A year after compiling a “Dream Team” of in-state signees, Georgia football coach Mark Richt will address a less-hyped recruiting class today in Athens. Alabama and Florida are expected to assemble the top two classes in the 14-team Southeastern Conference.Georgia football coach Mark Richt asked Peach State prospects last winter to join his “Dream Team,” and the concept worked when the Bulldogs landed Columbus tailback Isaiah Crowell, Valdosta receiver Malcolm Mitchell, Thomasville linebacker Ray Drew and Atlanta cornerback Damian Swann.
There has been no catchy moniker for the Bulldogs and their 2012 recruiting efforts entering today’s national signing day, and where would one begin?
“It’s a really weird year for them,” ESPN recruiting analyst Jamie Newberg said. “There seems to be so much talent leaving that state, and it’s upper-echelon talent, but then you look at Georgia’s class, and it’s another good group for Mark Richt. No one had them getting Jordan Jenkins, and they got Keith Marshall.
“They are among the two or three SEC teams with some room left, so they could really close well. I think it could be another big finishing splash for Georgia.”
Alabama could finish with the highest-rated class nationally and will be tops among SEC teams, though Florida could make an 11th-hour charge. The Gators are in the running for several undecided top-100 prospects, most notably cornerback Tracy Howard of Miramar, Fla., defensive end Leonard Williams of Daytona Beach, Fla., and receiver Stefon Diggs of Olney, Md., who has pushed his announcement to next week.