Before attending Georgia’s VID Day on Saturday, defensive end Naim Mustafaa (Alpharetta, Ga./Alpharetta) was not thrilled with the idea of playing outside linebacker in Todd Grantham’s 3-4 defense. But after spending the day in Athens, Mustafaa has had a change of heart.
“Before, I wasn’t too sure about the outside linebacker position because of covering, but as I sat down and talked with Coach Grantham, he showed me a bunch of clips of Jarvis Jones and I am really sold on the position,” Mustafaa said. “I really wanted to just sit down with the defensive coordinator and see really what their game plan was for me. And it went pretty good.”
The coaches laid out a simple yet appealing plan for the 6-foot-4, 235-pound tackling machine.
“Before, I wasn’t too sure about the outside linebacker position because of covering, but as I sat down and talked with Coach Grantham, he showed me a bunch of clips of Jarvis Jones and I am really sold on the position,” Mustafaa said. “I really wanted to just sit down with the defensive coordinator and see really what their game plan was for me. And it went pretty good.”
The coaches laid out a simple yet appealing plan for the 6-foot-4, 235-pound tackling machine.
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UGA hopes OG Josh Cardiello secures spot 
March, 3, 2012
3/03/12
10:51
PM ET
By
Kipp Adams | ESPN.com
If there was any doubt that the Georgia Bulldogs are in great need of offensive linemen for the 2013 class, it was erased after Josh Cardiello (Buford, Ga.) finished up his visit Saturday to Athens. The 6-foot-3, 285-pound prospect was told firsthand that the Bulldogs are hoping to fill his position as soon as possible.
“Coach [Will] Friend talked with me about how he wants to take two to three interior offensive linemen and he really wants me to be one of them,” Cardiello said. “He said for me to make sure I keep updated on where things stand because he did not want me to wait too long and then not have the opportunity to play here.”
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DL Kelsey Griffin enjoys time with Richt
March, 3, 2012
3/03/12
10:42
PM ET
By
Kipp Adams | ESPN.com
The Georgia Bulldogs put out several new offers during their VID Day on Saturday, but Kelsey Griffin (Hoschton, Ga./Mill Creek) was not one of them. That’s because the 6-foot-2, 285-pound defensive lineman received his offer from the Bulldogs last July, after racking up 96 tackles and six sacks during his sophomore season. His latest visit to Athens seems to have helped Georgia’s chances with the in-state target.
“It went great,” Griffin said. “I got to see more of the campus, talk to the coaches more and get a closer look at the team. I like how they explained their game plan on defense, and the way I fit in will play a big factor in my final decision.”
Griffin mentioned his time with the Bulldogs staff as his favorite part of Saturday’s visit, but he noted that several other activities also stood out.
“It went great,” Griffin said. “I got to see more of the campus, talk to the coaches more and get a closer look at the team. I like how they explained their game plan on defense, and the way I fit in will play a big factor in my final decision.”
Griffin mentioned his time with the Bulldogs staff as his favorite part of Saturday’s visit, but he noted that several other activities also stood out.
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Recently the Georgia Bulldogs have been praised by prospects for the quality of the on-campus food. After spending an afternoon in Athens for VID Day, offensive lineman Delando Crooks (Atlanta/Carver) joined the crowd, mentioning his repeat visits to the dessert section.
“I had, like, four or five smoothies, ice cream and cookies, but I run a few miles a day, so that is OK,” he said.
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The University of Georgia is hoping to lock down a stellar defensive back class in the 2013 recruiting cycle, and with only four cornerbacks and four safeties set to return after this year, whomever the Bulldogs sign will have to be ready to play immediately. That is exactly what the coaches told Brendan Langley (Marietta, Ga./Kell) during his time Saturday in Athens for Very Important Dawg Day.
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Gerald Robinson led the Bulldogs with 23 points as Georgia topped South Carolina. Read more here.
Watch the replay.
Watch the replay.
Wilkerson leaves Athens with offer as CB
March, 2, 2012
3/02/12
10:15
PM ET
By
Kipp Adams | ESPN.com
As a sophomore, Reggie Wilkerson (Citra, Fla./North Marion) starred for the Colts at quarterback for 967 yards passing, 300 yards rushing, and 12 touchdowns in 2010. Last fall, the 5-foot-11, 175-pound junior put up 750 all-purpose yards with six scores on offense, this time playing more at wide receiver. But when projecting to the next level, Wilkerson’s upside might be greatest as a cornerback, and several colleges have extended scholarships with the same thing in mind.
Coming into his visit Friday to Athens, Duke, Iowa State, USF and Utah had all offered Wilkerson, and the University of Georgia became offer No. 5 late Friday afternoon. UGA recruiter of record John Lilly had mentioned the news might be coming, so when Wilkerson entered head coach Mark Richt’s office, he wasted no time checking to see where things stood.
“I asked [Richt] when they might offer, and Coach Richt said I had an offer right now,” Wilkerson said. “I was just smiling big when he said that; I could not believe it. They are a top-25 program, so it makes me feel good that they think I am a good enough athlete to help their program.”
Coming into his visit Friday to Athens, Duke, Iowa State, USF and Utah had all offered Wilkerson, and the University of Georgia became offer No. 5 late Friday afternoon. UGA recruiter of record John Lilly had mentioned the news might be coming, so when Wilkerson entered head coach Mark Richt’s office, he wasted no time checking to see where things stood.
“I asked [Richt] when they might offer, and Coach Richt said I had an offer right now,” Wilkerson said. “I was just smiling big when he said that; I could not believe it. They are a top-25 program, so it makes me feel good that they think I am a good enough athlete to help their program.”
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Last year the Martin Luther King secondary was as talented as any in Georgia. With Jordan Moore signing with TCU, Jarnor Jones signing with N.C. State, and Dontavius Heard signing with Memphis, the Lions defensive backs could match up with almost anyone in the passing game.
Remarkably enough they were not alone, as sophomore safety Jeremy Tyler has also emerged with early offers from Akron, Rutgers and Vanderbilt.
One of his teammates has netted four offers recently, three from the Southeastern Conference. Cornerback Wesley Green (Lithonia, Ga./MLK) made 40 tackles last year, along with a team-leading six interceptions.
Remarkably enough they were not alone, as sophomore safety Jeremy Tyler has also emerged with early offers from Akron, Rutgers and Vanderbilt.
One of his teammates has netted four offers recently, three from the Southeastern Conference. Cornerback Wesley Green (Lithonia, Ga./MLK) made 40 tackles last year, along with a team-leading six interceptions.
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Offensive lineman Josh Outlaw (Lithonia, Ga./MLK) had plans to visit Clemson on Saturday, so he made the trip Friday up to Athens with a few teammates to get a more personal junior day experience. After spending the afternoon on the University of Georgia campus, the 6-foot-4, 275-pound Outlaw spoke glowingly of where the Bulldogs stand in his recruitment.
“The visit was amazing,” Outlaw said. “Georgia put itself in a great position for me right now. I am definitely heavy on Georgia right now and I will be back for a spring practice.”
The highlight of the trip is one that has become a staple of visits to Georgia over the last few years.
“The visit was amazing,” Outlaw said. “Georgia put itself in a great position for me right now. I am definitely heavy on Georgia right now and I will be back for a spring practice.”
The highlight of the trip is one that has become a staple of visits to Georgia over the last few years.
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The Georgia coaches have sent out offers to 11 offensive linemen for the 2013 class and may not be done yet. One 6-foot-6, 300-pound prospect was in Athens last week.
“It went pretty well,” said Maurice Swain (LaGrange, Ga./Troup Co.). “They showed us a lot of the academic side, like where we would go to study hall and things like that. We had a good time.”
Swain visited with teammates Ricky Frazier, Reuben Foster and Cortez Leonard. He spent a couple days in Athens and took in the Bulldogs men’s basketball team’s upset of No. 9 Florida. While the game was “great and energetic”, that was not he enjoyed the most..
“It went pretty well,” said Maurice Swain (LaGrange, Ga./Troup Co.). “They showed us a lot of the academic side, like where we would go to study hall and things like that. We had a good time.”
Swain visited with teammates Ricky Frazier, Reuben Foster and Cortez Leonard. He spent a couple days in Athens and took in the Bulldogs men’s basketball team’s upset of No. 9 Florida. While the game was “great and energetic”, that was not he enjoyed the most..
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Radi Nabulsi/ESPN.comRedshirt freshman Taylor Hicks has been lights out on Sundays thus far this season, holding opponents to a .121 batting average while winning both games.ATHENS, Ga. -- Georgia baseball coach David Perno isn’t ready to anoint Taylor Hicks his full-time Sunday starter, but the redshirt freshman has certainly earned a lengthy look in a role that troubled the Bulldogs a season ago.
Hicks (2-0) has started each of Georgia’s first two Sunday games and hasn’t allowed a run in 10 innings, striking out seven while surrendering one walk and holding opponents to a .121 batting average.
“Taylor’s definitely throwing the ball well, but I think everybody has,” said Perno, whose team hosts Western Illinois for a three-game series starting at 5 p.m. ET today. “I think that’s just a credit to everybody around him keeping him on his toes and keeping him sharp and throwing strikes.
“I think that was the missing link last year. We just didn’t have enough guys at the bottom, pushing; and I think we’re deep and that keeps everybody on their toes and forces people to get out there and do what they’re capable of doing more often.”
The criticism Georgia running back Isaiah Crowell received last year was deafening.
The freshman went from being proclaimed a hero to being called "soft" to actually being booed by his home fans in the SEC championship game.
In defense of his critics, Crowell's tendency to get injured had him standing on the sideline or sitting on the training table more than carrying the ball during the second half of the season. People were aware of his ankle injury, but it was hard to tell where Crowell was mentall. Plus, his off-the-field issues didn't exactly help his image.
But as much as his work ethic and character were challenged from the outside, they were praised from within, according to teammates.
Thursday, junior tight end Arthur Lynch took offense to all the criticism during Crowell's rookie season -- a season in which he rushed for 850 yards, five touchdowns and was named SEC Freshman of the Year by The Associated Press. Lynch said Crowell was "wrongly scrutinized all year."
The freshman went from being proclaimed a hero to being called "soft" to actually being booed by his home fans in the SEC championship game.
[+] Enlarge
AP Photo/David GoldmanIsaiah Crowell's teammates defended the running back, saying he was unfairly criticized.
AP Photo/David GoldmanIsaiah Crowell's teammates defended the running back, saying he was unfairly criticized.But as much as his work ethic and character were challenged from the outside, they were praised from within, according to teammates.
Thursday, junior tight end Arthur Lynch took offense to all the criticism during Crowell's rookie season -- a season in which he rushed for 850 yards, five touchdowns and was named SEC Freshman of the Year by The Associated Press. Lynch said Crowell was "wrongly scrutinized all year."
DawgNation is here to take you Inside the DawgHouse -- a confidential look inside Georgia football recruiting for DawgNation subscribers only. As it will be every week, everything reported Inside the DawgHouse stays on The Pound forum. We are providing this information for our subscribers and hope that you help keep this information protected by keeping it here.
A few things discussed in this week's update:
A few things discussed in this week's update:
- UGA set to host pivotal junior day
- QB commit discusses new offers and future for UGA recruiting
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Rapid reaction: Kentucky 79, Georgia 49
March, 1, 2012
3/01/12
11:27
PM ET
By
David Ching | ESPN.com
How the game was won: Top-ranked Kentucky (29-1, 15-0 SEC) steadily built a 37-19 halftime lead on senior night and used a 20-3 run early in the second half to remove any hope of a comeback for Georgia (13-16, 4-11). The Wildcats’ 79-49 win marks the widest margin of defeat for a Mark Fox-coached Georgia team, replacing an 89-61 loss at Missouri in 2010 and the largest SEC loss, replacing a 70-48 loss at Florida this season.
Stat of the game: 15. Kentucky connected on a season-best 15 3-pointers, including a run of six consecutive made 3-pointers in the second half as the Wildcats pulled away to lead by as many as 41 points. Kentucky finished 15-for-27 from 3-point range, while Georgia was 3-for-19.
Player of the game: Darius Miller. One of only two seniors on the Kentucky roster, Miller made the most of his final appearance at Rupp Arena. He went 5-for-9 from 3-point range and led the Wildcats with 17 points.
What it means: Kentucky cruised to its 21st straight victory, continuing one of the most dominant runs by an SEC team in recent memory. The Wildcats let Georgia hang around for two-thirds of the game before pulling away for a 57-44 win earlier this season in Athens. There were no such dramatics Thursday for a Georgia club that upset Florida in its last game. The highlight for Georgia was that Donte Williams matched a career high with 17 points and grabbed six rebounds.
Record performance: Kentucky extended the nation’s longest winning streak in its 52nd consecutive game at Rupp Arena. The Wildcats have never lost at home under coach John Calipari.
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.