Ten@10: UGA gets first DB in Dawson, now needs more O-linemen
With national signing day bearing down on us and a plethora of UGA news swirling, it seemed like a good time to dust off . . .
THE TEN AT 10
1. With the commitment of Memphis defensive back Sheldon Dawson on Monday, the Bulldogs now sit at 17 public commitments heading into national signing day. It does not appear that they’ll receive any more announcements before the official letters-of-intent start rolling in at Butts-Mehre Heritage Hall early tomorrow. Meanwhile, don’t let Dawson’s original commitment to Memphis fool you. He committed to the Tigers before last season when he lit it up both offensively and defensively for Ridgeway High and showcased what has been reported as 4.4-second, 40-yard speed. By the end of his recruitment, Dawson claimed more than 20 offers and the majority were from major BCS programs such as Ohio State, Tennessee, and North Carolina.
2. Now Georgia looks to close strong, and it has the opportunity to do that. Probably the most important remaining piece of the puzzle for the Bulldogs is offensive lineman Avery Young of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. It appears to be a Georgia-Auburn battle for Young (6-foot-6, 281 pounds), but he will include the caps of Florida and Miami on the table Wednesday when he makes his decision public at 2 p.m. Young told Rusty Mansell of Dawgs247.com he has made up his mind but that he hasn’t leaked word to anyone. “Even my mom does not know,” he said.
3. Securing Young is particularly important to the Bulldogs since they lost one of their previous offensive line commitments last week in Chester Brown. That left them with just three O-linemen in this class when they originally set out to get five or six. Dawson’s commitment was equally important as he is now Georgia’s only defensive back commitment.
The breakdown of the rest of the class goes like this: 3 outside linebackers/defensive ends, 2 tailbacks 2 defensive tackles, 1 wide receiver, 1 fullback, 1 tight end, 1 quarterback, 1 punter and 1 kicker. By all accounts the Dogs would like to sign five more players. Ideally that would be two more offensive linemen, another wide receiver, an inside linebacker and a defensive lineman or DB.
4. Speaking of Brown, his saga finally has a conclusion. The 6-foot-5, 340-pound lineman from Bradwell Institute, who had to back out of his longtime UGA commitment due to an immigration issue, has decided to sign with Central Florida after all. Brown committed to the Knights over the weekend during an official visit, but had second thoughts upon returning to Hinesville and finding that his school had been flooded with new opportunities for him.
Coach Jim Walsh said he received calls from 29 different schools either inquiring about Brown’s availability or stepping up with actual offers. Among the schools showing late interest were Auburn, Missouri, Miami, North Carolina and Southern Cal, Walsh said.
“We had schools coming in from everywhere,” Walsh said. “It almost became more of a burden. Just overwhlelming is a better way to put it. Up until [Monday] night our intention was to take it past signing day. It got sideways for a minute. But once Chester could clear his head he was able to make up his mind and he’ll sign with Central tomorrow.”
5. Of course, The AJC will be all over national signing day activities at the University of Georgia on Wednesday. I will be at the Butts-Mehre tweeting out the Bulldogs’ signings from @ajcuga at Twitter.com as soon as they become official early in the morning. I’ll also be posting continuous live blogs here and AJC recruiting reporter Michael Carvell will be posting news all day on The AJC’s Recruiting Page. So you should be able to follow all the recruiting day drama — and there figures to be plenty this year — from your computer.
6. Festivities at Georgia will begin about 8 a.m. I get an audience with head coach Mark Richt and recruiting coordinator Rodney Garner around 1 p.m. on Wednesday and will be sharing their thoughts and insights shortly thereafter. Us media types have been told we may get the opportunity to talk to the Bulldogs’ midyear enrollees tomorrow. That’s something I’m looking forward to because five-star running back Keith Marshall, quarterback Faton Bauta and offensive lineman Mark Beard to date have been unavailable for interviews.
7. Speaking of Georgia’s coaches, UGA Athletic Director Greg McGarity told me yesterday that the new contracts for head coach Mark Richt and defensive coordinator Todd Grantham won’t be ready until sometime after national signing day. McGarity reiterated that there is “no rush” as deals have already been agreed upon in principle. A three-year extension for Richt and a new three-year deal (or two -year extension) for Grantham is anticipated. An athletic board meeting is scheduled next week and I suspect something should be forthcoming then. I talked to Grantham recently and he said, “I’m not worried about that. That’s been handled. I’m just trying to find some players.”
8. Another possible delay for getting agreements finalized was the sad news this week regarding President Michael Adams. Hubert Adams, his father, passed away suddenly on Sunday. He was 87. Mr. Adams, who lived near Stone Mountain, was a very spry and vibrant man and ardent Bulldog supporter who often attended UGA sporting events.
9. Read a remarkable story by Jon Solomon of The Birmingham News charting Auburn’s recruiting the last four years. According to him, only 18 percent of the signees from Auburn’s 2008 class are expected to exhaust their eligibility and just 43 percent of the 2009 and 2010 classes are still with the team. The Tigers are also sitting with the fewest commitments so far for 2012 (15). But there is hope. Currently they are 24 of 24 in the Class of 2011.
10. And finally, I read another interesting story at thepostgame.com. UGA’s Anna Watson apparently is “the strongest cheerleader in college football.” Who knew?
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
101 comments Add your comment
13-1
January 31st, 2012
1:36 pm
No this is not an afterthought. We need a secondary player. Don’t forget, not only are they all gone after 2012, but we have one suspended for multiple games already for charges related to a fist in her face thru another guy in-between.
Proud-Dawg
January 31st, 2012
1:36 pm
Chip, I’ve missed the Ten@10…Great work
Dawgs97
January 31st, 2012
1:46 pm
Agreed – Definitely miss 10 @ 10, Chip, and Carvell is a significant downgrade, coupled by the fact that the guy clearly is no fan of UGA & seems bent on provoking. Gl;ad Schultz yielded that title of “Chief AJC Provoker” to UGA.
A person SMART enough to know......
January 31st, 2012
1:56 pm
Dwag97 my understanding is that Carvell is a UGa grad so how is he so against the dwags?
THE MAJOR
January 31st, 2012
2:00 pm
Appears Dawgs are desperate trying to get in late on numerous commitments to other schools that they have not recruited until now.
J Williams is going to Auburn along with A Young.
Les W. Moore
January 31st, 2012
2:00 pm
Chip, you are wrong about Sheldon Dawson being the consensus #1 in the state of Tennessee. Not even close. And he was committed to Memphis. Not Arky, not UT, not Ole Miss or Miss St. Memphis.
Why would you write: “By the end of his recruitment” if you weren’t trying to sugar-coat the comment?
The General Feeling
January 31st, 2012
2:03 pm
Good to hear Mark Richt is going to be around a few more years. Imagine what a good coach would do with all the available talent in Georgia. Scary.
Chip Towers
January 31st, 2012
2:03 pm
Les W. Moore: He is the consensus highest-rated prospect out of Tennessee. Look it up. Couple of services have him at 4-star. The reason I wrote by end of recruitment is explained in story where his stock soared after senior season. Not sugarcoating. I could care less.
13-1
January 31st, 2012
2:06 pm
Obviously, he is a very good defensive back. And, just as obviously, you are a better reporter on Bulldogs, Chip, than Michael Carvell.
John
January 31st, 2012
2:06 pm
Good Work Chip….. Tell the haters to shut up and read your articles…. They just may learn something
It never fails .............does the I hate UGA noise
January 31st, 2012
2:08 pm
While at UGA way back in the day ( this is only one example of 00s) GT’s eventual head football coach went to Houston for UGA to see film of a world class LB that eventually signed with Nebraska. Well. Tech’s future head coach, then D coach at UGA ……………..saw films of unwanted, unskilled, non athletic QB Terry Hoague. Terry played as a UGA frosh safety, blocked a FG in the Sugar Bowl game with ND and Terry went on to all world SAFETY status as an ACADEMIC ALL AMERICAN and ALL AMERICA Safety status. He also was brilliant.
Played in the NFL and the old World Football League and is nicely retired as a $$$ vintner in N California, in the boutique winery biz. Nough said, clowns.
See? Coachec can always find a jewel ………………Like UGA’s Richard Tradits of FRANCE and he ended up being a SEC sack beast record holder and now is doing well in internationla business. NO ONE HEARD of him, prior to playing at UGA. He was a soccer guy. Dooley found him. See?
High School kids with 0 knowledge need to read but keep your mouith closed, so that maybe you can learn. Also, leave the hate back home too.
Young man from Mephis will do well. He has ALL THE TOOLS.
Go Dogs.
really?!
January 31st, 2012
2:23 pm
watch Dawson’s highlight film and tell me he doesn’t deserve at least a 4 star
TRUE Dawg Fan!
January 31st, 2012
2:43 pm
Hey Chip…Where do we stand with JHC,Patterson,and Young? Do you see us flipping anymore recruits?
secdawgs
January 31st, 2012
2:47 pm
Dawson looks like he could give the 2 RB recruits a run for their money. He hits the line hard and fast. The video I watched of him was 95% on the offensive side of the ball where he was head and shoulders above the rest.
CRACKATOE
January 31st, 2012
2:47 pm
FOR AVERY YOUNG THE BEST PLACE TO HAVE A CHANCE TO START EARLY, MAYBE AS A FRESHMAN, IS GEORGIA. HOPE WE CAN GET HIM.
RxDawg
January 31st, 2012
2:50 pm
Crack, he’d probably get a good shot at playing early at Auburn too. BUT at UGA he can play early on a winning team. Auburn has been decimated and really isn’t on the rise in the foreseeable future.
tenn.DAWG
January 31st, 2012
2:52 pm
Send Anna over to Commings house and see if he wants to pick on a girl.
BiggDawgK
January 31st, 2012
2:55 pm
I have it on good authority from total strangers on the interweb that Georgia will close strong and I have to agree with them. LOL Seriously the sources were right last year so I will trust them again.
DawginLex can be a little pessimistic sometimes but he’s a great poster and a DGD so he’s allowed. To paraphrase Norman Bates “We all go a little pessimistic sometimes”
Big Wally Butts
January 31st, 2012
3:07 pm
UGA will finish strong and the haters on this blog will hate on. Some things in life never change.
BiggDawgK
January 31st, 2012
3:08 pm
Van Gorder considering literaly every day brings another humiliating chapter in the north avenue trade school debacle it’s nice you have time to post weak jabs at Georgia’s fine program.
Chip don’t let these haters bait you my friend. I think you and Carvell are both doing a great job. Truth be told I even like Ken, he just has the misfortune of covering the trade school. DOL is more suited to covering the entertainment section since that seems to be his favorite topic but I digress.
Anon1
January 31st, 2012
3:12 pm
UGA needs to sign their cheerleader to a football scholarship as a LB. She works out more than Crowell.
http://www.thepostgame.com/blog/training-day/201201/college-footballs-strongest-cheerleader
BiggDawgK
January 31st, 2012
3:43 pm
A person blah blah blah
I’m sure you would burst into flames upon entering any church so maybe you should stalk her somewhere else.
A person SMART enough to know......
January 31st, 2012
3:48 pm
BiggDawgK………..I am sure you don’t know what you are talking about.
10Dawgs
January 31st, 2012
3:55 pm
I’d let Anna Watson beat me. Up. Beat me up. that all goes together. Beat me up.
A person SMART enough to know......
January 31st, 2012
4:02 pm
So UGa has some Rock Hard Cheerleaders but a male rollie pollie bulldog mascot. Maybe UGa should try a female Uga for Uga IX. plus Uga IX would be a great representative for Title IX women’s sports.
Dawgs for JT
January 31st, 2012
4:09 pm
Hey Chip – would be nice to get a shout out from the paper for the event to benefit Johnathan Taylor’s ongoing recovery costs this Saturday night at The Buckhead Theatre. More information is available at dawgsforjt.com.
Go Dawgs!
dawginthewest
January 31st, 2012
4:14 pm
SMH, why do you think people who like twitter need a life? Sort of ironic posting that on a blog. I am sure its too advanced for you but as you are just figuring out this internet thing. Of course if you did understand it you’d know that your comment of ’stop living through others lives’ makes no sense. Oh and glad I follow @ChipTowers to get the quickest updates on recruiting.
Dawgs for JT
January 31st, 2012
4:34 pm
Dumb enough to be a jerk – he was drafted, not signed, moron
Dawgs for JT
January 31st, 2012
4:37 pm
and even if the Rangers made a donation, which I believe they did, the cost of that kind of daily therapy is insane, and it could go on for the rest of his life
Columbus
January 31st, 2012
4:52 pm
Yep. Need OL. Yep. Badly! Come on Avery! Come on OL!
Dawgs for JT
January 31st, 2012
4:59 pm
Dumb enough to be a jerk – your entire first comment was the a..hole part, I just called you on it
A person SMART enough to know......
January 31st, 2012
6:06 pm
dWag for JT No you are just being a BUTT about somebody questioning the need for money. FINE be a butt and feel happy about it. I know my INTENT.
JDawg1785
January 31st, 2012
6:49 pm
Reel ‘em in, Dawgs!
Tarryuga
January 31st, 2012
7:34 pm
O line? O line?
What the hell have had in the past, and where the hell did that get us?
O line, are you kidding me?!?! O line?!?!
We’ve had them, and had them, and had them…COACH THEM!!!!
Tarryuga
January 31st, 2012
7:37 pm
Oops, what the hell have “WE” had in the past.
CTrippGrantham
January 31st, 2012
7:49 pm
A person SMART enough to blow……
Ryan
January 31st, 2012
7:56 pm
Do we have any more offers out to legit D-linemen?If so do we have a real shot at any of them?
phil
January 31st, 2012
8:27 pm
Fire Mark Richt!!
He can’t coach em once we get em!
D-MAN
January 31st, 2012
8:34 pm
Clemons the Diva couldn’t decide on final two,what a joke this
recruiting process is!
Fair n Balanced
January 31st, 2012
8:51 pm
Hoping for a good class for many reasons but frankly, I’ll be glad when it’s done. I know the coaches will be glad!
athdog
January 31st, 2012
9:39 pm
The #1 rated in Tn, #1 rated in NC, #1 rated in Fla, all Dogs.
Surprises will be forthcoming. Tomorrow. Don’t miss it…….BE THERE !!!
athdog
January 31st, 2012
9:41 pm
And why is it that every year, every single year, we are ‘thin’ at OL when Fall camp rolls around.?
Cuz
January 31st, 2012
11:02 pm
Next year instead of putting the waterboy in during mop ups we will put the cheerleader in. I feel sorry for the running back she takes out.
Cuz
January 31st, 2012
11:06 pm
To answer your question athdog, it is of course injuries. This makes me wonder if we recruit guys that are so big their frames can’t handle the stress.
DawgEm
January 31st, 2012
11:17 pm
Chip they should put you back as the writer for the recruiting blogs
ckgator
January 31st, 2012
11:26 pm
There are no rings in Georgia’s future.
Avery – you need stay in your home state kiddo – Florida beckons!
CMR Fan Club
January 31st, 2012
11:42 pm
ckgator…Your rings are ni Ohio and Colorado!!!! Keep cruitin big guy!
13-1
February 1st, 2012
12:33 am
It is not injuries on the OL. What it is is running backs who are not given the football and told to run that play designed to take advantage of what they can do, and telling the OL that is the play we’re running and do it. It is also a QB whom this blog collectively promised me was a dual-threat, and you never played the game, as I – not ever. He is a huge drain on the running game, not dual threat. He is a pocket passer without the size of a pocket passer. And, it is the play calls. And, it is the running backs themselves; ok, execution by the players – which Is and Only is
Coaching.
Yes, Chip Towers does a far better job of recruiting than Michael Carvell because Michael Carvell is a control freak who wants to control, like an DI, to control; and he doesn’t have the skills of a reporter. Chip Towers is a reporter. Why does Chip Towers have the following he has ? Because he is a reporter. Of all the UGA beat writers, Chip Towers is far and away the best. There have been some we had at other blogs that were better than he. They are off some to pay only sites, which is a bad model and a failed model and their career going nowhere. And, all for money. And, we lost some to bigger paychecks elsewhere. But, that is a cancelled check. Today is cold hard cash and Chip Towers does the best job. The blog writers that follow my beloved Georgia Bulldogs’ Football Program, they have agendas. They want to limit what is said, like Buck Belue or GTP. Excuse me, not everything is great and rose-colored glasses.
As for recruiting, this is a really fine class folks today.
Really really really fine class. Meets our needs as well, no, better than any of the 12 classes of Mark Richt.
We have a soft schedule. Start # 6. Go 13-1, playing at most 1 regular season game against a team who
MIGHT
be top 25 when the season is done in the only published poll.
We’re UGA. We’re SEC. We’re not Auburn.
We start # 6, beat USCe for the 1st time in 3 years, when a bowl game for the 1st time in 3 years…
We are 13-1.
How good is the West really 2012 ?
We can’t beat them in the SEC Championship Game ?
Have to see that too.
Quit with the Excuses about OL.
Put blame where it belonged.
Yes, we lost 4 senior starters on the OL. Everyone knew that 5 years ago. It is not a secret.
Nor an excuse.
They better be ready.
Give me 1 more OL please in the next few hours.
1 more.
I got my secondary guy I wanted. I’m happy with him. Another maybe or maybe not. After 2012, we gut the defense. But Todd is onboard for 3 more years now. So, with Todd Grantham we will reload on Defense. I am not worried about 2013 when 2012 has such to offer.
I am into 13-1 for 2012.
Other fans of other teams ? Jealous. It is what it is. Soft schedule. UGA. SEC. # 6 to begin with. No team should beat us regular season. This is a 1 year window 2012.
RED DOG 77
February 1st, 2012
12:38 am
Don’t have the foogiest idea where who will sign. I’m hoping the Georgia Bulldogs get a poke-full, but hell, who am I?……………I’m thinking with the excess number of scholarships to give, Wednesday will provide 90% of the action, but I won’t be surprised if we pick up a recruit or two over the next couple weeks that got left out of the numbers game…………and they could be big names, remember a few years back we were full yet Omar Hunter was begging Mark Richt for a spot?……..didn’t happen and he went on to have an outstanding showing with the Florida Gators……………….So hell folks, anything could happen February 1, 2012………….I think I’ll go fishing, come home about dark, and crank-up the ‘ol computer then…………….and to the most of you, try a valium or something………..your nerves ain’t gonna change a thing………………Regards, RED
13-1
February 1st, 2012
12:54 am
No. I’m here. I am going to follow it. I already know our class meets our needs better than any of the 12 Mark Richt classes. We didn’t hit the nail on the head like this 1; you know I told you we didn’t. Now, we have. 1 more OL or 2 ready to play – not can develop. Can develop vs Buffalo bills, then take on Mizzou or what’s left for Mizzou – which by the way is running the tater. And, that and that alone.