Bulldogs report: Inside slant
Yes, it's just Signing Day.
But Georgia will take some positive momentum into spring practice following a recruiting class that exceeded expectations.
Coming off a 6-7 season, Georgia coach Mark Richt sold in-state recruits on the chance for immediate playing time. It worked. Richt put together his self-described "Dream Team", landing eight of the top 12 high-school prospects from Georgia. Nationally, it's a consensus top-six class, which features a pair of five-star players -- defensive end Ray Drew and tailback Isaiah Crowell.
"We all know our (2010) season wasn't the best, and there have been a lot of things we have had to battle -- maybe a little bit more than other years when it comes to recruiting," Richt said.
Richt didn't count out some of those 2011 recruits contributing right away. Crowell, who picked Georgia over Alabama, is considered a potential big-play threat at running back because of his combination of size (6-0, 210), speed and ability to catch the ball out of the backfield.
"I expect him to come right in and compete right away," Richt said. "I wouldn't be shocked to see him running that rock in the (Georgia) Dome against Boise State on the opening play if he does what he's supposed to do."
Richt said he came up with the "Dream Team" concept of recruiting while targeting a strong crop of in-state 2011 recruits during the fall.
"As you're looking at the guys you really want the most, you kind of dream about that as a coach, and that's where I just came up with the idea: 'This is my Dream Team. This is our Dream Team at the University of Georgia,'" Richt said. "We literally had names and pictures targeted that we could look at and shoot for, and we actually nailed it pretty good. You never get them all, but we came pretty darn close. And I would certainly say the dream came true."
TOP OF THE CLASS
DE Ray Drew (Thomas County Central High, Thomasville, Ga.) -- A five-star defensive end and top prospect in Georgia, Drew could make an immediate impact as a pass-rushing outside linebacker in defensive coordinator Todd Grantham's 3-4 scheme. At 243 pounds, Drew runs a 4.6, 40-yard dash. He will likely gain more muscle mass in a Georgia's strength and conditioning program.
RB Isaiah Crowell (Carver High, Columbus, Ga.) -- A five-star running back, Crowell spurned Alabama on signing day to stay in his home state of Georgia. According to Rivals.com, Crowell has the size, strength and skills to become an every-down back at the college level. He also has good hands and is capable of making plays catching the ball out of the backfield
DB Malcolm Mitchell (Valdosta High, Valdosta, Ga.) -- A four-star recruit according to Rivals.com, Mitchell is the top rated defensive back in the country and 30th rated player nationally. He runs a 4.4 40-yard dash and has above-average vertical leaping ability. Georgia coach Mark Richt said he also expects Mitchell to contribute in the return game as a punt or kickoff returner.
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