First thought on Alabama

I know. It's so hard not to keep re-living those memories of the Rose Bowl. What an epic win! But we didn't do all that work just to rest on laurels, right?

VIA

The halftime adjustments by Tucker and Smart were what we've seen all season, just on a grander stage. My initial reflection was that Tucker got away from trying to contain Mayfield and squeeze the pocket, and used more stunts and blitzes, especially up the middle.

Well, I was partially right, as this video will show best. It's the back to back sacks on Mayfield in the third quarter that really started prove that the Sooners were going to have a tougher row to hoe in the second half.

The first sack is a coverage sack in my opinion. Tucker again uses four rushers to squeeze the pocket and by the time Mayfield tries to use his legs because there's no where to throw, Ledbetter is in his face with an easy sack.

And then...well, Tucker lets the boys loose!

Those two plays prove that, even though it may not have played out that way in the first half, Georgia had the defense to go up against this high-powered offense.

Okay, but aren't we supposed to be talking about Alabama? Yes, and that's my next point.

Jalen Hurts has a high of 16 completions in one game this season. And that was in the Sugar Bowl. We know he can hurt you with his arm, but only if you don't manage to stop the run.

Both of these defenses Monday night are going to be trying to do the same thing - stop each other's run game. And I think both are built just for that.

But I think Tucker will use similar schemes in containing Hurts that he did in the Rose Bowl's second half. He wants to contain Hurts as much as he can and force him to throw when he's uncomfortable. Stopping Harris and Scarbrough is a topic for later, because that is surely Tucker's biggest headache this week. Alabama has gained nearly a thousand more yards rushing this season than they have passing.

But games like this tend to come down to quarterback play. Hurts is a true winner, for sure. I like his style and leadership. Plus he comes up big in big moments.

But I like our guy. I think Fromm complements his offense in ways Hurts can only dream of. I just hope Tucker and those Savages can minimize Hurts' impact on the game.

Keep the Main Thing the Main Thing...Go Dawgs!

Staying hungry

Natrez Patrick says DL Jonathan Ledbetter has been a scout team player of the week every week during his suspension.

— Marc Weiszer (@marcweiszer) October 11, 2016

On one hand you could read that as "Well sure, he should be considering how talented he is."

But given all of the circumstances Ledbetter put himself through to get to a point where he finally found the bottom, good to see he is making the most of the opportunity. Given that he hit that bottom during a coaching change, would've been easy for Kirby to give him a pink slip.

GDay: Questions. Answers?

Stating the obvious, this spring game has a different feel. A buzz is in the air and I expect a record crowd tomorrow in Athens. Most everyone will try to crowd into Sanford for a glimpse at the rapper that bailed McG out, the pigskin slinger that should be at his prom in the northwest territories, and the coach that Mama called to come home.

Other than those new, shiny things, this will eventually be like any other spring game that provides more questions than actual answers. Unless Lambert takes a shotgun snap on first down and punts it into the Hedges while Ramsey wrestles Hairy in the northeast corner of the endzone, and Eason goes 10/12 for 250+ and a bomb to Godwin to win the game, we're not going to know who the starting quarterback against UNC will be until we hit Atlanta. (Pssstt, it'll be Eason...)

But, that doesn't mean there isn't much to glean from what we see tomorrow. Here's some things I'll be looking forward to observing on the field...

• Quarterbacks. Specifically how much of Chaney's playbook each one seems to carry into the huddle.
• Tight Ends. Do we have any on the roster this year?
• Defensive Ends. Barnett was making moves before a sprained knee slowed his rise in the depth chart. Rochester looked to be a worthy beneficiary until WalMart sold him a BB gun. Considering Rivers is suspended for the first three games, who steps up? 
• Running Back. Chubb is making inhuman strides, but we won't see him play tomorrow. We know what we have in Michel, so it will be interesting to see how Douglas and the younger ones pick up yards...and blitzes. (Pssstt, Crowder's number is 30.)
• The coaches. Past GDays have been a relatively laid back affair. I'm expecting more intensity to trickle down from the top tomorrow. You don't urge the fans to fill the stadium for a glorified scrimmage without wanting to give them reason to stand up and get loud.

And most importantly (to me at least), offensive line play. Catalina gets here this summer to add some depth. Is Ben Cleveland game ready? Have last years starters bulked up? Do we at least look like we can develop some quality depth heading into the Fall?

If you're heading into town, have a great day in Athens. It's always nice to see the campus in the spring time, especially when you can also hear the crack of the pads 'tween the hedges!

Go Dawgs!

Bama week - their OL vs our front seven

Probably goes without saying that this will be the biggest line our front seven has gone up against to date. Alabama's starters average 6-5 and 312 pounds.

Still, they may not be world beaters. Against our one common opponent in ULM, the Crimson Tide offensive line lead the way towards a modest 137 yards rushing on 35 carries. By comparison, we rushed against the Warhawks 38 times for 243 yards.

I would expect our defensive front to really stretch their protection on passing downs by using our speed off the edge, bringing Ganus/Kimbrough inside, and stunting Floyd and Carter up the middle. Guys like Sterling Bailey, John Atkins, and Chris Mayes will be called upon to do what they do best - eat space - so that our linebackers can roam free and make plays.

A lot has been made over the Alabama passing game. (I personally think too much is being made of it, but what business is it of mine if Tide fans want to criticize an offense that's averaging 35 points a game.) And I do think this week we could see Saban exert more control over Kiffin's play calling, or at least his game planning. They'll want to run the ball, play field position, and chew as much clock as the score will allow.

So that is why I found this nugget from the Bama-ULM writeup interesting:

There was an overload formation on Henry's fourth-and-1 touchdown run. They moved right tackle Dominick Jackson to the left side next to left tackle Cam Robinson. Henry ran right behind them for the score.

If you want to neutralize a defense's speed you run right at it with power. Like we said yesterday, this game will be won in the trenches. So look for the coaches on both sides to try and gain an advantage there whenever they can.

Georgia-Auburn rewatch: the defense

They are the story of the game. Because we figured we'd be able to move the ball on Auburn's defense. It really was just a matter of how much Bobo was tempted to throw the ball. But the defense was the same question mark going into this game that it has been all season.

And boy did they provide a definitive and resounding answer.

I sure sang the praises of the linebackers on Sunday, deservedly so. And much is being made of Pruitt utilizing Floyd at the nickel so he could have both him and Carter on the field at the same time. But looking over the game again it really shows how much work Mike Thornton and Ray Drew did in the trenches. As Richt said, it allowed Herrera and Wilson to "clean up". And with Thornton and Drew (as well as Bailey, Johnson and Dawson when they were in the game) standing their ground, the linebackers went to work. They were attacking the ball like they were back in October's road trip to Columbia and Little Rock. That road trip produced their best six quarters to date under Pruitt's new defense. Saturday produced it's first complete complete game since then.

In the secondary, Auburn did its fair share of testing Georgia on intermediate and deep routes. Marshall threw some into tight coverage and his receivers made some tough catches. Pruitt's d-backs made them earn it. Uzomah was targeted early and often. But the tight end never broke free on any crossing routes which Auburn likes to run on occasion. In the past those have killed us. Not Saturday.

I didn't realize until rewatching it just how much freshman Malkom Parrish played. He looked good out there. But really, the whole defense looked spectacular. And it really started with energy towards the ball; wherever it went there were red jerseys in hot pursuit. Disciplined and determined defensive football. That was a joy to watch again.

It's been something we've touched on here and there this season, and it's definitely going to get more and more attention as we transition slowly into Pruitt's second season, but the way he and his defensive staff shuffle in players is so nice to see. More importantly, as Tanner mentioned while tailgating Saturday, there's not a huge dropoff when Davin Bellamy or Reggie Carter or Sterling Bailey comes into the game.

And that speaks to coaching. These guys are being taught well. I know we're all still frustrated by the way the defense performed against Florida. And we should be. But there are sure signs to be excited about this defense. The consistency week to week will come. Saturday night, against a very dangerous offensive team with loads of speed and talent, was a big step.

Ray Drew: "..everyone is going to play a vital part this season."

This guy is someone who has to be invested in Pruitt's new system. Drew is with his third line coach in four years and is coming off a season where he had eight tackles for loss and six sacks.

All is calm on the defensive front

Spring practice is done and the off season now bears its full weight upon us. Contrarily, the defensive coaches, just a week removed from wanting to dismiss any awards bestowed upon his defense are feeling something closer to satisfied.

"No, I just think he's a little beat up," Rocker said. "I think Ray's gonan be fine. Ray is gonna peak at the right time for us. So I don't worry. Ray has played in a lot of games for us, so I'm expecting him ... He will be a factor for us in the fall."

...

"Tramel was a highly-ranked player coming out of high school," Pruitt went on. "He went to play offense, he tore his knee up, he's playing defense. You know, Tramel is learning a new position, and he's worked hard doing it. And as long as he continues to do that (he'll be fine). I've talked to him daily about don't create unrealistic expectations. Just go out there and try to improve yourself every day."

 Enjoy it while you can boys. I get the feeling it'll be back to basics come summer.

An idle crockpot never boils

Nice piece on Ray Drew here by Emerson. The rising senior has always been quick with a pithy quote, but he's having to prove himself on the field all over again.

“Ray’s had some good moments, just like everybody on the team,” Pruitt said. “He’s just gotta continue to work hard. Just take it one drill at a time, one play at a time.”

Drew is saying all the right things about the demotion. After all, he could find himself back on first team very quickly.

And he says that it did make him work harder.

“I don’t know what the thinking was behind it, all I know is I can control what I do from here on out,” he said. “Hopefully it was a motivational deal, and by the time the season rolls around I’ll still be out there. But that’s gonna be up to me." 

Dropping like flies

Moose Johnson won't be back in Athens after redshirting this past season.

Freshman defensive lineman De'Andre Johnson is not expected to return to Georgia's team this season for reasons tied to health concerns, Dawgs247 has learned.

Johnson has not been taking part in recent team workouts and intends to continue studies at UGA for the time being in the hopes of going on medical scholarship, according to an assistant coach at Johnson's Northgate (Ga.) High School who has spoken directly with the player.

I seem to remember him having some back problems. Wish him the best.

Monday's Meatloaf - by a show of hands

Ok, I admit. I was morally and ethically outraged over Lester's roster management technique last week with Jeremy Hill's creative reinstatement. Almost as morally and ethically outraged as I was over the judge's decision to slap his wrist. But given some time to digest everything...I think Miles is once again proving to be one step ahead of the rest of us.

To illustrate, here's some ways in which I utilized this technique this past weekend

• "By a show of hands kids, who thinks Mommy needs to make strawberry shortcake every night?"
• "Hey y'all, by a show of hands, who thinks the youngest should pull my finger?"
• "Ok, ok. Let's vote on it. By a show of hands..." (looks around and realizes everyone else is upstairs, eats rest of the bag of Lay's Chicken n Waffles)

"I call em like I wanna see em Coach."

Anyway, so...those results were a mixed bag of opportunity, poor wordage, and absentee ballots. But this revolutionary idea could have serious wide-ranging benefits. Should When Pwnn Wagers calls an unsportsmanlike penalty after a Malcolm Mitchell go ahead touchdown over the Tigers September 28th, while Uncle Verne sells some Miller Lite to the television viewers Coach Richt can stroll to midfield, grab that sonofabitch's microphone and ask, "By a show of hands...was Malcolm being unsportsmanlike when he blew his momma a kiss?"

In Jacksonville, when that lonely gator fan wanders into the Georgia section and starts spouting off at the mouth with his football knowledge (post 1990) and refuses to use a napkin to wipe the nacho cheez wiz off his chin, you can just stand up straight and ask, "By a show of hands y'all, should we help this lonely reptile find a better seat?" Go gatuh! Bye!

And when a one loss SEC Champion trails Oregon and Ohio State in the final BCS standings despite the fact that everyone in the nation knows the Buckeyes are no better than the sixth best team in the nation, I'll just stroll onto the set of the selection show, grab the mic from Fowler, look into the camera and ask, "Show of hands out there America, who'd rather see an actual tackle football team rather than these tattooed Urbanites?"

/drops mic, glares at Mark May and heads to Pasadena

Today's Ingredients
- First off, congrats to friend of the blog David Hale...catching the lead story on the mothership's college football page.
- Kimberley has a nice look at freshman tight end Jordan Davis and his adjustment to Georgia's playbook.
- Tyler finds some comfort in some Auburn press notes. Yes, you read that right. Check it out.
- Speaking of GSB, Tyler let PWD out long enough to kill amateurism. Dead. Thanks guys.
- Meanwhile, in Athens, Weiszer reports that the defensive line is taking to Coach Wilson's way of things.
- Blutarsky asks, "Wherefore art thou Xzavier Ward?"
- In his continuing breakdown of the Capital One Bowl, Ching picks up on what was one of my favorite plays of the 2012 season.
- Ed Thomas looks at a few questions for the defense.
- Elsewhere, Run Home Jack finds Jadeveon Clowney sitting out of scrimmages.
- Remember Mizzou is an actual SEC opponent. And DavetheDawg treats them as such with this preview.
- And over at DudeYouCrazy, Brad attempts to justify an argument for a college football preseason.

Giggity!!

It's mid-August. And everyone you meet is happy. Everybody is undefeated and the sun is even shining on Charlie Weis' schematic advantage. Houston Nutt impressions are a dime a dozen.

Sure, there's a little tension. Most teams have a few games circled on the calendar that are causing some stress, even weeks ahead of time. But overall, the general consensus is that the pot of gold is still at the end of everybody's rainbows.

I even got a wave back from our neighborhood Tech fan this weekend. His gaze is usually fixed upon his shoelaces, but he met my greeting and gave me a smile. They're so cute in the summer sometimes aren't they?

Anyway, that's all about to change. I ran some numbers this weekend and it turns out that since 1996 when overtime was introduced, the first weekend that college football is available to fans inside of stadiums and on television sets, roughly half of the teams that play actually lose. Yes, 50% of teams will have a loss even before the second week of the season!

Here's hoping the Tiger tears are big. Have a great Monday Reader. Here's your fork.

Bernie

It's Bama or Georgia for Dante Sawyer

Nabulsi tells us the defensive end from Suwanee GA has narrowed ($) his list down to the Crimson Tide and the Dawgs. Sawyer is considered the seventh best DE in the country and visited Athens most recently for GDay. Until then Alabama was considered his top choice. Now it seems to be even.

“I am going to decide in the next two to three weeks,” Sawyer said, “I am not sure which one I am going to pick, but it is down to Alabama and Georgia.” 

And momma might be the tiebreaker as he plans to make his next visit(s) with her before he decides in the next few weeks. So put on that winning smile and those dancing shoes Coach Richt. Glad the hip is feeling better.

Taylor moved to end, nose locked up?

The team will scrimmage again this morning. And it appears as if the nose guard spot has been solidified well before GDay. At least in terms of the rotation.

Redshirt freshman Jonathan Taylor has been moved to defensive end. This seems to show Grantham's hand in terms of who will compete for the top nose spot this August.

Mike Thornton, who is 6-foot-1 and 289 pounds, is holding down the first-team nose guard spot with 6-4, 315-pound junior college transfer Chris Mayes behind him, but Thornton estimates that the Bulldogs playing nickel defense—not the base 3-4—about 70 percent of the time last season. Thornton can play nose or end.

Georgia also signed junior college defensive lineman Toby Johnson and Newnan defensive tackle De’Andre Johnson.

Taylor said it was a big adjustment because of the mindset of being the nose but he sees the ability to make plays at end as a pass-rusher that fits his skill set.

Taylor has told the media he's around 325-330 pounds. I'll leave that as food for thought...

Tuesday's scrimmage notes get "defensive"

Richt says the defense won the day, but we know the stats he provides are about as accurate as most 40yo's listed weight on their driver's license. In the ball park, but not an exact science. And then he hands the media the scrimmage notes which in turn are passed on for our digestion.

• Most notable, Ray Drew had quite a day. He said he just went out and played and he's pleased with his progression. I'll say! Had a couple sacks and was basically "unblockable" according to some players. 
• Granted its just a spring scrimmage, but if you can get pressure and containment from a defensive end in a base 3-4, that's a very good thing. 
• Jordan Jenkins added a couple of sacks as well.
• Also good to hear there was a scuffle or two. Evidently Hutson Mason and Amarlo Herrera had at least one disagreement. Mason also bristled a bit over some of his stats with the media, but overall seemed to enjoy being the #1 QB for the day with Murray at an awards banquet. 
• Tray Matthews continues to get a lot of praise from teammates on both sides of the ball. He and Sheldon Dawson appear to be pulling away in the secondary. And Ramik Wilson continues to solidify an inside linebacker spot.
• Speaking of inside linebacker, Ryne Rankin wasn't listed in the stats but he bragged a little about getting a pick. Good on ya!
• Offensively it looked like Chris Conley and Keith Marshall lead the charge along with Mason.

You can pore over the stats as well as a video of Mason talking about the scrimmage HERE.

I'll admit. I was pretty damned impressed with the defense when I first started reading those stats and the tweets from the media. Then you have to stop yourself and think - how much of this was the coaches pumping up the defense a little? I'm sure those stats (like any spring scrimmage) are subjective to a generous degree.

But I like the fact that Mason was upset. On one hand it tells you a little about the passion he plays with on the field. And also because that's a factual, objective point that tells you the defense was doing something right. Quite often too evidently.

Welcome! Toby Johnson!

When you least expect it....expect it!

In a weird twist that college football recruiting could only understand, Hutchinson Community College defensive tackle Toby Johnson (6'4", 305 lbs) chose Georgia yesterday over Auburn, Oklahoma and Miss State. He'll play defensive end but says he'll slide inside in nickel situations.

Surprising because last we heard, he and Georgia had cooled off completely. Just last week when Radi Nabulsi sat down with us here he said that Georgia coaches' recruitment of Johnson was done.

There was a lot of buzz late in the day on signing day about a late signee. Any updates along that front? 

Toby Johnson had contacted the coaches about dropping his final official visits and signing with Georgia.  But he changed his mind apparently. Georgia had moved on from him earlier in January after it became apparent he was going to have trouble qualifying but after missing on some top targets, Georgia had room to take a chance. I do not think Georgia is actively recruiting him now.

Something changed. And it might be his academic prospects. It never appeared as if Georgia was shying away due to a knee injury Johnson's rehabbing. They've always recruited him to play immediately. And now it appears as if Johnson will enroll in June and be ready to do just that.

And it also appears as if we have new defensive line coach Chris Wilson to thank for the final signee of the 2013 class.

As weeks passed, however, some thought Georgia -- a program Johnson considered a longtime leader -- was looking more like a dark horse candidate while Auburn and Mississippi State were front-runners.

But Georgia seemed to creep back in the picture when Chris Wilson left Mississippi State to take a defensive line position with Georgia.

"I liked Coach Wilson when he was at Mississippi State," Johnson told ESPN's DawgNation in January. "I think he can make me better each and every day. He can make me versatile and help me get to the next level." 

Indeed. Welcome Toby!

Countdown to NSD - 14 days

In just two weeks the faxes will be rolling in!

Alvin Kamara - The Norcross running back had a good visit in Tuscaloosa last weekend, but we assume its impossible to have a bad one if you are a stud recruit that Saban has in his cross hairs. Georgia will get its "official" turn this weekend and it remains possible that another school (Clemson, Tennessee or maybe FSU) might get his final visit during the week afterwards. Kamara will be spending time with family on the last weekend of recruiting before signing day.

Tunsil - a VERY large paint ball and recruiting target

Laremy Tunsil - He was in Athens this past weekend and had a chance to show his mom around while also getting to know ($) some of the players, including a paint ball excursion that he really enjoyed despite being such a big target. It continues to look pretty good for Georgia with Tunsil: he has a chance to compete for early playing time at the tackle position opposite John Theus, has a couple good running backs in the backfield along with a four year starter under center, and he seems to really like the program from the top down.

“Alabama and Georgia are similar in most areas and they are both winning programs. You cannot go wrong with either. I do not really know where I want to go and it is hard, but God will lead me in the right direction.”

Incidentally, he sat next to Coach Richt in church on Sunday. Something drastic would have to happen for Tunsil not to sign with Georgia.

Montravius Adams - The five star defensive tackle from Dooly County has been making the rounds and this weekend it's Georgia's turn/ It's unknown whether Adams will make another visit anywhere after that, so Coach Richt and staff could get the final crack at this talented monster. Auburn seems to be making a late push, but it's still a battle between Clemson and Georgia.

Toby Johnson - Georgia might have a better shot at Johnson than with Adams. This junior college defensive tackle prospect has made no secret of the fact that he likes the Dawgs. New defensive line coach Chris Wilson has known Johnson for awhile and has stuck with him through his transition to Athens as well as Johnson's ACL tear in November when a lot of schools lost interest. Despite the injury he is on track to play this fall.

The College Park GA native is finishing his academic work and rehabbing at Hutchinson Community College and will make his final decision known on Signing Day.

Davin Bellamy - Another one that is visiting this weekend, Bellamy is weighing options after committing to FSU. Grantham has supposedly long been enamored with his quick burst and UGA is definitely back in the running now that Garner is in Auburn. Is there too much ground to make up? Maybe so. But you cna bet that the coaches and players will make a strong pitch on Saturday. He strikes me as someone who is really looking for a place to further develop his skills and we know from last year that Grantham can do a good job selling the program in terms of what it can do. Especially good pass rushers.

So, give FSU the nod here. But UGA is far from out of the running.


Reuben Foster - This kid reminds me of a piece of driftwood floating about 50 feet from shore, rocking back and forth with a turbulent high tide. Committed to Alabama, de-committed, committed to Auburn, de-committed. All of that while also changing high schools and getting program specific tattoos. He finished a good visit to Tuscaloosa this past weekend and hits the road towards Athens on Friday. Auburn gets the last official. So the more things change the more they stay the same possibly. Whichever direction he sways last will get his signature. But it's hard to believe the drama would end there right?


Tomorrow we'll look at one linebacker that UGA will get the final crack at, Matthew Thomas out of Miami.

Countdown to NSD - 28 days

This won't be a daily thing, at least not yet. And there stands a reasonable chance that I'll be able to get away from work to bring you updates live from Butts-Mehre for the fourth year in a row. This promises to be a big class. And now that the on-field action is complete, I'm started to get excited about how the committed and targeted recruits are shaping up.

For today lets just hit a few updates.

Norcross High's explosive playmaker, Alvin Kamara.

Alvin Kamara. A lot of buzz about possibly committing to Bama immediately following their win Monday night as well as taking in the action down in Miami firsthand. Now, I can't confirm he was in South Beach over the long weekend, but I have it on pretty good authority that he wasn't in school on Monday or Tuesday. He tweeted that he in fact had NOT committed to Alabama. So take all of that for what it's worth...

The fact is that this is down to the Crimson Tide and Georgia, and pits a head to head recruiting contest between two former Georgia players; Kamara has said that he is close with both Kirby Smart and Bryan McClendon. The shifty and explosive ball carrier could add a lot to either backfield, even though both schools have established running backs. I suppose junior Eddie Lacy might go pro, but even if he does there is TJ Yeldon and a host of hungry young guys behind him, including Dee Hart who's coming off a knee injury.

At Georgia things might be even more stable with Gurley and Marshall. But if there is one thing that is clear about Kamara, he's not afraid of competition. And both programs would find a way to use the talented Norcross High School star. He's a great down field runner than has the versatility an offensive coordinator dreams of adding to his depth chart.

Davin Bellamy. Losing Jarvis, along with upperclassmen like Cornelius Washington and Abry Jones, means Georgia needs to add some edge pass rushers. And until recently one of the nation's top guys at defensive end was out of reach on the recruiting trail, even though he's from Chamblee GA. Bellamy committed to FSU back in August, but after Auburn brought FSU assistant and former Tiger Dameyune Craig back home to Opelika, Bellamy decided to open things up a bit.

Turns out the main reason Georgia is back in it is because former recruiting coordinator and defensive line coach Rodney Garner has changed zip codes as well ($). Kipp Adams goes into some specific reasons why the relationship between Bellamy and Garner (and consequently Georgia) never blossomed, but the end result is that a top pass rusher from our own soil will give the Dawgs a second chance, as well as an official visit later this month.

Bellamy sticking with the Seminoles certainly isn't out of the question. However, he wasn't happy new FSU assistant Sal Sunseri didn't offer him while the coach was the defensive coordinator at Tennessee last year. That may or may not be Sunseri's doing and he has since said that they indeed want Bellamy in Tallahassee. Other programs of interest are NC State and (the new and improved) Tennessee.

Lastly, Montravius Adams. With the depth at Grantham's nose tackle position in serious limbo, Adams is a key part of the 2013 recruiting class for Georgia. This is one we'll look at closely and update as much as necessary, but at this point we appear to have made the final cut. It's a shame the 5-star DT couldn't participate in much of the Under Armour practices or the all-star game after re-aggravating an injury from the Class A championship game last month. But as a 6-3, 290 lb prospect from Dooly County High School, Adams has plenty of interest. Other programs closing in are Florida, Alabama and Clemson.

Look for him to visit Athens later this month which will help him get to know our new defensive line coach and hopefully close the deal.

Ray Drew waiting on his chance

With his hand in the dirt, Drew waits to make his own impact.

Drew is playing a different position this season, albeit the transitions he’s made are from very comparable spots. As a senior at Thomasville, Drew played defensive end before coming to Athens last fall with the knowledge that he’d begin as an outside linebacker. Now in his second year at Georgia, the sophomore is back on the defensive line, where he feels most comfortable.

“Now I’m back playing defensive end, which is pretty much what I’m used to,” Drew said. “It’s what I played in high school so it wasn’t a big transition. They both kind of complement one another here (in Georgia’s 3-4) — defensive end play with the outside linebacker and vise versa.”

As the 2012 campaign turns the page and looks ahead to the second half, Drew said he hopes to continue to earn playing time. He notes, however, that his involvement will stem from many circumstance — personnel, injuries, and opposition.

“Each week it depends on the team we’re playing, the players they have and how much depth we have in our arsenal,” Drew said. “There are a bunch of variables that go in to deciding that. It’s hard to say how it goes each week, but it’s pretty much based on what we have and what we’re looking forward to playing.”

Getting to know: Connor Shaw and Abry Jones

The SEC Digital Network features two players from the top matchup this week. Abry Jones has admitted that his ankle was bothering him Saturday against Tennessee. But I noticed last night that he wasn't listed on the injury report from Coach Richt. Hopefully he can get up close and personal with Shaw come this Saturday night.

Four games in: the highlights

After yesterday, here are some of the bright spots and surprises that I have rattling around in my head:

• Marlon Brown. On a squad that has been spreading the ball around a lot, he's second on the team in receptions with 16 and 3rd in yardage with 264. He has three touchdowns already and has been been really good at creating extra yardage after the catch. He nearly broke a long one for another touchdown Saturday against Vandy. He also had one that nearly broke against Mizzou. And you just know he's ready to go off on the Vols.
• Gurley. Not so much of a surprise as we expected him to be good. But in all honesty, he's been better than that. With his size and speed, he's a great complement to Marshall. But he's also the type of back that can carry the bulk of the load if necessary. Especially now that his protection skills have developed so quickly.
• Defensive depth. The suspensions concerned us. But the defense has not only held up admirably, they've shown us that it's not just the starters that are coming to the games ready to play. Amarlo Herrera especially has been magnificent. Personally, I would be surprised if Tree starts Saturday with the way Herrera has been playing.
• Defensive line. Like Gurley, not a surprise. They are one of the more experienced and largest in the nation. And they walk the walk as well. Twenty-nine tackles for loss in four games. They're both eating space and penetrating into the backfield regularly.
• Aaron Murray has been a huge bright spot. He's complemented his early tenure with great field awareness, better decision making (as amazing as his 12/12 start was against Vandy, his best pass was the one he threw out of the back of the endzone when everything was covered), improved footwork and a hard-nosed edge in leadership.

I really wanted to throw the offensive line a bone as well, but I'll wait until later in the season once everything is clicking. But they have made great strides thus far. Other than that, what did I miss? What has caught your eye?

Trench drills (video)

Dasher put this video up after this morning's media session overlooking the drills. Good shot of Andrews, Dantzler, Theus, Gates going against Jenkins, C Wash, Smith and Johnathan Taylor.