Dawgs get early Christmas present 
December, 21, 2011
12/21/11
11:09
AM ET
By
Radi Nabulsi | ESPN.com
Georgia offensive line coach Will Friend received an early Christmas present Wednesday as juco tackle Mark Beard faxed in his letter of intent to play for the Bulldogs. With three seniors on the offensive line, Friend needs immediate help, and Beard looks forward to providing it.
“I am very excited to be coming in January. I get to do the winter workouts and go through spring ball. I hear Coach T ain’t no joke,” Beard said of Joe Tereshinski, Georgia’s director of strength and conditioning.
The 6-foot-5, 295-pound lineman’s friends and family were thrilled to hear he would be playing in Athens soon.
“I am very excited to be coming in January. I get to do the winter workouts and go through spring ball. I hear Coach T ain’t no joke,” Beard said of Joe Tereshinski, Georgia’s director of strength and conditioning.
The 6-foot-5, 295-pound lineman’s friends and family were thrilled to hear he would be playing in Athens soon.
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Junior offensive tackle Kyle Bosch (Wheaton, Ill./Saint Francis) was recently offered by Alabama.
The offer took Bosch aback.
“It was very humbling,” Bosch said. “They are the No. 2 team in the country and to give you an offer is real exciting.”
The offer took Bosch aback.
“It was very humbling,” Bosch said. “They are the No. 2 team in the country and to give you an offer is real exciting.”
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Game rewind: Georgia 72, Mercer 58
December, 20, 2011
12/20/11
11:05
PM ET
By
David Ching | ESPN.com
Mark Fox could not have been more disgusted than he was after Georgia’s last home game -- a 68-56 loss to Georgia Tech, the third consecutive game the Bulldogs lost after leading at halftime.
Fox was angry in particular about the Bulldogs’ second-half defense -- noting Tuesday that “I’m still beside myself about that game” after a 72-58 win against visiting Mercer at Stegeman Coliseum.
But Georgia’s coach is slowly beginning to sing a different tune, as the Bulldogs (6-5) have performed well after halftime in two consecutive wins -- against Mercer and last Saturday at USC.
Fox was angry in particular about the Bulldogs’ second-half defense -- noting Tuesday that “I’m still beside myself about that game” after a 72-58 win against visiting Mercer at Stegeman Coliseum.
But Georgia’s coach is slowly beginning to sing a different tune, as the Bulldogs (6-5) have performed well after halftime in two consecutive wins -- against Mercer and last Saturday at USC.
If you want some insight into how trivial some of the NCAA’s rules are, read through the report of Georgia’s latest internal investigation that uncovered a series of secondary violations by the Bulldogs.
That’s my first thought in hearing that Georgia coach Mark Richt was “guilty” of trying to help some of his former assistants and staff members with financial payments out of his own pocket that the school’s athletic association wasn’t willing to pay.
When I hear about nonsense like this, I can’t help but think back to SEC commissioner Mike Slive’s proposal aimed at getting rid of the ticky-tack NCAA rules and focusing more on bringing down the hammer on the egregious rule-breakers.
That’s my first thought in hearing that Georgia coach Mark Richt was “guilty” of trying to help some of his former assistants and staff members with financial payments out of his own pocket that the school’s athletic association wasn’t willing to pay.
When I hear about nonsense like this, I can’t help but think back to SEC commissioner Mike Slive’s proposal aimed at getting rid of the ticky-tack NCAA rules and focusing more on bringing down the hammer on the egregious rule-breakers.
The Associated Press reports that the SEC will add two teams and one day to the conference baseball tournament.
Memphis CB Dawson gives Dawgs an A+
December, 20, 2011
12/20/11
10:26
AM ET
By
Kipp Adams | ESPN.com
The Georgia Bulldogs hosted two very talented athletes from Memphis this weekend, but both of them arrived in Athens committed to other programs. Will Redmond (Memphis, Tenn./East) committed to Mississippi State on Aug. 1, and Sheldon Dawson (Memphis, Tenn./Ridgeway) committed to Memphis back in July. The duo of two-way standouts had hoped to earn offers from Georgia at Dawg Night in July and make their decisions shortly after, but they were unable to attend.
The two continued to impress on the field, and Georgia extended offers to both this fall. Redmond grew up a fan of Georgia. Dawson saw Memphis fire head coach Larry Porter last month after the Tigers went 3-21 for the past two seasons.
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Vanderbilt football could explode
Skeptics are abound when the topic of Vanderbilt football arises and that's understandable. Yet there is a strong sense of optimism around the school in the last half of December.
Four-star quarterback Gunner Kiel doesn't do a lot of talking but there has been widespread rumors that he is down to Notre Dame or Vandy. Four-star athlete prospect Albert Reid from Washington (D.C.) Friendship and three-star tailback Wes Brown from Olney (Md.) Good Counsel are also strongly in play for the Commodores. Some think that Brown may be close to committing to Vandy. Clearly, head coach James Franklin's ties as a Maryland assistant are proving fortuitous in the mid-Atlantic area.
Skeptics are abound when the topic of Vanderbilt football arises and that's understandable. Yet there is a strong sense of optimism around the school in the last half of December.
Four-star quarterback Gunner Kiel doesn't do a lot of talking but there has been widespread rumors that he is down to Notre Dame or Vandy. Four-star athlete prospect Albert Reid from Washington (D.C.) Friendship and three-star tailback Wes Brown from Olney (Md.) Good Counsel are also strongly in play for the Commodores. Some think that Brown may be close to committing to Vandy. Clearly, head coach James Franklin's ties as a Maryland assistant are proving fortuitous in the mid-Atlantic area.
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CB Holsey could make January visits
December, 19, 2011
12/19/11
9:21
PM ET
By
Jamie Newberg | ESPN.com
Under Armour All-American cornerback Joshua Holsey (Fairburn, Ga./Creekside) is committed to Auburn. But the school's coaching staff changes, specifically the loss of Ted Roof as defensive coordinator, could give this four-star defensive back reason to make a visit or two next month.
“I am still committed to Auburn,” Holsey said. “But there is a good chance I could visit Alabama and Georgia next month. Right now they are my only possibilities. I just need to see what happens with Auburn and go from there. I am hoping Auburn brings in a good coordinator that runs a great defense. I don’t know what else to say. I am just waiting.”
Holsey committed to the Tigers back in May. At the time, he picked Auburn over Georgia, LSU and Virginia Tech.
“I am still committed to Auburn,” Holsey said. “But there is a good chance I could visit Alabama and Georgia next month. Right now they are my only possibilities. I just need to see what happens with Auburn and go from there. I am hoping Auburn brings in a good coordinator that runs a great defense. I don’t know what else to say. I am just waiting.”
Holsey committed to the Tigers back in May. At the time, he picked Auburn over Georgia, LSU and Virginia Tech.
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UGA's Bennett could have been a Spartan
December, 19, 2011
12/19/11
6:06
PM ET
By
David Ching | ESPN.com
Michael Bennett was in the stadium the last time Georgia played Michigan State, but his loyalties were not with the team to which he now belongs.
“I went to the Capital One Bowl when Michigan State played Georgia a couple years ago [in 2009] and sat on the Michigan State side,” said Bennett, who celebrated his 20th birthday Monday. “I had no idea I was going to go to Georgia or anything.”
The redshirt freshman receiver -- then a junior at Alpharetta (Ga.) High School -- has a good excuse. His father John is a Michigan State alum who married his wife Beth on the school’s campus. They were non-denominational campus ministers there for a few years, then moved to work at Penn State -- where Michael was born -- before finding a home ministering in Georgia.
“I went to the Capital One Bowl when Michigan State played Georgia a couple years ago [in 2009] and sat on the Michigan State side,” said Bennett, who celebrated his 20th birthday Monday. “I had no idea I was going to go to Georgia or anything.”
The redshirt freshman receiver -- then a junior at Alpharetta (Ga.) High School -- has a good excuse. His father John is a Michigan State alum who married his wife Beth on the school’s campus. They were non-denominational campus ministers there for a few years, then moved to work at Penn State -- where Michael was born -- before finding a home ministering in Georgia.
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He might only be a junior, but Reuben Foster (Lagrange, Ga./Troup. Co.) has long been considered one of the top prospects in the Southeast. That's because the 6-foot-1, 225-pound linebacker had a freshman season that rivaled that of any BCS senior prospect in the 2010 class. Foster, who was born in Roanoke, Ala., and moved to Georgia in the sixth grade, committed to Alabama back in June over Auburn, Florida and Georgia, but that has not kept schools from coming after the talented 2013 prospect.
Though he was hampered with multiple nagging injuries this season, including a bum ankle, Foster completed his third season of 100+ tackles, and helped lead Troup County to their best season in eight years. Foster was named the outstanding defensive player among 25 schools during Columbus Valley High School Football Awards ceremony Tuesday. Former Georgia quarterback David Greene was the keynote speaker at the event, with Georgia head coach Mark Richt and defensive coordinator Todd Grantham also making appearances as guest speakers.
The Bulldogs have continued to make Foster a priority, and Foster and his coach came up Saturday to Athens to spend about six hours on campus. Foster was able to take in Georgia’s practice as the Bulldogs prepare for the Outback Bowl, and he was impressed with the staff’s approach to developing college athletes.
Though he was hampered with multiple nagging injuries this season, including a bum ankle, Foster completed his third season of 100+ tackles, and helped lead Troup County to their best season in eight years. Foster was named the outstanding defensive player among 25 schools during Columbus Valley High School Football Awards ceremony Tuesday. Former Georgia quarterback David Greene was the keynote speaker at the event, with Georgia head coach Mark Richt and defensive coordinator Todd Grantham also making appearances as guest speakers.
The Bulldogs have continued to make Foster a priority, and Foster and his coach came up Saturday to Athens to spend about six hours on campus. Foster was able to take in Georgia’s practice as the Bulldogs prepare for the Outback Bowl, and he was impressed with the staff’s approach to developing college athletes.
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Beaver changes weekend visit plans
December, 18, 2011
12/18/11
12:40
PM ET
By Greg Biggins | ESPN.com
Defensive back Brandon Beaver (Compton, Calif./Dominguez) was expected to visit Cal this weekend. The Bears are starting to fill up and canceled the visit, so the corner took a local unofficial visit this weekend instead.
Beaver was one of a handful of prospects taking a visit Saturday to UCLA to meet the new Bruins coaching staff. The athlete is already familiar with new Bruins DB coach Demetrice Martin.
“Coach Martin was a big reason why I liked Washington so much,” Beaver said Friday. “I was basically a lock for Washington just last week but with Coach Martin gone, I don’t know anymore. I still like Washington a lot, it wasn’t just Coach Martin, it’s a good school and I like Coach [Steve] Sark[isian], and I had a great visit there. I’m curious who the new DB coach is and they told me soon after the bowl game they’ll have a guy, so that’s good.
Beaver was one of a handful of prospects taking a visit Saturday to UCLA to meet the new Bruins coaching staff. The athlete is already familiar with new Bruins DB coach Demetrice Martin.
“Coach Martin was a big reason why I liked Washington so much,” Beaver said Friday. “I was basically a lock for Washington just last week but with Coach Martin gone, I don’t know anymore. I still like Washington a lot, it wasn’t just Coach Martin, it’s a good school and I like Coach [Steve] Sark[isian], and I had a great visit there. I’m curious who the new DB coach is and they told me soon after the bowl game they’ll have a guy, so that’s good.
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One of the biggest recruiters for Georgia’s 2012 recruiting class is not one of the coaches but rather athlete Quayvon Hicks (Blackshear, Ga./Pierce County). He is constantly on the phone or instant messaging with the Bulldogs' top targets. So when he visited Athens last weekend for the senior gala, he couldn’t help but try to reel in some of the uncommitted recruits who were also on their official visit to Georgia.
“I talked to Avery Young (Palm Beach Gardens, Fla./Palm Beach Gardens),” Hicks said. “I told him he would go great with the Dream Team since we need more offensive linemen. We got three big linemen leaving this year, especially Ben Jones, and it is going to take some people who are ready to come in and start to replace such good players.”
Hicks also seized the opportunity to try and sway Alabama commit Brandon Greene (Ellenwood, Ga./Cedar Grove) who made a surprise visit to Georgia.
“I talked to Avery Young (Palm Beach Gardens, Fla./Palm Beach Gardens),” Hicks said. “I told him he would go great with the Dream Team since we need more offensive linemen. We got three big linemen leaving this year, especially Ben Jones, and it is going to take some people who are ready to come in and start to replace such good players.”
Hicks also seized the opportunity to try and sway Alabama commit Brandon Greene (Ellenwood, Ga./Cedar Grove) who made a surprise visit to Georgia.
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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:
Get Inside the DawgHouse now.
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:
- So, are you telling me there's a chance?
- Latest on Jordan Jenkins
- Could UGA be close to getting commitments?
- 2013 LB target sees UGA this week
Get Inside the DawgHouse now.
RB Davis visits UGA, sets up officials
December, 16, 2011
12/16/11
10:09
AM ET
By
Jamie Newberg | ESPN.com
According to Stone Mountain (Ga.) Stephenson High School assistant coach Corey Johnson, four-star running back Mike Davis now favors Georgia, Tennessee and South Carolina.
Davis, ranked the No. 17 in the nation, was previously committed to Florida, but he backed off the Gators a few weeks ago. He has already made an official visit to Tennessee, and took an unofficial visit to Georgia on Thursday, before heading south for his official visit to FSU this weekend.
Davis, ranked the No. 17 in the nation, was previously committed to Florida, but he backed off the Gators a few weeks ago. He has already made an official visit to Tennessee, and took an unofficial visit to Georgia on Thursday, before heading south for his official visit to FSU this weekend.
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Gurley has tough decision to make
December, 15, 2011
12/15/11
3:36
PM ET
By Miller Safrit | ESPN.com
RecruitingNation’s Miller Safrit talks with Tarboro, N.C., athlete Todd Gurley about the impact of Keith Marshall on his recruitment, and how close he is to making a decision.
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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.