The Junkyard Blawg has moved!
Along with the other ajc.com blogs, the Junkyard Blawg has moved over to WordPress, where the blogging and commenting experience promises to be better. Join us over at the new WordPress version of the Junkyard Blawg by clicking on the link below.
AJC > Sports > UGA > Blog > Archives > 2008 > February > 26 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USRecruiting doesn’t always pan out
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I see where tight end NaDerris Ward confirmed to the Athens Banner-Herald that the rumors about him transferring from UGA are true. His grandmother in California, with whom he used to live, is ill and he wants to be closer to her. He’s looking at Oregon or Arizona as schools he might transfer to.
I wish him luck, but this just reinforces why I don’t get all that wrought up about signing day and class rankings and such. Ward came in ranked as high as the No. 2 tight end in the country. But he redshirted his first year, during which he had to have surgery on his shoulder, and then last year played in only four games and didn’t have a catch.
OK, other players have had a slow start and then turned into All Americans and that certainly might have happened with Ward. Still might at another school. But the point is that just because you sign a bunch of blue-chippers out of high school doesn’t guarantee they’ll produce for you down the road. They might get hurt. They might be unhappy in school. They might leave for family reasons. They might not live up to their billing.
At the same time, UGA has a history of players who were not highly touted out of high school turning into top-notch performers.
All in all, it’s a crapshoot and I think a lot of fans (and media covering college football) spend WAY too much time on it. I mean, we’re worrying about whether juniors in high school who’ve “committed” verbally (which means nothing these days) are wavering. How ridiculous is that?
.JPG)
-1.JPG)
Services »
Comments
By AZ Dawg
February 26, 2008 12:36 PM | Link to this
If he leaves, it will leave us thin at TE. I hope he stays, just so we can see him reach his potential.
By reserviorDAWG
February 26, 2008 1:07 PM | Link to this
If he feels he needs to go, then so be it. It now hurts that Allen signed with Clemson.
By scooter11
February 26, 2008 1:14 PM | Link to this
Another scholarship available for next year. 2009 signing class getting bigger. reservoirDAWG: I like your posts. Please spell ‘reservoir’ correctly. It’s making me crazy.
By jp
February 26, 2008 1:18 PM | Link to this
Dogs are still fine at tight end. Figgins is a monster blocking tight end. And aron white was ranked the best tight end in the country last year. He’ll develop into a good tight end with more conditioning. We’ll be fine at tight end. Allen’s signing with clemson doesn’t help but it won’t hurt as much if White develops into the player he’s supposed to be.
By Bryan G
February 26, 2008 1:28 PM | Link to this
I thought recruiting was an exact science. Wasn’t Sterling Boyd the 2nd coming of Herschel Walker? Or was it Jasper Sanks?
By Dorsey Hill
February 26, 2008 1:45 PM | Link to this
Bryan G,
I thought that everyone knew that the second coming of Herschel Walker was Odell Collins.
As far as depth at TE we still have Tripp Chandler and Bruce Figgins and Bryce Ros and Aron White. I think we are fine at TE.
Not have a scholarship to offer Omar Hunter because of Allen and Ward’s late decisions is what really hurts. Unfortunately, I think we may be reminded of how much it hurts a few times over the next 3 to 4 years.
By Fort Worth Dawg
February 26, 2008 1:50 PM | Link to this
Mr. Ward, I hope and pray your grandmother gets better. I bet you will turn out fine whereever you end up. Once a Dawg always a Dawg.
By 82DAWG
February 26, 2008 2:02 PM | Link to this
So, based on that if we took Central Michigan’s two star class and we gave them our four star class we should still be national championship contenders. Yea, right, recruiting rankings don’t mean anything.
I saw an article a while back that was linked to by Chip, I think, that gave the percent of 4 & 5 star recruits that made all conference in the past five years in the ACC & SEC. It went something like 19% of them made all conference, where 8 or 9% of 2 & 3 star recruits went on to make all conference. So, yes it does matter. The more 4 & 5 star guys you get the better your odds. To take one or two 4/5 star guys that didn’t pan out and one or two 2/3 star guys that did and say the entire process is meaningless is completely without merit.
By Another Fort Worth Dawg
February 26, 2008 2:07 PM | Link to this
Hey, Fort Worth Dawg,
where does the DFW Dawg Nation gather to watch games?
By GW
February 26, 2008 2:08 PM | Link to this
Very valid points Bill. Good luck to Ward. Losing two TEs, one that we never had, should not throw the program into the tank.
By RFP
February 26, 2008 2:08 PM | Link to this
It drives me crazy when people say that recruiting doesn’t matter. Over the last 5 years Florida, LSU, USC and Georgia have had the best recruiting class average. Florida won the national title in 2007 and LSU, UGA and USC finished 1, 2 and 3 in 2008. If you don’t believe the stats then look them up for yourself.
Recruiting does matter and while you always lose players along the way, a successful team HAS to recruit well. It’s not like these guys from Rivals and Scout just randomly assign ratings to high school players. It’s easy for a ham and egger like Bill to say “Pollack wasn’t highly recruited”, but for every Pollack there are five Reggie Bushs and Matt Leinhardts.
By shane #1
February 26, 2008 2:11 PM | Link to this
i am sorry to see ward go,as he is finally healthy.i wish him well.i don’t think richt pays as much attention to rankings as we fans do,it keeps us busy untill the season starts.white could be the”new”type hybrid te that i have been hearing so much about in the pros.more of a big wr than a true te.tripp has become a good te,once he got past the dropped passes early in the year.i look for tripp and figgins to get the most reps,but watch for white in the spread formations.i hate to see ward leave,i was hoping to see moreno run behind some three te sets,ala the patriots.
By Iceman
February 26, 2008 2:14 PM | Link to this
Family comes first. I wish you and your grandmother all the best, Mr. Ward.
By kauai dawg
February 26, 2008 2:28 PM | Link to this
I agree with Iceman and FW dawg! Family should come first. That is an admirable thing for Mr. Ward to do and he is to be commended and not selfishly ridiculed. Once a dawg, always a dawg. We will continue to follow his career and wish him nothing but the best! Go Dawgs!
By richtfan
February 26, 2008 2:31 PM | Link to this
brandon jacobs was a zero at auburn an at schools before and after auburn, but he was the starting running back for the world champion ny giants. you just never know how kids are going to do regardless of the hype or lack thereof out of high school.
By Bob Sacamano
February 26, 2008 2:35 PM | Link to this
You’re right, Bill. It is ridiculous. About as ridiculous as wanting a coach’s name on the stadium when, in the very near future, he won’t be the best coach at the University where he coached.
Just saying. I love college football, more so than pro. But there is much about college football that is ridiculous.
By the way, Bo Schembechler, Tom Osborne, Joe Paterno, John McKay, Woody Hayes, Ara Parseghian, and Knute Rockne, coaches who are all far more successful than Vince Dooley, a good coach, not a great coach, don’t have their names on stadiums.
See, Bill? Ridiculous.
By BlueMoon
February 26, 2008 2:37 PM | Link to this
That’s one big a$$ cheap shot if you ask me. The kids grandmother could possibly be dying of sickle cell and you’re talking about recruiting rankings.
Wow, I wish I could do a half a$$ job and not only keep my job, but get paid for it.
Pitiful
By lawdawg
February 26, 2008 2:37 PM | Link to this
The word from some of the players was that he was probably the softest receiver on the roster. Maybe he’ll do better in another system.
By CharlestonDAWG
February 26, 2008 2:39 PM | Link to this
I am sorry to see Ward go, but we are fine at tight end. I have heard that he might have not even made it to a starting role because his shoulder was still messed up from high school. I like the four tight ends we have. Figgins and Chandler are going do great with the playing time they have built up. Aaron White will bulk up and be the next stud of the group. We will have to grab a stud in the 09 class.
By cad medley
February 26, 2008 2:40 PM | Link to this
Leg humpers!
By Darien
February 26, 2008 2:40 PM | Link to this
I just hope Terrelle Pryor is a big flop because his showboating bs (that he continues to deny) is a bunch of garbage. I agree with the main gist of your article.
By Jess
February 26, 2008 2:41 PM | Link to this
Leave it to a ‘neck blogger from Jawga to turn a family illness into a let’s kick’em while he’s down. Let’s hope he signs with a PAC Ten school and catches the TD to beat Jawga in a bowl game.
By Davidawg
February 26, 2008 2:45 PM | Link to this
I pray his grandmother recovers. Also, that he has a great career, whereever he plays. The DAWGS will be just fine. How much do we really use tight ends in our offensive scheme any how?
By Third Ward
February 26, 2008 2:48 PM | Link to this
It is what it is… Good luck…
By sj
February 26, 2008 2:52 PM | Link to this
RFP: I don’t think he is saying ‘recruiting doesn’t matter’. I think he is saying the recruiting rankings are overrated (kinda like Auburn’s schedule). Also, Richtfan: Is it a surprise Tuberville screwed up B Jacobs college FB career? Tuberville is the same guy who would NOT sign Phillip Rivers to play QB…only DE.
By TDone
February 26, 2008 2:54 PM | Link to this
Recruiting builds depth, no more and no less.
By dawgforlife
February 26, 2008 2:56 PM | Link to this
I don’t believe the original blog criticized Ward for leaving. It also didn’t say recruiting doesn’t matter. It simply noted that this is one more example of why too much is made of signing day. There are too many things that can happen between a highly ranked recruiting class and notching those Ws on the record.
By jferg NC dawg
February 26, 2008 2:58 PM | Link to this
Good for him for caring about his family— It will probably be a good football move for him as well. He may do better in a PAC 10 system.
As for recruiting rankings- obviously the talent level it takes to get a 4 or 5 star is high. Are there great athletes who do NOT get 5 stars, absolutely. Are there any 5 star recruits who are not amazing athletes, probably not. They get 5 stars for a reason. So, I have to disagree that recruiting class rankings are completely worthless…. albeit the hype for juniors is ridiculous but necessary. kids these days expect and will be courted as early as 7th grade…that’s just the nature of the beast these days.
By Villa Rica DAWG
February 26, 2008 3:01 PM | Link to this
Family first… Good luck NaDerris.
I get into the signing day stuff because College Football is like crack addiction to me and I will take whatever I can get.
By GTforever
February 26, 2008 3:01 PM | Link to this
I can hardly believe this, somebody wake me up! I agree with you 100 percent. The hype that is heaped on these high school athletes is just incredible! Good article, even if you are a Bulldawg fan!
By AltamahaDawg
February 26, 2008 3:05 PM | Link to this
82, we had the same responce. (imagine that). So we should stop trying to recruit highly rated prospects now? We dont recruit them BECAUSE they have 5 stars. They have 5 stars because of the very reasons we and everyone else, tries to go after them. They play(ed) well.
By Dawg Boy
February 26, 2008 3:05 PM | Link to this
I truly hope NaDerris’s grandmother is / will be OK. I also hope he can have a good career elsewhere. Bottom line though, the Dawgs don’t need him. We’ve got Tripp Chandler, Bruce Figgins, Aron White, etc. We’ll be fine.
Adios, NaDerris. Don’t let the door hit you in the a* on the way out.
By Trey
February 26, 2008 3:13 PM | Link to this
I completely agree, but it is fun to get to know the athletes no matter what school they go to. Emotional attachment isnt necessary until they are dawgs. I wish the best for N Ward. Thomas Davis is a great example.
By TX DAWG
February 26, 2008 3:25 PM | Link to this
Hey Another Fort Worth Dawg……
I watch the DAWGS on ESPN gameplan from my home in the DFW area. There is one strip club on Northwest Hwy in Dallas near TX Stadium that carries ESPN gameplan and shows all the games. Between ESPN 1, 2, gameplan & CBS, the DAWGS are televised practically every week. Hope this helps!!
By SECCoachnDallas
February 26, 2008 3:28 PM | Link to this
Recruiting 4 and 5 star players does not matter. Look at the COOTS. They ahd their best recruiting class with quality fill in players that added to the incredible depth of the COOT Roster.
By Recruiting Expert
February 26, 2008 3:29 PM | Link to this
To sum up…
Here is some advice for recruits. If Georgia recruits you and you sign with them, you will be treated like a god by the school and fans. If you transfer/leave/don’t pan out - watch your back because the pitchforks are coming for you. See Brandon Miller.
By Bill King
February 26, 2008 3:30 PM | Link to this
My name is Bill King. I bought this goofy looking UGA shirt at WalMart. It wasn’t even on sale!
I think you should all know that I did not go to school at UGA. But I’m one of the biggest UGA football fans you will ever encounter.
Thank you all for posting on my “blawg”. Hyuck Hyuck! You like that? It’s a bulldawg blog, or BLAWG. I wish I could take credit for coming up with that, but I can’t.
Yours,
Bill
By Pat
February 26, 2008 3:39 PM | Link to this
King’s opinion is reinforced with this talk of Aron White. He has never played in a game so we don’t know if he will be a superstar or transferring in a year. Give these kids a chance to live up to the hype on the field, not in our imaginations. We’re even putting in a Patriots offense on this blog. Get real folks!
By Fort Worth Dawg
February 26, 2008 3:54 PM | Link to this
Another Fort Worth Dawg -
The local game watching parties are always the same place in Irving. I asked them several years ago if they would consider rotating one game a year to Fort Worth and they said no, they had a deal with the bar. The particulars are here. I would take my kids to games, and for us bars are out. I think you can find a cluster of UGA grads at Southwestern Baptist Seminary (but it presumably would be an alcohol-free crowd) here in Fort Worth. I think they have a “Georgia Club”. Some day I may invite them over to my house for a game or two a year. The dawgs get a lot of TV coverage - much more than in the past (in the bad old days you got GA-FL and one other UGA game a year on TV). For more family-friendly game viewing, the Main Event in Southwest Fort Worth works pretty well. Kids can bowl, play laser tag, or do video games if they get bored.
By Halsey
February 26, 2008 4:25 PM | Link to this
Name one national champ in the last decade that doesn’t regularly finish in the top 5-10 in recruiting. Every team that has won national championships in the last decade plus was a school with at least one recruiting class widely ranked in the top 5: LSU, Florida, Texas, USC, Ohio State, etc. Of course not all players work out as expected, but that doesn’t change the tremendous impact of recruiting success.
By gay poodles always on the rag
February 26, 2008 5:04 PM | Link to this
There goes their national championship - which they are already claiming. Let’s see if they can even get to the Dome.
By oldgold
February 26, 2008 5:14 PM | Link to this
Good grief. How could UGA miss anyone. Every position has 10 NFL- ready stud buzzards. No one player can mean anything at UGA.
By FLA DAWG
February 26, 2008 5:28 PM | Link to this
Though I am sorry to see him go, it’s refreshing to see a kid transfer for a good reason for a change.
As far as recruiting, etc, this kind of thing happens in all recruiting classes and players from time to time.
By Quicky
February 26, 2008 5:28 PM | Link to this
Eactly…that is why we have no BCS National Championships….our boys are thugs not winners.
By Quicky
February 26, 2008 5:29 PM | Link to this
Eactly…that is why we have no BCS National Championships….our boys are thugs not winners.
By reality check
February 26, 2008 5:35 PM | Link to this
Ward was fourth on the depth chart at tight end. Trip Chandler is one of the top tight ends in the SEC. He was the lowest rated player Georgia signed that year, just like Ros is this year.
I have always believed recruiting rankings mean relatively little and that is more true now than it was before recruiting offers after a player’s junior year became common.
Maybe White will grow into the position and maybe both he and Ros could turn out to be world beaters. Even if that doesn’t happen, this year Georgia has two experienced and proven tight ends, which is pretty darn good.
By shane #1
February 26, 2008 5:39 PM | Link to this
for your consideration,here are some four and five star players at uga last season.matt stafford,thomas brown,knowshon moreno,sean bailey,mo-mass,brannan southerland,trinton sturdivant,geno atkins,brandon miller,prince miller,rashad jones,asher allen,ramarcus brown,marcus washington,dannell ellerbe,akeem dent,rennie curran,darius dewberry,jeff owens,and the list goes on.this list kind of shoots a hole in bill’s theory.it would have been a dull year without all these guys!
By MrDawg
February 26, 2008 5:45 PM | Link to this
No big loss—UGA is stocked at tight end. Plus, this kid wasn’t that good anyway. He should transfer to lower rated schools where he might play.
By Vote for HOPE
February 26, 2008 5:58 PM | Link to this
Dont Worry Dawg fans cause OBAMA will bring parity in the SEC. Yes even the Gamecocks may beat the puppies again. Hope and change for all!!! Cha Cha Cha CHANGES!!!
By BullDawgMike
February 26, 2008 6:26 PM | Link to this
Luckily, TE is a deep position for us. Chandler and Figgens, along with blue-chipper Aron White, we will be just fine. We now have one more scholarship free for next year. Go Dawgs!!!
By washedupcoach
February 26, 2008 6:33 PM | Link to this
as an old coach, I have learned the hard way that the best looking kid is not always the one you want the game to hinge on…Sometimes it is the quiet one in the back that really shines…besides, most of the magazine/writer/rankers know as little about the game as I do!
By washedupcoach
February 26, 2008 6:34 PM | Link to this
as an old coach, I have learned the hard way that the best looking kid is not always the one you want the game to hinge on…Sometimes it is the quiet one in the back that really shines…besides, most of the magazine/writer/rankers know as little about the game as I do!
By R. E. H.
February 26, 2008 6:38 PM | Link to this
Your right, it must be a great day in the King camp. Forgive me just having a chuckle, but your right and you are more than not. I hope they relase Ward from his committment so he can play right away. If it wasn’t a family matter I wouldn’t want them to.
By Gabby
February 26, 2008 7:57 PM | Link to this
N. Ward will be missed by Dawg Nation, but you must admire him for his commitment to family (grandmother). I’m sure this was a hard decision. I wish him the best this season. GO DAWGS!
By FL DAWG
February 26, 2008 8:26 PM | Link to this
Can we move his grandmother to Athens? It probably violates all kinds of NCAA violations, but come on, if the kid would want to stay at UGA bc of educational and athletics, and he won’t bc of his grandmother, the kid is getting penalized even more for having a sick grandmother. Mr. Ward I wish you and your family the best. Of course grandma may not want to move and who can blame her, especially if she has lived her whole life there. Just a thought.
By uga95
February 26, 2008 8:26 PM | Link to this
We are deep at tight end and this just gives us another much needed scholarsip for next year!! GO DAWGS!!!
By ATL
February 26, 2008 8:53 PM | Link to this
Ya’ll need to get a life.
By StevieB
February 26, 2008 9:23 PM | Link to this
I read somewhere that Knowshon Moreno was transferring to Rutgers to be be closer to his family.
By P Dawg
February 26, 2008 9:43 PM | Link to this
That’s not funny at all StevieB! LOL. Knowshon knows better. NC’s to come here in Athens baby!!!
By bud0069
February 26, 2008 11:15 PM | Link to this
186 days ‘till kickoff.Go dawgs
By Coop
February 26, 2008 11:25 PM | Link to this
That’s crap. It’s a numbers game. You sign the best of the best every year and you’re more likely to offset attrition that is going to happen. These one out of 20 moments that people who don’t know jack about is really amusing. Show me one under the radar guy who did great and I’ll show you 19 other under guys who performed just as expected. Show me four greatr guys out of high school who didn’t do much and I’ll show you 14 who did. It’s a numbers game.
By Ladydawg
February 27, 2008 7:31 AM | Link to this
I can’t criticize him for leaving. It’s got to be incredibly hard to be that far from home at that age. I don’t think that criticizing him for “not panning out” is appropriate though. I wish him well and offer prayers for his grandmother.
By DawgBarky
February 27, 2008 7:56 AM | Link to this
The bottom line at UGA is if you don’t perform, you receive a large pay cut. I don’t blame him for leaving for more lucrative pastures.
By 82DAWG
February 27, 2008 8:33 AM | Link to this
Coop, Altamaha, 100% right. Coach Richt, keep those 4 & 5 star kids coming to Athens!! BTW, it looks like next year’s class is going to be bigger than we thought! Won’t be surprised if its up to 18 or so by the time its over.
By coot
February 27, 2008 8:45 AM | Link to this
scooter11…it’s d-o-g
By Dawgone
February 27, 2008 9:31 AM | Link to this
well, if he wanted to be closer to home…why is he picking between oregona and arizona?? thats still a lil far for a sick grandmother. doesnt make sense. figgins is legit. maybe he’s using the sick grandmother excuse so the NCAA will waive his one year requirement of sitting out because of transferring. if grandmama is sick..hope she gets better. but just something aint right about the story. no worries about the TE position..we are fine. wait till the dawgs line up 5 wide sets with all the damn receivers we have!!!! gooood lawdy!!!
By nodawg
February 27, 2008 10:28 AM | Link to this
OK, dog fans…all of you who believe the recruiting gurus all go out and watch every prospect in the U.S. and then assign their correct # of “stars” to that recruit, raise your hand. Most of you are pointing out how schools like FL, USC, LSU (top programs who have actually won titles in recent memory), and even UGAG, sign more 4 and 5 star recruits than anyone. Did it ever occur to you that all they usually have are some stats (height, weight, 40 time provided by high school coach), and they become 4 or 5 stars because they are offered a scholarship by one of the football factories….in other words, the college scouts find the players they want, and the recruiting services assign stars based on who they offer. And that, kiddies, is why it is so silly to get excited about the ranking of the recruiting class every year.
By Atldawg
February 27, 2008 12:27 PM | Link to this
Good luck to you Naderris. Family is really important. I wish you nothing but success and good health to your grandmother. We will miss you.
By gd
February 27, 2008 4:56 PM | Link to this
OK so he suffered injuries. So do others. Could he have left because the competition was too tough? Perhaps competing in the toughest conference was more than he was ready to for? Leaving UGA now, with the team’s prospects so high suggest to me, he knew the west coast offered a chance to play with less commitment. This is not bad; he gets what he wants and we, hopefully, free up another scholarship. All good! Happy recruiting!
By oldgold
February 27, 2008 5:02 PM | Link to this
Is there a cryoginics lab where I can be frozen until Aug 15 ? I just can’t stand the wait for UGAs nat champ year.
By uncle Dave
February 27, 2008 5:21 PM | Link to this
He left because his circumstances changed. He was not running from competition. A guy with his ability has a reason for doing something like this.
Those of you who criticize Bill King for his take on this miss the point… the expectations associated with recruiting are completely ridiculous. Recruiting is one step in the process of building a wining program. Much more significant is what happens after recruits sign on the dotted line. It is impossible to predict every variable. That is why the level of expectations put on signees after they arrive on campus is ludicrous.
By Pharr Dawg
February 27, 2008 6:00 PM | Link to this
Let’s give it a rest. If the kid needs to be closer to his family then lets respect the fact. 10 years ago we wouldn’t even had signed this kid. Times have changed and now we can find the Ward’s of the world in other places besides our own backyard. Who knows what kind of career he would have had in Athens, but the fact is we will be fine and we will make the best with who we have. And to Mr. Allen have fun the next 4 years stroking your precious rock in death valley and watching some one else win the ACC every year. Good luck Nedarris and let’s hope the boys can stay focused on the task at hand.
By Ed
February 27, 2008 6:33 PM | Link to this
I found it a little strange at the time that Richt was trying so hard to sign Allen, but now it makes sense. He must have had an idea that things weren’t going to pan out for Ward at UGA and that depth at the TE position would be thinned a bit. I’m sure we will find a good prospect in ‘09.
By SamoanDawg
February 27, 2008 7:38 PM | Link to this
Dudn’t Dwayne Allen have a great grandmama in Athensville? Just joking, I wish we could’ve sign him. But, I’m happy with Chandler and the emergence of Figgins. Aron White still needs to pack on more weight. Southerlan needs to show him where the dawg biscuit is at.
I wish you the best NaDerris Ward! Go back to left coast and kick some bootie.
By SamoanDawg
February 27, 2008 8:02 PM | Link to this
Marcus Howard did run 4.47 or 4.5… impressive. He might do well in a 3-4 scheme.
Brandon Miller will not get draft, but, I think that, if somebody sign him, he could possibly make it as special team guy and work his way up. I know some of y’all, might think I’m crazy, but we’ll see… psst, good luck Brandon, make me look good!
By zinoDawg
February 27, 2008 8:48 PM | Link to this
Good luck Mr. Ward, once a Dawg, always a Dawg. Take care big man.
By AltamahaDawg
February 28, 2008 8:15 PM | Link to this
Stevie, prabably a lot more likely that Knowshon’s family is going to move here to be closer to him.
I’ve started figuring out to prove that I am his cousin, myself.
By ............................................BuLLdawg
February 29, 2008 5:11 AM | Link to this
.
.
Your premise is incorrect.
http://www.sundaymorningqb.com/story/2008/1/21/1614/43228
Southern Cal has had the highest average recruiting classes in the nation since 2002 and has the best winning percentage against BCS schools since 2002.
Georgia has had the 2nd highest average recruiting classes since 2002 and has the 5th best record against BCS schools since 2002.
Oklahoma 3rd best recruiting and is 3rd best record since 2002.
Florida is 4th best recruiting and 13th best record since 2002.
LSU is 5th best recruiting and 6th best record since 2002.
Texas is 7th best recruiting and 4th best record since 2002.
Auburn is 10th best recruiting and 7th best record since 2002.
Michigan is 11th best recruiting and 9th best record since 2002.
California is 18th best recruiting and 16th best record since 2002.
By ............................................BuLLdawg
February 29, 2008 5:15 AM | Link to this
Virginia is 19th best recruiting and 20th best record since 2002.
Oregon is 24th best average Scout.com recruiting ranking and 24th best record since 2002 against BCS schools.
Arizona State is 25th at recruiting and 25 best record since 2002.
More than half the top 25 recruiting classes are ranked almost exactly the same as their win ranking against BCS schools over this most recent 8 years.
A team is made up of 85 scholarships, and sometimes one does better than expected and sometimes one does less than expected. But, on the average, there is more of a correlation between average recruiting ranking and on-field success.
Saying otherwise, is bunk. Your example is of NaDerris Ward who was injured when we recruited him and remains so today.
Sure a team can schedule easy games against “BCS schools” and make their winning percentage look good playing crappy BCS schools, but the correlation is even higher comparing The NFL rosters to recruiting rankings to find UGA No. 2 in recruiting ranking since 2002 and No. 3 in NFL Bulldogs.
.
.
By ............................................BuLLdawg
February 29, 2008 5:45 AM | Link to this
.
.
While the AJ-C is on this kick of bad boys of college football we note that of all the top 25 average Scout.com recruiting rankings, only 2 college football programs have done FAR WORSE than expected in wins against BCS schools :
Tennessee vols, who have had 8 players suspended or arrested in a 6-week period continuing their trend of recruiting high ranked players who obviously can play when they are NOT IN JAIL but who other schools skipped over because of their lack of character obvious to everyone in the recruiting process. And, of course, the NFL allows those players to play too.
And, Florida State, who is forever notorious at recruiting their typical low-life, who also get to play in the NFL too, but who run afoul of NCAA regulations or Conference Regulations, or school regulations, and therefore drag their team and program down.
Those are the only 2 top 25 ranked recruiting average classes by Scout.com who have done more than 10 places worse against their BCS schools they scheduled over the last 8 seasons. (2 Full 4-year recruiting classes.)
8 years of data doing worse than Recruit Rank
6 Average Recruit Rank Florida State.
18 Rank Wins against BCS schools FSU.
9 Average Recruit Rank Tennessee vols.
19 Rank Wins against BCS schools vols.
Both totally explainable because of the questionable character of their recruits they chose ignoring items such as GPA, attendance in class, and moral fiber.
Just as the anomalies of Ohio State, Louisville, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Iowa, Oregon State, Georgia Tech and Texas Tech are explainable because they play weak BCS schools to run up their win total and cannot play their way out of a wet paper bag. Obviously, these teams have NOT HAD THE TALENT to COMPETE against the BEST BCS Schools.
.
.
By tman
February 29, 2008 6:24 AM | Link to this
Tha QB Robert Lefavor at Cental Michigan is faster than Tebow and his arm is way better You Dawgs are in for a treat when he comes to Athens His defense wont hold you But he truly might be the best QB in the nation
By ............................................BuLLdawg
February 29, 2008 6:41 AM | Link to this
Yes, we look forward to the game against Central Michigan very much.
We know you played Kansas, Purdue and Climpson Farmers last season and lost all 4 games against those 3 teams last year, ending 8-6.
We do feel that it will not be that great of a game, except to see how we do compared to all the other teams in the Top 58 of the Final BCS Rankings last year - losing all 4 as you did.
But, you did beat the teams ranked worse than No. 58 in the Final BCS Rankings last season. That is very good. So, we too are looking forward to our 2nd game of the season.
Best of luck trying to measure up your talent to our talent.
By 82DAWG
February 29, 2008 8:20 AM | Link to this
BuLLdawg, it is amusing to see you praise tman (and Central Michigan)and insult him both in the same sentence.
By I-DOG
February 29, 2008 1:20 PM | Link to this
Best of luck to N. Ward and thoughts and prayers to his Grandmother.
I have to agree with the RFP and 82 Dawg. Recruiting is very important, there is no getting around that. The teams that sign the most 4 and 5 star players, are almost always the teams that finish in the top 10.
I think Bill’s OVERALL point was that recruiting is not an exact science and that we shouldn’t get too excited over one player (like Allen going to Clemson). Bill went too far in the body of his article with some spefics, but I think his overall point was valid.
Recruiting rankings can’t determine if there will be an academic issue, a discipline issue, an injury issue, or a family issue with a particular player like Ward is having.
I see nothing wrong with following recruiting and discussing it. I enjoy predicting which players will have impact and watching them develop etc…
We are OK at TE. Neither Allan or Ward was expected to play much this season. They might have exceeded expectations, but it would have been hard to unseat the two TE’s with experience in front of them.
By I-DOG
February 29, 2008 1:34 PM | Link to this
Recruiting expert???
Huh?
Brandon Miller played four years for the Dawgs and had a nice career. Were Dawg fans disappointed that he didn’t end up being a super star? Yes, Was Miller himself disappointed in that? I’ll bet he was.
He was a loyal Dawg that did his best and contributed nicely in the Okie State games and the Vandy game this year among others. He was a 5 star recruit and didn’t nearly reach his potential. There are no pitchforks for him.
The worst thing I ever said about him was that he played “too high” as a LB and might be better suited to DE.
How is Naderis Ward being treated poorly? I am reading multiple posts about people praying for him and his Grandmother and wishing them the best? Some even state they admire his decision. I believe he is being released from his scholarship so that he doesn’t have to sit out a year, which MANY programs would not do.
Sure, there were some fans that didn’t like hearing about a potentially good player transferring, but most of those people didn’t know about his personal situation before writing what they did.
I believe he also had shoulder surgery from a HS injury in his first year at UGA on the program’s dime, so I think he was treated pretty well while he was here.
By ............................................BuLLdawg
February 29, 2008 5:41 PM | Link to this
.
.
By 82DAWG*
“BuLLdawg, it is amusing to see you praise tman (and Central Michigan)and insult him both in the same sentence.”
Are you a total D.A. ?
I praise Central Michigan for beating all the teams ranked worse than No. 58 in the BCS Rankings who they played.
I insult your basic intellect in not understanding that Central Michigan beat NO TEAM ranked higher than No. 58 in the Final BCS Rankings for last season however (except for No. 101 Eastern Michigan who Central Michigan lost to.)
D.S.
Central Michigan was ranked No. 68 in the Final BCS Rankings last season.
They ended up 8-6.
4 of their 6 losses were against teams who did far better than Central Michigan last season.
Anyone who comes in here and thinks because of one QB, that Central Michigan can step onto the same field with UGA’s talent and beat us, is out of his ever-loving mind. I told him that. That does not mean that I don’t have respect that they really did beat the teams ranked worse than No. 58 last season in the Final BCS Rankings (except Eastern Michigan.)
Who in the hell are we supposed to warm up against next season before South Carolina and Steve Spurrier, who has beaten UGA himself but once at South Carolina.
By ............................................BuLLdawg
February 29, 2008 5:42 PM | Link to this
Central Michigan is a quality opponent, far better than more than half of the Big 10.
They are also better than half the stinking ACC.
And, they are better than half the PAC-10.
And, better than half the Big XII.
That I cannot name a team in The SEC who they could possibly beat, does not alter the fact that I have high regard for Central Michigan.
D.A.
At least Central Michigan has the balls to play good teams, which is a hell of a lot more than can be said for teams like Wisconsin, Navy under Paul Johnson, and Hawaii to name a few.
.
.
By buLLcrap
February 29, 2008 8:27 PM | Link to this
paint it any way you wish buLL, but they still are a patsy!
By Vince
February 29, 2008 10:00 PM | Link to this
i thought that the two guys who wanted to come to UGA should have just committed anway - Sanders and Hunter. Things like this happen every yhear.
By ............................................BuLLdawg
March 1, 2008 12:32 AM | Link to this
Who was the school again please which Lost 6 Scholarships in Football for the 2007-2008 Football Season again last year ?
79 instead of 85, as Chandler Gailey faced every year.
For Academic Cheating.
And, was the 2nd Time that the Georgia Institute of Technology has been on Probation for Major NCAA Infractions.
By ............................................BuLLdawg
March 1, 2008 12:54 AM | Link to this
.
.
Patsy ? A team who scored 48 points in their bowl game against Big 10 Purdue ?
Do you want to know who are the PATSIES, really :
106 Losses Duke in their last 125 games. ACC
94 Losses Baylor in their last 125 games. Big XII
84 Losses Indiana in their last 126 games. Big 10
81 Losses Illinois in their last 128 games. Big 10
81 Losses Rutgers in their last 128 games. Big East
72 Losses North Carolina in their last 130 games. ACC
71 Losses Arizona in their last 129 games. Pac-10
71 Losses Colorado in their last 136 games. Big XII
70 Losses Kansas in their last 129 games. Big XII
69 Losses Syracuse in their last 132 games. Big East
67 Losses Weak Forest in their last 130 games. ACC
67 Losses Washington in their last 132 games. Pac-10
66 Losses California in their last 131 games. Pac-10
64 Losses Michigan State in their last 132 games. Big 10
These Patsies of the Big 10, Pac-10, Big XII, Big East and ACC do not schedule good opponents like Central Michigan does and LOSE ALL THEIR DAMN GAMES ANYWAY.
.
.
By ............................................BuLLdawg
March 1, 2008 1:42 AM | Link to this
.
.
APR – NCAA Academic Progress Rate latest Football Rates
963 UGA Bulldogs. .
961 Florida.
.
959 Georgia Institute of Technology
.
958 Michigan.
.
952 Florida State University.
. 947 Southern California.
. 941 Louisiana State University.
.
942 University Alabama Tuscaloosa.
.
938 University of Tennessee at ObKnoxiousville.
.
928 Ohio State University.
926 Arizona State University.
.
913 Steve Spurrier University of South Carolina Columbia.
. .
913 Oregon State Beavers.
.
.
By surfrider
March 1, 2008 3:30 AM | Link to this
It’s interesting hype. Dooley took a lot of athletes/Qb’s and moved them to other positions and most probably did’nt have great pro careers. This year is case in point Tech has two or so players in the top 100 draft projections (class was lowly rated in recruiting) and UGA has no top 100 draft projections (class was highly rated). The big one though was Bobby Ross. He had no top 25 recruiting classes except one (# 25 or so) and one or shared the National Championship in 1990. Yes it helps to be able to recruit top talent just look at the Dawgs depth chart and the amount of talent they have but is even more important or just as much to develop that talent over 4 to 5 years.
By murdock5151
March 1, 2008 9:35 AM | Link to this
surfrider- georgia is bringing back almost the whole team. look and see how many players uga has in the nfl. tech isn’t even close.
By Ignorant Dooley
March 1, 2008 10:11 AM | Link to this
Barbara will you please pass a plate of humble pie, I’m gonna take my Herschel jersey and have a picnic at my little bitty statue on the other side of town
By Baptist Jesus
March 1, 2008 10:21 AM | Link to this
You can drink wine on Sunday in your closet as you covet your neighbors daughter, you can vent against young poor black men being used like a slave for fat white football fanatics, but you can’t buy beer on Sunday
By CapeCodDawg
March 1, 2008 11:14 AM | Link to this
I have nothing but respect for NeDarris Ward. He came across the country to play for UGA. Injuries & family matters got in the way. I have no hard feelings and I hope his family issues work out for him. Good luck back home and good luck in your future
By buLLcrap
March 1, 2008 5:49 PM | Link to this
buLL, georgia should beat that patsy by 45 points…tell me that ain’t a patsy!!!
Hey, you dogs could have played App State this year…or even that other powerful bulldog group Garder and Webb!!!!LOL!!!
By ............................................BuLLdawg
March 2, 2008 6:37 AM | Link to this
.
.
Georgia scored 42 points on Florida.
Georgia scored 45 points on Auburn.
Georgia scored 48 points on Hawaii.
All three (3) teams are ranked in the Final AP Poll Top 19 teams.
“buLL, georgia should beat that patsy by 45 points…tell me that ain’t a patsy!!!”
Georgia beat these three (3) Top 19 Final AP Poll teams by a combined 68 points.
We also slaughtered Georgia Tech by twice their score, as well.
And, these are all just in our last 6 games.
As said, we return our team intact. I would not be so hasty to jump to conclusions and discuss inferences based upon those jumped-to conclusions about what talent Georgia Tech has had, or has, compared to UGA.
You have LOST SEVEN (7) CONSECUTIVE GAMES to obviously better talent than Tech has, and has had.
We have beat Georgia Tech by a combined 105 points since last Georgia Tech beat UGA by playing 9 of your best players, ALL-ACC players, not a 1 of which would have been eligible to play football at ANY college in America. Therefore, Georgia Tech has been on NCAA Probation for the ACADEMIC CHEATING by Georgia Tech and LOST for example for the 2007-2008 football season 6 Scholarships for only 79 instead of the 85 every other college in America in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision is allotted.
.
.
By ............................................BuLLdawg
March 2, 2008 6:51 AM | Link to this
.
.
Georgia Tech signed one (1) of the Scout.com Top 300 Recruits this 2008 Signing Date. Georgia Tech signed one (1) of the AJ-C Super Southern Top 100 Football players in The South.
Georgia signed 14 by direct comparison.
The University of Georgia is ranked No. 2 in the Final AP Poll. Georgia Tech is not ranked in the Top 75 Football teams in America with your every year same 7-6 record after your blow-out Loss to Fresno State on the blue grass in Boise, Idaho in front of a crowd of 5,000 losing by 20-43 when Fresno State who is ranked Number 58 in the Final BCS Rankings and beat as their best win all season Number 72 Kansas State who had a 5-7 record.
There are 52 NFL Bulldogs on this day.
http://cbs.sportsline.com/collegefootball/alumni-tracker/school/5813
http://cbs.sportsline.com/collegefootball/alumni-tracker/school/5248
There are 19 Georgia Tech NFL players on this day, and that includes Reggie Ball.
.
.
By ............................................BuLLdawg
March 2, 2008 7:10 AM | Link to this
.
.
By surfrider
March 1, 2008 3:30 AM
” most probably did’nt have great pro careers. This year is case in point Tech has two or so players in the top 100 draft projections (class was lowly rated in recruiting) and UGA has no top 100 draft projections (class was highly rated). The big one though was Bobby Ross. He had no top 25 recruiting classes except one “
” Yes it helps to be able to recruit top talent just look at the Dawgs depth chart and the amount of talent they have but is even more important or just as much to develop that talent over 4 to 5 years. “
You are so FOS.
Top Talent per State
Number State.
.
199 CALIFORNIA.
.
179 FLORIDA.
.
176 TEXAS.
.
90 GEORGIA.
.
78 OHIO.
.
76 LOUISIANA.
.
58 PENNSYLVANIA.
.
50 MICHIGAN.
.
49 VIRGINIA.
.
48 SOUTH CAROLINA.
.
46 MISSISSIPPI.
.
45 ILLINOIS.
.
45 NEW JERSEY.
.
45 NORTH CAROLINA.
.
44 ALABAMA.
.
http://www.nflhs.com/News/Features/2005Roster/Default.asp
This is The High School Football Site for providing information regarding the Top High School Football Talent from each state.
By ............................................BuLLdawg
March 2, 2008 7:13 AM | Link to this
Georgia has 52 in the NFL and Georgia Tech 19.
Georgia is ranked No. 2 in the nation and Georgia Tech Number 75.
http://football.stassen.com/cgi-bin/records/calc-wp.pl?start=1999&end=2007&rpct=1&min=1&ss=on&se=on&c1a=on&pt=on&by=Wins
Georgia is in the Top 5 in the nation in Wins since 1999, while Georgia Tech is No. 29.
” just look at the Dawgs depth chart and the amount of talent they have but is even more important or just as much to develop that talent “
Who in the Living Hell do you think has been developing that top talent ?
Georgia Tech does not recruit the top talent, not even in its own state where there are only 2 NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision colleges. And, not better nationally than Georgia either. And, Georgia Tech is NOT in the Top 25 even at developing that talent either at the NFL level with but 19 to Georgia’s 52 NFL players nor at wins not in the Top 25 at Number 29 when UGA is in the Top 5.
You Tech fans are out of your Ever-Loving Minds, both of you.
” Georgia Tech develops talent better than Georgia, this year case in point. ” BS.
.
.
By buLLcrap
March 2, 2008 8:55 PM | Link to this
all that talent…all those NC’s….
BuLL, your heated remarks just makes me know that my blogging is not in vain.
By DAWG MAN
March 3, 2008 12:38 PM | Link to this
It is true that UGA has a history of great players making their mark after flying under the radar during the recruiting process. Watch this kid that has signed a preferred walk-on this year, Nick Sorel, who played QB at Norcross High. All 3 of his WR’s signed D1 scholarships to USC, Alabama, and Kent State. Someone put the ball in their hands. Sorel will be another reason to believe that the recruiting circus has little to do with college success.
By Buzzfan®
March 5, 2008 5:21 PM | Link to this
PLEASE help me reach my goal of $6K by St BALDRICK’S (St Patty’s) DAY!!
*
* * Getting my Head BUZZED to Fight Children’s Cancers!!
* THANKS!! * *
By 78 Dawg
March 6, 2008 3:24 PM | Link to this
Let’s admit it, we don’t care about character or grades, we care about winning. And we win more than most other schools that don’t care about character and grades. We can’t compete with the academic recruiting standards of Vandy, Duke, Wake or even Tech, but we win a lot more. We also win more than bama, Tenn, SC, Clemson and most of the other schools that’ll take anybody and let do anything. So let’s accept it and celebrate it.
By ×â³µ¹«Ë¾
March 30, 2008 8:58 AM | Link to this
ÄÚÈÝ°üÀ¨×â³µ¹«Ë¾ÐÐÒµ¶¯Ì¬¡¢×â³µ¹«Ë¾ÐÂÎÅ¡¢×â³µ¹«Ë¾Êг¡¡¢×â³µ¹«Ë¾³§¼Ò¡¢×â³µ¹«Ë¾¾ÏúÉÌ¡¢×â³µ¹«Ë¾4Sµê¡¢×â³µ¹«Ë¾¹º³µ ,811107792@eustar.com