What if Georgia Bulldogs fail to land RB Isaiah Crowell?
Everybody in the world knows that Carver-Columbus running back Isaiah Crowell is Georgia’s No. 1 target for 2011. But what hasn’t been talked about much is this: What happens if the Bulldogs don’t get him?
That shake you just felt was the collective Bulldog Nation shuddering.
Isaiah Crowell with current and former Carver-Columbus teammates Deion Bonner and Jarvis Jones at a Georgia camp last summer. (AJC photo by Chip Towers)
Few teams can match the momentum with which UGA has been closing out this recruiting season. The Bulldogs are 4-for-4 in landing their last four members of the so-called “Dream Team” in Damian Swann, Malcolm Mitchell, Jay Rome and Ray Drew.
But Crowell has kept UGA waiting. The nation’s No. 1-ranked tailback per Scout.com and ESPN, says he’ll pick between the Bulldogs and Alabama on Wednesday.
What, pray tell, if he chooses the Crimson Tide?
“It will be hard to call it a Dream Team if you miss on Crowell,” said Chad Simmons, South recruiting manager for Scout.com and FoxSports.com. “He’s been on the top of their board from the beginning. You have to feel good about them getting him because they haven’t haven’t seriously recruited anybody else at the position. On the other hand, if they don’t get him, then what are they going to do?”
The answer is, probably not sign a running back until 2012.
Meanwhile, it was a very good year in the state for running backs, and the Bulldogs had some flirtations with the best of them. But nothing of a serious nature.
The next best backs in the state are generally thought to be Marcus Caffey of Grady and Josh Clemons of Whitewater. Both are currently committed to Kentucky. Many have wondered if one or the other may represent a backup plan for the Dogs.
“As far as I know — and I’ve talked to Georgia and Mark Richt extensively — they haven’t even discussed Caffey,” said Grady coach Ronnie Millen. “I think they may have talked to Damian about him a little. But as far as I’m concerned he’s never really been on their radar.”
And that, Millen believes, might be a mistake.
“I haven’t seen Crowell play but I don’t know how anybody could be much better than my guy,” he said. “It may be one of those Jasper Sanks-Jamal Lewis things.”
In 1997, Georgia chose to focus all its recruiting efforts on landing running back Sanks out of Carver-Columbus over Lewis of Atlanta’s Douglass High. Lewis became an All-American and won a national championship with Tennessee before going on to an extended NFL career. Sanks was a serviceable SEC back but struggled with academics and discipline and never lived up to his lofty billing.
Caffey (6-0, 190) rushed for 1,611 yards and 18 touchdowns while rarely playing a full game for Grady (12-2) this past season. Swann, his teammate and best friend, is an AJC Super 11 defensive back and UGA commitment who expressed an interest in having Caffey come with him to Athens.
But after an early commitment to Purdue, Caffey reversed field and committed to Kentucky last month. He’ll sign with the Wildcats Wednesday morning at 8:45.
Clemons is also headed to the Bluegrass State. The 5-foot-10, 205-pound athlete was named the state’s Class AAAA offensive player of the year after rushing for 2,003 yards and 25 touchdowns.
“We sent some film to them and they even looked at him a little last year, but they never seemed that interested,” Whitewater coach Amos McCrary said of Georgia. “They had him down there a couple of times. But I think they’re on a certain person in Georgia and nobody else.”
Like Caffey, it’s doubtful Clemons would wait around to see what Georgia does. He, too, is scheduled to siGn at 8:45 in the morning. But, McCrary said, you can never be sure.
“There’s maybe a little speculation that could happen, but all indications are he’s going to sign with Kentucky,” McCrary said.
Georgia also offered scatback Quan Bray of Troup in this class and it had some flirtations with some of the top out-of-state running backs. The Dogs threw out token offers to Malcolm Brown and Aaron Green of Texas and Mike Bellamy, Shon Carson, James Wilder Jr., and Remi Watson of Florida.
But they never pursued any of them with the vigor they have Crowell. And the consensus is Georgia’s tunnel vision is justified.
Crowell (6-0, 190) is said to share the characteristics of South Carolina’s Marcus Lattimore, the SEC’s reigning Freshman of the Year. Crowell rushed for 1,627 yards and 17 TDs despite missing four entire games with injuries and rarely playing past halftime in the other 10. Hence, he had a yards-per-carry average of more than 12.
Informed that Crowell is not going to announce his choice until 1:35 p.m. Wednesday (ESPNU), McCrary gasped.
“Whew! He must be pretty good to sit around and wait on him like that,” he said. “They’d be crazy not to have somebody out there in mind.”
Not necessarily.
“If they miss him they don’t sign a running back in 2011, in my opinion,” Simmons said. “That will leave them with Washaun Ealey, Carlton Thomas, Ken Malcome and Caleb King, and that’s fine. But who knows what will happen with Caleb King missing the bowl game and all that?
“But Georgia definitely believes in Isaiah Crowell and obviously they believe they’re going to get him. If Georgia does sign him, he’s going to be expected to produce.”
By Chip Towers, The College Recruiting Blog
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537 comments Add your comment
Bobo garbage play call
January 31st, 2011
4:02 pm
If Crowell comes great regardless we got some kids coming in that will get playing time in key positions.Im from Columbus Crowell will sing with Bama.I believe Jenkins is huge to get.Go Dawgs
Destin Dawg
January 31st, 2011
4:11 pm
Ken Malcomb is tough runner… let’s play ‘em all… Hutson Mason.. LeMay, Figgins at FB…. Trickeration !! open up play calling…. reverses,.. fake kicks.. no hudddle… new S & C program new Oline coach… win the 1st 2 games !!!!
7576DAWG
January 31st, 2011
4:15 pm
I have never seen a defense not have trouble with a no huddle when it is run without many mistakes.. I would love for UGA to pick up the tempo with a no huddle.
robodawg
January 31st, 2011
4:18 pm
Of course we’re sort of counting on Crowell. But at this point you just don’t know if he’ll be a Lattimore type game changing player, or just another great high school back who fails to be a great college back.
Dare I say I think the accumulation of talent on defense and on the offensive line is more important? I want Jenkins at nose, I want Turene and Pagan and Antonio Richardson. If we block well, we can compete in the SEC with Ealey, King and Malcome if we have to.
layinlow
January 31st, 2011
4:18 pm
rincon dawg, thanks for the info. I haven’t read scout in a few days and just read what simmons said about jenkins. You’re correct simmons is saying jenkins to UGA is a done deal!
Midtown Dawg
January 31st, 2011
4:20 pm
First, I will admit I don’t know much about football and second I will admit bias because I have taught Caffey in the classroom and think he is a remarkably humble young man. Having said that, as a football non-expert, what I liked about Caffey’s running is he seems to look ahead and plan where he is running to get big yards and Crowell plows through. You can’t teach what Caffey does, but you can redshirt him and allow him to develop better strength and running technique, but you can’t teach vision, which Caffey’s tape showed run after run of as he picked routes that resulted in big yards.
dawgster
January 31st, 2011
4:21 pm
@JAWJeDAWG….i’m at work now, but i will send you an email tonite..have a BB game to coach but will get send info later this evening…meant to do it before i left today but ran out of time…go dawgs
DawgByte
January 31st, 2011
4:21 pm
Georgia has a history of going after only 1 running back per recruiting class. I’m not sure I agree with that approach. I think Kentucky has out recruited us in RB area this year, even if we get Crowell. Let’s just hope Crowell comes through for us on Wed. and he’s all that and a bag of chips. We don’t need any more flounder spanks.
sportsrealist
January 31st, 2011
4:22 pm
If he doesn’t come…..maybe our O-line can open some holes so our current backs can run through. If they can do that, then we’ll be fine…Relax guys.
Roaddawg80
January 31st, 2011
4:23 pm
Everyone needs to quit filtering in to this article. These kids read these blogs. Yes we will still be UGA if IC does not sign but lets not kid ourselves, we need him. UGA has all the momentum going our way and we can’t let one little article bring us down. There has been no negative thing the AJC has been able to write about in the past week and a half and now this pops up.
Stick togather DAWG fans and watch the DREAM TEAM become a reality!!!!
GO DAWGS!
Pacific Dawg
January 31st, 2011
4:24 pm
I can remember when we didn’t get Bill Ray. We didn’t fold up camp.
RRTDawgs
January 31st, 2011
4:29 pm
Jenkins is just playing the recruiting game he is not going to give anything away just like Ray Drew with FB Jenkins has really bonded with UGA coaches his parents were very impressed with there visit to Athens i just think in the end Crowell and Jenkins will be dawgs .
D A DoubleU G
January 31st, 2011
4:30 pm
For the people who simply do not get it……..
The “Dream Team” is a concept derived by the Recruitment team at UGA, to try and get in-state kids to take pride in their zip/area codes, and represent the school that represents those numbers.
The “Dream Team” was never intended to blow up in the media, and to get you/us fans excited. If it were up to the Recruitment team at UGA, the only people who would have ever heard that term would be the in-state recruits themselves. I believe Mark Richt may have slipped up and said it once in a presser, but i promise you that’s the only time you have heard it from any UGA coach. The media, and the recruits themselves are the ones who have made it seem like such a huge deal.
Those who think the “Dream Team” is the class as a whole, are sorely mistaken. The “Dream Team” is in no way saying that this class should or will exceed all expectations.
So before you sit back and chug your PBR and say “meh, this recruiting gimmick is pathetic”, understand what it really is. The in-state kids appear to have bought into it. And I am excited for it to become a theme for all in-state recruiting classes from here forward.
dawgster
January 31st, 2011
4:31 pm
I keep reading from some who think Crowell is a lock for the dawgs…i’m not that certain for a couple of reasons…one this has been really overwhelming for him and his family, so if he knows where he’s headed then this would take alot of pressure of him and his famiily in my opinion…2nd, the young man and family may feel that the pressure that many are putting on him to be the savior at RB an to instantly solve our problems may be more than the young man wants to deal with…i can surely understand that…I still believe he will be a dawg by a nose, but i don’t think anything is a lock….
Also…i have been on the M. Caffey the entire recruiting season…i have no idea why we didn’t offer this kid based on everything i have seen, read or heard from his coaches and players who had to go up against him…He would have been a dawg in a split second and then we still could have concentrated on young Crowell…I don’t think he would have shied away from the competition…I know we have B. Malcome and he will definately be a plus for us, but not offering Caffey may backfire on us in the end…I’m not saying we won’t be ok even if we don’t get Crowell, but the dawg nation will flip out if we finish this recruiting class with “0″ RB’s signed…of course it’s just my opinion…go dawgs
Preston
January 31st, 2011
4:32 pm
Don’t really see a reason to be too concerned here. I’m feeling pretty sure he’s all dawg but if he goes west of the border, I’m sure the staff at Georgia has a contingency plan. The O Line will be better next year anyway so we’ll have a much better running game with the guys we already have anyway. But enough of all this negative thinking. Let me be the first to welcome Mr. Crowell to the Bulldog Nation!!!
Einsteindawg
January 31st, 2011
4:34 pm
No big deal…I like our incoming OL, and it is always better to have a great OL and average RBs than vice versa. Besides, I think JS-W is a better (certainly faster) back, and who knows…maybe Cootie at RB?
rincon dawg
January 31st, 2011
4:35 pm
dawgster we will all see just how good he is cause he is going to kentucky and the dawgs didnt even offer. its amazing that they didnt,kid has heart.
dawgster
January 31st, 2011
4:38 pm
@RRT Dawgs…the worry i have with Crowell as i have said is the pressure that him and his family may feel if he comes to UGA and he isn’t able to live up to the hype…thats alot for anyone to carry, and i guess as dawg fans we all have to accept some responsibility for putting that kind of pressure on him…I don’t know, maybe i’m wrong, but as a father i don’t know that i want that kind of pressure on my son…but some seem to think he’s a lock, perhaps, but i just have some concerns that as bad as he might want to be a dawg, is it more than he or his family want to try and handle…go dawgs
Mightydawg
January 31st, 2011
4:39 pm
dawgster,
Drew was all dawg and had silently committed a week before his announcement but still was overwhelmed with all of the media attention leading up to his announcement. The fact that Crowell is overwhelmed says nothing about the strength of his commitment to UGA or that he is having trouble making a decision. Even when you know what you are going to do, it is still a day that makes you nervous and can be overwhelming. Think about getting married–there are alot of people who are nervous and overwhelmed by the weight of the moment even though they know exactly what they are going to do.
goldwreck
January 31st, 2011
4:43 pm
To whomever was asking what number would Crowell be next year when he gets to Athens.I think it would depend on the agency that arrests him.
VA DAWG
January 31st, 2011
4:44 pm
@ Valdosta Cat,
You actually supported my point…USCe didn’t win anything with Lattimore. Although they are a much better team with him, they still are not a champion of anything. Thats why I refer to auburn as the exception b/c without Newton, they are a 7-5 to 8-4 team at best. GO DAWGS!
Sparticus
January 31st, 2011
4:44 pm
Crowell is good, but I really want UGA to get the kid from Millbrook in Raleigh, NC next year. Haven’t seen a back like that in a long while.
Einsteindawg
January 31st, 2011
4:45 pm
@goldwreck,
LOL…good one. Now you can go back to your DragonCon championship.
Alphare
January 31st, 2011
4:46 pm
Chip, do you remember when King was recruited how big it was? Bigger than Crowell as I remember.
Has King saved UGA?
RRTDawgs
January 31st, 2011
4:47 pm
If these kids can’t handle the pressure they should not play football i just know Crowell has been a silent commit for while most experts and insiders believe he will be a dawg .
BamamannGA
January 31st, 2011
4:48 pm
I would like to get Crowell to Bama, but if does come I wish him well at GA. The only recruit that can break my heart by commiting elsewhere is Jadaveon Clowney.
7576DAWG
January 31st, 2011
4:49 pm
CMR is not going to throw Crowell out there unless he is ready. I can guarantee that was addressed when CMR had his in home visit. Also it would be going against CMR normal behavior. I think we should be more worried about CMR not playing freshman soon and often enough.
rincon dawg
January 31st, 2011
4:52 pm
rrtdawgs
what have you heard on jeoffrey Pagan? here its between us and bama.
RRTDawgs
January 31st, 2011
4:53 pm
Tech fans still obsessed with arrests man talk about one track minds .
7576DAWG
January 31st, 2011
4:53 pm
BamamannGA
I’ve got to admit Clowney is one very impressive dude. He has a definite NFL future.
Chip Towers
January 31st, 2011
4:53 pm
suwaneedawg, others: It’s a legitimate questions, IMO.
LaGrange2008
January 31st, 2011
4:54 pm
@Is Crowell THAT good?
The one thing I noticed about Crowell’s film is it one of the most realistic tapes I have seen. Let me explain, when I looked at other kid’s film, they seem to have posted their greatest, longest, most spectacular runs, etc. The Crowell tape shows him getting tackled in some plays, running over defenders in some, and pulling away from defenderws in others. Not just some glorified higlight of his 60 plus career highschool touchdowns.
Now to answer your question. I have watched this kid play in person, and yes, he is that good. He missed 4 complete games this season and still gained over 1700 yards. In the majority of his games, he did not play in the second half because his team would be up by 30 or more points going into the half. So imagine what his numbers would have been like if he would have played more minutes.
GTBob
January 31st, 2011
4:54 pm
Um, I guess somebody else will play RB for UGA. It really wouldn’t be that big of a deal. People make way too big of a deal over one high schooler who may or may not be good at the college level. Im sure UGA can find someone else to play RB.
RRTDawgs
January 31st, 2011
4:55 pm
Rincon dawg i say its about 60/40 on Pagan it depends on what Clowney does is my guess .
Chip Towers
January 31st, 2011
4:56 pm
Alphare: Actually Caleb King was not a bigger recruit. He was a four-star per Rivals and five-star per Scout but not No. 1 at his position as is Crowell. But your point on all recruiting and rankings is taken.
7576DAWG
January 31st, 2011
4:58 pm
With UGA posting the open offensive line coach job and it must stay posted for 5 days , I expect to hear something about a hiring by Saturday. Anyone hearing anything. A very important hire and I hope play calling offensive coordinator.
Mightydawg
January 31st, 2011
5:00 pm
Crowell, Pagan, and Jenkins are Dawgs. The question marks are Turene and Richardson.
LaGrange2008
January 31st, 2011
5:00 pm
@ValdostaCat, What particular game did you see Crowell play in? Just wondering.
jacketnation
January 31st, 2011
5:00 pm
Tech’s recruiting is about like it’s 2010 season. Very un-impressive. Sorry un-known recruits that nobody wanted expect one or two division 1 AA schools. Johnson needs someone who can truly land a real option Quarterback, which means a guy that can throw as well as he runs.
Mightydawg
January 31st, 2011
5:02 pm
7576Dawg, I agree on timing of OLine hire. UGA typically posts the job after it has found its man and then waits the required time to announce it. Disagree on OLine coach calling plays. Bobo is the play caller. If Richt took those duties away, Richt would call the plays himself.
Sully
January 31st, 2011
5:05 pm
He is Bama Bound where he’ll be Heisman winner as soph!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sully
January 31st, 2011
5:07 pm
Clowney is the man!!!!!!!!!!!!!
HWJ
January 31st, 2011
5:08 pm
Look Bama already has Richardson, Lacy and Dee Hart. Dee Hart was a top 8 recruit at running back. Crowell knows that he has a better chance at making noise at UGA. As far as pressure goes if you are a big time player and are waiting till national signing day at 130 you should be able to handle the pressure. Do yall really think there is any less pressure at BAMA? Hell everyone at BAMA things its there birth right to win a national championship.
dawgster
January 31st, 2011
5:10 pm
@MightyDawg…I see your point and you may be right, but Drew and Crowell went about this somewhat different…behind the scenes Drew was recruiting for the dawgs and even though i was somewhat unsure of where he stood he seem to pretty much know what he was going to do and actually enjoyed this recruiting stuff more so than Crowell has of lately…Also, i’m not sure in Drew’s case that the pressure was as intense for him to be the missing piece as what as been attributed to Crowell in some peoples eyes, maybe not the coaches, but the fan base believes he’s the answer for many of our problems…
@7576DAWG…agree that Coach Richt will not throw Crowell out there if he’s not ready…that wouldn’t be my concern…it would be that the expectations are so high for this young man that can he ever live up to the billing…Caleb King came in with the same type of billing and from most fans perspectives has not lived up to anywhere near what they thought…i think everyone deals with high expectations in different ways, i just hope that he has made a decision and is just winding down from everything that has been going on…If Crowell signs with the dawgs he knows that the expectations will be high and it is Div 1 football so we will see what happens…go dawgs
RRTDawgs
January 31st, 2011
5:13 pm
When an article like this comes out people jump to conclusions every needs to relax he will be a dawg in the end .
Mightydawg
January 31st, 2011
5:15 pm
Dawgster, rumor has it that Crowell called Drew before Drew’s announcement. I would not assume that Crowell has not been recruiting the “Dream Team” as well. I think that all of these guys bought in together.
RRTDawgs
January 31st, 2011
5:18 pm
Some news on 2012 QB Greyson Lembert He and Richt spent all day together when he was at the Jr . day game .
dawgster
January 31st, 2011
5:20 pm
@HWJ…the difference or perceived difference at Bama is they have some proven and talented RB’s where there seems to be some doubt with ours in many people’s opinions…You are right at this level you have to handle the pressure, its Div 1 football…His own family has said everything has been overwhelming, and i can surely understand that…Whether anyone on here wants to admit it or not, its been quite clear from probably 90% of fans that signning Crowell would solve the RB problems we appear to have….and it just might, but i know its a huge burden for any young man to carrry and although he would still be under pressure at Bama, i think most Bama people don’t feel like he’s there answer to any problems they may or may not have…Sorry, i’m just trying to see things from a parents point of view knowing what how many people are counting on my son…go dawgs and hopefully all will work out just fine….
Lagdawg
January 31st, 2011
5:24 pm
That’s called sorry recruiting. Regardless if you land Crowell or not, with the lack of talent at that position, UGA should have tried to sign at least two top rated runners. Maybe out of the two, one would have been productive. King is a bust and should have been kicked off the team to make room for someone that will be productive and have a higher level of maturitiy. Carlton Thomas is too small and cannot take the big hit or any hit. Ealey is unpredictable and Malcolme is unproven, but I bet Malcolme will be a better back than King or Ealey. Most of the backs are too slow and don’t gain any yards after contact. Signing at least two good backs would have helped.
dawgster
January 31st, 2011
5:27 pm
@Mightydawg…you could be right on the money about Crowell calling Drew before his announcement…as you said “rumor has it’…I guess i’m just being very cautious in my feelings with him being a dawg for sure…but i have said before if you made me pick right now, i would give the nod to the dawgs..I do hope in a few days i can come on here and tell eveybody how little i know when Crowell is a dawg…That would be great and i would welcome everyone to call me on it…go dawgs….