May 15, 2012

Recruiting Q&A Part 2



Question from fwbdawg: "Hey Jake, for 2013 could you break down the number of recruits that you think we'll take at each general position (DL, LB, DB, OL, QB, RB, TE, WR, ATH)?"

A - "Right now, it appears that Georgia will take somewhere between 30-33 prospects in 2013, so I will break those guys down to get to that number.


QB - 1


RB - 2


WR - 4


TE - 1


OL - 6


DL - 5


OLB - 2


ILB - 4


CB - 4


S - 3


Ath - 1


The numbers could vary, but if Georgia takes 33, I think it will look somewhat like that."

Question from DrGriff34: "Given that UGA already has Bynum and Vonashek seems like a lock to commit, why haven't more OL tried to jump on board to secure their places. Do you think that some have done so silently?"

A - I'm not big on calling guys silent commits although they do happen from time to time. I think some prospects have given the UGA coaching staff a strong indication that the Bulldogs are on top, but I wouldn't go as far as saying they are silent commits.


"One of the big reasons for the delay is the fact that the Georgia staff rarely puts pressure on kids they know are leaning to them. They want them to take their time and make the right decision, and it is a big reason why UGA has had such a high retention rate once recruits pledge to them. Georgia is in great shape with a number of offensive lineman, and I suspect they will have anywhere between three and five guys committed on the offensive line before the season starts."

Question from Captain: "What is the inside with T Brown at GMC? Is it a matter of determining whether or not his academics are such he can graduate early and enroll in Jan? With a lot of discussion over the last several weeks about Tyshon Dye. With his size, speed, is he a possible safety prospect?"

A - "Georgia is in very good shape with Brown, and I'm not so sure they are dead set on him being an early enrollee to take him. They offered him early and before anyone else, and he has maintained that he likes UGA a lot. The fact that UGA offered so early leads me to believe they are either confident in Brown's academic situation or will take him whether he graduates in January or June . The last time we spoke, he named UGA as his leader, and while some folks close to him say he may not admit it, UGA is the team to beat. Based on what I have been told by him and those close to him, he is in great shape to graduate in December, and the Georgia staff has been recruiting him hard.


"As for Dye, I think there is a chance he could end up at safety, but of the positions I believe he can play at the next level, running back, receiver, linebacker, and safety, playing defensive back is the least likely. He sure has the speed, but if he were going to become a safety, it would be a hybrid linebacker/safety type. I know the cornerback/safety hybrid fits well into defensive coordinator Todd Grantham's scheme, but the hybrid linebacker/safety doesn't fit so well. Dye is going to be a big guy in my opinion. He will probably end up somewhere close to 230 before all is said and done and maybe a little bigger. The best fit for him in my estimation is running back, then linebacker, then wide receiver, and safety is somewhere I could see him playing, but the least likely."

Question from K2swats: "Is the staff still in contact with Maurice Swain of Lagrange?"

A - "The last time I talked to Swain was a week or so ago, and he told me UGA had been in contact recently. I don't know if they are recruiting him on the offensive or defensive line, but Georgia is in good shape with guys on both sides of the ball and Swain is a candidate to get an offer should the miss on a couple of targets. I like Swain a lot, but he will need to camp at some schools this summer and show consistent effort before some of the big SEC schools make a move for him."

Question from Smoltzdawg: "What's the latest on (Tim) Kimbrough (Warren Central; Indianapolis, Ind.)? I love his size and athleticism. He seems like the second best MLB we have offered behind Foster IMHO."

A - "First of all, I will agree with you that Kimbrough is a great player. He has excellent instincts, great athleticism, and his build is perfect for an inside linebacker.


"I have spoken with sources close to Kimbrough that believe UGA is a clear player for his services, but I'm also told that his recruitment is going to last until signing day or after. The Georgia staff has made a strong push for the four star linebacker, and he likes their scheme. If they are going to land Kimbrough, they will need to get him on campus during the season. I believe that right now, he and Reuben Foster are at the top of Georgia's board at inside linebacker."

Question from PC Smallz: "1) How many silent commits do you think we have? 2) Out of our current commitments, who do you think could be instant impact guys as true freshman and who will be project type guys (2-3 years down the road)?"

A - "As I said earlier, I'm not that big on claiming recruits are silent despite the fact that I know they happen. I do think that some prospects have given the UGA staff a strong indication they are going to Georgia and are waiting for the right time to announce.


"As for immediate impact guys, I think that any player who is planning on enrolling early, except for Camden quarterback Brice Ramsey, will make an immediate impact. Cornerback Shaquille Wiggins (Sandy Creek), safety Tray Matthews (Newnan), cornerback Reggie Wilkerson (North Marion; Citra, Fla.), JUCO cornerback Steven Nelson (College of the Sequoias, Visalia, Calif.), JUCO DL Chris Mays (Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College; Perkinston, Miss.), athlete J.J. Green (Camden), linebacker Ryne Rankin (East River; Orlando, Fla.), wide receiver Tramel Terry (Goose Creek; Goose Creek, S.C.) and wide receiver Kyrin Priester (Brookwood) will all have a chance to contribute early. All of those guys, if they do in fact enroll early, will have the spring to prepare for the season and make a move for playing time.


"Linebacker Johnny O'Neal (West Laurens) is another prospect that should help UGA right away. Ramsey is a candidate to redshirt with Aaron Murray, Hutson Mason, Christian Lemay, and Faton Bauta already on campus. Linebacker Reggie Carter (South Gwinnett), defensive lineman DeAndre Johnson (Northgate) and offensive lineman Aulden Bynum (Valwood) could also benefit from some time to develop."

Question from AaronMM: "Jake, when new offers go out at a position does it say that the coaches aren't confident that they can sign the kids that they previously offered or does it say when they evaluated someone closer they like them more then guys that they have already offered? Does taking 6 OL recruits in one recruiting cycle hinder trying to pull 3-4 in the following year, even if some of them are JUCO kids?"

A - "It all depends on the situation and the timing, but sometimes when a coaching staff extends an offer at a position, it does mean they aren't confident in their targets at the position. Most of this happens later in the process, but it happens early at times when a player is set to make a decision. Sometimes a player will let the program know he isn't going to go there, and the staff moves on, and other times the staff just decides that a player is a comparable, as good, or better than a current target, and they offer with the purpose of taking whatever player wants to jump on board first. It is almost impossible to know what goes on behind close doors, but sometimes, new offers can help fans read between the lines.


"At this point in the game, however, I don't read too much into new offers going out as evaluations are still being made. Once the season starts and coaches extend new offers, I think it says more about how they are feeling on current targets.


"Taking big numbers at any position hurts you for the next year. There are few players out there that want to redshirt and develop at a position, and most are looking for an inviting depth chart where they feel they can control their own destiny a bit more. Taking six offensive linemen in a given year can cause you to struggle the next year, but taking three or four lineman in the next recruiting cycle shouldn't be that tough. Most programs like to go after guys with a high ceiling in those years where they don't expect to take more than three or four lineman. This allows them to send out some offers and take some chances on guys that aren't necessarily seen as "can't miss" guys."

Question from LowerEastSideDawg: "How many public commits will UGA have when the season starts in September?"

A - "I'm going to say at least 19. Several UGA targets are going to make a decision this summer, and landing four of those prospects is probable. There is a solid chance they have as many as 22 pledges by the time the Bulldogs kick off against Buffalo in September."

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