Here’s Kimberley Nash’s perspective on five of the biggest UGA recruiting stories that people are talking about this week:
1. Rashan Gary: 4-3, 3-4…doesn’t matter
Earlier this week, Rashan Gary’s mom expressed some concerns to the AJC about how her son would “shine” in a 3-4 defense. I found the whole story a bit perplexing considering (1) the defensive coaches already addressed scheme fit during her and Gary’s first unofficial visit. A visit that left Coney feeling very impressed. And (2) the sudden issues with said scheme fit seemed to come shortly after a visit to Auburn.
Now, I’m not one to come out and say that the defensive staff, at a rival school, planted a deceptive seed. That would be speculation—although if it looks, acts, and walks like a duck…well. But, what I am saying is Coney was well aware of UGA’s schematic compatibility for her son—prior to their decision to visit Auburn—and she had little to no issue with it whatsoever.
“As (Jennifer) Coney mentioned earlier, scheme fit is an important factor for (Rashan) Gary, who said he prefers a 4-3 front.
“However, he can excel in a 3-4 if they play both of them,” Coney said. “That is a win-win.”
Gary agreed.
“I love a defense that plays both schemes,” Gary told Dawgs 247’s Kipp Adams. “They run both at Georgia.”
That said, if everything was all good then (and that’s a quote from an interview which took place before Dawg Night), then what on earth changed in the weeks that followed to make her think differently?
*quack, quack*…there’s that “duck” again.
Look, I’m not naive, a lot of schools look for the angle that makes them look better. That is even more true if the competing school is a rival. However, in this case, it really just seems like much ado about nothing—and Gary, even now, couldn’t care less. I mean, either it’s a problem or it isn’t.
It reminds me of that time I was asked if I would accept Pepsi instead of Coke. My immediate response was, and I apologize if this is offensive, “is a ticket to hell okay, ya know, as opposed to Heaven”?
My point is this: Don’t waffle.
2. You can’t sign them all. Can you?
Earlier this week, UGA received a commitment from another wide receiver. At the moment, the plan is to take a total of five. They are at four (three, technically, if Charlie Woerner signs as a tight end).
Demetris Robertson and Kyle Davis are both “takes,” no matter when they decide to commit. If they want to sign with UGA, UGA will make room for them. That’s a given. However, at some point, some of the remaining targets will start questioning how much of an impact they can make (see more on this below).
As much as a prospect loves to say they don’t mind competing, most don’t want to risk losing one or two years of precious eligibility, sitting on a bench, waiting for the chance. UGA will certainly throw the ball, but they will run it every bit as much. Knowing that, they have to also understand that becoming the next big thing at wide receiver is going to depend on who’s throwing the ball and who’s running it.
When you consider that, and then factor in five or six other guys clawing and scraping to make you the lowest man on the totem, things get dicey.
3. Speaking of perception and space at wide receiver
The aforementioned Robertson and Davis may be the two names that roll of your tongue the quickest when speaking of wide receivers UGA is in hot pursuit of right now. However, it’d be an oversight to forget about two others—Tre Nixon (Melbourne, FL) and Tyler Simmons (Powder Springs, GA).
In regards to Nixon, James Franklin may have fled the SEC East, but he’s still managed to be a pain in the backside for UGA. So far this recruiting season, he has picked UGA’s pockets on at least two prospects (one kicker and one punter), and he’s threatening to do the same with Nixon.
Nixon has made it clear that UGA is in it, and that’s thanks in large part to the relationship he’s built with UGA receivers coach Bryan McClendon, but will that be enough?
Again, there are already four receivers in the fold. You cannot take them all. So, if Nixon said he wants to ‘Commit to the G’, what will that mean for any of their other targets?
The interest is definitely there. For now, anyway.
“I’m really comfortable with both of the schools, they both have really good guys there,” he told 247sports.com’s Sean Fitz. “The only real difference between the two, I would say, is the distance. But the distance really doesn’t play a big factor in my decision, either. Those are pretty much dead even for me, I love both schools a lot.”
Simmons is closer to home, and McClendon is definitely taking advantage of his proximity. However, he is also keenly aware of UGA’s four commitments, and he views it as a bit of a negative.
“Having all those receivers committed, it’s good and bad for me,” said Simmons, per Rivals.com’s Dan McDonald. It’s good to come in and compete with some of the best receivers in the country on your team, but at the same time, you also have to give yourself the best chance to succeed.”
Simmons has said his parents want him to play close to home, if possible, and that may be the biggest factor in keeping UGA in it. Even so, he isn’t averse to leaving the state to play because he wants to ensure he actually does play.
Will the uncertainty of the latter prove to be the bigger factor? And, if Nixon commits before him, does that muddy the waters a bit?
UGA has said they’d take him, no matter what but, at some point, McClendon is going to have make some tough decisions about who has a spot and who doesn’t.
4. Nauta and TCU
The whole ‘Nauta will be a Dawg’ chatter is deafening enough to make you stop paying attention to his recruitment altogether, isn’t it?
Nauta de-committed from Florida State for reasons unknown and UGA is certainly a strong contender, but TCU could be a serious wild card here.
I know folks are hung up on the idea that he wants to play close to home, but there’s room in there for misinterpretation. Nauta wants to play close to family and he has family ties in Texas. He could just as easily get that warm and fuzzy feeling playing in the Lone Star State.
“I also have family in Southlake [Texas] near Dallas said Nauta, per ESPN’s Derek Tyson. From TCU that’s not but 20 minutes away and an hour from Waco. That’s a reason that TCU is sticking out for me is because I have some of my closest relatives just 20 minutes down the road.”
It is worth noting—and this definitely works in UGA’s favor—that TCU doesn’t really run the type of offense that showcases the tight end, in any real capacity. They simply don’t have the personnel to give Nauta a clear picture of how they can use him.
That said, if he chooses to make his decision based on that, they’ll have work to do.
UGA, by contrast, has Jeb Blazevich and Jay Rome.
5. Terrance Davis has UGA in his Top 8
Tremayne Anchrum may have set his commit date for October 12, but UGA fans may want to consider adding another name to the list of offensive line targets in the meantime—Terrance Davis.
Davis listed UGA as a potential destination. When you consider most still feel he’ll end up playing in the Big Ten, the interest is at least worth noting.
Landon Dickerson and Willie Allen remain heavily in play, but Davis is a wild card that you’re going to want to take a look at down the line, especially if he takes that visit. UGA wants to add another piece along the line, two if the right options present themselves, but they aren’t going to be overly hasty in doing so.
Kimberley Nash has blogged about UGA’s football recruiting since 2011.