The Georgia Bulldogs reside in a top-five state in terms of producing college football talent, but they would be willing to travel as well.
Michigan and Ohio State will be venturing to the Atlanta area in June to conduct satellite camps, which are recruiting events that colleges can hold on another campus in a different part of the country. The Southeastern Conference and Atlantic Coast Conference are the only "Power Five" leagues that currently prohibit members from conducting satellite camps, but that ban could expire later this spring.
"We've got to be prepared," Bulldogs first-year coach Kirby Smart said in a news conference after Tuesday's practice. "It's like, 'Who's going to be first? Who's going to go where?' Everybody is lobbying, but we've got to be careful because we're not going out right now and saying where we're going.
"We've got to wait to see if it happens. If it happens we'll be ready for it, and we'll have some decisions to make."
The SEC would like for all satellite camps to be outlawed, and their future will be voted on later this week by the NCAA Division I Council. Should they be allowed to continue, the SEC would eliminate its ban and allow its member institutions to begin conducting them.
Texas A&M coach Kevin Sumlin said recently that he would be open to holding satellite camps, with Arizona and even California being potential locales for the Aggies.
"Ultimately, every SEC school wants these kids on their campus," Smart said. "I don't want to have to go to them, but if it gives someone a competitive advantage, then we may want to do the same thing."
Michigan will conduct a satellite camp June 2 at Cedar Grove High School in Ellenwood, Ga. Ohio State will hold one June 16 at Central Gwinnett High in Lawrenceville.
"I think that's very smart on their part," Smart said. "They've got a right to do it, and we've got a plan ready."
The Bulldogs conducted their 10th spring practice Tuesday afternoon, working out for two hours in full pads. Georgia will practice again Thursday and hold its second scrimmage Saturday in Sanford Stadium.
Odds and ends
Sophomore defensive tackle DaQuan Hawkins is expected to miss the rest of spring practice after suffering an MCL injury during Saturday's first scrimmage. Hawkins, a 6-foot-4, 302-pounder from Atlanta, started two games last season, including the TaxSlayer Bowl win over Penn State. Junior Isaiah Wynn has worked most of the spring at guard but has practiced some at tackle, which is where he finished last season. The Bulldogs have offered scholarships to 18 players at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. Tennessee recently offered scholarships to 20 at IMG.
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.