Signing Class Report Card: Georgia Bulldogs
Biggest Needs: Georgia’s 2011 recruiting class was called the “Dream Team”, and they came in nicely to help the Bulldogs become SEC Eastern Division Champs. Luckily for Georgia fans, most of those guys will be back for the 2012 campaign. The biggest losses on offense come up front for the Bulldogs. Georgia loses both offensive tackles in Cordy Glenn and Justin Anderson. Center Ben Jones also graduates to leave three holes on the offensive line. At TE the biggest loss is the early departure of Orson Charles to the NFL. Charles was the Bulldogs’ third leading receiver with 45 catches for 574yds and five touchdowns. Georgia’s backfield returns intact except for the graduation of FB Bruce Figgins, and with Aaron Murray at QB, the sky is the limit in 2012.
Defensively Georgia ranked 5th in the nation in total defense, and the Bulldogs only lose two players off the 2011 squad. Brandon Boykin is by far the biggest loss on this team. Boykin was all over the field for the Bulldogs, and it will take multiple guys to replace his production. The only other loss on defense is DE Deangelo Tyson, and his production will be relatively easy to replace. Next year’s defense could easily be the best defense in the country if Georgia can avoid the injury bug this off-season.
Georgia also lost their kicker Blair Walsh and punter Drew Butler to graduation.
Keith Marshall / Icon SMI
Needs Met: Georgia only lost a few guys, and they did an awesome job at replacing every position they needed to fill. Up front they signed 5-star Offensive Tackle John Theus. Most feel that he can compete for the starting job next year. They also signed two more O-linemen, and JUCO transfer Mark Beard is already on campus and learning the system. The Bulldogs brought in three RBs, and Keith Marshall is easily the best of the three. I have seen Marshall run track and play football, and since he enrolled in January, I have no problem stating that he will play next year because of his speed. However, don’t count out RB Todd Gurley or FB Quayvon Hicks, both guys could push for serious PT next year. Georgia rounded out their offense by signing one receiver, one TE, and one QB.
Defensively, an outstanding defense just got better with this recruiting class. Josh Harvey-Clemons gave the Bulldog faithful a signing day scare, but ultimately the only LB in this class will be a huge addition to this defense. Look for Harvey-Clemons to compete for playing time, and possibly come in for blitzing situations. Sheldon Dawson was the only DB signed in this class, but I think he will be hard to keep off the field with 4.4 speed. Up front is where the Bulldogs added the most depth by signing four DE’s, and I think Jordan Jenkins is the best of the bunch. Jenkins’ film was so amazing that you should check out his basketball clips on youtube.com. Georgia finished up their defensive class by signing two DT’s, and I think that Jonathan Taylor could push for playing time next year.
Georgia signed a kicker and a punter that could play right away next year because of the lack of depth.
Biggest Get: John Theus or Keith Marshall. Both guys could play immediately, but I love the explosiveness that Marshall brings to the offense
Biggest Miss: Ricky Parks. Parks was an in-state TE that went to Auburn. Georgia was on him early, and with Orson Charles’ early departure to the NFL, Parks could have helped in that department.
Final Evaluation: I think competing for a National Title in 2012 is a reasonable expectation, and this recruiting class only adds fuel to that fire. I think every position was filled, and a ton of depth was added with this class.
Final Grade: A
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