit
February 3rd, 2010
7:24 pm
Sorry ARTC I mis-read your post.
It was UGA Cowards that was facebooking me about meeting him behind the dumpster at the 7-11
Sam
February 3rd, 2010
7:26 pm
A team that is 0-2 in bowls, losing 63-17 and scoring a total of 10 offensive pts in those bowls isn’t credible either. In fact you could present a solid case for that team being a total fraud. Big fish small pond. Chum for the sharks outside the ACC.
Stick It Massengill Nozzle
February 3rd, 2010
7:26 pm
Hey Mass. stick the nozzle where the sun does’nt shine. Tech’s recruiting class may not be as good as UGA’s but we improved our DL, and OL. Also we signed some great DB’s. Over all we signed enough top players to compete with and beat the doggies. I think its so FUNNY how Auburn and Tenn. not only kicked your butt in recruiting but stole your prized recruits. But whats sad is how alot of your low life doggie fans are spewing such venom and hatred towards these recruits that changed their minds. Thats the real sign that proves that alot , not all, doggie fans are redneck losers.
Massengill Nozzle, QB GT Commit
February 3rd, 2010
7:27 pm
60-39-5
Sam
February 3rd, 2010
7:29 pm
How many bowl eligible ACC teams did you say GT played this year? Wasn’t over half of the ACC below .500 this year? The facts point to the ACC living up to that weaker conference card wouldn’t you say UGA Cowards?
Sam
February 3rd, 2010
7:33 pm
Stick It Massengill Nozzle you’re not Tennessee nor Auburn though are you? And the red and black nozzle does get stuck where the sun don’t shine almost every year. Right up Tech;s azz. Can’t argue with that fact either. It’s documented history.
the buck stops somewhere
February 3rd, 2010
7:39 pm
If Tech is that bad and so inconsequential, why are there so many UGA fans commenting on this article. As of 7:30 pm, not a single Tech follower was commenting on the UGA recruiting grade and overview. For a group who espouse no concern about Tech, you act concerned.
Carl Davis
February 3rd, 2010
7:40 pm
It must be awful when you’re a Tech fan when the bowl seasons rolls around. Knowing you’re butt is whipped 10 minutes into the game and sitting there with that pizzed off, milloion mile stare on your face that tells everyone else in the stadium, the bar, your living room, exactly what your thoughts are. Same old Tech. Same old $hit.
ugaaccountant
February 3rd, 2010
7:42 pm
Gerald – You’ve got the Tech part nailed. On the UGA part, perhaps you’re not realizing that UGA is competitive on a decade by decade basis with everyone in the country. We’re not top 5, but we’re dang sure top 15 whether you look at the last 3, 10 or 100 years.
Stick It Massengill Nozzle
February 3rd, 2010
7:42 pm
You know its funny how the little doggies like to say that CPJ won with Gaileys recruits but look how empty gailey left the cubbard when it comes to Offensive and defensive linemen. CPJ is retooling the lines and what happened this year to our lines will only be a distant memory. Also the reason we’ve scored so little in the bowl games is due to Nesbits inability to pass. He’s definitely not the right QB for this offense. Look what CPJ has done in only his 1st 2 yrs. on the flats. It kills the doggies to know Techs program is on the rise and the doggies are on a sinking ship.
GTman
February 3rd, 2010
7:44 pm
Easy on the UGA fans. They had to see what UF just brought in and they realize that UF will own their arse for AT LEAST another 4 years. Sux to be a dawg fan (aka just hoping to finish in second place U).
UGA probably could compete in the ACC – TOO BAD you’re in the SEC EAST – hahahahahahahahhahahahahahhahahahaha – LMFAO!
THWG!
mwh6767
February 3rd, 2010
7:51 pm
So friggin funny!!! The ga. haters are all over the Tech recruits blog spewing their usual crap bc the are upset about half their recruits jumping ship! To be fair, i did look at UGA’s class and its actually pretty good, seems to fill the needs they had. Which brings me to the question, WHY ARE YOU ON A TECH BLOG??? Oh wait i know
bc you guy arent true fans. You have no actual football knowledge hell you prob. couldnt name 5 players on UGAs team. Tech fans the only satisfaction these guys have in life is to come on a tech blog say the team is gay, its a high school offense , post a score and say you get robbed. What this really says is we are pissed we arent the center of attention in our state anymore, we have serious problems with our own program and like a ten yr. old the only way we know to vent our fustration is to call someone else names. News flash kids you are known THROUGHOUT college football as some of the worse fans around. I saw this firsthand at this yrs game when the Tech video board played the players singing the ” all the way turnt up ” song. A group of UGA fans behind me began using racial slurs in their curse filled rant. REAL CLASSY. Now im not a fool , every team has bad fans and not all UGA fans are bad . As a whole UGA fans continue to show why other teams fans hate to see you come to their stadium, hate to go to sanford stadium, the people of jacksonville , tampa , atlanta , orlando say UGA fans spend money like crazy but are some of the rudest people they have ever seen. So go ahead call me whatever names you like, continue to use homophobic slurs at 18-22 yr. kids you dont know just bc they go to a different school. All i have to say is good luck to all the kids who signed today no matter the school, you have accompished something great.
go Tech
February 3rd, 2010
7:53 pm
lets see osu had not finished better than 7-5 when the dogs scheduled them they lost to houston asu is real weak wow what powerful teams you play ky vandy ole miss sc auburn please you guys are pathic with your how big your stadium is and how many people show up
Brian jones TECH FAN
February 3rd, 2010
7:55 pm
ARTC after year one everyone said it was the pinnacle guess what they were wrong. After last year everyone says it was a 2 hit wonder guess what your wrong cause you have no clue about football and are a tech hater.
Also everyone settel down CPJ has to get his line set up The bowl loses have nothing to do with time to prepare. Ask missouri who had it handed to them by navy all he needs is a line and CMR will be out of a job
Stick It Massengill Nozzle up Sams $$$
February 3rd, 2010
7:57 pm
Yeah but that was then and this is now. CPJ has turned the tide with Techs rivalry with UGA. Thats why little Sammie likes to get spanked by massengills nozzle. Both are gay doggie fans that probably got kicked off the UGA blog. Oh and little Sammie I’ve never said that the ACC was a tougher conf. than the SEC. The SEC is by far the best conf. in college football. I actually respect UGA’s football program but I definitely dislike gay doggie fans like you and your pal massengill.
TCW
February 3rd, 2010
8:01 pm
Stick It Massengill Nozzle are you that stupid? Michael Johnson, Vance Walker, Derrick Morgan, Andrew Gardner,Daryl Richard. All Gailey recruits. All NFL caliber. The more you post the dumber you get. If your cupboard is bare it’s because of the 2 pitiful Paul Johnson recruiting classes that came before this one. Do you even have a clue what you’re talking about?
TCW
February 3rd, 2010
8:04 pm
Stick It Massengill Nozzle up Sams $$$ isn’t the latest “now” 30-24. Worst UGA team in 10 years spanking the best GT team since 1990? That’s your now imbecile.
Doug Edwards
February 3rd, 2010
8:05 pm
Yes TCW he’s that stupid.
TechBuzz
February 3rd, 2010
8:07 pm
I’m guessing that UGA(Y) got most of their recruits from the Georgia State Parole Boards list! Speaking of which, does Vick have any other younger thugs…I mean siblings that UGA(Y) would want or need? Their names just might be on that same list..haha
Doug Edwards
February 3rd, 2010
8:08 pm
155 yards total offense against Iowa. 200 yards off your rushing average vs UGA. That’s some turning the tide isn’t it idiot child. What time does the short bus pick you up every morning?
GSU 78
February 3rd, 2010
8:11 pm
It is obvious that Masengill is a Douche. Well chosen name. Why would someone post that racist crap? Making comments about students who don’t speak English and a stupid attempt to make a funny joke about Muslim terroists is ignorant. I guess he went to a school where students were from exotic places like Hahira, Eatonton and Millegville…. Leave the racist garbage out of the discussion.
mwh6767
February 3rd, 2010
8:12 pm
and the UGA fans continue to prove me right.
Doug Edwards
February 3rd, 2010
8:16 pm
Could it be because Tech fans make so many stupid comments Stick It Massengill Nozzle up Sams $$$? You guys have practically sainted a coach that has proven to be nothing but a bowl opponents butt boy. The guy has not proven anything yet. He’s 0-2 in finishing the drill. Mark Richt won the SEC, won a BCS bowl, and finished #3 in the country his 2nd year. But PJ falls on his face 2 years running when it matters the most and he’s the greatest coach since Lombardi? I realize you GT fans cling to hope like a teddy bear, but damn. Finish the drill and then talk smack. Until then you’re just everybody else’s comic relief.
GTengineer82
February 3rd, 2010
8:21 pm
They do have a point about finishing every season on a winning note. There is a problem there guys. Until PJ can turn that stat around what has he proven?
mwh6767
February 3rd, 2010
8:25 pm
You want to talk about finishing the drill doug???? Tell me did the Preseason #1 bulldogs finish the drill in 08??? Did they finish the drill against bama, uf , ga. tech that year?? that was supposed to be on of YOUR BEST TEAMS , and our rebuilt, new coach new scheme ran all over the preseason#1 in your house. Maybe you should look at your own team before you judge.
Doug Edwards
February 3rd, 2010
8:26 pm
Didn’t Sayed Harris Ahmed get convicted of conspiracy to commit terrorism GSU 78? What’s racist about fact? I didn’t see one thing in his post that demeaned Muslim students at large. You Yech guys sometimes have great difficulty with facts when they don’t support your delusional revisionist history.