As the final weekend before national signing day concluded, Georgia has found itself in a knock-down, drag-out battle with Auburn for two of its most important targets.
Tigers' head coach Gus Malzahn spent nearly the entire day Saturday in the home of longtime Bulldogs' commitment Terry Godwin, a 5-star wide receiver from Callaway High School. Auburn also convinced Darius Slayton, a 4-star prospect from Greater Atlanta Christian and another UGA commitment, to visit the Plains the previous weekend.
Both Godwin and Slayton were supposed to get back Georgia for unofficial visits this weekend but neither was able to make it. Slayton decided to stay home with family and friends and discuss his impending decision. Godwin “ran out of time” after his basketball game on Saturday — which Malzahn attended — and planned to visit his grandfather on Sunday.
"He was a little confused, but we talked last night," Godwin's mother, Olivia Brown, told the AJC's Michael Carvell. "I think things are clearer for him. And he's ready for Wednesday. I think he knows now."
But neither prospect is saying at this point. Godwin plans to reveal his announcement at a signing ceremony Wednesday at 6 p.m. Slayton "will have a decision on Monday or Tuesday," his coach Tim Hardy told the AJC.
Drama abounds
That’s just two of several dramatic storylines that are developing as the Bulldogs try to get to the finish line with what is expected to be Top 10 recruiting class.
At this point, Georgia's top overall uncommitted prospect is linebacker Roquan Smith of Macon County. Smith was scheduled to return from an official visit to UCLA on Sunday night. He, too, is expected to reveal his decision on Sunday.
The Bulldogs are also unsure about running back Chris Carson. The 6-foot, 200-pound athlete from Parkview last said he was still "70 to 80 percent" committed to the Bulldogs weeks ago, but hasn't been heard from since. He visited Oklahoma State recently.
Georgia also hopes to get back in with offensive lineman Pat Allen. The 6-foot-5, 286-pound tackle from Maryland was a longtime commitment for the Bulldogs before reopening his recruitment to include Tennessee, Ohio State and Michigan a few weeks ago.
Thornton could miss Kentucky
There is a good chance Georgia could again be without its leading scorer and rebounder when it travels to Lexington to take on No. 1 Kentucky on Tuesday.
Billy Thornton, the father of 6-foot-8, 240-pound senior forward Marcus Thornton, spent all day Saturday with his son in Athens and was skeptical about his availability against the Wildcats.
"I just don't know," Billy Thornton said. "It's day-by-day. I just don't have a good sense about it. It wouldn't surprise if he wasn't available for that game; it wouldn't surprise me at all. We'll just have to wait and see."
The Bulldogs did not play well in their first game in Thornton’s absence. They shot 22 percent from the field in losing to South Carolina 67-50. It was just the second SEC win of the year for the Gamecocks, while Georgia had won five straight.
Thornton is leading the Bulldogs with 13.5 points and 7.3 rebounds per game.
ETC. …
Georgia's No. 7-ranked men's tennis team looked impressive while rallying to knock off No. 4 UCLA 4-2 in the SEC-Pac-12 Showdown on Saturday at Lindsey Hopkins Indoor Courts. But the Bulldogs were brought back down to earth on Sunday as No. 1-ranked Southern Cal beat them 4-0. For the Trojans, it was their 14th consecutive win in Athens, including the last three NCAA championships held there. … Atlanta Braves Hall of Fame pitcher John Smoltz was the guest speaker at Georgia's annual First Pitch Banquet to kick off the season this past Friday night at the Classic Center. The Bulldogs open the season on Feb. 13 against Eastern Illinois at UGA's Foley Field, which has undergone a $15 million renovation. … Georgia's softball team opens the season Thursday against Coppin State. The Bulldogs return all but one everyday starter from last year's team, which won the program's first-ever SEC tournament championship and advanced to a NCAA Super Regional for the seventh time in program history.
About the Author
