Georgia Bulldogs: AJ Turman
ATHENS, Ga. -- With national signing day exactly two weeks from today, DawgNation looks ahead to what Georgia has coming and who the Bulldogs still need, and why.
Team needs: Georgia has a number of holes to fill, considering the defense is losing 10 players who started last season. All-American junior Jarvis Jones and two-year leading tackler Alec Ogletree have declared for the NFL draft, which means the incoming prospects will have to be ready to play early.
Also, consider that Georgia only signed one player for the secondary, one wide receiver and not one inside linebacker in the class of 2012. Those positions are a priority. The secondary is in special need of attention as both starting safeties and two starting cornerbacks were seniors this past season. The Bulldogs have decent depth at the outside linebacker spots but the SEC championship game proved Georgia needs help on the defensive line. Junior nose Kwame Geathers has also opted to leave early for the NFL, so Georgia needs to sign some quality prospects to fill in the defensive trench.
Team needs: Georgia has a number of holes to fill, considering the defense is losing 10 players who started last season. All-American junior Jarvis Jones and two-year leading tackler Alec Ogletree have declared for the NFL draft, which means the incoming prospects will have to be ready to play early.
Also, consider that Georgia only signed one player for the secondary, one wide receiver and not one inside linebacker in the class of 2012. Those positions are a priority. The secondary is in special need of attention as both starting safeties and two starting cornerbacks were seniors this past season. The Bulldogs have decent depth at the outside linebacker spots but the SEC championship game proved Georgia needs help on the defensive line. Junior nose Kwame Geathers has also opted to leave early for the NFL, so Georgia needs to sign some quality prospects to fill in the defensive trench.
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To gear up for 2013 national signing day, DawgNation's Radi Nabulsi is breaking down every commitment in the Bulldogs' 2013 recruiting class.
Vitals: Running back A.J. Turman, Orlando. Fla./Boone | 6-foot, 198 pounds
Committed: November 13, 2012
Vitals: Running back A.J. Turman, Orlando. Fla./Boone | 6-foot, 198 pounds
Committed: November 13, 2012
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Dawgs land 12 commits in final ESPN 300 
January, 10, 2013
Jan 10
2:13
PM ET
By
Radi Nabulsi | ESPN.com
The final ESPN 150 and ESPN 300 rankings were released on Thursday and the Georgia Bulldogs are well represented on both lists. Georgia has 12 verbal commits on in the ESPN 300, five of whom are ranked in the ESPN 150.
The biggest jump up belonged to Brandon Kublanow (Marietta, Ga./Walton) who moved up 49 spots to finish at No. 145 in the ESPN 150. Rated the No. 2 center in the nation, Kublanow recently told DawgNation that he will play guard at Georgia.
“Yeah I will be at guard and swing center,” Kublanow said.
The biggest jump up belonged to Brandon Kublanow (Marietta, Ga./Walton) who moved up 49 spots to finish at No. 145 in the ESPN 150. Rated the No. 2 center in the nation, Kublanow recently told DawgNation that he will play guard at Georgia.
“Yeah I will be at guard and swing center,” Kublanow said.
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ATHENS, Ga. -- The Georgia coaching staff was on the road Friday, as usual, checking in on commits and targets alike. In what had to the most fortuitous turn of events of the day, tight ends coach John Lilly and inside linebackers coach Kirk Olivadotti just happened to be stopping by Auburn (Ala.) High School right after the nation’s No. 1 inside linebacker, Reuben Foster, decommitted from Auburn University. Both coaches met with Foster, who reopened his recruitment, citing reports that his mentor Trooper Taylor had been let go at Auburn.
Later that night, another coach would also prove lucky as defensive line coach Rodney Garner was on hand to congratulate Montravius Adams (Vienna, Ga./Dooly County) after the top-ranked defensive tackle won the chance to play for the Georgia Class A championship.
Offensive coordinator Mike Bobo and running backs coach Bryan McClendon were on hand to see the Bulldogs’ top tailback target, Alvin Kamara (Norcross, Ga./Norcross), win his semifinal game as well. Alabama’s Kirby Smart was also there, and the battle for Kamara is still neck and neck.
Later that night, another coach would also prove lucky as defensive line coach Rodney Garner was on hand to congratulate Montravius Adams (Vienna, Ga./Dooly County) after the top-ranked defensive tackle won the chance to play for the Georgia Class A championship.
Offensive coordinator Mike Bobo and running backs coach Bryan McClendon were on hand to see the Bulldogs’ top tailback target, Alvin Kamara (Norcross, Ga./Norcross), win his semifinal game as well. Alabama’s Kirby Smart was also there, and the battle for Kamara is still neck and neck.
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ORLANDO, Fla. -- Five months after losing ESPN 150 prospect Derrick Henry (Yulee, Fla./Yulee), who had been committed to the Bulldogs for almost a year, ESPN 300 running back A.J. Turman (Orlando, Fla./Boone) committed to Georgia on Tuesday evening.
Turman had three hats -- Florida State, Tennessee and Miami -- laying on the table where he was set to make his announcement. Noticeably missing was a Georgia hat. It was all for show, though, as Turman read his statement to the packed crowd.
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Jenny Zimmerman/ESPN.comOrlando (Fla.) Boone coach Phil Ziglar congratulates running back A.J. Turman after the senior committed to the Georgia Bulldogs on Tuesday.
Jenny Zimmerman/ESPN.comOrlando (Fla.) Boone coach Phil Ziglar congratulates running back A.J. Turman after the senior committed to the Georgia Bulldogs on Tuesday.The 6-foot, 200-pound tailback chose Georgia over Auburn, FSU, Miami and Tennessee, just two weeks after taking an unofficial visit to Athens. Turman, said everything about Georgia was a perfect fit.
Georgia traveled to Auburn this weekend where a 38-0 victory gave the Bulldogs their second SEC East divisional title in as many years. Freshmen running backs Todd Gurley and Keith Marshall combined to rush for 221 yards, marking the third time they have both picked up over 100 yards in the same game this season. Georgia has a long history of thunder and lightning tailback duos and apparently the Bulldogs’ coaching staff is looking to bring in another pair in the Class of 2013.
Georgia has 27 commitments and many of its top targets are still undecided. With little room left in the class, it was widely assumed that the Bulldogs would only take one running back. Georgia’s top target at the position says that is not the case.
“What I found out yesterday was that Georgia wants to take two backs,” Alvin Kamara (Norcross, Ga./Norcross) said. “Coach [Bryan] McClendon called me last night and told me that since Marlon Brown went down, they are going to go after another back.”
Georgia has 27 commitments and many of its top targets are still undecided. With little room left in the class, it was widely assumed that the Bulldogs would only take one running back. Georgia’s top target at the position says that is not the case.
“What I found out yesterday was that Georgia wants to take two backs,” Alvin Kamara (Norcross, Ga./Norcross) said. “Coach [Bryan] McClendon called me last night and told me that since Marlon Brown went down, they are going to go after another back.”
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Alvin Kamara adds Ducks to top group
November, 12, 2012
11/12/12
8:11
AM ET
By
Radi Nabulsi | ESPN.com
Alvin Kamara is the No. 1-rated running back in Georgia, a state known for producing talented tailbacks every year. His Norcross High School team just completed an undefeated season in which the Blue Devils outscored their opponents 401-127.
It could have been much worse if Kamara had been allowed to run wild.
"I think I played a full game against North Gwinnett," Kamara said. "And maybe South Gwinnett. That is it really. In every other game, I have been out by the third quarter or by halftime. My coach always tells me, 'You could have had 2,000 yards right now if I didn't take you out every game.' "
It could have been much worse if Kamara had been allowed to run wild.
"I think I played a full game against North Gwinnett," Kamara said. "And maybe South Gwinnett. That is it really. In every other game, I have been out by the third quarter or by halftime. My coach always tells me, 'You could have had 2,000 yards right now if I didn't take you out every game.' "
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ESPN 300 RB A.J. Turman set to announce
November, 11, 2012
11/11/12
8:27
PM ET
By
Kipp Adams | ESPN.com
After wrapping up an outstanding high school career that includes 4,867 rushing yards and 55 touchdowns as a starter for more than three seasons, ESPN 300 prospect A.J. Turman (Orlando, Fla./Boone) felt he need not delay his commitment any longer. On Sunday, Turman told ESPN.com he intends to announce his decision Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. in a downtown Orlando restaurant.
He was actually ready to announce his decision almost a month ago, but his parents advised him to wait.
“I wanted to get my decision done with three weeks ago and I had a good feeling about where I wanted to go, but I had not taken my final trip to Georgia yet,” Turman said. “My parents wanted to wait until after that trip to make my decision. I felt the same after the visit, so I figured since the season was over I should get it out of the way.”
He was actually ready to announce his decision almost a month ago, but his parents advised him to wait.
“I wanted to get my decision done with three weeks ago and I had a good feeling about where I wanted to go, but I had not taken my final trip to Georgia yet,” Turman said. “My parents wanted to wait until after that trip to make my decision. I felt the same after the visit, so I figured since the season was over I should get it out of the way.”
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It was another successful trip to Athens, Ga., for ESPN 300 running back A.J. Turman. The 6-foot, 205-pound senior watched Georgia inch closer to an SEC East Division title and brought his parents with him.
"It was a great trip, I enjoyed myself and my parents enjoyed it too," Turman said. "Everyone’s very friendly there; it’s a very family-like atmosphere all around campus.
"We spent more time with some of the academic advisors and going over the curriculum at the school. They did a good job of explaining the process of selecting a major. We saw a few other things as well. Overall it was a productive trip."
"It was a great trip, I enjoyed myself and my parents enjoyed it too," Turman said. "Everyone’s very friendly there; it’s a very family-like atmosphere all around campus.
"We spent more time with some of the academic advisors and going over the curriculum at the school. They did a good job of explaining the process of selecting a major. We saw a few other things as well. Overall it was a productive trip."
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In this week's update:
In this week's update:
- Prospects flock to Athens
- Spots filling up
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4-star RB A.J. Turman enjoys Knoxville
September, 16, 2012
9/16/12
10:46
PM ET
By
Derek Tyson | ESPN.com
ESPN 300 running back A.J. Turman (Orlando, Fla./Boone) took an unofficial visit to Tennessee with his mother this weekend to watch the Vols take on the Florida Gators. The 6-foot 198-pound four-star athlete said he enjoyed his visit to Knoxville.
"It was a good visit," Turman said. "I got to see a lot of things that I hadn't seen before. Me and my mom had a good time. We liked the school and it was a good atmosphere. There were a lot of people there, it was a big crowd. It reminded me of the Alabama-LSU game from last year. There was a lot of support, they were screaming. It was real nice and a place I'd like to play at one day."
Despite Tennessee's disappointing 37-20 loss to Florida, Turman said he enjoyed the game and envisioned what it would be like to play in the Tennessee offense.
"It was a good visit," Turman said. "I got to see a lot of things that I hadn't seen before. Me and my mom had a good time. We liked the school and it was a good atmosphere. There were a lot of people there, it was a big crowd. It reminded me of the Alabama-LSU game from last year. There was a lot of support, they were screaming. It was real nice and a place I'd like to play at one day."
Despite Tennessee's disappointing 37-20 loss to Florida, Turman said he enjoyed the game and envisioned what it would be like to play in the Tennessee offense.
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ESPN 300 running back A.J. Turman (Orlando, Fla./Boone) plans to take all five official visits, and the four-star back already knows of three.
"I'll probably decide which visits I'll take by either the end of this week or next week, but I know for sure I'll visit Georgia, Tennessee and FSU," Turman said on Monday night.
Though Turman hasn't set specific dates for the visits, the 6-foot, 198-pound athlete said those three schools are standing out.
"I'll probably decide which visits I'll take by either the end of this week or next week, but I know for sure I'll visit Georgia, Tennessee and FSU," Turman said on Monday night.
Though Turman hasn't set specific dates for the visits, the 6-foot, 198-pound athlete said those three schools are standing out.
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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.