UPDATED: UGA’s class gets big boost by signing Lowndes OLB Josh Harvey-Clemons
ATHENS – Greetings from Butts-Mehre Heritage Hall, or recruiting central here at UGA, where the Bulldogs just received their biggest news of the day.
Josh Harvey-Clemons, the athletic defensive end/outside linebacker from Lowndes County, announced during an awkward live telecast by ESPNU that he was signing with the Bulldogs. He chose UGA over Florida State, Florida and Miami.
This is a huge acquisition on a couple of fronts. Never mind that he is considered the No. 1 player in the state. The truth is, Georgia would have been fine without his addition as it is well stocked at the position. But it’s more important from the standpoint of the Bulldogs re-establishing themselves in the city of Valdosta and at Lowndes High in particular.
There has been a pipeline that has run between Valdosta and Tallahassee for a number of years now and still gets some pretty good use. But the Bulldogs have secured the best players out of that city the last couple of years, including Malcolm Mitchell and Jay Rome last year.
It’s also an important get from momentum and perception standpoint. The Bulldogs aren’t expected to sign a big class this year, but JHC is the sort of prospect who moves the needle from a respect standpoint.
“I knew when I went there that’s where I wanted to go,” said Harvey-Clemons, who visited UGA on January 13. “It just felt like home and they want to win there.”
Harvey-Clemons said his family liked head coach Mark Richt but that it was his dealings with defensive coordinator Todd Grantham that solidified his decision.
“I would say I had a strong relationship with Coach Grantham,” Harvey-Clemons said. “He’s put a lot of players in the NFL and I wanted to play for him.”
Those concerned about UGA’s wide receiver recruitment might be happy to know coach Mark Richt said Harvey-Clemons could get some looks there, mainly for redzone offense.
“I’m sure glad he became a Bulldog,” Richt told ESPNU during its live recruiting broadcast. “He’s a great kid and he’s so versatile. He can play inside linebacker, outside linebacker, he can rush the passer and, quite frankly, he’s quite a wide receiver, too.”
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99 comments Add your comment
T-Town Dawg
February 1st, 2012
12:09 pm
Where are you getting your info 13-1? Scout site says we got Dawson as well.
Jeff
February 1st, 2012
12:11 pm
@ 13-1….Josh Dawson has flipped to UGA.
SLAWDAWG
February 1st, 2012
12:11 pm
CASE DISMISSED!!!!!!!
13-1
February 1st, 2012
12:16 pm
Dawson is a Bulldog. Confirmed.
Top 10 Class now because of Josh Dawson of Tucker HS
JDawg1785
February 1st, 2012
12:24 pm
Great pick up for the Dawgs! Welcome to UGA, Josh!
13-1
February 1st, 2012
12:27 pm
Yes, we can use these defensive players of a caliber enough to move us all the way from # 13 Scout.com to # 10 Scout.com by himself, whether we play him at LB or DE. We lose the whole defense after 2012. Josh Dawson hits the field against Buffalo bills game 1 and Mizzou can tackle their runners.
13-1
February 1st, 2012
12:29 pm
Ok, is that it ? We done ? No other OL ? Hey, this is greatest Mark Richt class yet. It met our needs just right down the line.
I’m going with
13-1
Extra kids?
February 1st, 2012
12:35 pm
I read that UGA could sign MORE than their usual number due to attrition,etc. Is this not correct? We need some big uns to play O line, if only to come in and pump steel, study, mature, and be game ready by their soph years. We need some big uns if only for depth.
GO Dogs.
RedandBlackDAWG
February 1st, 2012
12:51 pm
secone,
Using your analogy I guess because New England knows New York’s offense, and visa versa they will both remain scoreless. 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 UGA does have, then the secret to stopping them is to beat them, which, right now, Auburn can’t. Van Gorder has a lot of work to do with his new defensive job and a lot of experience to shape yet, so I think UGA will be OK, when they play Auburn.
Lowcountry Bulldawg
February 1st, 2012
12:54 pm
Dawson may be a nice player but a 3 star player flipping from Vandy to UGA hardly would seal the deal in a Top 10 class. I think it was already a Top 10 class, but that comment was pretty funny.
BobDawg
February 1st, 2012
1:00 pm
…. stay tuned… we could get the #1 player out of Maryland who is the #1 CB in Ronald Darby if he signs with us!
krazydawg
February 1st, 2012
1:05 pm
About time we broke the FSU pipeline from Lowndes.JHC reminds me of watching zeus aka Randel Godfrey play at Lowndes.Way to go Josh.You have just made my year.Go Dawgs!!!
Atticus
February 1st, 2012
1:14 pm
Can someone please explain to me WTF we only sign 18 or 19 players. I don’t follow the numbers but I know we were short this year by like 7 schlarship players and now this?? We had no depth and the special teams sucked as a result. I just don’t understand.
ckgator
February 1st, 2012
1:21 pm
Congrats to Harvey-Lemons. Florida snatched 5-star DE / FSU commit Fowler – a double win for us. So not getting Lemons not a huge loss for FL. I’ll take Bullard and Fowler at the position any day.
Its still early, so the fine Gator class will only get better!
30326
February 1st, 2012
1:28 pm
ckgator – tell us again why we should care?
TampaGator
February 1st, 2012
1:31 pm
I said all week that the recruiting numbers favored Georgia for JHC….and I went againt what my friends were telling me about FSU because of it. I guess I was right for once.
Eisensdawg
February 1st, 2012
1:32 pm
@ Atticus – When you go after the top talent, you have to realize that everybody else wants those type of players, and you won’t get them all. Now, if you’re just looking for numbers, I can promise you UGA could sign 100 or more. But, keep in mind, it makes no sense to just sign a player for the sake of filling your allotment. You target the best players, factoring in your positions of need. Personally, I’m thrilled that we have 3 OL, and a chance at another, plus two of the best RB’s in the nation, a QB, a potentially great fullback, a TE, several top defensive lineman and linebackers, a punter, and a place kicker who can kick it out of the endzone.
TampaGator
February 1st, 2012
1:34 pm
Getting close to Avery Young time. I think he will be heading to Athens as well. A good closing day for the Dawgs.
30326….I think all Dawgs fans care about the kind of recruiting class Florida ends up with….if you think differently, you are just fooling yourself.
Dawg Haus
February 1st, 2012
1:48 pm
HUGE pickup for the Dawgs. They could really close strong with Young and the “mystery recruit.”
BIG MIKE
February 1st, 2012
2:38 pm
I told you doubter’s out there, last year, that Grantham is Erk Russell incarnate (may God rest his soul). He is the ingredient UGA has been missing for 25 years. UGA is about become competitive at a whole new level. They won’t go to the dance every year….but then nobody does. They will be one of the last teams in line though. Count on it!!!!!!
OkieDawg
February 1st, 2012
2:40 pm
Hey TampaGator, A couple of months ago you listed your “inside” Gator commits. I’m going by memory but you included:
J-H Clemmons
Jordan Jenkins
Avery Young
Agholor
Howard?
You also included Stephon Diggs because he an Agholor had an agreement to play together.
Bad day, huh?
jarvis
February 1st, 2012
2:46 pm
Harvey-Clemons still hasn’t turned in paperwork…what gives Chip?
chilidawg
February 1st, 2012
2:49 pm
Grandpa now doesn’t want him to go to UGA. Sounds like a skakedown to me.
BIG MIKE
February 1st, 2012
2:55 pm
let him go elsewhere if that’s what it’s about. we need kids with heart….not stars. that’s what wins championships.
jay
February 1st, 2012
2:57 pm
espn is reporting there is turmoil in JHC’s family and grandpa doesn’t want him to sign with GA.
NCAA
February 1st, 2012
3:05 pm
Didn’t Mark Richt just make a recruting violation above. He is speaking about a player by name, but never received a LOI? Soudns like a violation to me.
ed
February 1st, 2012
3:05 pm
richt will not guarantee his grandfather that we will not redshirt him.
RTR!!!
February 1st, 2012
3:05 pm
LOL!!! The meltdown between the hedges seems to be starting BEFORE the season for once. JHC is probably realizing that his splash at UGA was in a pretty shallow pool.
BIG MIKE
February 1st, 2012
3:06 pm
sounds like grandpa got paid and the chickens came home to roost…………what’s he gonna do now……is josh gonna bail him out????????????
Heath
February 1st, 2012
3:12 pm
JHC just said he is still 100% committed to UGA and is getting the paperwork in. This was just a minute or so ago.
Daddy Newton's Agent
February 1st, 2012
3:18 pm
Apparently Chizik at Auburn called JHC’s Grandad and promised to buy a bigger church steeple than the one they built for Cam Newton’s and Muschamp countered with a bigger church complete with a Popeye’s and McDonalds
Heath
February 1st, 2012
3:19 pm
Leave the kid and the family alone. This is a huge decision and they deserve the right to make the decision that is best for them.
LColeman2005
February 1st, 2012
3:25 pm
Well looks like he hasn’t signed the papers, I hope him and his family will come to the right decision and pick the DAWGS we need you surely. I’m a true fan and I would like this kid to come to UGA but if he doesn’t hope the best for him.
Heath
February 1st, 2012
3:27 pm
I was watching ESPNU when I put up the post at 3:12. The guy for DawgNation had spoken personally with JHC and JHC told him the family issues were resolved and he was 100% Bulldog. But I guess nothing is for sure until the paperwork is in!
I'll take my coffe black, techie.
February 1st, 2012
3:53 pm
There has been more drama from the recruits families this year since papa Newton has shown these folks that they too can be a headline. Just let the kids decide and then follow their hearts.
george diamantis
February 1st, 2012
4:49 pm
ahhh yeeeya go dawns baybeeeee!!!!
Josh Harvey-Clemons Commitment in Limbo; Violation for Richt? | College Football News, Opinion and Analysis | Chuck Oliver.Net
February 1st, 2012
6:22 pm
[...] apparently thought it was a “done deal.” Here’s what he said about Harvey-Clemons onESPNU during its live recruiting broadcast: “I’m sure glad he became a Bulldog. He’s a great kid and he’s so versatile. He can play [...]
kybodawg
February 1st, 2012
7:07 pm
it looks like granpa pulled a kanye west on clemmons. the kid was thrilled that he choose ga. he shoukdnt have to go to a school he dont want to and play for a team he doesnt want just so granpas butt wont get tired driving to athens. dont spoil the biggest day of your sons life.
Cojones
February 1st, 2012
7:36 pm
The reason JHC’s LOI hasn’t been received is because the Guardian refuses to sign it and wants him to go to FU.
david
February 1st, 2012
9:24 pm
first oh my bad
StackedDeck
February 1st, 2012
11:42 pm
Can you fans say…’JunkYard Dawgs??? Grantham can be my ‘wingman any time…thanks Coach!!
UGA / ‘74
av8rdawg
February 2nd, 2012
6:32 am
I Really like Coach Grantham, what an asset to this program just as Coach Mark Richt is.
I keep hope alive for Booh Booh; but this run up the middle play after play, year after year, …….how bout some creativity this year next season BoBo ?
Depressed Gator
February 2nd, 2012
7:46 am
Oh well, a good recruting class in Gainesville with no coaching to make the stars shine. UF is officially in our own Ray Goff years.
Buck Blew
February 2nd, 2012
8:42 am
richt commits ncaa violation……germans bomb pearl harbor.
when is mcgarity going to put a stop to this smoking gun of a head coach. richt must be an idiot to continually violate ncaa recruiting rules.
and Georgia Tech fires their coach for too many text messages.
great disparity in the integrity of the 2 programs.
Eaassyy
February 2nd, 2012
9:05 am
Buck, you are what is wrong with America.
Mitchell
February 2nd, 2012
9:31 am
South Carolina owns UGA and I own Rick Schwarz.
14andcounting
February 2nd, 2012
9:59 am
Love the houndstooth pattern in the background of the teaser photo from B/R! Nice touch…
dkg
February 2nd, 2012
10:09 am
Fire Gardner? What kind of talk is that, the man can recruit!! He does an excellent job as both DL coach and as a recruiter. Come on man!!
Tell Burke
February 2nd, 2012
11:54 am
Agree with you Billy Jack ! Wish someone would hire BOBO from Georgia !