Mark Richt the Recruiter

There are many reasons high school football players commit, and remain committed, to the Georgia Bulldogs. Chief among them, Mark Richt, a man whose word is his bond.

There are coaches in the SEC that will offer anybody and everybody, only to later rescind their offer as signing day nears. To these coaches, see Houston Nutt, these young men are nothing more than commodities, raw assets to be plugged into their football factories and discarded when their usefulness has been spent.

That is not the case at Georgia. When a recruit signs with Georgia, he joins a family. As head of that family, Mark Richt serves as the father and invest himself in these young men. The dividends paid to the Bulldog Nation extend far beyond the football field.

Many of us, especially yours truly, should keep this in mind as we debate his handling of the coaching staff.

Case in point:

Benedict's injury doesn't cool Bulldogs' interest | Jacksonville.com

Despite a season-ending knee injury, Bolles offensive tackle Brent Benedict still has a college home with the Georgia Bulldogs.

Benedict, ranked by Rivals.com as the 41st overall player in the nation, has been assured by the Georgia coaching staff that the Bulldogs are still happy to have him.

"They called and told us not to worry, that his scholarship was still good," said Ed Benedict, Brent's father. "They said it's not even a consideration, so don't give it any thought."

Benedict suffered the non-contact injury while running down the field to celebrate a touchdown in Bolles' 68-0 win over Yulee last Friday.

He tore his anterior cruciate ligament, his posterior cruciate ligament, meniscus and hamstring.

To relieve pain caused by pressure on a nerve from swelling, Benedict might have two surgeries to correct the injury. He is scheduled to meet with noted orthopedist James Andrews on Thursday in Pensacola.

Chip Towers on Recruiting

I have always liked Chip Towers work, but I have found a new respect for him since he began covering recruiting for the AJC. His predecessor did very nice work, but Chip has found a way to tie it into what is going on with the recruits after they enroll in their selected schools. He has definitely put his own mark on recruiting coverage. I still miss his coverage of the Dawgs.

Here is to hoping the future is as bright for Chip as it has been for those that have preceded him in the Classic City.

Stephenson’s Thornton names Penn State his favorite | AJC College Sports Recruiting

Generally the battle for Stephenson defensive tackle Mike Thornton is thought be between Georgia and Auburn. But I’ve long said not to discount Penn State in the battle for the state’s top uncommitted senior defensive lineman.

Sure enough, Thornton told me this week that Penn State is “pretty much” his favorite. The 6-foot-2, 280-pounder plans to make an official visit with the Nittany Lions the weekend of Nov. 7 when they play host to Ohio State.

Media Loves Nutt - Recruits, not so much

Four of the former "Big 6" are recruiting as expected. CheeseStick and KiffyBear are looking up at Vandy.
SEC Commitment Comparison - 8/3/09 | MrSEC.com

LSU, Florida, Vandy, Auburn, Tennessee, Kentucky and Ole Miss have all received new commitments since we posted our last update.

Florida jumped Georgia in terms of total “stars” (according to Rivals.com). And Tennessee has caught Auburn in the standings. Both the Tigers and the Vols have inched closer to South Carolina.

As for Vandy… their two commitments last week leave them in fifth place rather easily. Gotta give a lot of credit to the job Bobby Johnson is doing in Nashville.

Take 2 Aspirin and Drink Plenty of Water

It was a busy weekend in Valdosta with a slew of family in town and lots of golf, including the British Open on the tube. Watching Watson was reminiscent of my childhood, only this time I was pulling for him. In the end, it wasn't meant to be, but here's to @StewartCink. His twitter updates on his troubles getting to Scotland and his carry-on luggage coming back have been priceless. Rex Robinson opines here.

Back to the typical mid-summer football oleo that leads up to the SEC Media Days.

Jim Donnan was inducted into College Football Hall of Fame. I was never a big Jim Donnan hater, except for that opener back in 96, but he won me over in the rain against Texas-Tech and I stayed with him through Columbia in 2000. Mark Bradley gives his take, as does Bill King with a bonus recap of the greatest wins of the Donnan era as he sees it.

Tim Tebow is not unanimous selection as All-SEC QB per coaches. Why wasn't Tebow unanimous? Darrell Owenby examines, along with a myriad of other columnists and bloggers. Personally, I find the pre-season All-SEC team about as worthy as a Hanoi Jane diatribe, but hey it is summer and look at all the thousands of words produced in July.

The Dawgs are starting to roll in the "Verbal Commitment" department. These commitments are not binding, but Mark Richt is beating the hell out of par in holding onto his "verbals". Kipp Adams gives a great review of "Dawg Night". Ohio State bemoans the loss of Garrison "Jeff Owens 2.0" Smith. Blutarsky ran a great piece on SEC spending on recruiting with Knoxville and West Opelika leading the way. Chris Low knows a good story when he reads one.

Things are happening on the hard court and this blogger likes what he sees. The coaching staff has been finalized as Westerdawg reports. Daugman informs us about Sundiata Gaines and his aspirations to become an Atlanta Hawk. If you are a basketball fan, please do yourself a favor and take some time to read over his site thoroughly, he really has his finger on the pulse of Coach Fox's team.

Team Speed Kills gives a brief look at the schedule for Media Days.

Finally, it has been said, putting a football playoff together for D-1 is not rocket science. Perhaps, early in 2010, President Obama and teleprompter will give an inspiring speech proclaiming that we will develop the technology and where with all to implement a post season tournament to decide a football champion on the gridiron free of the politics of personal destruction (voters wearing vest).

Take 2 Aspirin and Drink Plenty of Water

A few links to peruse while waiting on the aspirin to kick in.

Bill King asks which game you want the most.

The Senator has been reading Bitchin' Bianchi. I can assure you, Bianchi is not getting the Shane Matthews treatment.

A look ahead from the Palmetto State

Interview with Oklahoma State Athletic Director

Barnhart previews the SEC East/Tebow division

More gushing about the SEC's new television contract with some ACC reaction

Alec Ogletree talks with Michael Carvell

One story too many

The BUI marketing/research department, BernieDawg, has temprarily left us for greener pastures (see above), forcing me to do my own research today.

Besides early committments in recruiting, most news made in the summer is bad. Yesterday proved the rule. Tanner Strickland will miss all of 2009. Offensive line depth is coming into play in the month of July, way to early. Deja Vu or a freak occurence, hopefully the later? You never want to see any injuries to these fine young men, especially at offensive line, especially after last year, but if there is one position we can take a hit it may just be the O-line. Here's to Tanner's speedy and full recovery, and that this is not the start of another trend.

Did Jay Cutler give Matthew Stafford tickets? Secondary violations, is there cause for concern?

Normally I would take great Glee in a South Carolina story such as this, but these problems go way beyond football.

MaconDawg on Wheeling and Richt era walkons with an accompanying poll. Hint, I voted all of the above.

Streit looks at recruitin' and our head to head successes against tuscaloosa and gaineville, especially in the sunshine state. Is this the John Lilly ROI?

The Post and Courier does their Lois Lane impression. Me, I can't wait to see Jeff Ownes play the role of kryptonite.

The wife and kids have gone shopping below the border, expect a good #BUI tonight during Braves/Rockies. Till then

Recruiting with Kiffin

Florida to Impose $1 Surcharge on FB Tix

Breaking news from the Athletic Department offices in Gainesville... Athletic Director Jeremy Foley announced that beginning with the 2009 football season a surcharge of $1 would be added to every home football game ticket. No decision has been made as to basketball but they are leaving the option open. Proceeds from the surcharge will be gifted to Alachua County.

During the press conference, with President Bernie Machen and Coach Urban Meyer by his side, Foley announced, “Gainesville and Alachua County have been instrumental to the quality of life, and indeed the success of the Florida Gators football team. We are confident the Gator Nation will stand behind this decision enthusiastically. Coach Meyer has assured me this will be a meaningful advantage in recruiting the top 1% of the top 1% he desires to represent our institution on the gridiron.”

No questions were allowed during the press conference. Crack reporter Hale David of the Macon Ledger-Enquirer, via the Florida Public Records Act, was able to uncover what the estimated $500,000 in first year receipts will be spent on. Undoubtedly, Coach Meyer is eager to hit the recruiting trail with this information.

Highlights among the many investments the ticket surcharge will be going toward over the years include; new HVAC system for the county jail, new plasma televisions for the county jail, new weight room and equipment for the county jail, Nike apparel for county jail inmates, and the establishment of a new Athlete Defenders Office within the county jail.