COLLEGE RECRUITING SEASON: TALENT TALLY

Will there be any recruiting surprises left on national signing day?

Georgia, with 16 commitments, and Georgia Tech, with 11, have been recruiting high school football players at such a brisk pace that their coaches may actually get to avoid the Feb. 4 signing-day soap operas, where kids put several college hats on the table, then announce their decisions. That said, let’s check out how things are going for both schools:

GEORGIA

WHERE THEY STAND

Georgia’s early recruiting class is ranked No. 11 by Rivals, No. 9 by Scout and No. 5 by ESPN. Three members of the AJC’s Super 11 have committed to the Bulldogs —- Northside-Warner Robins defensive tackle Abry Jones, Emanuel County Institute tailback Washaun Ealey and Troup County offensive lineman Chris Burnette.

THE BIG FISH

Quarterback Aaron Murray of Tampa, who broke his leg Oct. 16, is the headliner. He picked the Dogs over 53 scholarship offers and has been trying to recruit other prospects to Athens. Murray helped lure Austin Long of Memphis. Georgia’s top in-state commitment is Northside’s Jones, who could play next year.

SURPRISES

Tight end Arthur Fontaine was Boston College-bound but fell in love with Athens during a summer visit. Cornerback Jordan Love of Glen Allen, Va., has family members in Atlanta. Wide receiver Rantavious Wooten of Belle Glade, Fla., switched his commitment from LSU.

WHO THEY COVET

Booker T. Washington cornerback Branden Smith is at the top of Georgia’s in-state wish list, and Carver-Columbus linebacker Jarvis Jones appears to be set on leaving the state. The Bulldogs feel good about their chances against Miami with tight end Orson Charles, a teammate of Murray’s. They feel like they’ve made big strides with wide receiver Marlon Brown of Memphis. Tennessee appears to be the team to beat for Brown, who will wait until Feb. 4 to announce.

PROJECTION

Appears to be a shoo-in to finish with a top-10 ranking. They are chasing elite wide receivers Brown and Andre Debose of Sanford, Fla., and may turn to some of the state’s best at the position in another month or two.

GEORGIA TECH

WHERE THEY STAND

Georgia Tech did not make the top 25 of Rivals or Scout, and it did not appear in the ESPN top 15. No members of the AJC Super 11 have committed to Georgia Tech.

THE BIG FISH

ECI offensive lineman J.C. Lanier (above) is the early crown jewel, deciding to go a different path than teammates Ealey and linebacker Dexter Moody, who are headed to Georgia. Tech’s No. 1 recruit could end up being defensive end Emanuel Dieke of North Clayton, who also has recent offers from Auburn and Stanford.

SURPRISES

Luella cornerback Roderick Sweeting tried to commit to Auburn in August but was told it was too late. He then picked Tech. The Jackets beat out Miami for Newnan lineman Raymond Beno and landed Kennesaw Mountain lineman Jay Finch before other schools got involved.

WHO THEY COVET

Flowery Branch defensive end Izaan Cross is leaning toward Tech over Clemson, Florida State and Oklahoma. The Jackets are also pushing hard for Tucker linebacker Jonathan Davis, with South Carolina the top competition. Tech feels like it has a decent shot with Henry County wide receiver Jamal Patterson, who has committed to Stanford but is still talking with the Jackets.

PROJECTION

Coach Paul Johnson wasn’t concerned about what critics thought of his offense, and he likely feels the same way about recruiting grades. Jaybo Shaw wasn’t highly regarded but has made two starts at quarterback.