For a big, bruising running back, it doesn’t get much better than the University of Alabama. The Crimson Tide have produced two first-round backs in the last two years, and they have a stable of players in the backfield this year who could potentially get drafted.
That’s why Derrick Henry, a 6-foot-3, 240-pound athlete who’s set on playing running back, has taken interest in Alabama. Henry committed to Georgia last July, but UA has started to pick up its recruitment in recent weeks, and it’s hard to look past the Tide’s track record.
“It speaks for itself,” Henry said. “Mark [Ingram] and Trent [Richardson] both went in the first round. Mark won the Heisman for the first time for their school, and Trent brought home the Doak Walker Award. Mark had a pretty good year in the pros, and I’m sure Trent will do just as well.”
That’s why Derrick Henry, a 6-foot-3, 240-pound athlete who’s set on playing running back, has taken interest in Alabama. Henry committed to Georgia last July, but UA has started to pick up its recruitment in recent weeks, and it’s hard to look past the Tide’s track record.
“It speaks for itself,” Henry said. “Mark [Ingram] and Trent [Richardson] both went in the first round. Mark won the Heisman for the first time for their school, and Trent brought home the Doak Walker Award. Mark had a pretty good year in the pros, and I’m sure Trent will do just as well.”
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
It has been a long trip for juco receiver Corey Smith (Scooba, Miss./East Mississippi C.C.), but he is nearing the day he can finally enroll at a Division I school.
Smith is at East Mississippi CC after switching from Grand Rapids CC in Michigan when the football program was shut down.
He will only have to play one season at East Mississippi, though, and he will enroll at a Division I program in January.
Smith is at East Mississippi CC after switching from Grand Rapids CC in Michigan when the football program was shut down.
He will only have to play one season at East Mississippi, though, and he will enroll at a Division I program in January.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
PLANT CITY, Fla. -- With several college coaches on hand to watch Armwood take on Plant City in a spring jamboree Thursday night, four-star wide receiver and ESPN 150 member Alvin Bailey (Seffner, Fla./Armwood) proved that he is one of the top receivers in the Southeast.
Bailey, who has committed to play in the Under Armor All-America Game next January, totaled three receptions for 73 yards, including a 25-yard touchdown catch, despite playing just more than one quarter. Thursday's game was scheduled to go for one half but was cut short because of lightning in the surrounding area.
Florida offensive coordinator Brent Pease and defensive backs coach Travaris Robinson were on hand to watch Bailey and his teammate Leon McQuay III. The Gators have three wide receiver commits and have yet to offer a scholarship to Bailey. Ranked as the No. 49 prospect in the country, Bailey says it may be too late for Florida to get back in the picture -- even if they do offer.
Bailey, who has committed to play in the Under Armor All-America Game next January, totaled three receptions for 73 yards, including a 25-yard touchdown catch, despite playing just more than one quarter. Thursday's game was scheduled to go for one half but was cut short because of lightning in the surrounding area.
Florida offensive coordinator Brent Pease and defensive backs coach Travaris Robinson were on hand to watch Bailey and his teammate Leon McQuay III. The Gators have three wide receiver commits and have yet to offer a scholarship to Bailey. Ranked as the No. 49 prospect in the country, Bailey says it may be too late for Florida to get back in the picture -- even if they do offer.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
GREENSBORO, Ga. -- The future of the University of Georgia-affiliated Nationwide Tour golf event remains unsettled according to UGA president Michael Adams.
Earlier this month, the UGA Golf Course hosted the Stadion Classic at UGA for the third year in a three-year contract. Now the university must determine whether it makes financial sense to re-sign as a tournament host with the satellite golf tour.
“There are three moving parts: We are a moving part, the tour itself is a moving part and our major sponsor. We are in discussions with all of those groups right now and we hope to have that worked out,” Adams said at the UGA Athletic Association’s annual board of directors meeting on Thursday.
Earlier this month, the UGA Golf Course hosted the Stadion Classic at UGA for the third year in a three-year contract. Now the university must determine whether it makes financial sense to re-sign as a tournament host with the satellite golf tour.
“There are three moving parts: We are a moving part, the tour itself is a moving part and our major sponsor. We are in discussions with all of those groups right now and we hope to have that worked out,” Adams said at the UGA Athletic Association’s annual board of directors meeting on Thursday.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
GREENSBORO, Ga. -- Georgia athletic director Greg McGarity proposed more than $1 million in renovations to Foley Field in a presentation before the UGA Athletic Association Board of Directors on Thursday. He revealed after the board meeting that baseball coach David Perno will be around to see those renovations.
Although Perno’s Bulldogs (31-26, 14-15 SEC) are at risk of missing the NCAA tournament after losing their last four games -- the last two of the regular season at hapless Alabama and both games in the SEC tournament -- McGarity confirmed that he wants Perno to remain as Georgia’s coach.
“We’ll sit down at the end of the season,” McGarity said. “Dave will be back next year. It’s not even an issue.”
Although Perno’s Bulldogs (31-26, 14-15 SEC) are at risk of missing the NCAA tournament after losing their last four games -- the last two of the regular season at hapless Alabama and both games in the SEC tournament -- McGarity confirmed that he wants Perno to remain as Georgia’s coach.
“We’ll sit down at the end of the season,” McGarity said. “Dave will be back next year. It’s not even an issue.”
Still no resolution on Richt, Grantham deals
May, 24, 2012
5/24/12
12:48
PM ET
By
David Ching | ESPN.com
GREENSBORO, Ga. -- The Mark Richt contract news out of Thursday’s University of Georgia Athletic Association Board of Directors meeting is that there is still no news.
“We are so close to getting the final T's crossed and I's dotted,” athletic director Greg McGarity told the board. “We’re there. It’s just a matter of legal wording that needs taking care of and deal points that have all been covered.”
McGarity informed the board that Richt’s $2.8 million base pay “basically stays where it is right now,” although the two sides are finalizing several changes to Richt’s deal.
“We are so close to getting the final T's crossed and I's dotted,” athletic director Greg McGarity told the board. “We’re there. It’s just a matter of legal wording that needs taking care of and deal points that have all been covered.”
McGarity informed the board that Richt’s $2.8 million base pay “basically stays where it is right now,” although the two sides are finalizing several changes to Richt’s deal.
DawgNation asked ESPN senior national basketball analyst Dave Telep to breakdown the University of Georgia's 2012 basketball class. Here is what he had to say about the group Mark Fox brought in this year.
Tigers top struggling Bulldogs, 3-2
May, 24, 2012
5/24/12
12:40
AM ET
By
Alex Scarborough | ESPN.com
HOOVER, Ala. -- If the Georgia Bulldogs look back and wonder “What if?” they'll be thinking of Wednesday afternoon. Down one with the tying run 90 feet away and the winning run another 30 yards behind him, the Bulldogs couldn’t get the job done against the Auburn Tigers, dropping an elimination game, 3-2, at Regions Park.
The loss is the Bulldogs’ fourth straight and threatens the postseason hopes of a team that finished 31-26. The SEC tournament in Hoover would have been their proving ground. Now the selection committee must judge a regular season wrought with ups and downs.
After the game, UGA coach David Perno was frustrated with the way he handled the game and couldn’t say whether a shot at the NCAAs would be in his team’s future. He and Auburn coach John Pawlowski passed each other in the hallway, the fourth-year coach of the Tigers wishing his counterpart good luck moving forward.
The loss is the Bulldogs’ fourth straight and threatens the postseason hopes of a team that finished 31-26. The SEC tournament in Hoover would have been their proving ground. Now the selection committee must judge a regular season wrought with ups and downs.
After the game, UGA coach David Perno was frustrated with the way he handled the game and couldn’t say whether a shot at the NCAAs would be in his team’s future. He and Auburn coach John Pawlowski passed each other in the hallway, the fourth-year coach of the Tigers wishing his counterpart good luck moving forward.
We take a closer look today at the Georgia Bulldogs' 2012 schedule:
Nonconference opponents (with 2011 records)
Sept. 1: Buffalo (3-9)
Sept. 15: Florida Atlantic (1-11)
Nov. 17: Georgia Southern (11-3)
Nov. 24: Georgia Tech (8-5)
SEC home games
Sept. 22: Vanderbilt
Sept. 29: Tennessee
Oct. 27: vs. Florida, in Jacksonville, Fla.
Nov. 3: Ole Miss
Nonconference opponents (with 2011 records)
Sept. 1: Buffalo (3-9)
Sept. 15: Florida Atlantic (1-11)
Nov. 17: Georgia Southern (11-3)
Nov. 24: Georgia Tech (8-5)
SEC home games
Sept. 22: Vanderbilt
Sept. 29: Tennessee
Oct. 27: vs. Florida, in Jacksonville, Fla.
Nov. 3: Ole Miss
DawgNation’s Radi Nabulsi was on ESPN’s Athens affiliate 960 The Ref on Tuesday morning talking about Georgia newest commitment and other hot topics. Listen to this podcast for the latest on:
- What does Josh Cardiello’s commitment mean for Georgia?
- Who will join Cardiello on the offensive line?
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
ATHENS, Ga. -- Georgia took second place in the Halifax Media Group’s annual SEC all-sports competition, which gauges an athletic department’s overall success across all sports.
The Bulldogs finished second behind Florida in both men’s and women’s sports and for the overall title. In the last 12 years, Georgia has finished first once and second eight times.
The Bulldogs finished second behind Florida in both men’s and women’s sports and for the overall title. In the last 12 years, Georgia has finished first once and second eight times.
What a difference a few days can make. With Wednesday’s news of Brandon Kublanow (Marietta, Ga./Walton) committing to the University of Georgia, offensive line coach Will Friend and the rest of the Bulldogs’ coaching staff now have three in-state talents to work with along the offensive line for the 2013 class. While that might be half of the projected goal, it equals the total from last year with more than eight months to go until signing day.
Kublanow, a 6-foot-3, 292-pound mauler, is similar to Josh Cardiello (Buford, Ga./Buford), who committed Saturday, in that Kublanow could project as a guard or center at the next level. Regardless of how he plays, Walton head coach Rocky Hidalgo feels like he is special.
“Brandon is an absolute beast and one of the most fierce football players I have ever been around,” Hidalgo said. “He is extremely competitive, and on top of that he is big, strong and powerful so that makes for a deadly combination on the football field.”
Kublanow, a 6-foot-3, 292-pound mauler, is similar to Josh Cardiello (Buford, Ga./Buford), who committed Saturday, in that Kublanow could project as a guard or center at the next level. Regardless of how he plays, Walton head coach Rocky Hidalgo feels like he is special.
“Brandon is an absolute beast and one of the most fierce football players I have ever been around,” Hidalgo said. “He is extremely competitive, and on top of that he is big, strong and powerful so that makes for a deadly combination on the football field.”
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
ESPN 150 DB Langley closes in on decision 
May, 23, 2012
5/23/12
10:40
AM ET
By
Greg Ostendorf | ESPN.com
Recruiting hasn’t slowed down for Brendan Langley, but the ESPN 150 defensive back has been trying to lay low and take it easy in recent weeks.
The Marietta, Ga., Kell High School prospect has put the recruiting process aside as he finished up the track season and started in with the football team for spring practice. Although he only worked out on the gridiron for a week, Langley believes he still got something out of it.
“I was only there for the second week, so it was pretty short, but it was fun,” he said. “I learned a lot. That’s always my goal going into things is to learn something, take something out of it, and I believe I did. In my opinion, it was productive. It was fun, and I’m just ready to get to the summer, get to these 7-on-7s, a couple camps and make my decision.”
The Marietta, Ga., Kell High School prospect has put the recruiting process aside as he finished up the track season and started in with the football team for spring practice. Although he only worked out on the gridiron for a week, Langley believes he still got something out of it.
“I was only there for the second week, so it was pretty short, but it was fun,” he said. “I learned a lot. That’s always my goal going into things is to learn something, take something out of it, and I believe I did. In my opinion, it was productive. It was fun, and I’m just ready to get to the summer, get to these 7-on-7s, a couple camps and make my decision.”
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Roundtable: Dawg set for most NFL props?
May, 23, 2012
5/23/12
9:01
AM ET
By DawgNation Staff | ESPN.com
Seven players from Georgia’s 2012 team were taken last month in the NFL draft, tying for the second-highest number of players drafted, behind Alabama’s eight. Considering that at least five players from the Georgia defense could have left early, the Bulldogs might then have led the nation in players taken. The DawgNation Roundtable this week focuses on the players who were drafted, and their potential NFL success.
“Of the Georgia players drafted, who do you think will have the most successful NFL career?”
David Ching: The most obvious here is Cordy Glenn, whose size and versatility should keep him in the NFL for a long time. There is a reason so many NFL draft analysts projected him as a possible first-round pick with the potential to become an All-Pro guard. Even if he plays right tackle in the league, the Buffalo Bills have a mainstay on their offensive line for years to come.
“Of the Georgia players drafted, who do you think will have the most successful NFL career?”
David Ching: The most obvious here is Cordy Glenn, whose size and versatility should keep him in the NFL for a long time. There is a reason so many NFL draft analysts projected him as a possible first-round pick with the potential to become an All-Pro guard. Even if he plays right tackle in the league, the Buffalo Bills have a mainstay on their offensive line for years to come.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Vanderbilt wallops Georgia in SEC opener
May, 23, 2012
5/23/12
1:17
AM ET
By
Alex Scarborough | ESPN.com
HOOVER, Ala. -- Alex Wood walked the tightrope and fell, hopping from one jam to another in Georgia’s opening-round game against Vanderbilt in the SEC tournament. Meanwhile, the Commodores played a skilled game of trapeze in the field, showing off some slick fielding on their way to a 4-1 win Tuesday night at Regions Park.
Vanderbilt didn’t commit a single error and cut off a key threat in the fifth inning on a diving stop from first baseman Conrad Gregor, who fired the ball home to stop the Georgia baserunner in his tracks. The run would have tied the score and given UGA the momentum heading into the final third of the game. Instead, Vanderbilt continued to make plays and rode a wave of momentum the Bulldogs couldn’t turn back.
The game ended on a spectacular diving catch in left field from Jack Lupo, who had to lay out to haul in the final out.
Vanderbilt didn’t commit a single error and cut off a key threat in the fifth inning on a diving stop from first baseman Conrad Gregor, who fired the ball home to stop the Georgia baserunner in his tracks. The run would have tied the score and given UGA the momentum heading into the final third of the game. Instead, Vanderbilt continued to make plays and rode a wave of momentum the Bulldogs couldn’t turn back.
The game ended on a spectacular diving catch in left field from Jack Lupo, who had to lay out to haul in the final out.
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.