Georgia Bulldogs: Georgia recruiting
Junior offensive tackle David Sharpe has not been thinking about football lately. Leading up to Thursday night’s Florida Class AAA basketball championship between his Providence High School Stallions and the Coral Springs Christian Crusaders, the talented two-sport athlete has let his coach field all of his football recruiting calls. And there have been a lot of them.
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Juco DL Johnson waits, looks 
February, 6, 2013
Feb 6
8:40
PM ET
By
Radi Nabulsi and
Kipp Adams | ESPN.com
Junior college defensive tackle prospect Toby Johnson (College Park, Ga./Hutchinson Community College) still has Georgia -- and three other schools -- on his mind despite not signing Wednesday.
Johnson said he's been talking with UGA coaches throughout the recruiting season and was sent letter-of-intent papers today. But his plan includes a final visit to Mississippi State before announcing later this month at his school, he said.
Johnson said he's been talking with UGA coaches throughout the recruiting season and was sent letter-of-intent papers today. But his plan includes a final visit to Mississippi State before announcing later this month at his school, he said.
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ESPN 300 DE Bellamy joins Dogs
February, 6, 2013
Feb 6
11:37
AM ET
By
David Ching and
Kipp Adams | ESPN.com
ATHENS, Ga. -- Davin Bellamy (Chamblee, Ga./Chamblee) became the 14th ESPN 300 member to join Georgia’s 2013 recruiting class Wednesday, following through on recent interest in the Bulldogs after checking out Tennessee and Oregon.
The former Florida State commitment was defensive coordinator Todd Grantham’s top target at outside linebacker, particularly after Naim Mustafaa switched his commitment to Oklahoma State after the season. The 6-foot-5 Bellamy is ESPN’s No. 299 overall prospect and No. 25 defensive end.
Georgia believes the athletic Bellamy can eventually fill a similar role to that of former Bulldogs All-America outside linebacker Jarvis Jones as his career progresses.
What is the impact of Bellamy's decision?
The former Florida State commitment was defensive coordinator Todd Grantham’s top target at outside linebacker, particularly after Naim Mustafaa switched his commitment to Oklahoma State after the season. The 6-foot-5 Bellamy is ESPN’s No. 299 overall prospect and No. 25 defensive end.
Georgia believes the athletic Bellamy can eventually fill a similar role to that of former Bulldogs All-America outside linebacker Jarvis Jones as his career progresses.
What is the impact of Bellamy's decision?
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The No. 16 prospect in the nation was in Athens, Ga., over the weekend, as Reuben Foster (Auburn, Ala./Auburn) took his third official visit, this time to the University of Georgia. The 6-foot-1, 242-pound linebacker has visited Georgia many times, but this time there was something different about the campus.
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ESPN 150 CB Wiggins makes decision
January, 17, 2013
Jan 17
6:11
PM ET
By
Kipp Adams and
Radi Nabulsi | ESPN.com
Sunday, ESPN 150 cornerback Shaq Wiggins (Tyrone, Ga./Sandy Creek) returned from an official visit to South Carolina. Later that evening he received a call from Mark Richt. The Georgia head coach asked if he should be worried about Wiggins changing his commitment from Georgia to the Gamecocks. Wiggins told Richt no, but that he still planned to take visits to Florida and Texas A&M.
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LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Five-star linebacker Matthew Thomas (Miami, Fla./Booker T. Washington) said he wanted to win a state championship before he would deal with his recruitment.
Last month he led Booker T. Washington to the Class 4A state title and now he’s ready to get down to business in preparations for a signing day decision.
“It felt good to win state,” Thomas said. It was the main goal from the beginning of the season and it feels good to accomplish your goals, especially after coming up short the year before.
Last month he led Booker T. Washington to the Class 4A state title and now he’s ready to get down to business in preparations for a signing day decision.
“It felt good to win state,” Thomas said. It was the main goal from the beginning of the season and it feels good to accomplish your goals, especially after coming up short the year before.
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DE Lawson gets Christmas call from Garner
December, 30, 2012
12/30/12
6:33
PM ET
By
Kipp Adams | ESPN.com
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -– Five-star defensive end Carl Lawson (Alpharetta, Ga./Milton) has been committed to Auburn since March. After Gene Chizik was let go and replaced by former Tigers offensive coordinator Guz Malzahn earlier this month, schools lined up to try and get Lawson on campus. If he had his way he would oblige as many of his suitors as possible.
“I would like to visit Clemson, Tennessee, FSU, UCLA, USC, UNC and Ole Miss, but realistically the five I visit might be Clemson, Tennessee, Ole Miss, UNC and USC,” Lawson said.
The coaching changes have yet to affect where he stands with his recruitment.
“I would like to visit Clemson, Tennessee, FSU, UCLA, USC, UNC and Ole Miss, but realistically the five I visit might be Clemson, Tennessee, Ole Miss, UNC and USC,” Lawson said.
The coaching changes have yet to affect where he stands with his recruitment.
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Four-star Conner plans decision, visits
December, 30, 2012
12/30/12
6:32
PM ET
By
Derek Tyson | ESPN.com
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- ESPN 150 safety Antonio Conner (Batesville, Miss./South Panola) is set to make his decision at the Under Armour All-America Game on Friday. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound athlete will choose between Alabama, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, LSU and Georgia.
Despite making a decision, Conner plans to take all five official visits.
"I'm going to be taking some after this game," Conner said Sunday during Under Armour All-America Game registration at Disney's Yacht Club Resort. "I've got a lot of them to take, but I am going to take them to Alabama, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, LSU and Georgia. I'm going to start on the 11th with Alabama, then take the rest."
Despite making a decision, Conner plans to take all five official visits.
"I'm going to be taking some after this game," Conner said Sunday during Under Armour All-America Game registration at Disney's Yacht Club Resort. "I've got a lot of them to take, but I am going to take them to Alabama, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, LSU and Georgia. I'm going to start on the 11th with Alabama, then take the rest."
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Dawgs, Huskers boost their motivation
December, 30, 2012
12/30/12
3:11
PM ET
By
David Ching | ESPN.com
A month ago, Georgia and Nebraska both had their sights set much higher than the Capital One Bowl.
But after each team suffered severely disappointing losses in their respective conference championship games, here they are in Orlando, Fla., trying to salvage the finale for seasons that could have ended under much brighter spotlights.
“To be that close, it’s definitely a memorable season, a season I know I’ll be telling my kids [about] one day, and I know a lot of Georgia fans really enjoyed the season,” Bulldogs quarterback Aaron Murray said. “But it can definitely hurt us if we don’t win this game, drop out of the top 10 and then it just becomes just another season.”
The winner of Tuesday’s bowl game very well might be the team that takes that philosophy seriously.
No. 7 Georgia (11-2) came within five yards of upsetting Alabama before falling 32-28 in the SEC championship game -- the contest that determined Notre Dame’s opponent in the BCS title game. And No. 16 Nebraska (10-3) expected to be playing in Tuesday’s Rose Bowl, but it fell flat in the Big Ten championship game, surrendering 539 rushing yards to five-loss Wisconsin in a 70-31 defeat.
Those letdowns create reasonable questions as to whether either team will be mentally prepared to play in a non-BCS game, but the Bulldogs and Cornhuskers both insist they will be ready.
But after each team suffered severely disappointing losses in their respective conference championship games, here they are in Orlando, Fla., trying to salvage the finale for seasons that could have ended under much brighter spotlights.
“To be that close, it’s definitely a memorable season, a season I know I’ll be telling my kids [about] one day, and I know a lot of Georgia fans really enjoyed the season,” Bulldogs quarterback Aaron Murray said. “But it can definitely hurt us if we don’t win this game, drop out of the top 10 and then it just becomes just another season.”
The winner of Tuesday’s bowl game very well might be the team that takes that philosophy seriously.
No. 7 Georgia (11-2) came within five yards of upsetting Alabama before falling 32-28 in the SEC championship game -- the contest that determined Notre Dame’s opponent in the BCS title game. And No. 16 Nebraska (10-3) expected to be playing in Tuesday’s Rose Bowl, but it fell flat in the Big Ten championship game, surrendering 539 rushing yards to five-loss Wisconsin in a 70-31 defeat.
Those letdowns create reasonable questions as to whether either team will be mentally prepared to play in a non-BCS game, but the Bulldogs and Cornhuskers both insist they will be ready.
Top recruits abound at Ga. state finals
December, 13, 2012
12/13/12
8:17
AM ET
By
Kipp Adams | ESPN.com
There will be no shortage of talent, or college coaches, on the field at the Georgia Dome this weekend, as the GHSA football state championships are set to take place. All seven games will be broadcast live on Georgia Public Broadcasting TV, as well as streaming online at gpb.org/sports. Here are some prospects to keep an eye on in each of the seven matchups.
Prince Avenue (11-2) vs. ELCA (12-1): Class A Private, Friday, 2:30 p.m.
The top prospect in the opening matchup of the weekend is ESPN 150 defensive end Isaac Rochell. He committed to Notre Dame over 20 other offers back in June. His teammate, running back Keyante Green, is a ESPN 300 prospect who committed to Purdue during the summer after being previously committed to UCLA. Eagles Landing Christian Academy has two ESPN 2014 Watch List selections to keep an eye on as well in defensive end Andrew Williams and quarterback/athlete Dalton Etheridge. Williams, whose brother Anthony plays defensive end at Georgia Tech, looks to follow Rochell’s path as one of the most coveted prospects in Georgia.
Prince Avenue (11-2) vs. ELCA (12-1): Class A Private, Friday, 2:30 p.m.
The top prospect in the opening matchup of the weekend is ESPN 150 defensive end Isaac Rochell. He committed to Notre Dame over 20 other offers back in June. His teammate, running back Keyante Green, is a ESPN 300 prospect who committed to Purdue during the summer after being previously committed to UCLA. Eagles Landing Christian Academy has two ESPN 2014 Watch List selections to keep an eye on as well in defensive end Andrew Williams and quarterback/athlete Dalton Etheridge. Williams, whose brother Anthony plays defensive end at Georgia Tech, looks to follow Rochell’s path as one of the most coveted prospects in Georgia.
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Q&A: Readers' questions for Luginbill
December, 7, 2012
12/07/12
8:05
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By
Kipp Adams | ESPN.com
DawgNation took the time to set up a readers' Q&A with ESPN Senior National Recruiting Analyst Tom Luginbill:
chrisarnold09: How much higher do you think Shaq Wiggins would be ranked if he were, say, about 3 inches taller and about 25 lbs heavier?
Tom Luginbill: He’d be higher, but no way to say how much higher, but in the past generally a corner with his skill set if they are above 6-foot-1, 200 pounds (which is what you are proposing) would likely put him into the top 15.
chrisarnold09: How much higher do you think Shaq Wiggins would be ranked if he were, say, about 3 inches taller and about 25 lbs heavier?
Tom Luginbill: He’d be higher, but no way to say how much higher, but in the past generally a corner with his skill set if they are above 6-foot-1, 200 pounds (which is what you are proposing) would likely put him into the top 15.
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Recruiting rivalries: Georgia vs. Florida
December, 4, 2012
12/04/12
10:42
AM ET
By
Radi Nabulsi | ESPN.com
Georgia’s recent success against Florida has been a long time in coming. The Bulldogs had not beaten the Gators in back-to-back seasons in more than two decades, dating back to 1988-89. Florida has an 18-5 record over Georgia since 1990 so the rivalry has been mostly one-sided. But thanks to some recruiting success, Mark Richt has turned the annual showdown in Jacksonville, Fla., back into one of the most highly contested battles of the year.
And he did it with some ringers from the Sunshine State.
Quarterback Aaron Murray has struggled against the Gators but is 2-1 in his career against them. In his first win he completed four passes to tight end Orson Charles of Tampa, Fla. All-SEC kicker Blair Walsh, of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., always said the Florida game was the biggest of the year and he scored 22 points against the Gators in his career. Keeping Murray upright this year was a freshman from Jacksonville, right tackle John Theus.
And he did it with some ringers from the Sunshine State.
Quarterback Aaron Murray has struggled against the Gators but is 2-1 in his career against them. In his first win he completed four passes to tight end Orson Charles of Tampa, Fla. All-SEC kicker Blair Walsh, of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., always said the Florida game was the biggest of the year and he scored 22 points against the Gators in his career. Keeping Murray upright this year was a freshman from Jacksonville, right tackle John Theus.
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ATH Terry to Richt: 'Solid' to Georgia
December, 2, 2012
12/02/12
10:29
PM ET
By
Kipp Adams | ESPN.com
Next Friday, ESPN 150 athlete Tramel Terry (Goose Creek, S.C./Goose Creek) will celebrate his decision to enroll early at the University of Georgia. Although Terry was also considering Clemson after taking an official visit there in October, he did not intend on it being publicized as an announcement ceremony.
“Friday is a signing day celebration, it was never a press conference,” Terry said. “I am just excited to be a Georgia Bulldog. I am not sure why anyone ever put it out there like that. My guidance counselor just wanted us to have something together for all of us going to college because I am enrolling early.”
Terry originally committed to Georgia last year at Dawg Night, only to reopen his recruitment a few months later. He would recommit to Georgia in March. During the past few weeks, the Tigers made a push for his services. Out of respect for Georgia, Terry chose to keep his thoughts to himself.
“Friday is a signing day celebration, it was never a press conference,” Terry said. “I am just excited to be a Georgia Bulldog. I am not sure why anyone ever put it out there like that. My guidance counselor just wanted us to have something together for all of us going to college because I am enrolling early.”
Terry originally committed to Georgia last year at Dawg Night, only to reopen his recruitment a few months later. He would recommit to Georgia in March. During the past few weeks, the Tigers made a push for his services. Out of respect for Georgia, Terry chose to keep his thoughts to himself.
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SEC Championship, position-by-position
November, 30, 2012
11/30/12
8:30
AM ET
By
David Ching and
Alex Scarborough | ESPN.com
DawgNation's David Ching and TideNation's Alex Scarborough take a look at Alabama and Georgia position-by-position as Saturday's SEC championship game between the second-ranked Crimson Tide (11-1) and third-ranked Bulldogs (11-1) approaches.
QUARTERBACK
Alabama: It's hard to believe AJ McCarron is only a junior starting in his first SEC Championship. It seems like so long ago that he took over the reins from Greg McElroy and became the first underclassman to start and win the BCS National Championship Game. He learned how to treat big games like any other. The let-it-rip attitude has paid off this season as he ranks No. 2 in the country in passing efficiency while setting a school record for touchdown passes in a season.
Georgia: Junior Aaron Murray has already put together one of the best seasons in school history. Last week he became the first player in SEC history to pass for 3,000-plus yards in three straight seasons and tied Peyton Manning for second in career touchdown passes with 89. The national leader in passing efficiency (177.15), he has thrown 30 touchdowns and seven interceptions. The big question against Alabama, however, is whether Murray can play loose enough to be effective. He struggled against South Carolina and Florida, with one touchdown and four interceptions.
QUARTERBACK
Alabama: It's hard to believe AJ McCarron is only a junior starting in his first SEC Championship. It seems like so long ago that he took over the reins from Greg McElroy and became the first underclassman to start and win the BCS National Championship Game. He learned how to treat big games like any other. The let-it-rip attitude has paid off this season as he ranks No. 2 in the country in passing efficiency while setting a school record for touchdown passes in a season.
Georgia: Junior Aaron Murray has already put together one of the best seasons in school history. Last week he became the first player in SEC history to pass for 3,000-plus yards in three straight seasons and tied Peyton Manning for second in career touchdown passes with 89. The national leader in passing efficiency (177.15), he has thrown 30 touchdowns and seven interceptions. The big question against Alabama, however, is whether Murray can play loose enough to be effective. He struggled against South Carolina and Florida, with one touchdown and four interceptions.
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Evans, Rogers among 2014 OLBs to watch
November, 27, 2012
11/27/12
9:40
AM ET
By
Radi Nabulsi | ESPN.com
ATHENS, Ga. -- As Georgia closes out its 2013 recruiting cycle, the coaching staff is hitting the road and the film room to evaluate the next crop of talented recruits. A few offers already have gone out to some members of the Class of 2014, but each week new names emerge.
DawgNation is taking a position-by-position look at a number of the 2014 prospects whose profile pages fans might want to add as favorites. Here is a look at the outside linebackers Georgia has offered or has on its radar.
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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.