The Bulldogs and coach Mark Richt will hold their Signing Day news conference at 2 p.m. today at the practice facility in Heritage Hall.
Submit pictures of high school players committed to play college football on signing day to http://www.ajc.com/signingdaypics/#NationalSigningDay
3:42 p.m. The Bulldogs land the No. 1 prospect in the state, outside linebacker/rush end Lorenzo Carter of Norcross. Carter wasted no time getting to the point during his live feed on ESPN. He quickly snatched the Georgia cap from among the three in front of him (LSU and Florida were the other two), and pronounced, "I've been thinking long and hard, praying about it, talking to my family, and I'll be spending the next four year of my life at the University of Georgia." Asked by the ESPN studio analysts the reasons behind his decision, Carter said: "(Richt) did a great job. He got the hire with Jeremy Pruitt and that defense is going to be nasty, so I plan on being a big part of it." Also, "I decided to stay home and represent my state and hopefully bring a national championship back to Georgia."
2:15 p.m. Georgia coach Mark Richt addresses the media about the Bulldogs' 2014 recruiting efforts. During the course of his briefing, Andrew Williams, a highly-touted defensive line prospect from Eagles Landing Christian Academy, announced that he had chosen Auburn. Monitoring via Twitter, one of Georgia's assistants let out an audible moan, which caused many in the Bulldogs' team meeting to turn their heads to see what was the matter. One of the best quotes of the session came from Richt when he was asked about schools from surrounding states having success recruting the state of Georgia. Richt deadpanned: "We've had a lot of success in their states, too. They might need to be aware of that." Once again, the Bulldogs are bringing in elite pro from Florida, South Carolina and North Carolina.
1:18 p.m. UGA makes official announces the signing of Brooks County cornerback Malkom Parrish. That means the Bulldogs signed all of their commitments going into signing day, plus one more — tight end Hunter Atkinson of Hall County. That's 20 in all. Now UGA awaits the decisions of OLB Lorenzo Carter of Norcross and DL Andrew Williams of Eagles Landing Christian Academy.
1:08 p.m. CB Malkom Parrish of Brooks County, the last of Georgia's commitments to remain unsigned, tweets a picture of himself holding a signed letter-of-intent to UGA. Bulldogs' fans were starting to express concerns.
12:26 p.m. JUCO transfer Shattle Fenteng is one of UGA's signees most likely to see the playing field next fall. Talked to him for Q&A that will run in newspaper and he had some interesting things to say about the Bulldogs' coaching changes on defense: "Coach (Scott Lakatos) was a good guy, but he had to go for non-football reasons. But I liked the changes. I like Coach Pruitt because he comes from a winning background and he takes guys to the NFL. I feel like he's going to develop me well. And he said he actually said he likes me. He told me right off the bat he still wanted me and I'm the kind of corner he recruits. He wanted me to come on a visit before I changed my mind."
12:01 p.m. Lowndes OT Dyshon Sims has tweeted pics of him signing LOI to UGA. Georgia confirms receiving on official Twitter account. So that's No. 19 for Dogs.
11:30 a.m. Georgia head coach Mark Richt and the entire Bulldogs' coaching staff just finishing addressing the gathering mob at Butts-Mehre. While introducing the three new coaches — defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt, linebackers coach Kevin Sherrer and defensive line coach Tracy Rocker — Richt said, "I'm as excited and energized as I've been in a long time. Things have really worked out." … Richt would not reveal who might be the final defensive assistant coach or if they'd have special teams responsibilities. "When the dust settles I think we'll all be excited about special teams," he said. … Offensive coordinator Mike Bobo said he was really excited about coaching new tailbacks Nick Chubb and Sony Michel.
10:45 a.m. At this point, UGA still awaiting signed LOIs of two other commitments on their board, and they're big ones: CB Malkolm Parrish of Brooks County. and OT Dyshon Sims of Lowndes.
10:37 a.m. One of the biggest signings of the 2014 class is now in. Georgia has received the letter of intern of defensive lineman Lamont Galliard of Fayetteville, N.C. … UGA has now made official the signing of TE Hunter Atkinson, the signing day surprise of the day.
10:13 a.m. Wide receiver Isaiah McKenzie, the late addition out of the Fort Lauderdale area, has some of the most incredible highlight video I've witnessed, particularly when it comes to returning kicks. The Bulldogs have struggled somewhat in that department of late. Georgia offensive coordinator Mike Bobo acknowledged in a video on Georgiadogs.com that McKenzie "will be given every opportunity to be a return guy, if not the return guy. … He's a playmaker."
10:06 a.m. UGA officially announces additions of RB Sony Michel and WR Isaiah McKenzie. American Heritage High School had tweeted a picture of them signing in Georgia gear hours ago. The Bulldogs' website initially had Michel listed at 150 pounds, which is incorrect. They quickly got it fixed with his correct weight — 205 pounds.
9:49 a.m. UGA now at 14 signees. According to commitments left on the Bulldogs' board, they would end up with 20 signees in this class. Some big prospects still have yet to sign. But most remaining have signing ceremonies to attend this afternoon.
9:35 a.m. Georgia adds offensive lineman Jake Edwards (6-4, 280) of Heard County. Recruiting experts have spoken highly of the offensive line presence in the Bulldogs' 2014 class. Only four but high quality with Kendall Baker, Dyshon Sims and Isaiah Wynn.
9:26 a.m. Georgia gets papers in from wide receiver Rico Johnson. Johnson was a signee out of Swainsboro High School last year but did not qualify. He attended Georgia Prep Sports Academy and played football there this past season, then picked UGA over Middle Tennessee State and Marshall. One of four wideouts the Bulldogs are expected to sign in this class.
8:58 a.m. Georgia's tailback legacy appears safe. The Bulldogs signed 5-star tailback Sony Michel of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. Joins 5-star Nick Chubb in this class. With Todd Gurley, Keith Marshall, J.J. Green and Brendan Douglas, Georgia would appear to be set to pound the football. … Another interesting tidbit: Bulldogs now have three players on their roster from American Heritage School in Michel, McKenzie and PK Marshall Morgan.
8:48 a.m. Really rolling now. Hard to keep up. Bulldogs get first 5-star of the day — RB Nick Chubb of Cedartown. Also, a big signing Day surprise being reported by Rusty Mansell of Dawgs247.com. West Hall TE Hunter Atkinson previous Cincy commit. "Biggest sleeper in country," Mansell said.
8:43 a.m. OL Kendall Baker of Marist is now officially a Georgia Bulldog.
8:39 a.m. Two of Georgia's targets have now signed elsewhere: Defensive backs Kendarius Webster (Ole Miss) and Tavon Ross (Missouri).
8:35 a.m. CB Shattle Fenteng of Grayson is on board. Currently at Hutchinson CC. Expected to be immediate contributor. That's 10 signees total so far.
8:28 a.m. Georgia now up to nine signees with additions of safety Shaquille Jones of Merritt Island, Fla.., and tight end Jeb Blazevich of Charlotte. The Bulldogs catch a lot of grief for not keeping all the state's best at home, but they always do very well out of state. See Todd Gurley, Keith Marshall, Aaron Murray, Arthur Lynch, Knowshon Moreno, Matt Stafford, etc.
8:21 a.m. Per the Twitter feed of American Heritage High in Plantation, Fla.,, Georgia gets wide receiver Isaiah McKenzie. That's a huge pickup for the Bulldogs. He is the teammate of 5-star running back Sony Michel, who is also expected to sign with UGA. Georgia didn't offer until Monday. The dynamic play-maker and kick returner was previously thought to be headed to Virginia Tech, Ole Miss or Florida.
8:18 a.m. Bulldogs up to seven signess with additions WR Shakenneth Williams, Macon; and OL Isaiah Wynn, St. Petersburg, Fla
8:02 a.m. UGA gets signed LOI of WR Gilbert Johnson of Homestead, Fla. Some Bulldogs' fans let out a sigh of relief. Johnson had been quiet for a while.
7:57 a.m. Dominick Sanders is the younger brother of former Georgia DB Chris Sanders. Chris Sanders was dismissed in 2012, went to junior college and recently enrolled at Baylor.
7:53 a.m. First four signees announced by #UGA: LB Keyon Brown, LB Detric Bing-Dukes, QB Jacob Park, ATH DomInick Sanders.
7:30 a.m. First to breakfast buffet set up in Heritage Hall area: Compliance director Jim Booz and operations chief Josh Brooks. Fans will be allowed in at 8 a.m. and will be greeted to unlimited coffee, doughnuts and bagels.
7:05 a.m.: Current players leaving, new players coming in
6:55 a.m.: Greetings from Butts-Mehre Heritage Hall on a rainy Wednesday morning. Interesting scene: Georgia was having to shoo away the current players, who had been working out since 5 a.m., from the parking lot so parking spaces would be available.
6:50 a.m.: No letters-of-intent just yet. By rule none can be signed until 7 a.m. and then they have to be scanned and emailed or faxed.
About the Author
