Georgia high school football expert sees 5-star DE Ray Drew as ‘a project’
Looking for a different perspective on how good this year’s highest-profile recruits might be in college? Well, I’ve got one for you.
Some opposing coaches who faced Thomas County Central this past season aren't sold on Ray Drew's abilities to excel in college. (AJC photo by Jason Getz)
Longtime Georgia sportswriter Todd Holcomb, who covers high school football for us and serves as publisher of Georgia High School Football Daily, wrote a piece for MaxPreps.com on this subject. Holcomb broke down the 27 highest-rated prospects in Georgia this past season and offered his personal opinion on how each one fared as a high school senior based on his personal observations and feedback from opposing coaches.
For instance, sees UGA’s five-star defensive end signee Ray Drew of Thomas County Central as “a project” based on a tepid performance as a high school senior. Conversely, he views linebackers Jabari Hunt-Days (Georgia Tech) and Amarlo Herrera (Georgia) as “producers” based on their extremely productive seasons.
It’s unscientific as far as how they might do in college but I found it a fascinating read. So follow the link see what you think.
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248 comments Add your comment
Wrong, Wrong, and Wrong again
February 9th, 2011
10:16 am
SmyrnaDawg
February 8th, 2011
5:57 pm
@WDE, by “unwilling to do what is necessary to win” are you saying UGA’s coaches and administration won’t pay players to come to our school to play.
You and the rest of the Tigers can revel in this moment all you want. But yall have got to be the most arrogant, ignorant, and stupidest fanbases I’ve seen in a long time. Your President and AD admit the man’s father got wrapped up in a pay4play scheme but his son knew nothing…
Did I miss something? Neither the President nor the AD at Auburn have even commented on the Cam Newton allegations!! THE NCAA has ruled that money was discussed at MSU but that no money ever changed hands. I guess you know more than the NCAA investigators because they have yet to tie Auburn to the allegations in any way, shape, or form. But if makes you feel better about your 6-7 season I guess you can spread false rumors all you want. Just don’t be upset when you are proven wrong and sued for slander…
DawgByte
February 9th, 2011
10:17 am
Chip -
It must be a slow news day, because this article has chum written all over it! It looks like the masses have taken the bait.
Chip Towers
February 9th, 2011
10:21 am
A bunch of people have asked so here’s my opinion on Ray Drew in particular:
I like Ray, both personally and as a college football prospect. That’s why I ranked him No. 2 in the state in the AJC Top 50 list. I think he’s an impressive physical specimen whose body type should translate well to playing on the edge in college. I think his production in high school was what it was because he played defensive end against mostly run-oriented teams that tended to run away from him. I also thought he was under-utilized in high school. I think he should have been moved around more to take advantage of his size and speed. You know, play some snaps at nose guard, some at tackle, some at linebacker, maybe a little fullback or tight end. But that’s just me. I also agree that 40-50 scholarship offers and a four-to-five-star rating by recruiting services accounts for something.
That said, I cannot say with any certainty that Ray will excel at Georgia. Nobody can. That’s why we follow these guys, to see what happens as their careers progress. But knowing Ray as I do, I AM certain he will be successful in life. . . . VERY successful.
Vol Fan
February 9th, 2011
10:33 am
Dawg fans are getting ahead of themselves. Murray is a good QB. Thats evident from watching him play. However, no one in the conference has a stronger arm then Bray. I believe that Bray will be better then Murray (in the long run) because of potential and better coaching.
Players simply do not get better at Georgia because of Richt. The dream team will be a bust. I don’t see Richt lasting more then one more year.
My opinion.
Brainiac
February 9th, 2011
10:39 am
If Ray Drew doesn’t play a single snap for our 2011 season he has done more for this team than any other human being. I give him credit for assembling the “Dream Team” and convincing them to sign with UGA.
dawgfacedboy
February 9th, 2011
10:48 am
I put absolutely zero stock in this guy’s opinion. His entire evaluation is based purely on stats. Things such as intangibles, coachability, heart, work ethic don’t come into play.
BILLY JACK
February 9th, 2011
11:15 am
If he is a project- could I order 20 more?
Not a Vol Basher
February 9th, 2011
11:24 am
Did you say Bray had the strongest arm of any SEC QB? Dude, I watched the bowl game and his bicep may be 10 inches around. Those are the thinnest arms I have ever seen on a QB.
BILLY JACK
February 9th, 2011
11:30 am
I also read a report from a south fla newspapers that at all star practice he could not be blocked and was creating quite a mess.You dont have to be a expert to see he is pretty special.They were double teaming and chipping with a back and still could not block him and these were other 5 star recruits on the OL.
Blood Mountain Bulldogs
February 9th, 2011
11:40 am
If Ray Drew isn’t any good, why did all those other top rated schools; want him so much?
DawginLex
February 9th, 2011
11:44 am
Chip,
do we have a shot at Clowney?
Blood Mountain Bulldogs
February 9th, 2011
11:45 am
Vol fan; shouldn’t you be concerned with your own teams pending trouble with the NCAA. I wouldn’t be worried about UGA’s program, if my own team had so much turmoil.
That Lane Kiffin now that’s a coach.
"Whatchagot Loran?"
February 9th, 2011
12:06 pm
Chip, Thanks for the link. I appreciate the responses you provide. I know you can’t respond to everybody, but you do a good job in your selection of those to respond to. Keep up the good work.
Vonda
February 9th, 2011
12:20 pm
Wonder what Mr. Holcomb would have said about Ray Drew if he had signed with Auburn? Probably a lot different. Ray Drew was double & tripled teamed all season as a senior – that’s why his numbers weren’t quite as good. Plus as a soph. & junior, he wasn’t on everyone’s radar. Chip, I would trust your judgment way more than I would Mr. Holcomb’s. But I’ll one up you no that – I’ll trust Mark Richt’s judgment over anyone. I can’t wait for Ray Drew to terrorize the SEC! GO DAWGS!
I recall what was said about HW too
February 9th, 2011
12:33 pm
Up front ………… there are no Hershall Walkers anywhere to be seen. Period.
Having said that, several experts, like UGA’s VINCE DOOLEY, said when they initially saw Walker running the ball, that “he appeared stiff and too upright” in his motions. Dooley actually thought that he just might be a linebacker or a blocking fullback, vs a running back in the SEC. He thought him to be more a project in work. UT game that September, proved differently. Ask Bill Bates, who played All Pro safety for years and years at Dallas Cowboys.
Time will tell. If Ray does only make the second team and he does see action, he is still viewed as a leader.
GO Dogs.
Old Tech Dude
February 9th, 2011
12:33 pm
I find it troubling that we had only one player even mentioned.
I did see the HS all star game
February 9th, 2011
12:38 pm
Drew played well in the HS all star game. He was a force. He was playing with all star HS kids and he looked pretty good.
Drew will be hitting the weights and eating a solid diet and he will be ready. How do I know this? Um, ah, he has personal discipline and he is a leader. THAT sits him apart from most kids his age. See Ealey as one comp.
GO Dogs.
Vonda
February 9th, 2011
12:39 pm
Old Tech Dude – that’s because you only had ONE player out of the top 27 in Georgia!
GT has some kids too
February 9th, 2011
12:51 pm
GT has always had great football players like:
Rufus Guthrie, Jack Rudolph, Billy Lothridge, Billy Martin ( the Green Giant) and Ted Davis and Billy Curry and Chic Graning and Lenny Snow and Johnny Hunsinger and Pepper Rodgers and Larry Morris, Maxie Vaughn, etc. Many of these fellows even played in the NFL. Some became NFL GREATS !!! THEY were legends. Today??
Now? Please. GT football is toast and has been since they left the SEC, only to later in 1973, beg to be back in and try to come in through the back door. Furman Bisher did more with his pull as a AJC writer in the early 90s to assist GT with their shared title, than they deserved with that tie to hapless North Carolina.
GT tries to put up a front and field a team nowadays. You ask the average person
( student ) today on GT’s campus what they think of football and they will say that they love the World Cup Soccer matches. GT’s average STUDENT COULD CARE LESS and the old alumni cannot stand that ………………so, they pretend to live in the past ……….. 1950s and 1960s.
GT’s Paul Silas was a fine receiver too. He played in ?? 67 -69? in Kim King’s era??? RIP Kim.
puppydawg
February 9th, 2011
12:55 pm
wreckmaniac, you ask “How could any UGA man communicate with potential Tech atheletes?” Your poor spelling notwithstanding, I am amused at your use of the ultimate oxymoron, “Tech atheletes”. What’s next, “good looking Tech women”?
Really?
February 9th, 2011
12:56 pm
Man, that article is garbage. All this guy did was look at their Senior yr numbers and determine if they were a “Project” or “Producer” based on those numbers. Anybody can do that. I want some analysis. From what I saw, Drew has an elite ability to hold his ground and fight through the trash. He’s a playmaker and the ultimate leader. Don’t listen to this nonsense, Drew will be an impact player immediately
UGA's Murray and his W/L record in 2010
February 9th, 2011
1:11 pm
There are about 6 or 7 plays that I recall, had they been closer or executed correctly, would have likely led to victory in at least 3 or 4 games for UGA in 2010. In the SC game Ealey fumbled on the SC 3 and they got the ball and after a nice UGA drive. Also, three passes were ill thrown by AM. One was to outstretched hands of either Marlon Brown or Kris Durham by 4″ on a streak route toward the SC goal around their 35. They were alone when the ball sailed over them
Another poorly thrown ball was a little bit behind Orson Charles in the SC game, as he crossed the field directly in front of their goal posts, on about their 8 yd line. Could/should/woulda been caught. Another short ball but caught by Durham, as as he streaked alone toward their goal posts, as he slowed up to grab that ball, was tackled and we settled for a 30 yd field goal or on that next play, Murray threw that bad ball to Charles on the 8, as I indicated. The one bad ball here cost UGA another TD.
None the less, we played HORRIBLY in the SC game and they wanted it more. We also had NO macho man in the middle of our D line and Lattimore ate our lunch.
In the MSU game Ealey lost a TD at their end zone and then, with that, we deflated and let them score late. Ealey cost us that game. We blew that game too.
In the Arkansas game, Ealey gain fumbled on the 3 and cost us a score. Our D let us down late too. We blew that game.
Arron Murray all alone cost UGA the Florida game. He fumbled and he threw pics in horrible situations. He also choked in over time. HE COST UGA the Florida game. The Florida game in 2010 will forever be Aaron Murray’s choke game and I like the kid.
2011’s season is almost here. So, we UGA fans wait and watch and look forward to some fun and some improvements.
Besides ………….. this year Miurray will be faced with unbelieveable QB competition by Mason and Lemay and Marshall. He will have to make better decisions or he will sit.
gomdawg
February 9th, 2011
1:21 pm
GET A REAL JOB CHIP,LET THIS YOUNG MEN GET IN SCHOOL AND PLAY THE GAME BEFORE YOU START THIS BULL SHZT.
gomdawg
February 9th, 2011
1:25 pm
CHIP , TRY WRITNG SOMETHING THAT ABOUT THE GAME OF FOOTBALL AND DON’T JUDGE THESE YOUNG MEN BEFORE THEY EVEN PUT ON A UNIFORM. THIS PISSES ME OFF. GET A LIFE OR A JOB . DAMN
gomdawg
February 9th, 2011
1:39 pm
You don’t see other states sports writers writing this shzt. Maybe we should grade our sport writers. YOU GET A -F IN MY BOOK.
LogicalUS
February 9th, 2011
1:42 pm
“Kellen Moore lost all of his go to guys….
Garcia at SC is not a huge concern……. With big John Jenkins as a true Nose Guard, we should at least be able to contain the up-the-gut running attack they beat us with next year. We cover Alshon Jeffery, and force them to keep handing the ball to Lattimore, and we should win a close game.”
This is why no respectable player should ever go to UGA! Complete and utter delusional fans who will be cursing at their players by the 2nd Qtr of the SC game like last season.
Look get in touch with reality before you blow a gasket. Garcia had a better season than the savior Aaron Murray and unlike Murray he has a stable of weapons to whom to throw the ball. Murray has??? Noone! He lost the only SEC calibre weapon in AJ Green along with Durham and all that is left is a bunch of nobodies. And unlike Garcia who has a likely 1st team All-American RB, Murray has NOBODY to hand the ball off to.
People have to laugh at the idiocy of UGA fans….if we shut down SC All-American RB and lottery pick WR even though we have shown no ability to do either even against the likes of Central Florida and GaTech, plus find a way to score more than a TD against the SC defense who throttled us last year, then we will easily win.
WIshful thinking…..
BG
February 9th, 2011
1:54 pm
Ray Drew is the real deal. The guy that wrote that article is insane.
Chip Towers
February 9th, 2011
2:17 pm
gomdawg: This IS my job. Besides, no games being played right now.
GT75
February 9th, 2011
3:10 pm
I believe that there is some correlation between this analysis and the performance of not only the individuals but also their teams. Of all the Dream Team members not one won their state championship and not one even made it to the finals. Tech on the other hand had four recruits win their state championship and 3 more that made it to the finals. This is not to say that UGA’s recruits won’t turn out to be good or great players which I’m sure some of them will. However, Mr. Holcomb’s analysis is based on past results not future projections. Many projects turn out great. However, you can’t discount past results. Results do matter. That’s why I’m excited about Tech’s class, CPJ has recruited a bunch of winners.
LogicalUS
February 9th, 2011
3:32 pm
But don’t you understand that simply by signing for UGA, this automatically makes these players the greatest in the history of football.
One thing which stood out……
“Crowell missed parts or all of several games due to injury”
That certainly does not bode well against SEC defenses?
What was his issue?
GT75
February 9th, 2011
3:41 pm
LogicalUS, I agree about Crowell and his injuries, especially since it was in AA bracket. I also didn’t like what I heard about him pulling himself out of the semi-final game in which his team lost. This is contrasted by Tech’s recruit, Zach Laskey, a 2* that led his team to the finals of AAAA bracket. He broke his nose and injured his collar bone in the semifinals, but played through the pain during the finals game. They lost, but he didn’t give up.
LaGrange2008
February 9th, 2011
5:38 pm
I have watched Crowell play for years as they were in AAA with us in LaGrange. This kid was injured during a turf game. For those of you who think you know so much, he was actually coming out of the game because he had a turf burn on his arm, which was bleeding.
He was not supposed to play at ALL in the Callaway game but wanted to give it a shot for his teammates. This kid was not 100% and still gained 1700 yards on the season. He missed 4 complete games and halff of others because of his injury and the fact that his team was blowing the other teams out. As far as the numbers being high because of AA, this was the first year that Carver has played in AA. Even when they were in AAA, they played against the defending state champions Northside Warner Robbins in which he gained 190+ yards in both games. He played against top 10 teams Cairo (State Champions and Runners Up), Baldwin, Gainesville (State Runners Up), Flowery Branch, LaGrange, Carrolton, and Shaw (State Runners Up) who were all top ten teams at some point during those spans.
Vol Fan
February 9th, 2011
5:59 pm
I hope CMR wins at least six games next year. Thats enough to satisfy Dawg fans. That way we can keep CMR at Georgia.
GT75
February 9th, 2011
10:13 pm
LaGrange2008- I don’t doubt that he is a very good back, but I just don’t think that he is the next coming of Herschel as many UGA fans think. His stats are good, but look at every 2* running back and they have the same or better stats. I think in order to be considered great (1) you have to be a man amongst boys even in all-star games. He did not do that, he looked very ordinary in the Army game. (2) you have to play thru pain and minor injuries. He did not do that, none of the injuries could have been that serious otherwise he would have been out for the season, a rug burn is not a reason to leave the most important game of the year (3) you have to win championships. He did not do that. He may end up proving me wrong, but to anoint him the savior of Tailback U is premature.
GHSA Know it all
February 9th, 2011
10:55 pm
Hey Chip, I can name you at least 20 people in the state of Georgia who are more knowledgeable than your boy Todd. Tommy Palmer, Brendan Cosgrove, Jonathon Heeter, John Koon and Ryan Chambers are just a few. Just because he created his own web site and purges information from High School preview books doesn’t make him an expert. Ray Drew may not turn out to be the recruit everyone expects him to be and he may indeed be a “project” but then again more than half of all recruits are. But an “expert” has to be someone who gets out of the office and goes and see’s these guys and watches hours of film and then grades these players by their plaing ability. If the AJC thinks Todd is an “expert” then you have little or no credibility in the state of Georgia as far as High School sports goes.
ransplantiam
February 10th, 2011
12:07 am
The reason Randolph didn’t get his fourth star is simple, he committed early to Tn. You only get bumped up to 4 or 5 stars if you commit to Fl. or Bama.
malcolm
February 10th, 2011
9:26 am
Have you watched this kid play? This kid could have started for us this year!
You Were 6-7 This Year!
February 10th, 2011
11:33 am
That’s not saying much malcolm….
John
February 10th, 2011
11:52 am
Crowell had about 90 yards versus a well coached Hal Lamb (whose father works within UGA’s athletic dept) Calhoun defense. He also had a 50 yard td run in the game called back that proved to me the speed that everyone says about the kid. Regardless of the outcome, I walked away impressed with the young man and am extremely excited about him being a Dawg. I hope the kicker from Florida is as good as advertised, because we are missing out on an outstanding one in Calhoun’s Adam Griffith (will sign with Bama in 2012). Crowell became a bit discouraged near the end of the game, but that just lets me know the kid doesn’t like to lose. How anyone can see that as a negative beats me.
Ray Drew simply imo is the top player in the state both with leadership potential and playing ability.
Dawg fans, it’s time to get excited about signing arguably the top 5 players in our state: Drew (rivals’ #1 DE-ws), Crowell (ESPN’s #1 RB), Rome (ESPN’s #1 TE), Mitchell (Rival’s #1 CB), and Swann (Rival’s #3 CB).
Go Dawgs!!!!
SuperB
February 10th, 2011
1:55 pm
Ray Drew is only a “project” if he is heading straight to the NFL. As a college player he will be a beast– and quickly.
GT75
February 10th, 2011
2:57 pm
John, you have seen him play and besides the Army game I have not seen him in action so I defer to you on some of your points. I would be impressed if he had done the same thing in AAAA or AAAAA instead of AA. I would be more impressed if his team had won the state championship. I would be really impressed if he had been a man against boys in the Army game. But my point is he didn’t do any of these and how can anyone expect him to do these things against 300 pounders week in and week out in the SEC. Most of the SEC teams are also well coached.
LaGrange2008
February 10th, 2011
5:59 pm
@GT75, according to the rules, if you are bleeding you have to leave the game. If you were watching you would have seen him going to the trainer to get his arm taped up. He was told by the ref to leave because of the blood.
Also, this kid was playing with a knee brace and is very good to gain 1700 plus yards. Again, he gained this amount of yards missing 4 complete games. Bottom line is, he averaged over 12 yards a carry. Every player has had a game or two where they were not as impressive by their own standards. I was fortunate enough to see him play more than the two times people are complaining about. I was there when he put up 190 on us. I was there when he put up 230 in a playoff game.
For the record, I never said that he was the next coming of Hershel Walker. I don’t want him to be the next Walker, but I do want him to be the best Crowell. And if he gets any better, he has the ability to be that.
Scott
February 12th, 2011
7:53 am
High profile Super Bowl performers, Aaron Rodgers and Jordy Nelson were not high profile recruits. Rodgers had no D-1 offers and went to junior college. Nelson was walk-on at Kansas State. Why all the fuss about players who have yet to suit up? Is somebody making some money off of all the fuss?
RMikel58
February 13th, 2011
7:31 am
Richt probably will start some freshmen but that’ll depend on how far along they have developed in the scheme of things with formations and lining up on defense. If they havent adapted to it Coach Richt wont start them. T
RMikel58
February 13th, 2011
7:49 am
Blue chippers arent guaranteed a start. We’ll have to see how good they can practice 1st. But we can all speculate on them starting all we want. I’ll just wait for spring practice to start and go from there. You guys shouldntget excited til then.
But i didnt account for Ealy getting dismissed frm the team which will put more pressure on Crowell to play and perform from the start of the season. Im just alittle worried about the RB position asnd the way the offensive line played last year.
Doesnt matter who you are, you could be lattimore frm S. Carolina you aint gonna gain many yards if you dont have a good offensive line blocking for you. So watever Crowell or any RB from georgia does…..it will depend on our OL.
This goes for our Defense too. If we dont have a really good front 3 thewn teams will gain big yardage on us. Doesnt matter if theyre Blue Chippers or 5 Star players. If they dont know formations or where they should be then we’ll get smashed on defense.
Yeah these are good players but remember theres 11 guys playing there and its not a 1 player game.
Theres not near as many formations in highschool football that there are in college and these freshmen will have to recognize these formations before any snaps.
I think though Georgia had a tremendous recruiting year that most of these players wont fully develope til they are juniors or seniors. The only way they can get better sooner is playing time. I love to see colleges use more freshmen and sophmores but most dont because too many SEC Schools are good teams and you have to use your best players against those teams and thats why most players dont start until their juniors or seniors.
Im not as worried about our defense as i am with our Offense mostly because we just got an OL Coach and Mike Bobo is still calling plays which end up on “Bloopers”.
Atleast maybe if we have a very good Defense that will keep us in the game and give Murray a chance to win late in the game.
RMikel58
February 13th, 2011
7:51 am
Scott- is right! There are players that wasnt recruited highly that turned out to be great players but that is too far and between and thats a small percentage.
Any college would love having 5 Star players on their team.
David Granger
February 14th, 2011
4:06 pm
Keep in mind, in high school a lot of teams just ran AWAY from Drew’s side of the field, so he’s probably not going to pile up a lot of numbers.
If he’s anyone’s idea of a “project”…then if you’re selling, I’ll take a dozen!
And just as an FYI, I sent him a “glad you signed with UGA” note on Facebook, and got a very nice reply. Seems to be a good kid.
Freehawk
February 15th, 2011
6:57 am
Double u: uga’s progression will allow a nice view of Garcia and USC winning the east again.