Derrick Henry: Should UGA be worried about 5-star tailback visiting Alabama?
Should UGA be worried about having its top recruit visit Alabama this year?
The top recruit is 5-star tailback Derrick Henry, who has been committed to UGA since last summer.
Loading ...Just like about any elite recruit that commits early, Henry has continued to be pursued by other colleges and has even visited a few, including Florida and, more recently, Tennessee.
However, Henry’s impending trip to Alabama has many UGA fans in a frenzy. Why is that? Yes, some of it has to do with the presence of Nick Saban, who is considered to be college football’s best combination of coach and chief recruiter.
But it’s more than that. A lot of the concern has to do with comments that Henry made to several recruiting websites, telling Scout that he talked to his high school coach and “we feel like Alabama is the place to go.” He also added that his UGA commitment “[is] not as solid as it was. I am really open …”
What’s really bothersome to UGA fans is that Henry made the strong comments around two weeks ago, and he hasn’t really backed away from them. Yes, he’s serious.
So what do you think: Should UGA be worried about Henry’s Alabama visit? Will Saban win him over? Or do you think Henry will be sold more than ever on UGA after the trip?
Nick Saban will have his chance to meet with UGA's top recruit (AP)
A couple of other items to throw out there while we’re around the water cooler: There are rumblings that if Henry does flip to Alabama, it could cause a chain reaction or domino effect with elite tailbacks, like you often see with quarterbacks. In other words, if Henry flips, UGA still could end up with a top running back because of the flip. There’s lot of names floating around in that rumor.
Also, UGA still may have a trump card with Brice Ramsey, the Camden County QB who is committed to the Bulldogs. Ramsey has helped UGA with the recruitment of two other commitments – WR Tramel Terry of Goose Creek, S.C., and his Camden County teammate, WR-DB-RB JJ Green. Ramsey is also friends with Henry.
Thoughts?
THE LATEST HEADLINES
- Should UGA be worried about 5-star RB Derrick Henry visiting … Alabama?
- Georgia OL can’t wait any longer
- Georgia Tech’s entire recruiting class gets GREEN LIGHT
- Hmmm … Florida and UGA agree to NOT host recruits for annual showdown
- UGA football signee forced to delay enrollment
- FOUR! UGA lands 1-2-3-4 commits at WR for 2013 class
- UGA QB’s brother picks … Bulldogs
- Kevin Robbins turns down NFL father’s school for Tech
- Georgia Tech FLIPS commitment of 4-star LB
- Nick Saban shares stamps; Recruit gets 52 letters in ONE DAY from Georgia Tech
- College prospects are being watched … on Facebook and Twitter
- How would you grade UGA’s 2013 class so far?
- Did UGA hire Robert Nkemdiche’s coach to get No. 1 prospect??
- Will Alabama flip the commitment of UGA’s top recruit??
- Mark Richt and Paul Johnson discuss Facebook and Twitter
- Is Alabama’s serious flirtation with UGA’s prized QB recruit … over?
- UGA offers top prospect after initially saying he was … “too weak”
- Mark Richt has a little secret
- Will Alabama sign BOTH of Georgia’s top football prospects?
WHEN DOES FOOTBALL SEASON START?
- Robert Nkemdiche: No. 1 prospect officially delays his college decision
- Nick Saban on his Georgia recruiting success: “Well, I still have a home in Georgia”
- Who is the state’s best prospect at QB? (And Georgia is LOADED this year)
– By Michael Carvell, AJC Recruiting Blog
- So much is happening so fast. Have you missed anything over the last few days? Catch up with our feed by CLICKING HERE
- BOOKMARK the NEW AJC Recruiting homepage here
- Want to see a list of the top 125 prospects state of Georgia who signed with D1 schools? It’s looong. Go here.
Got an item? mcarvell@ajc.com
Note: Inappropriate BLOG comments and personal attacks will NOT be tolerated. We love the lively discussions but hate-filled, harassing and irresponsible comments are unacceptable.
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511 comments Add your comment
bsg3003
June 7th, 2012
1:15 am
Well yeah Derrick is our top commit this class, losing him would hurt badly.
Burbank Dawg
June 7th, 2012
1:21 am
Dawgs will be fine either way. The number of stars a highschool player gets is not an exact science. If he stays, great. If he goes to Bama, we’ll just replace him with another quality RB.
We're a softball school
June 7th, 2012
1:45 am
So I wouldn’t worry about it
djack0062
June 7th, 2012
1:48 am
Yes/No…Athens has too many good “backs” and not enough balls to go around as is….You never can tell though..The ”Big Boys” up front are the real issue.
MaconBulldog
June 7th, 2012
1:50 am
Well I would like to have him in Red and Black butt if he wants to go to Bama….let him go… nothing against the young man but dang the world keeps turning and I am sure there is RB that will want to play at UGA
P_The_Ricker
June 7th, 2012
2:02 am
Short answer: YES
southgadawg
June 7th, 2012
2:14 am
If Henry wants to go to Bama that is good for him. UGA would love to have him, but if he doesnt want to be a 100% Dawg then maybe he shouldn’t come. UGA has a stable of backs at this time, the thing we need is linemen both offense and defense. I am more concerned with Tunesil at this point If Henry does flip that may open the door for Kamara and Foster to come our way if they truely want to play on the same team together.
southgadawg
June 7th, 2012
2:17 am
BTW Bama has RB commitment that is rated higher than Henry.
Left Coast Dawg
June 7th, 2012
2:27 am
SHould I be concerned if my wife goes to visit another man?
MaconBulldog
June 7th, 2012
2:29 am
who do they have Southgadawg
Bad Dawg
June 7th, 2012
2:33 am
thoughts? Wait until signing day and find out. Go Dawgs!
nh gamecock
June 7th, 2012
2:53 am
Yes its to early to tell, why would he go to UGA? They have what 5 backs, and bama OS the same way I hot a good feeling he will end up at Tennessee. Just my thought, these kids are committing to early now a days
nh gamecock
June 7th, 2012
2:54 am
Smart phones sucks lol . Bama is the same way, I have a good feeling be will end up at Tennessee.
Island Dawg
June 7th, 2012
4:07 am
Its somewhat of a complement to have Saban trying to flip Georgia recruits. You can’t blame this young man for visiting one of the better programs in the country if they are recruiting him. Both schools have good development programs for running backs. Both schools have several highly recruited backs already. Hopefully he will come to see that he has a greater chance of early playing time at Georgia. Crowell will likely go pro after two more seasons. Top programs need at least 3 good backs.
P. Bull Terrier
June 7th, 2012
5:02 am
Don’t worry about your wife, Left Coast Dawg. I’ll send her home when I’m finished with her.
I wouldn’t worry about Henry if it weren’t for his comments. I’m a Georgia grad and I would visit Bama, just to say I was there, if they gave me a free trip. Really though, I don’t know why more players don’t visit Hawaii.
YellerSkeeters are PeterEaters!
June 7th, 2012
5:51 am
This would have really worried me a few years ago … but I quit worrying about what 17 & 18-yr.-old boys do and think. They don’t know what the want. Some of them are swayed by the number of uniform combinations a school has (Oregon, TCU, etc.), and base their decision solely on that. They’re teenagers. They’re prima-donnas that want, thrive on the attention. It’s fun I suppose, but not losing sleep on this anymore.
gbal
June 7th, 2012
6:09 am
what a stupid question
Paddy
June 7th, 2012
6:39 am
At this level there is always great compitition. But Henry sould go where he is most comfortable on the field and in the classroom. Love to have him as a Dawg! I wish him the best.
RedandBlackDAWG
June 7th, 2012
7:01 am
This kid is going to go where the coach promises him he will see plenty of playing time from his freshman year on. It would most likely not happen at UGA and I don’t know what Alabama has promised him. My guess is he ends up at Tenn. since they are in dire need of some RB’s and he could see early playing time there. He couldn’t come to UGA and hope to relegate Crowell, Marshall, Gurley or even Malcome to second string at this moment. The best I think he could hope for was to be part of the group of RB’s that UGA will switch in and out of the game, with Crowell being the main runner a lot of the time.
TommyP
June 7th, 2012
7:03 am
This is not a bad situation for Georgia. Henry, for all the hoopla, is a high risk/high reward kind of back. I personally don’t think he’ll be a great RB and will be switched to another position after his freshman year. He states he will not play another position ’cause he’ll have no passion for it.
On the flip side, Tyren Jones will come to GA if Henry flips. Kamara is also out there and Tyshon Dye is as well. Dye is looking elsewhere but everyone knows he is a life-long Dawg fan.
GtDawg
June 7th, 2012
7:08 am
Losing Henry will not hurt the rb depth at all for the next 3 years. It just looks good on paper come Feb 1 2013. It would be nice to have him on the roster though as that extra poser option behind Gurley. If he was 100 percent serious about committing to Bama why dont he just do like Pretty Ricky Seals-Jones and decommit? You heard it here first folks, He will stick with UGA and battle for PT.
GtDawg
June 7th, 2012
7:13 am
He is taking his free summer trip.
BobDawg
June 7th, 2012
7:15 am
…. these kids need to check out all their options and such is life in “recruitin”……We will fill most of the class by the time camps are done anyway….
destin dawg
June 7th, 2012
7:16 am
Henry would be a back up Linebacker at Alabamer… Richt is more honest than Saban for sure… I don’t think he’d like Tenn. ?? go Dawgs !!!
brad
June 7th, 2012
7:19 am
Athens, where football talent goes to die.
JB
June 7th, 2012
7:26 am
Yes, because Saban, like most low life’s, will spend more time telling him why he shouldn’t go to Georgia vs why he should come to Bama
bitter coach Grantham
June 7th, 2012
7:30 am
please—————————–GO, AND BEE, A, TUSK-UR-LOOSER
ENJOY THE BENCH FOR 3 YEARS , WITH EITHER SCHOLL—HAHAHAH
Beast from the East
June 7th, 2012
7:41 am
You can’t spend your life worrying about the ones that got away. UGA will have a fine class whether Henry decides to become a part of it or not.
Hitman
June 7th, 2012
7:41 am
I think this article is about 2 weeks too late. Old news by now.
yellowfever
June 7th, 2012
7:42 am
GO JACKETS !
RedandBlackDAWG
June 7th, 2012
7:42 am
GTDawg,
It is an unofficial visit so he is suppose to be footing the bill, according to NCAA rules, which we all know every school follows to the tee.
Herschel Talker
June 7th, 2012
7:42 am
He’d be great for us in the red and black, but let’s be realists. He’ll have Crowell, Marshall, and maybe Gurley ahead of him. Someone please give a good reason why he’d want to compete with that. When he committed, neither Marshall nor Gurley had committed, so he saw a wide open path. Not so much anymore.
tell me again
June 7th, 2012
7:49 am
the entire recruiting pot is constantly being stirred by the media and subscription services. We already have the last two years #1back ~ how many more can we play? If you want to sell papers you lead with controversial headlines. What’will cause more of a stir than writing articles about Bama flipping recruits. The term ” flip” is already a ploy. He hasn’t signed anything yet and as we all WELL know, a VERBAL commitment means next to nothing especially frlm a top recruit who still has a year to explore his options. This is a non story.
Dawg1
June 7th, 2012
7:50 am
Nothing to write about, so bring back a story that is a couple of weeks old. The faithful who read this will take the bait. The Bama people will jump in – result – over 400 comments…
Time to go hit a golf ball… Good work if you can find it.
Dap01
June 7th, 2012
7:54 am
Getting Henry would be great for UGA but if he chooses to go with the high character Saban, Uga will still have great depth at rb.
Pal Joey
June 7th, 2012
8:01 am
The word is that Derrick Henry wised up and realized how crappy it would be to play at UGA with Mark Richt’s thugs and drunks, not to mention the third-rate coaching at UGA.
In the end, the decision was a no-brainer. The kid’s pretty smart, way too smart to end up in Athens.
Buzzzzzzz
June 7th, 2012
8:04 am
Henry would be more likely to flip to Georgia Tech, since Tech runs this state.
tell the truth
June 7th, 2012
8:08 am
Besides all the elite backs Ga. has now on campass,Ga. already has a very elite running back,Stanley Williams committed next year.Maybe he’s a little bit more afraid of compitition than he said.Watch out for Tenn.,a place where the stable of backs is bare.
Steve
June 7th, 2012
8:09 am
Georgia’s problem isn’t about getting and keeping quality recruits, it’s about coaching. UGA has had and will continue to get great talent. The problem is they don’t get quality coaching when they get there. UGA had better talent than Bama or any other school in the early to mid 2000’s and what did they have to show for it, nothing! Now Bama is getting talented players and what do they have to show for it, 2 National Championships.
Whiskey Breath
June 7th, 2012
8:13 am
Can I officially call it? Ga has an inferior complex when it comes to the Crimson Tide.
And I will prove it. Not one word of the 3rd National Championship from AJC and the state of Georgia.
Alabama won the national title last night for Girls softball championship. We won the girls NC for golf last month. What the hell have you dogs won?
Now it looks like we have another flip because the kid want’s to be a champion and not just a big trash talker. I am waiting for our congradulations pups. Pat us on the back like you do CMR.
BMDPD
June 7th, 2012
8:16 am
Really, who cares? Look at our backfield! If we miss on this kid, we will be fine. It won’t hurt a bit unless we end up losing a game to Bama because of it. No biggie.
BMDPD
June 7th, 2012
8:17 am
For all you DAs that say football talent dies in Athens…How many has CMR put in the NFL? Saban? Do the math.
@Whiskey Breath
June 7th, 2012
8:28 am
Congrats on your women’s programs NCs. Fine to gloat about it, good accomplishment. However, you should have stopped while you were ahead- you certainly don’t want to compare Bama to UGA when it comes to women’s athletics. Multiple NCs in swimming, gymnastics, tennis, also a NC in golf. Florida is the only SEC school close to the Lady Dogs overall when you talk championships.
UGA Dawg91
June 7th, 2012
8:33 am
Of course! Alabama is on a great run and Saban is a great coach. Never want to lose one of the top talents in the country but Kamara, Dye or Jones would be nice additions if one of them come on board. For all the talk that he doesn’t want to compete with Crowell, Marshall, Gurley and Malcolme, Alabama has extremely talented RB’s too so he will have to compete there just as much as UGA.
Where ever he decides to go in the end, I hope he’s successful and have a great career on and off the field. Hope he keeps his commitment and show up in Athens but UGA is fine if he doesn’t.
godawg
June 7th, 2012
8:34 am
You can never have too many good RBs. We thought we were loaded at the position a year ago and look what happened…lose King, lose Ealey, Crowell gets hurt, Samuel gets gimpy….BOOM!
Game Changer
June 7th, 2012
8:34 am
@WHISKEYBREATH
Game Changer
June 7th, 2012
8:34 am
@WHISKEYBREATH
UGA Dawg91
June 7th, 2012
8:34 am
Congratulations to the Alabama softball team for their NC. Great to see the SEC keep the NCs coming.
Whiskey Breath
June 7th, 2012
8:36 am
Honest Mark Richt, now that is a good one.
Didn’t he say a month a ago the entire class would be academically eligible?
Looks to me some people ain’t going make it.
I would like to see Coach Saban rip that zipper hairdo off with his bare hands.
Dewnsav
June 7th, 2012
8:43 am
if he comes to Athens, great…if not, we are well stocked at RB…I’m not worried or bothered either way…February is a long way off and there will be many media driven drama’s like his for all schools…Tide, Gators, Tigers, Dogs will all get great players come signing day 2013…go dogs