Richt: O-line recruiting not an issue, happy with ‘guys we got’
Juggling a bunch of things at the moment so haven’t had much time to craft a comprehensive report for you. But in the meantime here’s is a raw transcription (please forgive typos) of some of the main points Mark Richt and his assistants made while briefing UGA fans in Heritage Hall a little while ago. About to have a session with richt and recruiting coordinator Rodney Garner so I’ll have more information coming soon. . . .
Richt on how many Georgia might sign . . .
“I don’t know for certain because the day’s not over yet. I know I’, thrilled about the ones we’ve already signed on the dotted line. The biggest issue we thought we had was at the tackle position and I feel like we did a tremendous job there.”
Offensive line coach Will Friend on his newbies . . .
“We’re real excited about the guys we’ve got signed. Mark Beard is already on campus and we’re real excited about him. We thought we did a good job with guys that are athletic who will start out at tackle but could be guards.
“John Theus, we’re excited about what he brings to us. He has athletic ability, he’s smart, tough, all those things. And Greg Pyke also.”
Friend on how many O-line offers that still have out there . .
“We have a few out. Not that many.”
Richt on recruiting rankings . . .
“I think recruiting rankings are way overrated. The bottom line with some of these services is it’s a points system and you’ve got to maybe 27 guys to have enough points to get ranked high. Some other services will look at it objectively by each individual and understand sometimes you can sign 18 and sometimes than you can sign 25. . . . I don’t get too caught up in that.
“The reason I’m telling you is we’ve got some really quality football players that are goijg to help us win. We’ve got some guys I thknk that are going to be able to make an impact right away. That’s the best news.”
Running backs Bryan McClendon on Keith Marshall and Todd Gurley:
“Keith is a great player. Not only him but Todd, too. We’re very pleased with them. Not only are they great players but they’re great people. They’ll come in and be great teammates and be instantly great people in the community. They’ll also bring depth and competition to the position and I think we need both of those.
“Keith has been working very hard and already picked up a bunch of weight. So we’re exited about seeing what he can do this spring.”
McClendon on fullback Quayvon Hicks of Pierce County . . .
“Quayvon is definitely a guy we need. A fullback is so important to do what we do on offense. He’s a guy that can go out there and get it done, to be honest with you. It’s not a very presrtigious position, but it’s very important nonetheless. We definitely think, after having him in camp and seeing him on film, that he’s everything plus more of what we were looking for at that position. With Bruce Figgins leaving and what we’ve had at that position in the past, with Brannan Southerland and Shaun Chapas and J.T. Wall, I dedfinitely think he can come in and be one of those type of players for us.”
Defensive coordinator Todd Grantham (met with big ovation) on signing so many DE/OLB types . . .
“Defensively it’s about making plays. When you look at players, you can play players at multiple positions. The thing that we’re looking at is always signing the best athletes, and then we’re going to put them in the spots that best fit them as well as us. So we’re just going to recruit guys that can make plays. That’s the way we’ve done it the last two years and we’ll continue to do it that way.”
Richt on depth problems on offensive line . . .
“Let me tell you something, offensive line is a huge priority. But the thing is, if you’re going to try to sign the best you’ve got to recruit the best. There are times when you hit it on the head and there’s times when you don’t win the battle. We’re going against a lot of great programs. But I guarantee you, the guys that we’ve got are highly sought-after and guys we think can really help us.
“You can sign a bunch of linemen just to say you signed a bunch of linemen. But when we bring somebody in we believe he can compete and play.
“We’ve had some issues over the year unfortunately that were highly rated that had some injury issues. For whatever reason it happened and you can’t control it.”
Richt on redshirted offensive linemen . . .
“Zach DeBell and Xzavier Ward got redshiorted last year. Those are potential tackles for us.
“Xzavier Ward, people tend to forget about guys like that. Ward has probably put on 40 pounds and he’s been getting healthy. He looks good, big, tall, kid who’s very athletic. . . . Before you know it he’ll be competing for us.”
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
126 comments Add your comment
Joey
February 1st, 2012
2:41 pm
If we all just say, CONGRATS BAMA! , will the gloating end?
Spike 80DF
February 1st, 2012
2:44 pm
I’m sure Rueben Foster flips before next year when he sees UGA’s need at ILB and CMR off the hot seat. Enjoy it while you can bama fans before Saban is coaching elsewhere…..
Lowcountry Bulldawg
February 1st, 2012
2:45 pm
Newberg reporting it may be the Gators where JHC is going to land. Not so fast my friend…
JB
February 1st, 2012
2:47 pm
Who is JHC
Lowcountry Bulldawg
February 1st, 2012
2:47 pm
Josh Harvey Clemmons
JB
February 1st, 2012
2:49 pm
And…………..I tend to agree with Richt that there are 4 or 5 guys making a lot of money with these recruiting services and opinions. putting them in pads against big boy football players and seeing them play is the only…..and real test. Just look at the senior class of most schools. most not starting…or just gone.
DawginLex
February 1st, 2012
2:50 pm
Joey
I get it but I disagree. McGarity put him there by not firing him or by not coming out and saying he would be back. Recruits want to play for the coach, not so much the school.
If McGarity wanted a #1 recruiting class, he should have fired Richt or announced he would be around in 2012. He could not commit to Richt beyond so therefore the hot seat was there.
Lowcountry Bulldawg
February 1st, 2012
2:51 pm
Clemmons and family are at home huddled up, phones off. Family did infact want him to go to UF. This does not sound like a good thing.
JB
February 1st, 2012
2:52 pm
Isn’t Clemmons a UGA commit?
Lowcountry Bulldawg
February 1st, 2012
2:52 pm
Has not sent in his LOI yet so he is fair game for UF.
The Grinch
February 1st, 2012
2:53 pm
Something smells about JHC. Apparently his grandfather is really pushing him south.
JB
February 1st, 2012
2:53 pm
The “offering” must of showed up
Lowcountry Bulldawg
February 1st, 2012
2:53 pm
Also he must have his legal guardian sign off on the LOI so this puts him in a tough situation as his grandfather apparently has a heavy hand in his recruitment.
JB
February 1st, 2012
2:54 pm
Richt doesn’t have his signed letter of commitment?
The Grinch
February 1st, 2012
2:54 pm
I wonder if JHC’s grandfather and Cam Newton’s dad are friends?
Lowcountry Bulldawg
February 1st, 2012
2:55 pm
Is Trooper Taylor at UF now?
JB
February 1st, 2012
2:55 pm
Well damn
Lowcountry Bulldawg
February 1st, 2012
2:55 pm
Nope, ESPNU was all over this.
JB
February 1st, 2012
2:56 pm
Muschamp admitted to the nice offering he left in the plate at the church that night. Ole rev must of liked it.
JB
February 1st, 2012
2:57 pm
Is this bull or real?
Lowcountry Bulldawg
February 1st, 2012
2:57 pm
This is real. No joke.
JB
February 1st, 2012
3:03 pm
just went to espnu…………..no sign of story
McDawg
February 1st, 2012
3:04 pm
great so the SURPRISE is we lose JHC and Avery Young
TroupDawg
February 1st, 2012
3:06 pm
Has granddad seen how the UF coach will freak out during a game and cuss out everything that moves on a football field?? That offering plate may have been promised a few more Gainesville passes for the next 4 years.
Joey
February 1st, 2012
3:07 pm
JB: Chip’s “Tweets” up on the page:
Richt said “logical explanation” for JHC’s FOI delay he can’t discuss right now. We’ll see. 58 mins ago
• Not sure what deal is, but Richt told me minutes ago “absolutely no concern” regarding Harvey-Clemons LOI not being in yet. 60 mins ago
UGAKev
February 1st, 2012
3:09 pm
DAWSONS A DAWG
Rationale
February 1st, 2012
3:13 pm
If the question of Mark Richt being or not being the coach for the next couple of years was the real issue of not signing more than the 18 recruits, that would be relevant in the inability of Coach Grantham’s to sign top notch defensive players, which obviously is not the case. Personally, I think the problem is with Coach Bobo and the offense. UGA has had no problem with signing top notch players for the defense, the problem is with the offense, and it seems to be relevant that some players like Coach Bobo, but there are not that many players lining up ready to jump on board with Coach Bobo. If, UGA had brought in someone as a new OC, UGA might have been able to bring in more on the offense than they already have.
Valdosta Insider
February 1st, 2012
3:16 pm
been telling you JHC = gator
bh
February 1st, 2012
3:16 pm
I agree with several others, our depth has been an issue on the OL for a decade now. Remember 2003? We won the SEC East, but Greene was beaten to death during the season. I don’t understand it at all. And I also dont understand how we can be late to offer so many GA kids that are hightly rated. How does that happen time and time again?
Lowcountry Bulldawg
February 1st, 2012
3:16 pm
JB- It is on the televised coverage. I am off today and following it.
Lowcountry Bulldawg
February 1st, 2012
3:17 pm
He may not be a Gator it may actually open the door for FSU to come in and be the “happy medium” in the situation.
RedandBlackDAWG
February 1st, 2012
3:18 pm
Hated to lose Young, but the OL is deep if inexperienced. We will be just fine, once coach Friend gets them on the practice field and coaches them up. If you look at the 19 folks we signed today, UGA had a fairly good recruiting day, so I think UGA is going to be darn strong come 2012 in the fall.
GO DAWGS and GATA
Rationale
February 1st, 2012
3:19 pm
The problem with JHC is his family wants him to go to Florida, he wants to go to UGA. It has been stated that his grandfather has said he controls 60% of the decision making process of where his grandson will attend college, and it has been made known that grandpa does not want him going to UGA. Also, his phone was conveniently stolen or lost while at Miami, and no one in his family is allowing JHC to talk to the media or coaches. They have all left the school, gone home to talk about not going to UGA. This is not a pretty picture for the young man. He may be going to UGA to get away from his grandfather. May the Good Lord give this young man the ability to make the decision in his best interests, and not his grandfather’s. He has stated he wants to go to UGA.
CHIPPER07
February 1st, 2012
3:22 pm
To all who tried through the media to get Coach Richt fired you are the same ones complaining about the other teams telling the recruits he would not be here next year. The people complaining about this class are the same people. I’m proud of this class. We haven’t been able to get two running backs like Marshall and Gurley ever. There are two offensive linemen redshirted coming back to start next year anyway. Go Dawgs!!
Joey
February 1st, 2012
3:24 pm
Good points on class size, per DawginLex (2:50), and Rationale (3:13), both.
Valdosta Insider
February 1st, 2012
3:24 pm
GrandPa took the cash and has got to deliver JHC as Gator…..simple as that.
Bama Mike
February 1st, 2012
3:49 pm
The hay is officially in the barn as we like to say in Tuscaloosa for 2012. We now have 9 commitments for 2013. Blog like a champion I say. Still cant believe that CMR and CPJ let so many talented kids leave the state. Happened to us during the Shula years. We lost quality to Tennessee and LSU. If Georgia ever locks down the talent in this state we would have to redefine the word dominate.
DawginLex
February 1st, 2012
3:57 pm
bama mike
If Saban was over here he would sign all 150 D1 players that sign with schools every year and snap at anyone who called it oversigning
Ron Roberts
February 1st, 2012
3:57 pm
Good lord; grab a paper bag and breathe in.
I’d MUCH rather we only target the players we WANT, and leave scholarships available for next year’s class or for elevating a walk-on who’s earned their way on the team than just sign a “diamond in the rough” 2 or 3 star offensive lineman.
We redshirted two highly-touted recruits from last year’s class so we’re fine. We have five returning WRs from last year’s 10-win squad and we’re MORE than loaded at DE and LB with JHC coming in.
Check the top recruiting classes and you’ll see many non-probationary programs didn’t sign you 25 players, either; they got the guys they targeted and missed on some, just as we did.
Snoop Dawg
February 1st, 2012
3:58 pm
What happened to all these secret commits that all our esteemed Richt defenders kept talking about? Looks like we got chumped today…
BigDaddy
February 1st, 2012
4:02 pm
Some of you are so ignorant.Here are OT’s from last years roster. Wonder why CMR isn’t worried?
,
78 Watts Dantzler OT Fr. HS 6-7/310 Dalton, GA (Dalton HS)
76 Zach DeBell OT Fr. HS 6-7/273 Tarpon Springs, FL (Tarpon Springs)
75 Kolton Houston OT Fr. RS 6-5/291 Buford, GA (Buford High)
70 Eddie McQuillen OT Fr. HS 6-8/264 Newnan, GA (Trinity Christian)
63 Xzavier Ward OG Fr. HS 6-7/264 Moutrie, GA (Colquitt Co. HS)
67 Hugh Williams OT Fr. RS 6-5/254 Atlanta, (Marist)
Bama Mike
February 1st, 2012
4:08 pm
Dawg, I agree. Appears Grantham is locking down the borders on defensive side of the ball. Reuben Foster has been all Bama for over a year he and Nomeskie or however you spell his name could be the last of the great defensive players we take from the state. Better lock up Grantham longterm and like yesterday.
Lowcountry Bulldawg
February 1st, 2012
4:19 pm
If I just understood Randy Shannon correctly since UGA looks to leave 7 scholly’s on the table this year if 7 or more players graduate the program next January ‘13 they can count scholly’s backwards. Those graduating 7 players then will count to the “empty”12 scholly’s we did not use. This would then allow CMR to sign the 25 alloted players plus an additional 7 players in 2013.
Snoop Dawg
February 1st, 2012
4:20 pm
Grantham’s our best resource. He would be a much better head coach than Richt. If we are paying Richt $3M a year for underachieving, we should meet whatever compensation requests that Grantham is asking for. If Grantham leaves, UGA football would sink faster than a lead balloon.
CP?
February 1st, 2012
4:39 pm
What about Cordarelle Patterson?
UGAly
February 1st, 2012
4:49 pm
Sounds like Coach Richt is rationalizing the lack of success signing enough elite OL.
Tell the Truth
February 1st, 2012
4:55 pm
CMR spinning it again and you guys are buying it!
The OL sucks and have played miserably for 6 years now!
Do not drink the Kook Aid
13-1
February 1st, 2012
5:03 pm
RedandBlackDAWG February 1st, 2012 12:51 pm
“Knowing a teams offense tendencies and being able to beat the athletes running it, are two different things. LSU knew Alabama’s as well, but for some reason they couldn’t stop it and Alabama knew LSU’s tendencies as well and could stop it. If you have the athletes, which”
___________________________________________________________
which Alabama has and had, then Alabama beat LSU.
Is that what you were going to say ?
Or, that Georgia beats LSU in last year’s BLOW-OUT of us, by them, thanks to puny Aaron Murray ?
___________________________________________________________
13-1 February 1st, 2012 11:00 am
“OLB Josh Harvey-Clemons out of Lowndes Valdosta 6′ 4″ OLB & WR ranked # 2 OLB in the nation moved us all the way from # 17 to # 13 by himself in Scout.com Rankings this morning. He has not sent in his FAX yet.”
________________________________________________________
Then, at # 13, Josh Dawson signed with UGA and we went from Scout.com # 13 to Scout.com # 10. Since, South Carolina passed us. I would not trade our signings with South Carolina at all – no way. So, if you don’t like that Josh Dawson – defensive players of a caliber, Lowcountry Bulldog moved us enough to move us all the way from # 13 Scout.com to # 10 Scout.com by himself, then I guess that shows that which you do and do not know about recruiting.
Josh Dawson is a 4-Star Rivals’ Recruit ranked # 20 in the nation at DE at 6′ 4″ and 225 lbs of muscle with 4.7 speed in Nike 4-yard dash. That’s fast enough to sack Aaron Murray, Lowcountry Bulldog, sir. I will remind you about these comments about Josh Dawson, sir. Want to retract now ? Oh, never mind too late for that. I got it. And, you see, sir ? I knew I had you on each the New York nano-second you made the decision to attack me and on this one, try to remember now, it is Josh Dawson you said was not good enough only a 3-Star and crudola like that. Too bad, you cannot delete that post, right Lowcountry Bulldog, sir ?
13-1
February 1st, 2012
5:14 pm
13-1 is under-performing ?
Check back with me, after we start # 6 and end up about that, or Better. By the way ld, what is your team again, sir ? So, I can compare where we end up, playing 12 regular seasons’ games we should win – assuming Aaron Murray’s Heebie-Jeebie Yips were a Sophomore Slump – and, what is your team and where you will end up ld ?
ld
13-1
February 1st, 2012
5:19 pm
Paul Johnson is such a great coach…
if Paul Johnson had our Athletes, Paul Johnson would not :
(1) be on NCAA Probation back-to-back
(2) graduate more of his players then we do
(3) beat Mark Richt for Georgia tek better than 1 out of 11
(4) not have lost every bowl game of Paul Johnson era
(5) would not have # 54 Scout.com recruiting rank
again.
Oh, wait, Paul Johnson does NOT have UGA’s athletes…
good point Georgia tek fans (both of you.)