There's a lot of hyperbole on the recruiting front this week, some of it originating from the media. That's all well and good. Whatever works to get the web hits.
There's always a frantic push in the final week before signing day, and this year is no different. But let's remember one thing: While there are still a couple key players on Georgia's recruiting board, most of the work was done long ago.
Keith Marshall's commitment was perhaps the biggest. He's already in school. John Theus' decision was also vital, and he committed last summer.
Right now, for the most part, Georgia is recruiting for depth and future seasons. There will be a lot of hype for names like Josh Harvey-Clemons, Avery Young, Cordarelle Patterson and Sheldon Dawson. But it would be a surprise if any of them - should they sign with the Bulldogs - are starting against Buffalo on Sept. 1. (Young is an exception, given Georgia's offensive line issues.)
Georgia's final class may finish ranked in the top 10 among the recruiting services. Or it might not. In the end, that won't matter. The team rankings at this point are a beauty contest.
The biggest day recruiting-wise for Georgia occured last summer, at Dawg Night. That's when Theus committed, along with 2013 prospects Derrick Henry and Brice Ramsey, and 2014 prospect Stanley Williams. Henry and Ramsey could be the tailback and quarterback of the future for the program.
Georgia's coaches also secured commitments last spring and summer from the likes of Jonathan Taylor, Leonard Floyd, Greg Pyke, Quayvon Hicks, Ty Smith, Marshall Morgan and Collin Barber.
Taylor and Floyd have a chance to be key backups for Georgia's defense next season. Hicks could get time at fullback, and Smith at tight end. Morgan will be the favorite to replace kicker Blair Walsh. Barber could replace punter Drew Butler. So those were all key commitments.
When the summer recruiting season ended, Georgia's coaches then concentrated on the actual, you know, football season. They knew the future of their employment at Georgia was on the line, so the season became the focus. In the meantime, other programs made inroads and raided in-state talent, notably Alabama. So players like Geno Smith and Vadal Alexander ended up at rival SEC schools. There will be no Dream Team this year.
Once the season ended, or at least the regular season, Mark Richt and company tried to play catch-up on the recruiting trail. It was too late for a number of prospects, but they did manage to nab Jenkins, who has a chance to play at outside linebacker or defensive end next season. Now they're working on JaQuay Williams, the Sandy Creek receiver currently committed to Auburn. They've also scrambled to turn Tennessee prospect Sheldon Dawson, who has been committed to Memphis.
These are all players that could, if things break right, end up having long and successful careers at Georgia. If they commit.
This class will not end up with the same marquee names as last year's so-called Dream Team. But it could end up just as impactful, because last year's class was about injecting talent back into a program coming off a 6-7 season. This year is about filling needs.
The main needs? Tailback, offensive line and future defensive stars. This is where they stand:
Tailback: Marshall and Todd Gurley will either push the likes of Isaiah Crowell to buck up, or make their presence in the program no longer necessary.
O-line: Theus will start at left tackle, most likely. What's still needed is a few guys that will at least push the returning players, which is the reason for the push for Young and other uncommitted prospects. But junior college prospect Mark Beard, who is already enrolled, could play too.
Defense: It's doubtful any freshmen will start right away, given that 10 of 11 starters are back from a highly-ranked unit. But all 10 of those starters could be gone after next year. Hence the push for Harvey-Clemons, and the importance of securing commitments from the likes of Jenkins, Leonard Floyd, Jonathan Taylor and others.
If Georgia doesn't finish strong, it will be a bit of a disappointment. It needs a few more players. But a string of commitments over the next few days isn't necessary to the 2012 season. The big work, as far as that, has already been done.
