With 2011 in books, it’s time for the ‘Tentative Top 10′ for 2012
Is Jordan Jenkins the No. 1 college prospect in Georgia for the Class of 2012? Most seem to think so. (Photo by Rusty Mansell/247Sports.com)
You asked for it, so here it is — the top college football prospects for 2012.
Well, at least, the top ones according to me. For now.
I call it “The Tentative Top 10.” The reason is I call it that is because, well, let’s face it, it’s February. The ink is still wet on 2011 letters-of-intent and the 2012 football season won’t start for six months. As ever, these things are educated guesses at best based on combine results, all-star performances, highlight video, game experience and reputation. So it’s far from scientific.
I produced my first “Tentative Top 10″ last year. I found it interesting to go back and I think you will, too.
For this year’s list I turned to a couple of foot soldiers in the business of recruiting analysis. Chad Simmons of Scout.com/FoxSports.com and Rusty Mansell of 247Sports.com burn up the state’s roads meeting and evaluating not only 2012 kids but also 2013 and 2014 and beyond. Both of them conduct camps and combines and are intimately involved in all-star game selections and the actual rating of college football prospects. There are guys I know and trust, so I consulted them both and heavily considered their opinions.
As always, there were very difficult choices to make to arrive at the ridiculously low number of only 10 players. When it came to two prospects being very close in ability, I tended to err on the side of Metro Atlantans. But as you’ll note talent from all over the state is represented here.
Meanwhile, the next 10 guys that were left off this list could probably compete with the Tentative Top 10 players in any kind of football competition. As always, it’s shaping up to be another strong year for football talent in Georgia. We’ve had 183 players sign scholarships to play FBS (formerly Division I) football in 2011 so far and I bet we have that many next year as well.
So there’s a bunch of awesome players that didn’t make the list. But they’ll be well represented on future lists and certainly when it comes to sign college scholarships. After all, National Signing Day 2012 is only 357 days away!
Without further ado, I give you . . .
THE TENTATIVE TOP 10 FOR 2012
- 1. DE/OLB Jordan Jenkins (6-3, 233), Harris County
- 2. CB Geno Smith (6-0, 165), St. Pius
- 3. OT Vadal Alexander (6-6, 310), Buford
- 4. DT Jonathan Taylor (6-4, 315), Jenkins County
- 5. ATH Ricky Parks (6-3, 210), Callaway
- 6. RB Kenyan Drake (6-0, 180), Hillgrove
- 7. OLB Josh Clemons (6-5, 200), Lowndes
- 8. CB Deion Bonner (5-11, 185), Carver-Columbus
- 9. QB Greyson Lambert (6-5, 195), Wayne County
- 10. DE Jordan Watkins (6-5, 260), Woodward Academy
ADDENDUM: Some others that were given long and hard consideration to be on this list include Pepperell’s Dakota Ball (Alabama commitment), Norcross’ Jason Croom, North Hall’s Imani Cross and C.J. Curry (UGA commitment), Banneker’s Chaz Elder, Dodge County’s Leonard Floyd, Buford’s Dillon Lee, Banneker’s Larry Jefferson, Carrollton’s Jonathan Jones and Sandy Creek’s Quinteze Williams, among others. Any one of those guys — and many more — could be among the players selected for the annual AJC Super 11 team in August.
Sometime between now and then I plan to produce a preseason AJC Fab 50 list for the Class of 2012. But for now this will have to do.
I know I don’t have to ask but let me know what you think. Who’s not represented here who absolutely should be and why? It is, after all, “The Tentative 10.”
By Chip Towers, The College Recruiting Blog
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263 comments Add your comment
dawgforlife
February 9th, 2011
3:24 pm
hey check it out…..60-39 over all record…9-1 last ten…2 Heisman winners….a 5-1 lead in first round draft picks and a 2-1 lead in overall drafted players….3 Superbowl MVP’s…6 10 win seasons in the Richt era…9-3 bowl record…1 10 win season in the Johnson era 2-7 bowl record…3 BCS games to 1..if you call any game an ACC team plays in BCS. Oh and I almost forgot, a no. 2 national ranking…and a no. 3 national ranking in the last 10 years…oh and A.J. Green will be the most recent of that 1st round supremacy…have a nice day
bubba
February 9th, 2011
3:25 pm
IM A HAMMER FROM ALABAMMER- WE GOTTA LOT OF PERTY GIRLS HERE IN THE HILLS…THE AP ALWAYS LOVED US SO NAMED US CHAMPS WHEN WE DIDNT DESERVE IT…HELL UGA WAS UNDEFEATED 5 TIMES AND ONLY GOT IT ONCE…GUESS THAT BRYANT DENNEY FELLA HAD SOME GOOD OLE CONNECTIONS
ridgelandpanthers07
February 9th, 2011
3:26 pm
Sharik Smith, torrie porter, remember the names.
bubba
February 9th, 2011
3:26 pm
HI IM SCAM NETWON- NEED WORK FOR FOOD
If Hershal didn't go to UGA then.........
February 9th, 2011
3:26 pm
please vote for the university of ga’s greastest moment in college football: A: dancing to solider boy B. rushing the field in the florida game C. dressing in all black (oooohhh that worked!) D. trotting out a new dawg to droll every 2 years E. tieing for the record of most arrests in one season with Miami and F$U
bubba
February 9th, 2011
3:27 pm
THE GAMECOCKS-WHAT A JOKE-WHEN SPURRIER DIES YOULL BE USELESS AGAIN-GIVE IT FIVE YEARS
bubba
February 9th, 2011
3:27 pm
bubba
February 9th, 2011
3:25 pm
IM A HAMMER FROM ALABAMMER- WE GOTTA LOT OF PERTY GIRLS HERE IN THE HILLS…THE AP ALWAYS LOVED US SO NAMED US CHAMPS WHEN WE DIDNT DESERVE IT…HELL UGA WAS UNDEFEATED 5 TIMES AND ONLY GOT IT ONCE…GUESS THAT BRYANT DENNEY FELLA HAD SOME GOOD OLE CONNECTIONS
Flatwoods Dawg
February 9th, 2011
3:28 pm
gt
Player evaluation is imperfect especially for high school players. These young guys are still growing and developing. Plus, a lot of players in the smaller schools outside of metro Atlanta don’t get the publicity or attention they deserve.
DC
February 9th, 2011
3:28 pm
We didn’t buy a NC…proof son proof…yes we had cam newton…Virginia tech had Mike vick…Texas had ole mental case…florida had Tebow…YOUR POINT?…AU has had a good quality history of winning..lack of championships are there yes..but don’t act like we are a D-2 school.
No Cam does not take classes there anymore he is going to the NFL. Watch tv much? Point?
We have #2 QB recruit this year. He is built like Cam and has attributes that are similar…will he be just like him? heck no..but he is quality…and we have an OL that will be top quality for some years…we have chips in place and we know how to mold players to work for AU’s system…
bubba
February 9th, 2011
3:29 pm
SCAM NETWON YOUR TITLE WILL 4EVA BE TAINTED
bubba
February 9th, 2011
3:30 pm
NICK FAIRLEY- A BROKEN LEG IS 2 GOOD 4 EM
bubba
February 9th, 2011
3:30 pm
BUBBA RULES BABY
bubba
February 9th, 2011
3:30 pm
MARK RICHT WILL WIN 3 STRAIGHT MNC-BANK IT COS BUBBA SAID SO
ridgelandpanthers07
February 9th, 2011
3:31 pm
TYLER BRAY>AARON MURRAY
bubba
February 9th, 2011
3:31 pm
WHAT DO YOU GET WHEN YOU HAVE 32 GT CHEERLEADERS IN ONE ROOM?
1 SET OF TEETH
bubba
February 9th, 2011
3:32 pm
WHAT DO YOU CALL 11 GT FELONS?
A HUDDLE
bubba
February 9th, 2011
3:33 pm
Why do Georgia Tech football players like smart women?
Opposites attract.
bubba
February 9th, 2011
3:33 pm
Q: How do you get a Georgia Tech graduate off your porch?
A: Pay him for the pizza.
bubba
February 9th, 2011
3:34 pm
Q: How many Georgia Tech freshmen does it take to change a light bulb?
A: None. That’s a sophomore course.
Flatwoods Dawg
February 9th, 2011
3:34 pm
I am glad to see UGA recruited some of these South Georgia boys this year. There a lot of players south of Macon that never seem to get the attention they merit. Folkston, Valdosta, Thomasville, Jesup, Waycross, Brunsick, and St Marys have good players and programs just like those metro Atlanta schools.
dawgforlife
February 9th, 2011
3:34 pm
DC, it was said, UGA was Auburn’s little sister and that our state would be raided for talent…I was merely stating if you lose 6 of 9 games to your little sister…she must be pretty darned good…Aurburn and Ga…are basically the same program…sometimes up and some times down…always tough and hard to beat…but, loses some games…then, once in awhile, they get a truly amazing player and go on a win streak…that is a fair assessment from a Ga fan…that is why the head to head is one game apart and the points scored head to head is almost identical after all these years…and I am so proud of myself for not mentioning the Bush rule in regard to Newton’s national championship…all I know is it would have been surreal to have MSST win the national championship if they had anteed up
UGAfan
February 9th, 2011
3:34 pm
Real Problem, You need to look again at the competion the high lights where against.
DC
February 9th, 2011
3:36 pm
dawgforlife, I can agree with what you just stated. and for the record…I hate Cecil Newton haha..
Ramblin Man
February 9th, 2011
3:37 pm
Any of you guys know anything about Jarontay Jones from Stephenson High School? I no longer live in Ga. and it can be hard to get info on some of these players.
ridgelandpanthers07
February 9th, 2011
3:37 pm
tbray is better than amurray
ridgelandpanthers07
February 9th, 2011
3:39 pm
Brian Randolph> Devin Bowman
Alan Posey> Watts Dantzler
A.J. Johnson best LB in the state.
Richt sucks at talent evaluation
A real Trooper
February 9th, 2011
3:40 pm
Vince Young, Tebow, and Vick (who didn’t win a NC) all went to their school for more than 6 months. Which is about how long Cam was at Allbarn. You act like he is Orange and Blue through and through (which maybe if you consider his time at Florida he is).
All the rankings are different, but Rivals has your #2 behind not only Lemay, but behind TWO QBs who signed with the same school (Florida).
Hey bubby
February 9th, 2011
3:41 pm
You are right uga has 6 National Championships:
1 by a consensus of AP voters, 1 that Dooley dreamed up a couple years ago and 4 others that the pickup alumni credit because 3 guys at the Athens Banner Herald voted.
LOL
February 9th, 2011
3:46 pm
I LOVE WHEN GA MAKES UP NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS AND WHEN PEOPLE WRITE IN ALL CAPS
82Dawg
February 9th, 2011
3:47 pm
@DC…Cam left Auburn with a $170,000 legal bill though…
atlrockstar
February 9th, 2011
3:48 pm
Chip No Way this list is valid without KENNO LOYAL. NO WAY. Kid has an offer from every SEC school and more.
Recruiting vs. Results
February 9th, 2011
3:49 pm
Can anyone think of a school that gets less out of their players than U of Ga? Maybe Michigan of late? I don’t think over the last 40 years you could name anyone else. ideas anyone
JB
February 9th, 2011
3:49 pm
Florida lost 5 games last year with just about all 4 & 5 star players, just say’n. Meyer should of not come back. That said, we still got a lot of work to do to win 9 to 12 games.
JB
February 9th, 2011
3:51 pm
This list will not be perfect. Georgia has 40-50 players that will sign SEC/ACC letters.
Paul N Destin
February 9th, 2011
3:52 pm
Jenkins will not attend Auburn unless he wishes to play on a team that will be hit with major violations. April will be a huge month for golf, baseball , spring football and the bomb explodes at Auburn. Karma works in strange ways. The failure of Colonial Bank and Bingogate takes out the trash. We all owe a big salute to the FBI.
JB
February 9th, 2011
3:53 pm
Paul……….. The NCAA is not the government. I don’t know if they( FBI) can share those wire taps?
JB
February 9th, 2011
3:55 pm
Now, the IRS might be interested if someone had a income/gift of 200k or so and paid 0 taxes. That would garner some attention.
Dawg1
February 9th, 2011
4:01 pm
Wow, I’m guessing (because I’m not going to bother to count) that there are over 100 comments regarding High School Juniors.
See you folks next August/September.
A real Trooper
February 9th, 2011
4:03 pm
I don’t like to make excuses for Richt, but the past 6 years since UGA won an SEC Championship we’ve routinely been behind the winner consistantly in recruiting. Our recruiting “prowess” is misstated frankly. Yes we have classes that are far too good to go 6-7, but damn we weren’t going to beat Allbarn this year if we went 9-3, or Bama the year before, or Florida the year before that and you could argue we got the short end of the BCS stick vs LSU the year before that. We’ve only been #1 ONCE in the EAST in recruiting since 2005 and never #1 in the SEC overall.
Alphare
February 9th, 2011
4:06 pm
There are all white dogs, but I’ve never seen a white human. My dog is all while except his little nose.
Yes, an all white bulldog is fine with me. Bear in mind, I am not a UGA fan though.
Nerds
February 9th, 2011
4:07 pm
Hey Chip, look at all these players that wont be going to tech!! Fish Fry has more important things to do than go after the good players.
Flatwoods Dawg
February 9th, 2011
4:12 pm
If awbarn gets nailed like they deserve, any chance we could get Gabe Wright to tranfer? When USC got flushed a lot of players deserted that calamity.
Matthews Dawg
February 9th, 2011
4:17 pm
Dawg Fans….this is a great article from the Bleacher Report! If you don’t subscribe to it, it comes as an email when any UGA football news comes out.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/575535-georgia-bulldogs-football-an-open-letter-to-the-dream-team
This guy is right on the money!! Go Dawgs!!
Barners
February 9th, 2011
4:19 pm
You barners are a hoot. 6-6, then go buy yourself a ring. Guess what’s coming this year 6-6………maybe. 7 total starters back=home for Christmas.
Win @ Auburn a win against Boise or SC might “make our season”. Both will be better than the War Tigers.
gtfanfrom1951
February 9th, 2011
4:22 pm
On Jonathan Taylor I think tech has inside track.
Matthews Dawg
February 9th, 2011
4:24 pm
Chip….who has UGA offered already in “your” top ten?
BillytheKid
February 9th, 2011
4:29 pm
@gtfanfrom1951, what makes you think GT has the inside track on Jonathan Taylor?
I highly doubt that.
MikeP
February 9th, 2011
4:35 pm
Paul in Destin listens to some jerk named Clay Travis recount fantasy on the radio then parrots it all back here.
There is no investigation of Auburn. There has been none. There is not one pending. There was no-one in the entire Cecil Newton thing, from MSU’s street agent Kenny Rogers to their bag man John Bond to their wealthy booster in Destin that mentioned Auburn even once. The SEC and NCAA investigators found that no money changed hands so Mississippi State didn’t lose any of their cash. When the FBI found that they couldn’t charge Rogers with extortion they closed up shop.The other investigators have boxed up their files and moved on. Get used to it.
UF Girl
February 9th, 2011
4:46 pm
Pacific Dawg-
Vasi Papulu is still considering the gators, also.
Pacific Dawg
February 9th, 2011
4:58 pm
UF Girl
Vasi “Tombstone” Papulu is not interested in UF at all. Solid lean to the Dawgs. I predict after 1 year at San Joaquin Delta College, that Vasi will be terrorizing QBs and buffets at Athens for 3 years.