🏈 Is the state of Georgia fans, and GT fans for that matter, in a flux due to our recruiting?

[TerryP]

It certain seems like we are recruiting Georgia at will. Months ago, over on the recruiting forum, I mentioned it had to be drawing the fans attention because it certainly doesn't seem like anyone on the Georgia staff has realized what they are losing.

You think this year has been good? Wait until next year when we take the top two players out of that state who just so happened to also be two of the top 10, for sure. There's a good chance they'll both be in the top five with one probably the number one recruit in the nation.

Will that get their attention? I doubt it. They'll probably be more interested in eventing some new nickname for their class like they did last year.

Now that my little rant is over, here's the article.

St. Pius defensive back Geno Smith committed to Alabama over archrival Auburn on Wednesday.


What type of player is Alabama getting? St. Pius coach Paul Standard told the AJC a talented football player, good student, and more. “He has been raised by his mother who has done an outstanding job in leading him. To me there is not the ‘great-player-but-what-if’ factor. There’s not the ‘what if he’s not going to class? There’s not the ‘what if he can’t stay out of trouble?’ They are getting someone who is a great person and individual … As far as football, I think Geno is a guy who can make a huge impact, in terms of his competitiveness.”


Smith became one of the nation’s most-heavily recruited college prospects with around 40 offers after solid performances against an all-star cast of wide receivers.


During his sophomore and junior years at the Atlanta private school, Smith was matched up against Gainesville’s Tailer Jones (signed with Notre Dame), Grady’s Damian Swann (Georgia), Greater Atlanta Christian’s Julian Horton (Arkansas), and Booker T. Washington’s Antonio Goodwin (Auburn), among others. Smith committed on Wednsesday, before the start of his senior season at St. Pius.

Here's the link for the rest of the article from the AJC.

 

[BamaDelta]

Terry, UGA fans seem to be split on this issue of Alabama coming in to raid their top recruits. Half seem concerned, while half seem to think "can't get 'em all". It's funny because after UGA got the commitment of the Drew/Mitchell combo (can't remember which one was "supposed" to commit to Alabama) it's like they beat us on that one so game over for the near future. UGA 1 Alabama 0. End of discussion. Their train stopped with the Dream Team while ours kept rolling right along. If we kept "score" the way UGA does we'd be up by several now. Many of them really don't seem to get it.

While you know my feelings about Auburn and Troopa UGA "should" wake up and take notice that while they're living their Dream Team Alabama and Auburn (and Florida and even Tennessee) have come to invade their terrritory. I can't imagine Richt allowing this to happen. Heck, even Chizik came into Auburn right away and claimed he was "taking the state". He hasn't done that, but no one can say he and his staff haven't made a huge dent in Alabama, Georgia and Florida. I just can't imagine anything but an all-out war by Richt to keep much of his in-state talent in state, but he hasn't done that to my knowledge.

Oh, and concern by Georgia Tech fans you ask? Not a blip on the radar. They know they have a hard enough time keeping these top recruits from UGA much less Alabama, Florida, etc... Georgia Tech fans, God love 'em. They just don't have the fire right now. My mother absolutely hates Tech and can't imagine the thought of her grandhchild possibly going to school there. I have to explain to her that this is not the Tech that Coach Bryant dealt with and not the Grant field of liquor bottles of old.

 

[LBS]

My buddy from Georgia does not seem phased, noting that there are many more D1 kids than can possibly sign to play in state. Some will have to leave if they want to play. The quality of those leaving does not seem to be am issue either with him. "10-win Richt" is one lucky bounce from winning it all with the ones who stay with UGA.

What ever.

 

[bamafan4ever]

I work with a lot of UGA grads and fans and there is only one way to term it, "oblivious". Sandra mentioned the Drew/Mitchell combo but they also beat their chests over Crowell and maybe deservedly so. I'll explain the "maybe" in a second.

Here is the thing I have learned about UGA fans. As a whole, they are not as nearly knowledgeable about football as fans from Alabama. They buy in early and often but when things start going wrong, they jump ship just as quickly. I will never forget when AU went to Athens and had their way with UGA in the 1st half, the loudest chorus of boos I have ever heard and people left the game after the 2nd quarter. All of this with about 50 recruits visiting UGA that weekend.

About Crowell.....One of the kids I know in this area that plays college baseball told me he was at the game when Crowell and Columbus came up here to play Calhoun. Among those in attendance were scouts from Alabama and UGA. (we were also actively recruiting the kicker from Calhoun that committed to BAMA). IC was described as a physical specimen, no doubt, but his attitude was so bad that night the Alabama scout looked over to the UGA scouts and said, "you can have him, we don't need his attitude on our team". This was after Crowell didn't get the ball when he wanted and proceeded to throw his helmet against the fencing. The defense said they could tell when he was not getting the ball because he would throw his hands up in disgust. I know we were still on this kid late but it will be interesting how his attitude plays out at UGA if he is suddenly not big man on campus.