Bulldogs have recruiting work to do, but look good

By Chip Towers

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

ATHENS — We’re inside a week until national signing day, and some fans of Georgia Bulldogs recruiting are about ready to panic.

At this point, the Bulldogs have only 16 commitments, and are allowed to sign up to 12 more. And while Georgia traditionally ranks in the national top 10 in recruiting, the Bulldogs currently hold a relatively pedestrian average of 14.75 between the four main recruiting rankings. ESPN has UGA at No. 5, but Rivals and Scout have the Dogs at 21 and 22, respectively.

Rusty Mansell, who covers recruiting for 247sports.com, says Georgia fans need to relax. While the Bulldogs still have some work to do, he said they have done well and have a chance to close strong.

“Georgia has helped itself for 2012,” said Mansell, whose service has the Bulldogs ranked 11th. “But what everybody is trying to do is prepare for down the road, and it’s hard to tell how they’re doing with that right now because they have so many spots open. They shored up some key spots for next season.”

Whatever the general view of Georgia’s class is at the moment, it’s likely to change in the next week. In late January last year, the Bulldogs were awaiting the decisions of Stephone Anthony, Isaiah Crowell, Ray Drew, John Jenkins, Malcolm Mitchell, Antonio Richardson and Jay Rome. They signed five of the seven.

Here’s where Georgia stands now:

Needs

There figures to be a lot of action in the coming days. Among the uncommitted targets Georgia hopes to close with are offensive lineman Avery Young of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.; linebacker Josh Harvey-Clemons of Valdosta; and wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson of Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College. They’re also trying to change the minds of some players who currently are committed elsewhere, including Tucker defensive end Josh Dawson (Vanderbilt), Memphis defensive back Sheldon Dawson (Memphis), Sandy Creek wide receiver Ja’Quay Williams (Auburn) and Cedar Grove offensive lineman Brandon Greene (Alabama).

“If you had to rank one player left on the board it would probably be Avery Young because of their really wanting offensive linemen,” Mansell said. “Right now he’d be on the top of the line of the priority list. But you also have to look at Cordarrelle Patterson. He’s the No. 1 junior college prospect and a guy that a lot of people think is going to be a one-and-done. He’s that type of player.”

Wins

Georgia already has addressed some major needs for next season. The Bulldogs have a firm commitment from five-star offensive tackle John Theus of Jacksonville and offensive lineman Mark Beard and running back Keith Marshall are enrolled in school. The Bulldogs pulled off a coup in landing outside linebacker Jordan Jenkins of Harris County, who some rate as the state’s top recruit, and long ago addressed defensive-line needs by securing Jonathan Taylor and Leonard Floyd. They’ve also secured a placekicker in Marshall Morgan and a punter in Collin Barber.

Losses

This week the news broke that UGA will not admit offensive lineman Chester Brown because of a controversial Regents policy that bans the enrollment of undocumented students. The Bulldogs also lost on some primary targets, including Stone Mountain linebacker Markuss Eligwe (FSU); Buford linebacker Dillon Lee (Alabama) and Creekside defensive back Josh Holsey (Auburn). Even Georgia’s first commitment of the 2012 class, wide receiver C.J. Curry, had a change of heart and committed to Oklahoma State.