Georgia Bulldogs Recruiting Update

Before this week Georgia had not received a verbal commitment since August 15th. If it was scripted in Hollywood I'm not sure that this season could have gone worse for the Georgia program. It started with off-season issues (too may to list here), continued with their star player getting suspended for the first 4 games of the season for violating NCAA rules and then piled on when Georgia lost 4 consecutive games early in the season. Georgia rebounded winning 5 of 7 (including a devastating OT loss to Florida) but then laid an egg in their bowl game against Conference USA's UCF. This year ended with the first losing season in Mark Richt's era at Georgia. The Bulldog faithful are seriously doubting if Richt can turn this program around. He has made some minimal changes going into the off-season (a change a Strength & Conditioning, which was sorely needed, was the biggest change), and AD Greg McGarity says he has taken a lot of administrative duties off of Richt's plate so that he can concentrate more on his football duties. All that being said, the key to Richt's turning Georgia around and the key to Georgia getting turned around in the next four years is this year recruiting class. The talent in the state of Georgia this year is deeper than any other year in recent memory and Georgia is still in the fight for many key "Super 11" talents.

Today might be the first step in Georgia closing out strong in recruiting this year as CB Damian Swann has verbally committed to Georgia at the All-American bowl in San Antonio. Rivals has Swann listed as the 5th best recruit in state, the 8th best Nationally at his position and 56th in the Nation. Scout has Swann listed as 6th Nationally at his position. He was also offered by Alabama, Florida, Ohio State and USC so you can tell how highly thought of he is just by those that wanted him. Depending on the decision made by Brandon Boykin (I feel it would be in his best interest to return for his senior season) he could be put into the mix in his first year. Swann also has the talent to return kicks and play on the offensive side of the football.

Looking at who the Bulldogs have left to target there are a few guys that I think would really make an impact at Georgia if they committed. RB Isaiah Crowell of Columbus is a 5-Star guy that is down to Alabama and Georgia. Crowell has the opportunity to come in and play and make an impact immediately at Georgia. Crowell is listed at #5 on the ESPN 150. Ray Drew is a 4-Star DE from Thomasville who fits a need at DE or OLB in the 3-4 and could come in and challenge for playing time immediately. Drew is listed as #5 on the ESPN 150. Getting 2 of the Top 5 guys on the ESPN 150 would be great news for the future. Another huge need for Georgia is help along the DL and although he's committed to Oklahoma State, Jonathon Jenkins (a 4-Star JUCO) is the type of player who could come in and give the DL an immediate boost. Florida, Auburn and Georgia have all been in to visit this guy recently, he's an impact player. If they can't get Jenkins they have to get an answer at DT because right now it doesn't look like the answer is on the roster.

A guy that might not have a huge immediate impact because of the depth at his position but could be a huge get for the future of the program is TE Jay Rome out of Valdosta. Rome is a 4-Star guy that ESPN has at #18 on their ESPN 150. Rome would fit in nicely with Georgia's history of quality TEs that have gone on to NFL success. WR Malcolm Mitchell, another 4-Star guy from Valdosta, could also come in and have an instant impact at Georgia. Georgia has some talent at WR with Tavarres King, Marlon Brown, Logan Gray and Rantavious Wooten but I think 1 or 2 young guys will be able to come in and add depth at WR and secure some consistent playing time. And last but not least is 6'7" OL Xzavier Ward from Moultrie. It's hard for a OL to come in and play immediately but this is a position of need for Georgia because of how much the current OL under-performed this year.

Those are the six guys that I really see as the most important right now for Georgia. In my wildest dreams Georgia won't get all of those guys but if they can get 4 of those 6 they could help Georgia start it's turnaround. So did I miss anybody that could be an immediate impact at a position of need?

Here is a quick look at who is currently committed to Georgia for the 2011/2012 season:

QB- Christian LeMay
Matthews, NC
Scout.com Star Rank- ****
Scout.com Position Rank- #8
Rivals Star Rank: ****
ESPN 150: #79
Committed: 4/30/10

CB Damian Swann
Scout.com Star Rank- ****
Scout.com Position Rank- #6
Rivals Star Rank- ****
ESPN 150: #90
Committed: 1/8/11

LB- Amarlo Herrera
College Park, GA
Scout.com Star Rank- ****
Scout.com Position Rank- #12
Rivals Star Rank- ****
Committed: 2/15/10

S- Corey Moore
Griffin, GA
Scout.com Star Rank- ****
Scout.com Position Rank- #10
Rivals Star Rank- ****
Committed: 1/30/10

S- Chris Sanders
Tucker, GA
Scout.com Star Rank- ****
Scout.com Position Rank- #20
Rivals Star Rank- ***
Committed: 1/30/10

WR- Chris Conley
Dallas, GA
Scout.com Star Rank- ****
Scout.com Position Rank- #34
Rivals Star Rank- ***
Committed: 4/16/10

C- David Andrews
Norcross, GA
Scout.com Star Rank- ***
Scout.com Position Rank- #6
Rivals Star Rank- ***
Committed: 2/22/10

CB- Devin Bowman
Rossville, GA
Scout.com Star Rank- ***
Scout.com Position Rank- #37
Rivals Star Rank- ***
Committed: 4/17/10

WR- Justin Scott-Wesley
Camilla, GA
Scout.com Star Rank- ***
Scout.com Position Rank- #54
Rivals Star Rank- ****
ESPN 150: #99
Committed: 5/5/10

DE- Sterling Bailey
Gainesville, GA
Scout.com Star Rank- ***
Scout.com Position Rank-#34
Rivals Star Rank- ****
ESPN 150: #134
Committed: 5/14/10

DB/QB/ATH Nick Marshall
Rochelle, GA
Scout.com Star Rank- ****
Scout.com Position Rank (CB)- #12
Rivals Star Rank- ****
Committed: 6/9/10

OT Watts Dantzler
Dalton, GA
Scout.com Star Rank- ****
Scout.com Position Rank- #21
Rivals Star Rank- ***
Committed: 6/19/10

OG Hunter Long
Eads, TN
Scout.com Star Rank- ***
Scout.com Position Rank- #40
Rivals Star Rank- ***
Committed: 6/23/10

OT Zach DeBell
Tarpon Springs, FL
Scout.com Star Rank- ****
Scout.com Position Rank- #29
Rivals Star Rank- ****
Committed: 7/16/10

OL Nathan Theus
Jacksonville, FL
Scout.com Star Rank- **
Rivals Star Rank- **
Committed: 7/16/10

DT Chris Mayes
Griffin, GA
Scout.com Star Rank- ***
Scout.com Position Rank- #50
Rivals Star Rank- ****
Committed: 8/22/10

WR Sanford Seay
Leesburg, GA
Scout.com Star Rank- **
Scout.com Position Rank- #181
Rivals Star Rank- ***
Committed: 1/6/11