Will nation’s top RB Keith Marshall commit to UGA on Dec. 6?
Loading ...After all of UGA’s troubles at running back this season, it has become a top priority in recruiting.
There may be some good news on the way for the Bulldogs. Keith Marshall, who is ranked as the No. 1 RB in the country by Scout.com, announced via Twitter on Tuesday that he will be making his college decision on Dec. 6.
UGA is rumored to have a slight edge over Clemson for the 5-star running back from Raleigh, N.C. Marshall also has Notre Dame, Florida and South Carolina listed as his finalists, and will make his final official visit with the Gamecocks this weekend.
“Keith has handled his recruiting as well as any high-profile recruit I’ve ever covered; he’s played everything real quiet,” said Rusty Mansell, National Recruiting Analyst for 247sports.com.
“From everyone I’ve talked to around Keith’s situation, it sounds like Georgia is in pretty good shape. But he’s got another visit to take and it’s not over.”
UGA will likely sign two running backs this year, with Marshall as the top target. The Bulldogs are recruiting the 5-foot-11, 195-pound Marshall with the same type of priority and urgency status they gave to Isaiah Crowell last year.
Will UGA land No. 1 RB Keith Marshall? (Photo courtesy of 247sports.com)
“Just like with Isaiah Crowell, Georgia got in early with Keith Marshall and let him know he was a priority for this recruiting class,” Mansell said. “With Isaiah Crowell, it was very clear how important he was to Georgia. There was not another committable offer out there to a running back, except for Isaiah Crowell. It was either hit or miss. Georgia has made Keith Marshall a clear target this year, and they’ve been on him just has hard as they were with Isaiah Crowell.”
What other RB would UGA like to sign this February? Another North Carolina product, Todd Gurley (6-1, 195) of Tarboro, N.C. It was a good sign for UGA when Gurley returned to Athens last weekend for an unofficial to watch the Kentucky game. Gurley and Marshall both took official visits to UGA for the South Carolina game. Gurley will announce his college decision on Jan. 3.
“Georgia and North Carolina are on top for him and have been for awhile, with Clemson and NC State trailing those two,” Mansell said. “Whatever happens at North Carolina, with whomever they hire as coach, that’s probably going to make or break his college decision.”
– By Michael Carvell, AJC Recruiting Blog
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282 comments Add your comment
TampaDawg
November 23rd, 2011
5:27 pm
C.Y.I.C — Are you saying your analysis on Keith Marshall is far superior to that of every scout that is after this kid? Are you saying you know more about this than those who recruit for a living? Just wondering. I’ll take him in Athens for sure. And his attitude is top notch.
TampaGator
November 23rd, 2011
6:52 pm
Blackoutanyone….
I was just responding to your comment that Florida does not have any non-spread type QBs….they do…..and Weis’ QB at Notre Dame was drafted into the NFL…Clausen….and Weis coached him up enough for that to happen….when his brother QBs were never drafted into the NFL. To say that Weis can’t evaluate talent is pure biased blindness….and if he coached for your team…you would not say that because of your bias. Florida isn’t paying him 2 mil a year because he can’t evaluate talent or coach talent….get real. And you will see very soon how good he is at evaluating and coaching up offensive talent….real soon.
TampaGator
November 23rd, 2011
7:11 pm
GDawg…..
Now I know why you posted as “TampaGatorGoAway”……you really didn’t like my comments about your video post from earlier in the day, did you? Hit a nerve, I guess.
Blackoutanyone?
November 23rd, 2011
8:30 pm
Tampagator… ND was 6-6, 7-6 and 3-9 under Clausen. Who by the way was a top 2 or 3 ranked QB prospect coming out of HS. Not much talent evaluation required there wouldn’t you say? UF will always recruit great talent because they’re UF. But you don’t have a QB on campus or in the committed ranks that can win consistently in the SEC. Your offense requires several good RB’s, a FB, a blocking TE, a pass catching TE and some big ugly O-linemen that can move people. You have very few of the above at this time and that is why I predicted you guys would blow this year. UF will improve some next year if for no other reason Bama rotates off the schedule and maybe even LSU. To declare the east will be as good or better than the west is lacking a fundamental knowledge of the game of football and just not true.
Roll Tide!!! 22 SEC Championships 13 National Championships
D.Ellis
November 23rd, 2011
8:45 pm
In my opinion Charlie Weiss is over rated. Good coach. Tom Brady made Charlie Weiss, more than Charlie Weiss made Tom Brady.
2 million a year for him as an assistant is over paying IMHO
Brainiac(Dawg For Life) / (CMR fan for life)
November 23rd, 2011
9:03 pm
@Harold: Go away. Don’t you have statue duty? (aka shooing pigeons and washing and polishing Saban’s statue)
Brainiac(Dawg For Life) / (CMR fan for life)
November 23rd, 2011
9:11 pm
@Blackout: How are things with you? By the way, don’t be building up dem gators’ hopes. Apparently ole Urban jumped off that sinking ship rather than the lying reasons he gave for leaving. You know he is still missing Tebow.
Brainiac(Dawg For Life) / (CMR fan for life)
November 23rd, 2011
9:17 pm
@Tampa Gator: Ryan Leaf got drafted into the NFL as the No.1 pick in the first round. Do you even know where J. Claussen is now? Chubby Weiss may be good at evaluating talent but he ain’t gonna see COACHING talent when he looks in the mirror.
7576DAWG
November 24th, 2011
12:31 am
If we sign both Marshall and Gurley I sure hope it doesn’t run Henry off for 2013.
Blind Willie
November 24th, 2011
8:21 am
Georgia will ge Marshall and probably Gurley as well. They also will pick up 1 or 2 OL recruits to add to this years OL
J. Theus 6′6 305 OT and will start at LT
C. Brown 6′5 320 OG and will push for playing time at OG
G. Pyke 6″5 310 OG
Add these recruits to the players coming back
Burnette-6′3 305 C
Koltosn-6′5 310 OG
Lee 6′4 305 OG
Gates-6′5 315 OT
Dantzler-6′7 315 OT
Andrew 6-2 280 C
Debell 6′6-290 OG
X. Ward 6′6 290-OG
H. Long 6′4-300 OG
A. Long 6′5-305 OT
N. Theus 6′3 280 SN and G
Also the Dawgs can move to people to OL. John Atkins 6′3 310
Brown Dog
November 24th, 2011
9:48 am
My goodness: a thread on the AJC recruiting blog that has largely stuck to recruiting. Thanks to all concerned.
TampaGator, Gunner Kiel is a 5-star kid without a country. Ship has sailed at Alabama. Texas is too far from home. Family is now saying very nice things about Vandy. Tide is still after Jameis Winston, the FSU commit out of Bham. but we’re heavy favorites to land the top QB out of Georgia next year.
Blackoutanyone?
November 24th, 2011
10:37 am
Brainiac… Things are going great. Hope u and your family enjoy the holiday. Tampagator is a good fan but his unwillingness to accept reality and the current state of the UF program is humorous. The Gators are down and I’m not sure they are getting up anytime soon. UGA is poised to lock up the east for many years.
Browndog… The new MLB labor agreement affects the amount teams can offer draft picks. Winston may end up playing college football after all.
Blake
November 24th, 2011
10:50 am
A lot of guys are basking Crowell. But seem to forget that he is a TRUE FRESHMEN!!! Give the kid time to fill out and grow up. Its sad how quickly some of y’all jump ship. Bring in Marshall and Gurly and it will only push Crowell. GO DAWGS!!!
JAY
November 24th, 2011
12:07 pm
JUST SAW KEITH MARSHALL’S HIGHLIGHTS… HE’S A GOOD RB, BUT HE HAS THE SAME SKILL SET AS ISAIAH CROWELL (QUICK FEET, FAST AND MAKING PEOPLE MISS) WHICH ARE ALL GOOD ATTRIBUTES TO HAVE AS A SKILLED RB. BUT WHAT WE NEED AT UGA RIGHT AND IN TERMS OF THE S.E.C IS A TOUGH NOSED BACK THAT RUNS DOWN HILL, RUNS PEOPLE OVER AND WELCOMES CONTACT. ALTHOUGH ISAIAH CROWELL IS VERY IMPRESSIVE SKILL WISE HE’S GOTTA LEARN THAT U CAN’T MAKE PEOPLE MISS ALL THE TIME ON THIS LEVEL….YOU GOTTA RUN THRU PEOPLE 70 PERCENT OF THE TIME AND MAKE PEOPLE MISS 30 PERCENT OF THE TIME…THIS ISN’T HIGH SCHOOL ANYMORE WHERE U ARE QUICKER THAN YOUR OPPONENTS 99 PERCENT OF THE TIME….THESE S.E.C DEFENSES ARE THE FASTED IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL……LOOK AT TRENT RICHARDSON AND LATIMORE FOR EXAMPLE….THEY ARE BOTH SLOW, BUT THE MOST SUCCESSFUL RB’S IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL BECAUSE THEY DON’T CARE MUCH ABOUT RUNNING AWAY FROM THE FIGHT OR MAKING PEOPLE MISS. THEY WANT TO PUNISH THE DEFENDERS…………..BUT IF SOMEBODY CAN GET IN CROWELL’S HEAD AND CHANGE HIS OUTLOOK HE CAN BE MAGICAL FOR THE DAWG NATION BECAUSE HE DOES POSSESS SKILLS AND VISION THAT U RARELY SEE IN A RB……
Brown Dog
November 24th, 2011
1:24 pm
Blackout, What are our odds with Winston?
Blackoutanyone?
November 24th, 2011
1:50 pm
I was told his grandparents were disapointed he didn’t choose Bama and his dad was the driving force behind FSU. Bama has a lot of momentum in his recruitment right now and some people closer to that situation believe he’ll flip very soon. Reportedly Winston was impressed with Saban attending his game recently and staying for the duration. I still think MLB is the real threat here. I don’t see Winston ever stepping foot on campus at FSU.
Blackoutanyone?
November 24th, 2011
1:55 pm
I feel like he was turned off from Bama when our staff put the full court on Gunner Keil. The kid from Texas who is committed to Bama is underrated but may actually fit our offense a little better. But I would love to see what a talent like Winston could do under center at Bama.
Mark Richt: Help wanted at RB position …are you listening, Keith Marshall? | AJC College Sports Recruiting
November 24th, 2011
2:24 pm
[...] Want to know more about Keith Marshall, who is ranked as the No. 1 RB in the nation, according to Scout.com? Go here [...]
ole yeller
November 24th, 2011
5:24 pm
I’v been trying to tell all you Folks A top “RB” is coming. Maybe here by christmas. Keith Marshall said he will commit on 12/6/2011. If he graduates in 12/2011 he is the one I’v been talking about. I think it a done deal. He will be here for work out during Dec. 2011. He will push “IC”. for the Cow Bell. I dont.t want to be too bold, BUT changes maybe in progress with the “RB” concerns.
James
November 24th, 2011
6:39 pm
@Peachfuzz
Your theory is hogwash because Petersen will never coach east of the Mississippi.
Brainiac(Dawg For Life) / (CMR fan for life)
November 24th, 2011
7:21 pm
@Dalton Dawg: Your 3;58 pm post. Would you explain what you meant about Gurley NOT coming as a running back.
Thanks
Black Mountain NC Bulldog
November 26th, 2011
7:32 am
I would love to have both Marshall and Gurley, but like all people making very important decisions. They should pray and seek Gods will. I am sure that is what CMR told them also. CMR did let them know in a discrete statement, that UGA really needs RB’s.
The Richt program is one that cares about the players and their futures. I am proud to have CMR as our head coach.
docdawg
November 26th, 2011
6:06 pm
BamaDuke, you hit it on the head, Crowell has great potential but needs a couple years and a lot of guidance to reach it, don`t know much about Gurley, from what I hear he`s a good runner and can pack on 20 lbs with his frame, Marhsall is the best looking back in a long while, and very intelligent. he
Ga Cock
November 27th, 2011
11:11 am
Marshall wanted to finish his recruiting on a high note! He came to Carolina!
RMikel58
November 28th, 2011
3:06 am
Keith Marshall can come in and immediately take over Crowell’s spot. Crowell has shown that he gets hurt way too easy. I
RMikel58
November 28th, 2011
3:30 am
As i was saying Keith Marshall not only could come in and play but would have a good chance to start. I think that eventually Isiah Crowell will get tired of getting hit hard and seek an alternative means to a small college instead.
He looks to be shying away from getting back onto the gridiron to play. I think he’s starting to realize this level of football and competition is just too much for him but i think he’s afraid that he’ll dissapoint alot of people if he transfer.
But i think he will transfer to a lesser College like some of the other RB’s did. I can only say this to Keith Marshall, if you are as great as you think you are then come play at Georgia.
You get more TV exposure and Georgia’s known to have great RB’s that go to the NFL. Georgia’s not being investigated, not firing coaches, and its rich in tradition.
If i had my choices it wouldnt have been Notre Dame, North Carolina, Clemson or NC State. I think its a no brainer to come to Georgia Keith. Ive lived in North Carolina most my life and had 2 relatives go to Georgia and play.
If you come to Georgia and produce then you’ll get alot of carries and exhibit your talent both regionally and nationally. Georgia has decent RB’s but not one that has stepped up to become the alpha male lately and if youre who you say you are then you could start.
Like Hershel Walker did in the Tennessee game back in the 80’s. Dooley never started a Freshman RB until Hershel showed his talent. I’;d love to see such a RB again that could challenge Hershel Walkers Records at UGA.
Ive seen the other schools campuses and some are good and some are really down right dirty to even consider living there. If youve been to Athens and visited then i need not say anymore because the campus speaks for itself.
Good luck in finding your way and chasing your dreams.
USCGAMECOCKBOY
November 28th, 2011
10:47 am
Well marshall took a visit here to cola,sc and he liked the visit. even tweeted about it after the game.
sleep on us FIGHTING GAMECOCKS IF U WANT!!!
http://www.goupstate.com/article/20111127/PSPORTS02/111129835/0/MISC
GOOO USC FIGHTING GAMECOCKS !!!!
USCGAMECOCKBOY
November 28th, 2011
11:05 am
If u wanna go to a place where u will basically be given a starting spot, u go to uga.
if u want to compete(latti and brandon wilds) and do big things. come here to USC and become a FIGHTING GAMECOCK.
GOOO USC FIGHTING GAMECOCKS !!!!!!!!!!
dawgfacedboy
November 28th, 2011
3:05 pm
Make it a priority to sign both. Crowell has proven that he is not the most durable. Not trying to say Crowell is soft but he missed some time this year that a kid like Marshall or Gurley could take those snaps instead of a walk-on scout teamer. Harton filled in nicely but…you get the idea.
Case in point: If Crowell misses significant time against LSU the dawgs are screwed. Thomas, Malcome, and Harton won’t due jack against LSU.
North Campus Trash
November 29th, 2011
7:32 am
CMB showed some real creativity with the offense to compensate for his depleted running back Corp. Whether that strategy will pass muster with LSU remains to be seen.
marshal to georgia
November 29th, 2011
4:58 pm
Marshall will come to georgia. its better to split carries and have a chance to win a championship. He has said himself that he loves the SEC and really wants to play there. Not to mention Georgia winning 10 straight and and Clemson faltering in clutch situations. considering crowell’s discipline issue, marshall could take the starting job. GO DAWGS!!!!!!!!
Annonymous
November 30th, 2011
7:13 pm
Can you imagine if Georgia had it’s own version of McFadden, Jones and Hillis with Marshall, Crowell and Gurley? It could be a special back field if they both choose Athens.