Georgia Bulldogs: Dante Sawyer
SUWANEE, Ga. -- Three weeks ago, ESPN 150 defensive end Dante Sawyer (Suwanee, Ga./North Gwinnett) was on the verge of committing to either Alabama or Georgia. Speculation and predictions lit up the message boards of both schools as well as social media.
“I am going to decide in the next two to three weeks,” Sawyer said on April 29, “I am not sure which one I am going to pick, but it is down to Alabama and Georgia.”
“I am going to decide in the next two to three weeks,” Sawyer said on April 29, “I am not sure which one I am going to pick, but it is down to Alabama and Georgia.”
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
ATHENS, Ga. -- With the spring camp over and the spring evaluation period underway, this seems as good a time as any to reopen the DawgNation Mailbag. We missed two weeks with the release of the ESPN 150 rankings and all the fireworks last week with the commitments of Sony Michel and Jeb Blazevich so let us get back to your burning questions.
gilly5134: I know it's hard to judge but how do you think the ACL injuries will affect Michael Bennett and Tramel Terry next year? I know it takes a lot of guys a while to get that mental edge back after realizing they can break.
gilly5134: I know it's hard to judge but how do you think the ACL injuries will affect Michael Bennett and Tramel Terry next year? I know it takes a lot of guys a while to get that mental edge back after realizing they can break.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
ATHENS, Ga. -- In a trend that is becoming as common as hat ceremonies when picking schools, another ESPN 150 prospect took to Twitter this morning to announce he is nearing a decision. This time it was No. 42 Dante Sawyer (Suwanee, Ga./North Gwinnett) who told his followers to “stay tuned.” He spoke to DawgNation to explain what he meant.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
With today’s release of the ESPN 150, we thought to take a look at where the Georgia Bulldogs stand with their targets on the list.
1. QB Deshaun Watson (Gainesville, Ga./Gainesville) 6-foot-3, 196 pounds
ESPN 150 Rank: 13
Why they want him: Watson is the only quarterback with an offer from the Bulldogs, and deservedly so. He can beat teams with his arm or his legs, and is fundamentally sound in all aspects of the game. The most prolific high school passer ever in Georgia with one season left to play, Watson has already etched his name as one of the best prep quarterbacks in Peach State history. The University of Georgia would like him to do the same down the road in Athens.
Who else wants him: Clemson got a commitment from Watson on signing day 2011, but programs like Auburn, Georgia, Ohio State and Oregon are hoping he reconsiders the early pledge. He intends to take all five official visits, possibly to the aforementioned schools. An early enrollee, the battle for Watson could get very intense over the next few months.
Odds they get him: 20 percent
1. QB Deshaun Watson (Gainesville, Ga./Gainesville) 6-foot-3, 196 pounds
ESPN 150 Rank: 13
Why they want him: Watson is the only quarterback with an offer from the Bulldogs, and deservedly so. He can beat teams with his arm or his legs, and is fundamentally sound in all aspects of the game. The most prolific high school passer ever in Georgia with one season left to play, Watson has already etched his name as one of the best prep quarterbacks in Peach State history. The University of Georgia would like him to do the same down the road in Athens.
Who else wants him: Clemson got a commitment from Watson on signing day 2011, but programs like Auburn, Georgia, Ohio State and Oregon are hoping he reconsiders the early pledge. He intends to take all five official visits, possibly to the aforementioned schools. An early enrollee, the battle for Watson could get very intense over the next few months.
Odds they get him: 20 percent
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
BUFORD, Ga. -- The Southeast, in particular Georgia, prides itself on its football talent. When the 2013 Nike Football Training Camp tour made a stop outside of Atlanta on Saturday, the recruits who participated did not disappoint. After a competitive Saturday, dominated for the most part by the defensive line, six players earned invitations to The Opening.
Recruiting Nation’s Greg Ostendorf attended the camp. Here’s what he learned:
Headed to Oregon
Recruiting Nation’s Greg Ostendorf attended the camp. Here’s what he learned:
Headed to Oregon
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Inside the DawgHouse: G-Day edition 
April, 5, 2013
Apr 5
8:00
AM ET
By Kipp Adams & Radi Nabulsi | ESPN.com
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.
In this week's update:
Get Inside the DawgHouse now.
In this week's update:
- Plenty of talent expected to visit for G-Day
- RB recruiting close to done?
- Latest on Stanley Williams
- 2015 RB on the radar
- Short visit for ESPN Watch List DE
Get Inside the DawgHouse now.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
ATHENS, Ga. -- With Georgia on spring break, it has been a fairly quiet week around DawgNation before spring practice resumes on Tuesday and the NFL-bound Bulldogs hold their pro day on Thursday.
But we still kept readers up to date on football practice and recruiting with a number of updates this week.
On the team side, we took a look at a couple of key positions to watch this spring. The offensive line was by far the biggest question mark last year at this time, but the group returns everyone and should enjoy more reliable depth this spring and fall. And the secondary must replace three starters this season, so we took a look at some of the contenders who can help their causes this spring.
We also provided a quick update on former five-star defensive end Ray Drew, who hopes to continue his progress from late last season and emerge as a starter on the line this fall.
But we still kept readers up to date on football practice and recruiting with a number of updates this week.
On the team side, we took a look at a couple of key positions to watch this spring. The offensive line was by far the biggest question mark last year at this time, but the group returns everyone and should enjoy more reliable depth this spring and fall. And the secondary must replace three starters this season, so we took a look at some of the contenders who can help their causes this spring.
We also provided a quick update on former five-star defensive end Ray Drew, who hopes to continue his progress from late last season and emerge as a starter on the line this fall.
SUWANEE, Ga. -- Two weeks ago, Watch List Dante Sawyer (Suwanee, Ga./North Gwinnett) took a trip up to Kentucky to meet with the Wildcats’ coaching staff. The 6-foot-3, 250-pound defensive end has over 20 offers to date, and it looks like new head coach Mark Stoops and his staff have done what they need to pique Sawyer’s interests so far.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Allen-Williams visits Bama, talks top three
March, 11, 2013
Mar 11
8:16
AM ET
By Greg Ostendorf & Kipp Adams | ESPN.com
Bryson Allen-Williams (Ellenwood, Ga./Cedar Grove) started his weekend with a visit to the University of Alabama on Saturday. He finished it as the MVP of the linebackers at the VTO Sports Prep 100 camp in Atlanta on Sunday.
The visit itself marked his first time in Tuscaloosa since the ESPN Watch List linebacker earned a scholarship offer at the Crimson Tide’s first junior day.
“It went great,” Allen-Williams said. “I got to sit down and talk to Coach [Kirby] Smart and Coach [Nick] Saban. I personally spent a lot of one-on-one time with the coaches. That’s something I really enjoyed about it.
The visit itself marked his first time in Tuscaloosa since the ESPN Watch List linebacker earned a scholarship offer at the Crimson Tide’s first junior day.
“It went great,” Allen-Williams said. “I got to sit down and talk to Coach [Kirby] Smart and Coach [Nick] Saban. I personally spent a lot of one-on-one time with the coaches. That’s something I really enjoyed about it.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
The Georgia Bulldogs coaching staff has been busy working on the Class of 2014, and even the Class of 2015. UGA hosted a junior day Saturday and offered several top sophomores in the last week. On Tuesday morning, DawgNation joined ESPN’s Athens, Ga., affiliate 960 The Ref to talk about recruiting and more. Some of the topics discussed were:
Listen to the show here.
- How did the Bulldogs’ do on their junior day?
- Were there any silent commitments?
- Who are the new prospects that Georgia offered?
- Does Georgia have a chance with the top out-of-state players?
Listen to the show here.
The Georgia coaching staff has offered a number of North Gwinnett (Ga.) High School prospects over the years. Senior offensive tackle DeVondre Seymour just signed the Bulldogs 10 days ago and sophomore offensive tackle Mitch Hyatt was offered last week.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
ATHENS, Ga. -- Perhaps the biggest news to surface around DawgNation this week was that the UGA Athletic Association’s board of directors approved a raise and contract extension for football coach Mark Richt, extending his deal through 2017 and pushing his base pay to $3.2 million.
Athletic director Greg McGarity said after the board meeting that he expects to offer a pay raise to offensive coordinator Mike Bobo, as well, although he did not yet have any specifics to divulge.
Otherwise, the time between national signing day and spring practice (which starts March 2) is typically quiet around the football program. The players are participating in offseason workouts and mat drills, and the 13 newcomers who enrolled in January are getting familiar with their surroundings on campus.
We focused on several of those newcomers in stories this week:
Athletic director Greg McGarity said after the board meeting that he expects to offer a pay raise to offensive coordinator Mike Bobo, as well, although he did not yet have any specifics to divulge.
Otherwise, the time between national signing day and spring practice (which starts March 2) is typically quiet around the football program. The players are participating in offseason workouts and mat drills, and the 13 newcomers who enrolled in January are getting familiar with their surroundings on campus.
We focused on several of those newcomers in stories this week:
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Watch List DE Sawyer a popular target
January, 29, 2013
Jan 29
7:10
AM ET
By
Radi Nabulsi | ESPN.com
SUWANEE, Ga. -- ESPN Watch List defensive end Dante Sawyer of North Gwinnett (Ga.) High School is becoming one of the most popular juniors in the country.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
ATLANTA -- Georgia lost its only outside linebacker commit in Naim Mustafaa when he decided to enroll early at Oklahoma State a few days ago. The Bulldogs are also losing two starters at the position as well with Jarvis Jones heading to the NFL a year early and Cornelius Washington graduating. With no immediate help on the horizon, the Georgia coaches will turn to some of the Class of 2014 standouts.
One player whose recruitment is on the verge of taking off is defensive end Dante Sawyer (Suwanee, Ga./North Gwinnett). The 6-foot-3, 245-pound junior has already received verbal offers from Ohio State and North Carolina, with many more possible.
“I am hearing from Ohio State, Clemson, UCLA, Georgia -- every now and then -- and Alabama,” Sawyer said. “Florida is starting to talk to me a little bit, so I’m looking forward to hearing from some more schools sooner or later.”
One player whose recruitment is on the verge of taking off is defensive end Dante Sawyer (Suwanee, Ga./North Gwinnett). The 6-foot-3, 245-pound junior has already received verbal offers from Ohio State and North Carolina, with many more possible.
“I am hearing from Ohio State, Clemson, UCLA, Georgia -- every now and then -- and Alabama,” Sawyer said. “Florida is starting to talk to me a little bit, so I’m looking forward to hearing from some more schools sooner or later.”
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
ATLANTA -- Two of the Peach State’s top outside linebackers recently met in the backfield of the Rising Seniors Bowl game and threw down the West team’s quarterback, Brooks Barden (Cartersville, Ga./Cartersville). Bryson Allen-Williams (Ellenwood, Ga./Cedar Grove) came of the right end and Dante Sawyer (Flowery Branch, Ga./North Gwinnett) crashed the left side and both caught Barden before he could slip away. While it was clear Barden never had a chance, credit for the sack was a highly-contested debate.
“Oh, that was my sack.” Allen-Williams said. “Look, Dante and I had a little bet going on to see who would get the most sacks, so we ended up tying on them. So you know [when] there are two good ends on this field, you’re bound to have a good pass rush every now and then.”
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
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.