OK Bulldog Nation, we picked up several big time commitments Wednesday, with another possible name coming on Saturday. It isn’t time to start sitting back and saying Georgia is back. National Signing Day was great, but it was only signaling the start of the road back. National Signing Day could have been a LOT worse considering the year Mark Richt turned in last season, but he was able to rebound and bring in quite the haul. Good. Here is the thing though: with the exception of a talented few, most of the 2011 class won’t have an impact until two or three years from now.
Richt must now head back to the practice fields and weight room to continue to monitor the progress of the folks already on campus. To paraphrase and borrow from Jerry McGuire, recruits are a lot like popcorn in the pan. Some pop and some don’t. The success (or not) of the 2011 season will largely depend on folks already on campus. The defense will get a boost from Ray Drew at Justin Houston’s outside linebacker spot, but he shouldn’t be penned in as the starter. I do believe he’ll make an impact in year one, as he is too talented not to, but I imagine his success will be in short bursts. The real new impact players on defense will be the two new linebackers Richard Samuel and Jarvis Jones. Brandon Boykin’s return was huge as his presence at corner will be one less issue for defensive coordinator. And unless John Jenkins signs with Georgia on Saturday, the nose position is still under construction in Athens.
On offense, Crowell will have every opportunity to start against Boise State, but the offense will still likely flow through Aaron Murray, as it should. The quarterback proved just how good he is and could be last year as a redshirt freshman. The two receivers inked on National Signing Day were nice. Hey boys, come in and replace AJ Green, Kris Durham and Logan Gray. No pressure. The offensive line picked up six new players but, oh yeah, most of them are looking at redshirts in order to mature into their bodies. The current redshirts and sophomores from two years ago will be counted on to make a big impact in 2011, not so much Xzavier Ward and Zach DeBell, as much as Georgia fans will be yearning for them.
National Signing Day was a great day to be a Georgia Bulldog and the 2011 haul could be one of the best ever for Georgia by the end of the month. However the newbies will need time to mature. Richt might not have that much time if he struggles for a third (fourth in some folks’ mind) straight season. His task is not only coaching these players up but getting the already-Bulldogs in gear for the 2011 season. No rest is allowed but hopefully a great Wednesday leads to a great rest of the year.
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