Recruiting Revisited

Georgia feels it will get Hardaway offensive lineman
BY DAVID CHING
Staff Writer

Seminoles still

hot for Greenlee

Antwane Greenlee committed to Georgia in August after previously committing to Florida State, but that didn't close the door on his recruitment.

The Seminoles' coaching staff continues to doggedly pursue one of the Bulldogs' most valued commitments.

Greenlee canceled an in-home visit with Florida State this week and said he's solid on Georgia, but new Seminoles offensive line coach Rick Trickett still visited the Hardaway lineman at school on Friday.

And that has the denizens of Georgia's Internet fan sites worried, while giving hope to the Seminoles' followers who believe he'll reverse field and sign with FSU Wednesday on national signing day.

What does Greenlee, rated the nation's fifth-best offensive tackle prospect by Rivals.com, think about all the online hubbub?

\"I'm not a big fan of it because one week they love you and the next week they hate you,\" Greenlee said, shortly after meeting with Trickett on Friday. \"My mom, she's pretty big on that, but for me, it'll just basically get in your head.\"

But fans of both sides have reason to care about Greenlee's eventual decision. Recruiting analysts view the 6-foot-6, 302-pounder as a future difference-maker, a player with the size and ability to anchor a major program's line.

Dean Legge, the publisher of Scout.com's Georgia affiliate, Dawgpost.com, says Greenlee is one of the Bulldogs' most important commitments.

\"Greenlee, besides (Greater Atlanta Christian running back) Caleb King, is the biggest and most important part of this class,\" Legge said. \"People who can't figure that out don't know anything about football. Offensive tackles are vital to the long-term success of a program.\"

Today begins the NCAA-mandated \"dead period,\" when coaches are no longer allowed in-person contact with potential recruits until they sign on Wednesday. So like the fans, coaches will be holding their breath until signing day, hoping their committed players remain committed and that they were able to convince remaining targets that their school is the right choice.

Most of Georgia's commitments are considered solid and Mark Richt's staff is still pursuing a handful of players who have committed elsewhere. One of those is Notre Dame commitment Chris Little, an offensive lineman from Twiggs County who is said to still be considering Georgia and Clemson.

But Georgia fans aren't awaiting many decisions with baited breath, as Legge anticipates it will be a signing day with little suspense -- unlike last year when the Bulldogs reeled in superprospects at safety in Reshad Jones and running back in Knowshon Moreno at the last minute.

\"I have been told there could be limited surprises on signing day, but with Georgia's recent history in that department I will believe it when I see it,\" Legge said.

Georgia has missed out on many of the big names it has pursued in the last month -- most recently Peachtree Ridge defensive tackle Cameron Heyward, who committed to Ohio State earlier this week -- leading to the perception that the Bulldogs have closed poorly.

But Georgia secured much of its class early in the recruiting cycle and appears well on the way to doing that again with the class of 2008.

The Bulldogs have six junior commitments for next year, including South Carolina receiver A.J. Green, who will rank among the nation's top receivers in next year's rankings.

\"They will have double that by the time the spring game rolls around,\" Legge predicted. \"Mark Richt has said he likes to get early commitments from guys, so as long as he likes it the Bulldogs will continue to do it.\"

FYI---there's a newspaper article in South Carolina that is saying that AJ Green is waffling a little on his committ to UGA. MAN, we definitely need him to stay the course and come to Athens. That would be a unbelievably HUGE loss if he changes his mind !!!!


www.goupstate.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?.../70206002/-1/PSPORTS

Life sure was easier when you could just buy mama a car and get daddy a good job.

Good news, I just heard from my guy that UGASports.com CALLED Green and he said that he IS totally committed to UGA. That he and Mark talk quite a bit (Richt was at his basketball game recently) and that those were just rumors and that he is good to go to be a DAWG.

Well that is definitely good news. I was worried for a minute there.