Today we take a look at the nation’s top college football programs and project their relative stability over the next few seasons. After examining Georgia’s coaching, talent base, recruiting prowess, program clout and the treachery in the Bulldogs’ path toward playing for a national title, ESPN’s experts ranked Georgia ninth in their Future Power Rankings.
Here are a couple of factors that could cause the Bulldogs to either rise or fall in those rankings over the next few seasons:
Here are a couple of factors that could cause the Bulldogs to either rise or fall in those rankings over the next few seasons:
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With the release of the ESPN 300, DawgNation takes a look at the Top 10 ESPN 300 targets most likely to commit to the University of Georgia as of right now.
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Southwest Ohio has been good to Michigan in the past, and one of Cincinnati’s top 2015 prospects was on campus Monday.
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With the initial release of the ESPN 300 for the 2014 class, the recent recruiting momentum by the University of Georgia shows the Bulldogs could close with another top class, even with less than 22 spots to fill.
At the top of the commitment list is running back Sony Michel (Plantation, Fla./American Heritage), the No. 17 prospect in the country. He is followed by athlete Malkom Parrish (Quitman, Ga./Brooks County) at No. 69, who is expected to play cornerback for Georgia. Tight end Jeb Blazevich (Charlotte, N.C./Charlotte Christian) is No. 94 in the latest rankings and new running back commitment Nick Chubb (Cedartown, Ga./Cedartown) jumps into the ESPN 150 at No. 142. Georgia has less than one third of last year’s class (33) committed so far, but only one less ESPN 150 commitment with four pledged to play for Mark Richt at this time. Quarterback Jacob Park (Goose Creek, S.C./Stratford) committed to Georgia on Friday, giving the Bulldogs the No. 182 prospect in the country, while defensive line commitment Dontavius Russell (Carrollton, Ga./Carrollton) is No. 263 in the initial ESPN 300.
Georgia has a shot to land several more ESPN 150 prospects as well. New five-star prospect Lorenzo Carter (Norcross, Ga./Norcross) has a spot reserved for him in Athens, Ga. Another five-star target, defensive lineman Lamont Gaillard (Fayetteville, N.C./Pine Forest) has Georgia on top and the No. 12 prospect in the country could decide in July.
At the top of the commitment list is running back Sony Michel (Plantation, Fla./American Heritage), the No. 17 prospect in the country. He is followed by athlete Malkom Parrish (Quitman, Ga./Brooks County) at No. 69, who is expected to play cornerback for Georgia. Tight end Jeb Blazevich (Charlotte, N.C./Charlotte Christian) is No. 94 in the latest rankings and new running back commitment Nick Chubb (Cedartown, Ga./Cedartown) jumps into the ESPN 150 at No. 142. Georgia has less than one third of last year’s class (33) committed so far, but only one less ESPN 150 commitment with four pledged to play for Mark Richt at this time. Quarterback Jacob Park (Goose Creek, S.C./Stratford) committed to Georgia on Friday, giving the Bulldogs the No. 182 prospect in the country, while defensive line commitment Dontavius Russell (Carrollton, Ga./Carrollton) is No. 263 in the initial ESPN 300.
Georgia has a shot to land several more ESPN 150 prospects as well. New five-star prospect Lorenzo Carter (Norcross, Ga./Norcross) has a spot reserved for him in Athens, Ga. Another five-star target, defensive lineman Lamont Gaillard (Fayetteville, N.C./Pine Forest) has Georgia on top and the No. 12 prospect in the country could decide in July.
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ATHENS, Ga. -- Georgia’s recruiting staff will sleep well in the coming days. Ten consecutive days of camps, including three days of 7-on-7 tournaments, three days of offensive/defensive linemen camps, junior camps, varsity camps, specialized drills and even an overnight camp has the staff on its last legs. But the results were stunning.
Before the camps started, Georgia had five commitments. Less than two weeks later the Bulldogs have doubled the size of their class and could see a few more commitments soon. This past weekend saw a continuation of the momentum built up on June 8. Here are some of the highlights:
Before the camps started, Georgia had five commitments. Less than two weeks later the Bulldogs have doubled the size of their class and could see a few more commitments soon. This past weekend saw a continuation of the momentum built up on June 8. Here are some of the highlights:
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ATHENS, Ga. -- Nick Chubb’s verbal commitment last week was big not only because it added a record-setting rusher to Georgia’s 2014 recruiting class, but also because -- together with a previous commitment from another elite tailback, Sony Michel -- it addressed Georgia’s biggest need in this class.
The Bulldogs have Todd Gurley and Keith Marshall, of course, but they will be draft-eligible juniors after the 2014 season. The only other scholarship backs on the roster are brand-new freshmen A.J. Turman and Brendan Douglas, so Michel and Chubb will add depth and the talent necessary to keep Georgia’s backfield train on the tracks.
With that recruiting need addressed, it brings us to this week’s DawgNation roundtable question: Now that Georgia has addressed its most glaring need for 2014, running back, what is the next position Mark Richt’s coaching staff should square away for this recruiting class?
The Bulldogs have Todd Gurley and Keith Marshall, of course, but they will be draft-eligible juniors after the 2014 season. The only other scholarship backs on the roster are brand-new freshmen A.J. Turman and Brendan Douglas, so Michel and Chubb will add depth and the talent necessary to keep Georgia’s backfield train on the tracks.
With that recruiting need addressed, it brings us to this week’s DawgNation roundtable question: Now that Georgia has addressed its most glaring need for 2014, running back, what is the next position Mark Richt’s coaching staff should square away for this recruiting class?
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GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- It's good enough news for a school when a coveted recruit such as Raekwon McMillan (Hinesville, Ga./Liberty County) shows up on campus for a visit. But the Florida Gators got a double dose of good news from the nation's No. 1-ranked inside linebacker during his unofficial visit on Saturday.
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ATHENS, Ga. -- Seldom has the Georgia coaching staff had a week like this. Last Saturday the Bulldogs picked up two commitments from players who choose the Bulldogs on the spot when offered; no waiting, no visits, no nothing. Then on Tuesday, Georgia picked up a commitment from Nick Chubb, the Peach State’s most productive running back last year. On Thursday the Bulldogs received their first pledge from a prospect ranked in the top-10 players from Georgia, ESPN 150 athlete Malkom Parrish. Now Georgia has picked up a commitment from a top quarterback, Elite 11 member Jacob Park.
Park, from Stratford High School in Goose Creek, S.C., was in town last Saturday at the Mark Richt minicamp where he spent time throwing for offensive coordinator Mike Bobo. Towards the end of the day, Bobo, who also coaches the quarterbacks, had seen enough and Parks was given an offer to play in Athens. Park told DawgNation moments later that the Georgia offer was the one he had wanted for over a year. Six days later he committed to Georgia after narrowing his list to the Bulldogs and the Alabama Crimson Tide.
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The quarterback dominoes continue to fall with Jacob Park's commitment to Georgia on Friday. His father, Adam Park, confirmed that the four-star signal caller from Goose Creek (S.C.) Stratford had chosen UGA over his other two finalists, Alabama and Virginia Tech.
The 6-foot-3, 197-pound Park also impressed the Alabama coaches with his performance at the Tide's camp last week, but the elder Park said Georgia offered the opportunity to be the only quarterback in the class, an opportunity too good to pass up.
The Bulldogs now have 10 commitments for 2014, including five in the last week.
Phil Steele's top running back depth charts
June, 14, 2013
Jun 14
3:00
PM ET
By
Edward Aschoff | ESPN.com
College football prognosticator Phil Steele continues his look at the top depth charts around the country. Today, we're looking at his top running back depth charts 
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Steele has three SEC teams on his list, with Georgia taking his top spot. Alabama is No. 2, while Texas A&M is 14th.
It's hard to argue against having Georgia No. 1. The Bulldogs bring back the top one-two rushing punch in Todd Gurley, who led SEC running backs with 1,385 yards and 17 touchdowns, and slasher Keith Marshall. The duo combined for 2,144 yards and averaged 6.3 yards per carry. There isn't much behind these two, but they did just fine with the majority of the carries last year.
Alabama has a very deep backfield that's led by sophomore T.J. Yeldon, who rushed for more than 1,000 yards last year. He should compete to be one of the top players at his position this fall as both a slasher and a pounder. The Tide will get back the beastly Jalston Fowler, who is coming off of knee surgery, and scat back Dee Hart, who is also returning from a knee injury. Sophomore Kenyan Drake is back and true freshman Derrick Henry should help out as both a running back and H-back this fall.
As for the Aggies, they're also very deep at running back. Leading rusher Ben Malena (808 yards) is back, and he'll be working with some younger but very talented teammates. Brandon Williams, who transferred from Oklahoma, has the potential to be very special. Then you have Oregon transfer Tra Carson and sophomore Trey Williams. There is a lot of speed and athleticism in Texas A&M's running back stable.
I'd also keep an eye on Florida, LSU and Ole Miss this fall. The Gators will be led by sophomore Matt Jones, who had a very good spring and should pick up right where Mike Gillislee left off. He'll also get help from redshirt junior Mack Brown, who left spring as the No. 2 back, and freshmen Kelvin Taylor and Adam Lane. Taylor had a good spring and Lane should come in and help right away.
LSU might have made Steele's list if Jeremy Hill wasn't suspended from the team. Hill's recent arrest has his future at LSU in doubt, but if he plays this fall he'll be one of the league's best. Kenny Hilliard and Alfred Blue are nothing to sneeze at. Both have shown flashes in the past and Blue should be healed from a knee injury that cost him most of his 2012 season. Losing Hill will really hurt, but the Tigers have a solid duo in Hilliard and Blue to work with.
Ole Miss returns rushing leader Jeff Scott and a talented bunch of youngsters. Scott is a solid all-purpose-type back, while sophomores I'Tavius Mathers and Jaylen Walton came on strong late last year and this spring. True freshman Mark Dodson will get his chance to see the field as well after a strong spring.
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Steele has three SEC teams on his list, with Georgia taking his top spot. Alabama is No. 2, while Texas A&M is 14th.
It's hard to argue against having Georgia No. 1. The Bulldogs bring back the top one-two rushing punch in Todd Gurley, who led SEC running backs with 1,385 yards and 17 touchdowns, and slasher Keith Marshall. The duo combined for 2,144 yards and averaged 6.3 yards per carry. There isn't much behind these two, but they did just fine with the majority of the carries last year.
[+] Enlarge
AP Photo/Romeo GuzmanT.J. Yeldon returns to lead a deep backfield for the Crimson Tide this season.
As for the Aggies, they're also very deep at running back. Leading rusher Ben Malena (808 yards) is back, and he'll be working with some younger but very talented teammates. Brandon Williams, who transferred from Oklahoma, has the potential to be very special. Then you have Oregon transfer Tra Carson and sophomore Trey Williams. There is a lot of speed and athleticism in Texas A&M's running back stable.
I'd also keep an eye on Florida, LSU and Ole Miss this fall. The Gators will be led by sophomore Matt Jones, who had a very good spring and should pick up right where Mike Gillislee left off. He'll also get help from redshirt junior Mack Brown, who left spring as the No. 2 back, and freshmen Kelvin Taylor and Adam Lane. Taylor had a good spring and Lane should come in and help right away.
LSU might have made Steele's list if Jeremy Hill wasn't suspended from the team. Hill's recent arrest has his future at LSU in doubt, but if he plays this fall he'll be one of the league's best. Kenny Hilliard and Alfred Blue are nothing to sneeze at. Both have shown flashes in the past and Blue should be healed from a knee injury that cost him most of his 2012 season. Losing Hill will really hurt, but the Tigers have a solid duo in Hilliard and Blue to work with.
Ole Miss returns rushing leader Jeff Scott and a talented bunch of youngsters. Scott is a solid all-purpose-type back, while sophomores I'Tavius Mathers and Jaylen Walton came on strong late last year and this spring. True freshman Mark Dodson will get his chance to see the field as well after a strong spring.
UGA 7-on-7: What we learned 
June, 14, 2013
Jun 14
9:00
AM ET
By Kipp Adams & Radi Nabulsi | ESPN.com
The Georgia coaching staff hosted its third 7-on-7 tournament in the last eight days on Thursday, with teams from all over the Peach State competing for the coveted trophy that Mark Richt bestowed at the end of the day. Jefferson County (Ga.) High School won the tournament, beating Callaway (Ga.) High school in the final game. The staff used the competition to evaluate several prospects and to identify new targets.
Here are a few things we learned:
UGA making 2015 ATH feel at home
For the third year in a row, 2015 athlete Terry Godwin (Hoganville, Ga./Callaway) put on a show at the tournament. The 6-foot, 170-pound rising junior has grown accustomed to performing well in Athens, and both he and his mother said after leaving that the comfort level was very high at Georgia.
“I love the atmosphere and how the coaches treat us,” Godwin said. “We are like one big happy family. Coach Richt is like my father, Coach [John] Lilly is like my uncle, and coach [Todd] Grantham is like my other uncle.”
Godwin, who is up to 10 offers, plans to check out Ole Miss, Clemson and Tennessee this summer. He and his mother both hinted a decision could come soon, which could be good news for the Bulldogs.
“Georgia is at the top of my list right now,” Godwin said. “I hope to make a decision before my junior year or at least by midseason.”
Here are a few things we learned:
UGA making 2015 ATH feel at home
For the third year in a row, 2015 athlete Terry Godwin (Hoganville, Ga./Callaway) put on a show at the tournament. The 6-foot, 170-pound rising junior has grown accustomed to performing well in Athens, and both he and his mother said after leaving that the comfort level was very high at Georgia.
“I love the atmosphere and how the coaches treat us,” Godwin said. “We are like one big happy family. Coach Richt is like my father, Coach [John] Lilly is like my uncle, and coach [Todd] Grantham is like my other uncle.”
Godwin, who is up to 10 offers, plans to check out Ole Miss, Clemson and Tennessee this summer. He and his mother both hinted a decision could come soon, which could be good news for the Bulldogs.
“Georgia is at the top of my list right now,” Godwin said. “I hope to make a decision before my junior year or at least by midseason.”
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Luginbill: Parrish could be next Boykin
June, 13, 2013
Jun 13
9:43
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By
Tom Luginbill | ESPN.com
Athlete Malkom Parrish (Quitman, Ga./Brooks County) committed to Georgia Thursday, giving the Bulldogs three ESPN 150 pledges for 2014. Read below to see where our Scouts feel he'll fare in Athens.
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Freshman cornerback Reggie Wilkerson had an impressive spring camp after enrolling last January. The Florida native received praise from coaches and teammates about how quickly he was picking up the defensive schemes. But earlier this week he was injured during the voluntary summer workouts and now he will redshirt for the 2013 season.
“I won’t be playing next year,” Wilkerson said. “I tore my ACL and my meniscus.”
Wilkerson said a freak accident led to his injury.
“We were doing 7-on-7s and the receiver ran the wrong route,” Wilkerson said. “I ran into him, the tight end and the strong safety also. That just blew my knee out. I am the only one that got really hurt. I didn’t want anyone to know until tomorrow but people have already put it out on Twitter. I was getting ready to start but you know how it is.”
The Georgia secondary was already in the process of replacing four starters from last year, and with the news that safety Josh Harvey-Clemons will miss the season opener against Clemson, Wilkerson’s injury further depletes a thin secondary. Defensive backs coach Scott Lakatos will now have to rely on Damian Swann, Sheldon Dawson and Devin Bowman to man the cornerback spots, with true freshmen Shaq Wiggins and Brendan Langley getting looks, as well. Junior college transfer Kennar Johnson is coming to Georgia to play safety but could also help at cornerback, where he lined up last season.
Wilkerson will have ACL surgery on Friday at noon ET.
“I won’t be playing next year,” Wilkerson said. “I tore my ACL and my meniscus.”
Wilkerson said a freak accident led to his injury.
“We were doing 7-on-7s and the receiver ran the wrong route,” Wilkerson said. “I ran into him, the tight end and the strong safety also. That just blew my knee out. I am the only one that got really hurt. I didn’t want anyone to know until tomorrow but people have already put it out on Twitter. I was getting ready to start but you know how it is.”
The Georgia secondary was already in the process of replacing four starters from last year, and with the news that safety Josh Harvey-Clemons will miss the season opener against Clemson, Wilkerson’s injury further depletes a thin secondary. Defensive backs coach Scott Lakatos will now have to rely on Damian Swann, Sheldon Dawson and Devin Bowman to man the cornerback spots, with true freshmen Shaq Wiggins and Brendan Langley getting looks, as well. Junior college transfer Kennar Johnson is coming to Georgia to play safety but could also help at cornerback, where he lined up last season.
Wilkerson will have ACL surgery on Friday at noon ET.
ATHENS, Ga. -- Don’t bother looking for highlight footage of Malkom Parrish playing his future college position. You’re not going to find any.
“He’s not played one down at corner,” Brooks County Coach Maurice Freeman said of Parrish, an ESPN 150 athlete who publicly committed to Georgia on Thursday. “He’s played some safety, but he’s not played one down in an official game at corner. Not one single down.”
Defense is hardly Parrish’s top priority at Brooks County, a Class AA program in Quitman, Ga. Smallish schools like his often feature their best athlete at quarterback -- and that’s exactly what the Trojans do with Parrish.
“He’s not played one down at corner,” Brooks County Coach Maurice Freeman said of Parrish, an ESPN 150 athlete who publicly committed to Georgia on Thursday. “He’s played some safety, but he’s not played one down in an official game at corner. Not one single down.”
Defense is hardly Parrish’s top priority at Brooks County, a Class AA program in Quitman, Ga. Smallish schools like his often feature their best athlete at quarterback -- and that’s exactly what the Trojans do with Parrish.
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The Georgia Bulldogs continue to build their recruiting momentum as the month of June rolls on. What started out as a slow spring for commitments is now a red-hot summer with pledges from top targets. After picking up two commitments on Saturday and one on Tuesday, the Bulldogs have struck again.
ESPN 150 athlete Malkom Parrish (Quitman, Ga./Brooks County) has committed to Georgia according to his coach Maurice Freeman.
Parrish’s commitment comes less than 48 hours after a fellow Peach State standout, running back Nick Chubb (Cedartown, Ga./Cedartown) announced that he was going to join the Bulldogs’ recruiting class. Last Saturday, at the Mark Richt minicamp, offensive lineman Jake Edwards (Franklin, Co./Heard County) and wide receiver Gilbert Johnson (Miami, Fla./Southridge) were both offered scholarships and both accepted on the spot. Georgia has now almost doubled the size of its class since the month started.
Parrish picked the Bulldogs over Georgia Tech. He also had offers from Florida, Oregon, North Carolina, South Carolina, Kentucky and Tennessee. Most of those programs had offered Parrish as an athlete but Georgia wanted the 5-foot-10, 185-pound rising senior to play in the secondary, which matched Parrish’s desires.
“I want to play cornerback in college,” Parrish told DawgNation in May.
Although Parrish has yet to play a down at cornerback in high school, spending most of his time under center, his potential was on display last Saturday as he came away with two interceptions in one-on-drills against ESPN 150 wide receiver Cameron Sims (Monroe. La./ Ouachita Parish). Sims is also a top Georgia target and the Bulldogs would love to see the two repeat their battles on the practice field.
For now the staff in Athens will have to fend off other schools that are going to continue to chase Parrish.
As a junior, Parrish threw for 3,001 yards and 24 touchdowns, ran for 1,000 yards and 17 touchdowns while leading his team to its first undefeated regular season and the Region 1-AA championship. His playmaking ability at quarterback did not immediately translate into offers, but it did earn Parrish an invite to the Rising Seniors Junior Bowl, a program that has catapulted many unknown prospects onto the national stage. Less than two months after the event, Parrish picked up his first offer which just so happened to come from the Georgia.
The No. 70 overall prospect in the nation, Parrish gives the Bulldogs three members in the ESPN 150 as he joins running back Sony Michel (Plantation, Fla./American Heritage) and tight end Jeb Blazevich (Charlotte, N.C./Charlotte Christian) in headlining the Bulldogs’ class.
Parrish’s commitment comes less than 48 hours after a fellow Peach State standout, running back Nick Chubb (Cedartown, Ga./Cedartown) announced that he was going to join the Bulldogs’ recruiting class. Last Saturday, at the Mark Richt minicamp, offensive lineman Jake Edwards (Franklin, Co./Heard County) and wide receiver Gilbert Johnson (Miami, Fla./Southridge) were both offered scholarships and both accepted on the spot. Georgia has now almost doubled the size of its class since the month started.
Parrish picked the Bulldogs over Georgia Tech. He also had offers from Florida, Oregon, North Carolina, South Carolina, Kentucky and Tennessee. Most of those programs had offered Parrish as an athlete but Georgia wanted the 5-foot-10, 185-pound rising senior to play in the secondary, which matched Parrish’s desires.
“I want to play cornerback in college,” Parrish told DawgNation in May.
Although Parrish has yet to play a down at cornerback in high school, spending most of his time under center, his potential was on display last Saturday as he came away with two interceptions in one-on-drills against ESPN 150 wide receiver Cameron Sims (Monroe. La./ Ouachita Parish). Sims is also a top Georgia target and the Bulldogs would love to see the two repeat their battles on the practice field.
For now the staff in Athens will have to fend off other schools that are going to continue to chase Parrish.
As a junior, Parrish threw for 3,001 yards and 24 touchdowns, ran for 1,000 yards and 17 touchdowns while leading his team to its first undefeated regular season and the Region 1-AA championship. His playmaking ability at quarterback did not immediately translate into offers, but it did earn Parrish an invite to the Rising Seniors Junior Bowl, a program that has catapulted many unknown prospects onto the national stage. Less than two months after the event, Parrish picked up his first offer which just so happened to come from the Georgia.
The No. 70 overall prospect in the nation, Parrish gives the Bulldogs three members in the ESPN 150 as he joins running back Sony Michel (Plantation, Fla./American Heritage) and tight end Jeb Blazevich (Charlotte, N.C./Charlotte Christian) in headlining the Bulldogs’ class.
ABOUT THIS BLOG
David Ching
David Ching came to ESPN.com in 2011 after six years covering UGA for the Columbus (Ga.) Ledger-Enquirer and Athens (Ga.) Banner-Herald. He lives in Athens. Email him at davidchingespn@gmail.com.
Radi Nabulsi
Radi Nabulsi joined ESPN.com in 2011 after covering the University of Georgia for Rivals.com for four years and for the UGA Athletic Association since 1993. Nabulsi is a graduate of the University of Georgia's Grady College of Journalism and lives in Athens. He can be reached at radinabulsiespn@gmail.com.
Kipp Adams
Kipp Adams joined ESPN.com in 2011 after covering University of Georgia football and basketball recruiting for five years at Rivals.com. He lives in Sandy Springs, Ga., and enjoys spending time with his two sons. He can be reached at kippadamsespn@gmail.com.