Dawg Night under the lights!

In February the talk, despite a successful class of talented athletes, was that Richt and his staff had missed out on some key recruits, particularly in the state of Georgia. As over 80 of the nation's top (rising senior) recruits descend on Athens this evening for the annual Dawg Night, Richt already has 12 commitments and eight of those are from Georgia.

Shakenneth Williams of Macon

The 2014 class only has room for 10 or so more players. Of course, a lot can happen before next February when a commitment becomes either a signature or a broken promise. But a lot could happen tonight as well. News could come in the form of a commitment, even from a younger 2015 prospect. Dallas Warmack, a junior offensive tackle of Atlanta, is said to be close to making a decision. So is defensive tackle Trenton Thompson of Albany. I'd be a little surprised if Richt didn't end the evening with these two talented big guys on his side of the ledger.

Most eyes will be on the 80 or so 2014 prospects though. And Lorenzo Carter of Norcross is arguably the biggest. He's a lean for Muschamp and the Gators. So you can bet Grantham will be in the ear of this five star defensive end. The staff certainly doesn't want to let yet another talented in state prospect like Carter slip away over one of Georgia's borders. Especially from Norcross after losing out to Alvin Kamara on Signing Day in February.

Another star to watch will be a wide receiver out of Macon, Shakenneth Williams. He's very proud of his offer from Richt, which he received last month. He too could be waiting for the lights at Sanford Stadium to make things official. After all, he said it was the one offer he was hoping to get.

But the real news for Georgia fans continues to be the event itself. Dawg Night has become one of the nation's premier prospect camps and usually gathers some headlines with the number of recruits that make the trip (this year it looks like 300 players will attend, mostly from the state of Georgia) and from the commitments it garners.

Richt is certainly pleased with the event's growth. Hopefully he and his staff are smiling even wider later tonight.

Georgia's secondary full of questions

Aschoff has been ranking each team by position in the SEC, and the Dawgs' secondary come in the lower half. It's a ranking based on two things: who's gone and the youth that is left. Still, there's no questioning the raw talent.

8. Georgia: The Bulldogs lost a ton of production here, but defensive coordinator Todd Grantham is excited by the talent his youngsters have, especially safety Tray Matthews, who might already be one of the top players at his position in the SEC. He covers a lot of ground, has great instincts and hits with the best of them. There's "old man" Damian Swann, who excelled as both a nickel and boundary corner last year. He's now the guy at corner. Sophomore "Star" Josh Harvey-Clemons might be the most talented player in the secondary and he'll work at both safety and linebacker in certain packages. Sophomore Sheldon Dawson left spring as the other starting corner, and the coaches are excited about his potential, while talented early enrollee Reggie Wilkerson will miss the season after suffering an ACL injury. Sophomore Devin Bowman should help at corner, along with true freshman Shaq Wiggins, a former ESPN 150 member. 

All in all it's a group that will be thrown into the fire August 31st. And I think Aschoff for providing the kind of commentary I would prefer our defense read this off season.

DawgNation draft analysis

So the guys at ESPN did a draft for the all-time Dawgs. There's a sneak peak at the first couple rounds below. I think you need to be a subscriber to see the rest. But I'm declaring Schlabach the winner, getting Walker, Champ, Pollack, and Greene in the 4th.p
Studs.

"Juggling" Murray and Mason

Emerson has some suggestions for Richt's staff as we near the August heat and preparation for the season opener. Some of it is easy stuff like situational kicking/going for it in lieu of Marshall Morgan's expected absence. There's also a valid point made about how to handle the safety position while Harvey-Clemons sits.

But this hits even closer to home.

3. Don’t force Hutson Mason into games

Mark Richt has said Mason has earned the right to play, but has also said it won’t be a David Greene-D.J. Shockley arrangement. Good. What’s the happy medium? Not to be callous, but it shouldn’t keep Richt up at night. Aaron Murray has proven his worth and there’s no reason to mess with an offense that works. Mason, by virtue of his willingness to take the redshirt, has put himself in line to be the unquestioned starter as a senior. He’s also the unquestioned first guy in if something happens to Murray. That should be enough, and Georgia isn’t under any obligation to give him anything more.

That last sentence is on the money. Will be interesting to see if Richt feels the same way and does less juggling than he did with Greene-Shockley and more managing.

Coach Richt has lost control of Toby Johnson's back flips

We are certain to see a leaner, more agile defensive front this season. And this video Shaq Wiggins posted to Instagram last night proves it - CLICK HERE. 


On the one hand, watching that makes me even more eager to see what this less obese and more athletic front can do this fall. On the other hand, I'd rather not see potential starters like Johnson and Jay Rome doing acrobatics. Surely Jimmy Williamson and his band of merry men have some law against this sort of thing. I mean, they weren't even wearing shirts.

Malcolm Mitchell on Hornung watch list

One of Richt's most versatile players is also one of the nation's.

Happy Birthday America!

Y'all have a safe and happy Fourth!

Schmitt named Female Athlete of the Year

Five time Olympic medalist Allison Schmitt has been recognized as the SEC's top female athlete.

At the 2012 Olympics in London, Schmitt won three gold medals, one silver medal and one bronze medal. She became the first Georgia swimmer ever to win an individual gold as she claimed the 200-meter freestyle title. Schmitt also anchored the victorious 800-meter freestyle and 400-meter medley relays. She came in second in the 400-meter freestyle and placed third on the 400-meter freestyle relay. With six Olympic medals (including a bronze from the 2008 Games), she ranks first all-time among Georgia swimmers. Following the Games, Schmitt owned one world record and four American records in long-course meters.

The Canton, Mich., native returned for her senior year and helped lead the Lady Bulldogs to the NCAA and SEC titles. She won the NCAA crown in the 200-yard freestyle and helped the 400- and 800-yard freestyle relays notch victories. At the SECs, she picked up titles on the 200-, 400- and 800-yard freestyle relays. Schmitt earned the Honda Sports Award as the nation’s top swimmer. She is attached to one American record and two U.S. Open marks in short-course yards.

Schmitt is the fifth Georgia student-athlete to earn SEC Female Athlete of the Year recognition, joining golfer Vicki Goetze (1992), basketball player Saudia Roundtree (1996), swimmer Kristy Kowal (2000) and gymnast Courtney Kupets (2009). 

An honor well deserved. Thanks for coming back Allison and thanks for another great season. Go Dawgs!

Marshall Morgan arrested for BUI

Happened over the weekend on Lake Sinclair. Not good. (h/t Nabulsi)

Monday's Meatloaf - the Prez Adams interview

In this edition of the meatloaf, done and gone UGA president Michael Adams sits down with me to clear the air a bit, thereby closing a dark chapter in my blogging history.

Bernie: Thanks for coming Mike. Now, lets get this over with...
Prez Adams: No problem really. Although the correct address is of course "Former President Adams". (adjusts his bowtie with the canned cheese and Cabernet stains.)
B: Well, my dime means you have the following choices - Mike...or the more casually accurate Former Prez Asshole...
PA: Good gracious. I'm much more accustomed to pulling the strings rather than being used as a common puppet...but I really do want that sausage mcmuffin...
B: Whatever gets us through this prez assh..I mean Mike. Let's start with your plans now that you're done as UGA's dictator and the university has rejected your designs for a new $25000 office. Does this mean you'll have to live in Russell Hall, with the common student drinking Milwaukee's Best and planning ousters of resident assistants that refuse to give you your own private shower time?
PA: ahem...No. I'm working on starting a course for kickball in the Phys Ed department. As well as a fund reallocation class for UGA finance majors. Hopefully one day I'll get that office.
B: Over my dead body. So how is your kickball game?
PA: I'm working on waddling out grounders and my pitching roll. The other day I almost kicked one past the second station thingamajig. 
B: Incredible. Will you still attend the World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party now that you're no longer UGA's ruler supreme? 
PA: You mean the Georgia-Florida game. And of course. The football program has enjoyed tremendous success while I've...
B: No. I meant the World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party. And you've done little to nothing to be honest.
PA: But you'll recall Bernie that I hired Richt and changed the name of that game...
B: Lemme stop you right there. You're starting to make an Adams out of yourself.

Today's Ingredients
- Evidently Adams also sat down with Emerson. If you're interested in reading more revisionist history.
- And kudos to Kerri for the best Prez Adams is leaving tweet.
- And since she brought up photoshop, thanks to BassinDawg for his efforts in tailoring Adams' gift so perfectly.
- Personally, I'd've been more impressed if David Greene had designed the new playbook app.
- Speaking of cutting edge, Blutarsky is already preparing for the WLOCP.
- Lady Sportswriter updates us on Christian Miller.
- Dude You Crazy finds the bar is set quite higher in College Station.
- Heard a radio ad the other day referring to the reigning Sun Bowl champion Georgia Tech. Well, ecdawg explains that they lost some cash getting out there.
- Clempson gon' Clempson y'all.
- Yep. Clempson gon' Clempson.
- Lastly, new president Jere Morehead has some words for us.

Now, back to a Mickey Dees dining room...

Prez Asshole: So, I can get a second mcmuffin right?
Bernie: Sure. You want an order of grits with it?
PA: What are grits?
B: That was a test. You passed. And failed. Congrats. Let's try another one: how many points is a three pointer worth?
PA: That's not funny. That was that goddamn Dooley's hire. All I did was drop the name.
B: Ah yes. I forgot your Wiki-history was written in pencil. Now, noving on. What will be your lasting legacy in Athens: a greedy cash whore or a backstabbing tyrant with a penchant for opening his piehole way too hard...?
PA: I don't like either of those options. Can I stall long enough to order a McRib and an apple pie?
B: No. This place reeks of Auburness and other not so special sauces. Plus you'd probably order an unsweetened tea with it just to piss me off. Damn yankee.

Prez Asshole getting his jort on. (via BassinDawg)

PA: I'll have you know I grew up in the South. I take offense to that sir!
B: Yeh, but I bet your suitcase was made of carpet as you trudged around the north getting your head spun around about the War of Northern Aggression and how to be chivalrous. I saw you push that old lady aside to get your grubby hands on that half-assed breakfast sandwich.
PA: Well, after all I did to raise SAT scores and improve the campus, can I at least get a ride back to the Arch. Want to make sure Morehead hasn't discovered my decanter of cognac yet.
B: Please. You're the Former Prez Asshole of this town. Stick your thumb out to get down Baxter, then hop on a Milledge bus. 
PA: What's a milledge bus?
B: Not at all shocked to hear that come out of your fat mouth. But I am shocked I'm still giving you your gift.
PA: (makes an awkward face to where you're not sure if he's overly excited or just hoping it's a villa in Tuscany he can use...for research and development...)
B: Here. It's a pair of short jeans. Commonly referred to as "jorts". They're very popular, especially in areas of Florida near (coughs) Gainesville (coughs). Now you can kickball AND fly your freak flag.

With that I dropped a five dollar bill on the table, chunked deuces and went to Waffle House to celebrate. Scattered, smothered and covered. Stick a fork in that joker's reign. Y'all have a terrific Monday. Hopefully the new president drinks bourbon.

Bernie