Breaking Down Recruiting: 2009

Bring 'em in!

Time to break down the recruiting classes for Clemson, Georgia and South Carolina.
I will be looking to see if they addressed the main needs, replaced personnel wise, and if they picked up any bonuses.

Starting with the Tigers.

Clemson
The Tigers have a small class coming in due to the firing of now ex-coach Tommy Bowden. But, what they lacked in quantity, they signed in star quality. Their biggest signings may be QB Tajh Boyd and DE Mallicah Goodman. Boyd gives coach Dabo Swinney his first QB to fit his system and that he can develope how he sees fit. Goodman gives him a man to build his future defense around, and continue the tradition of signing high quality defensive ends (like Ricky Sapp and DaQuaun Bowers).

Along with Boyd, the Tigers signed a guy to run the ball, and to catch Boyd's passes in the future. RB Rod McDowell of Sumter, and WR Bryce McNeal give the Tigers an offensive group to build around.

Safety Jonathan Meeks may be the steal of the class, and gives the Tigers another safety to hopefully put in with a wide open competition at both safety spots.

With a class this small, it is hard to say if the Tigers addressed their needs. Of course the QB is big, along with the RB and WR. Along the Oline, they signed two from in-state: JK Jay and Brandon Thomas. On defense with Goodman and Meeks were all 3 star guys (according to Rivals). The signing of DT Tyler Shatley did address a depth need, but he will probably need a redshirt year. One need was linebacker, and the Tigers signed three: Corico Hawkins, Quandon Christian, and Spencer Shuey. One late pick up was DE Darryl Smith out of Alabama. He will probably redshirt. This gives the Tigers a future to build a front 7 for the future.

The only area the Tigers didn't address was corner. I think it would've went a long way if the Tigers could have signed one or two guys. Other than that, maybe one more Olinemen, and more Dlinemen, and maybe another WR would've closed out a good class.

The one plus to signing a class this small is that the Tigers are set up to sign a monster sized class for 2010, and with a strong season, it could be a monster rated class.

The only players I see contributing immediately is Meeks because of the open depth chart at safety. Look for him to play alongside RS freshman Spencer Matthews. Goodman may get in some spot duty, but I don't see him unseating Sapp or Bowers. McNeal may see some action if WRs Xavier Dye or Brandon Clear don't pan out, and the Tigers will need a possession receiver after losing Aaron Kelly.

Don't expect Boyd to play this year. He has talent, but he will have to beat out Will Korn and Kyle Parker, who were also highly rated recruits and have been in the system.

Projected Depth Chart for the Tigers
QB: Willy Korn or Kyle Parker, Jon Richt, Michael Wade, Tajh Boyd (RS)
RB: CJ Spiller, Jamie Haper, Andre Ellington, Rod McDowell (RS)
WR: Xavier Dye, Brandon Ford, Brandon Clear
LT: Chris Hairson, Jamal Medlin, JK Jay (RS)
LG: Mason Cloy, Wilson Norris, Brandon Thomas (RS)
C: Thomas Austin, Ben Ramsey, Matt Sanders,
RG: Antoine McClain, David Smith, Kenneth Page
RT: Landon Walker, Dalton Freeman
TE: Michael Palmer, Dwayne Allen, Rendrick Taylor, Durrell Berry, Phillip Price
WR: Marquan Jones, Terrence Ashe,
WR: Jacoby Ford, Bryce McNeal, Jaron Brown
*FB: Chad Deihl, Jamie Harper

DE: Ricky Sapp, Kourtnei Brown or Mallicah Goodman, Drew Taylor
DT: Jarvis Jenkins, Miguel Chavis, Jaime Cumbie
DT: Brandon Thompson, Rennie Moore
DE: DaQuan Bowers, Andre Branch, Byron Clear
LB: Scotty Cooper, Tarik Rollins, Quandon Christian
LB: Brandon Maye, Jeremy Campbell, Spencer Shuey
LB: Stanley Hunter, Jonathan Williard, Corico Hawkins
CB: Crezdon Butler, Coty Sensabaugh, Byron Maxwell
S: Spencer Matthews, Rashard Hall, Daniel Andrews
S: DeAndre McDaniel, Jonathan Meeks, Carlton Lewis
CB: Marcus Gilchrist, Xavier Brewer

K: Spencer Benton P: Dawson Zimmerman

South Carolina
The Gamecocks pulled in a monster sized class, almost 30 guys, and it also had some high quality players in it, as well as some guys that could develope. The main cogs to this group are already in school though. RB Jarvis Giles, DB/LB Devonte Holloman, and ATH Stephon Gilmore were the headliners to the class, while JUCO transfer LBs Tony Straughter and Josh Dickerson look to add to the defense with prep school enrollee DE Chaz Sutton. The biggest steal though could be WR Alshoun Jeffrey.

On offense, to go along with Giles, was RB Ben Axon, WRs DeMario Bennet, Charles Holmes, Jeffrey, Lamar Scruggs, DeAngelo Smith, TE/DE Justice Cunningham, and OL Nick Allison. JUCO offensive linemen Kevious Watkins and Steven Singleton and prep schooler OL/DL Ronald Byrd rounded out the offense. Spurrier also got a commitment from little known QB Andrew Clifford.

On defense, the Gamecocks added another prep schooler in DE Leon Mackey, along with high school grads DEs Aldrick Fordham, DT Duane Chisolm, LBs Dickerson, Chaun Gresham, Quin Smith, and Straughter, and DBs Corey Addison, Chris Payne, and D.J. Swearinger.

USC also signed a few athletes like Gilmore, adding Matt Coffee (LB/RB), Damario Jeffrey (S/LB/WR), and Jimmy Legree (DB/WR).

This class really hit all over the board. USC lost Chris Smelley and replaced him with Clifford. Also, a need for a game breaker at RB, and they have that potential. Also, WR was addressed. The defense was also well addressed.

The only area USC could've used a little more of is maybe one extra offensive linemen (they missed on Quinton Washington) and maybe a true corner. Also, USC could've used a kicker for the departure of Ryan Succop.

Look for a good bit of this class to redshirt, but don't expect Gilmore, Holloman, Giles, Straughter, or Dickerson to get the same treatment.The only question is, where will Gilmore play? DB, RB, WR, QB? Also, Watkins and Singleton are going to be expected to pick up the offense when they get in school. Also, Chaz Sutton will be expected to add depth along the D-line. Only other two that may play are Scruggs and Alshoun Jeffrey, depending on the WR situation, and maybe Damario at back up safety/spur/LB.

Another question is who will make it in. Players like Chisolm, Holmes, and Axon are borderline players. Holmes has said he is going prep, bu Axon and Chisolm are still up in the air.

Projected Depth Chart for South Carolina
QB: Stephen Garcia, Reid McCollum, Aramis Hillary, Zac Brandise, Andrew Clifford (RS)
RB: Kenny Miles, Jarvis Giles, Brian Maddox, Eric Baker, Ben Axon (RS)
WR: Jason Barnes, Alshoun Jeffrey, Tori Childers
LT: Jarriel King, Steven Singleton, Kyle Nunn
LG: Seaver Brown, T.J. Johnson, Lemuel Jeanpierre, Nick Allison (RS)
C: Garrett Anderson, , Ryan Broadhead, Pierre Andrews
RG: Terrence Campbell, Kevious Watkins, Kevin Young
RT: Quinton Richardson, Hutch Eckerson, Ronald Byrd (RS)
TE: Wes Saunders, Mike Triglia, Byron McKnight, Nick Prochack, Andrew Power
WR: Moe Brown, Joe Hills, Matt Clements, DeAngleo Smith (RS)
WR: Dion Lecorn, D.L. Moore, Lamar Scruggs, Stephen Flint, Demario Bennett (RS)
*FB: Pat Dimarco, Brian Maddox, Justice Cunningham (RS)

DE: Cliff Matthews, Leon Mackey, Devin Taylor
DT: Ladi Ajiboye, Travian Robertson, Duane Chisolm
DT: Nate Pepper, Kenny Davis, Melvin Ingram
DE: Clifton Geathers, Chaz Sutton, Darantzy Brunson, Aldrick Fordham (RS)
LB: Eric Norwood, Tony Straughter, Shaq Wilson, Chaun Gresham (RS)
LB: Rodney Paulk, Josh Dickerson, Reggie Bowens, Quin Smith (RS)
Spur: Darian Stewart, Devonte Holloman, Alonzo Winfield, Matt Coffee (RS)
CB: Akeem Auguste, Jay Spearman, Jimmy Legree
S: Antonio Allen, Damario Jeffrey, Jarrett Burns
S: Chris Culliver, Chris Payne, Corey Addison
CB: CC Whitlock, Stephon Gilmore, Addison Williams

K: Adam Yates or Eric Davis
P: Spencer Lanning

Georgia
The Bulldogs pulled in a good size class of 18 players. The class is made up of solid players, some that will play immediately, while others will redshirt. The big signee was CB Branden Smith, and OL Chris Burnette and QB Aaron Murray are the co-headliners. The biggest Signing Day pickup though, is WR Marlon Brown (6'5, 205).

Along with Murray, Brown, and Burnette on offense, Georgia signed QB Zach Mettenberger, RB Washaun Ealey, WR Rantvious Wooten, TE Arthur Lynch, OL Dallas Lee and Austin Long.

On defense, the Dawgs brought in, with Smith (some of whom rank the top corner in the country), DE Montez Robinson, DTs Derrick Lott and Abry Jones, LBs Michael Gilliard, Dexter Moody and Chase Vasser, and DBs Jordan Love and Shawn Williams.

I really like this Bulldog class. It hit all over the board, and addressed some key issues.

Georgia wasn't losing much personnel wise, and the players they were losing they replaced numbers wise.

Don't be surprised if one of the QBs is starting, or if one transfers eventually. I expect Ealey and Wooten to RS, but Brown I expect to play. I expect the rest of the offensive signees to RS.
On defense, Smith has the best chance to start, and maybe Michael Gilliard in relief, but expect most of these guys to also RS.

Projected Depth Chart for Georgia
QB: Joe Cox, Aaron Murray, Logan Gray, Jonathan DeLaureal, Zach Mettenberger (RS)
RB: Caleb King, Dontavious Jackson, Carlton Thomas, Richard Samuel, Washaun Ealey (RS)
FB: Chaun Chapas, Fred Munzenmeier, Justin Fields
WR: A.J. Green, Marlon Brown, Mike Moore, Tony Wilson
LT: Clint Boling, Josh Davis, Austin Long (RS)
LG: Cordy Glenn, A.J. Harmon, Chris Burnette (RS)
C: Ben Jones, Chris Davis, Ben Harden
RG: Tanner Strickland, Kevin Perez, Dallas Lee (RS)
RT: Trinton Sturdivant, Justin Anderson
TE: Aron White, Bruce Figgins, Bryce Ross, Casey Nickles, Arthur Lynch (RS)
WR: Tavaress King, Israel Troupe, Kris Durham, Rantavious Wooten (RS)

DE: Damarcus Dobbs, Justin Houston, Jeremy Longo
DT: Geno Atkins, DeAngelo Tyson, Abry Jones
DT: Kade Weston, Ricardo Crawford, Derrick Lott
DE: Kiante Tripp, Cornelius Washington, Neland Ball, Montez Robinson (RS)
LB: Akeem Dent, Marcus Dowtin, Nick Williams, Dexter Moody (RS)
LB: Rennie Curran, Akeem Hebron, Charles White, Chase Vasser (RS)
LB: Darryl Gamble, Christian Robinson, Michael Gilliard
CB: Brandon Boykin, Sanders Cummings, Chad Gloer
S: Reshad Jones, Makiri Pugh, Quintin Banks
S: Bacarri Rambo, John Knox, Bryan Evans, Shawn Williams (RS)
CB: Prince Miller, Branden Smith, Vance Cuff, Jordan Love (RS)
K: Blair Walsh P: Drew Butler

Conference Rankings

SEC
1-Alabama
2-LSU
3-Florida
4-Georgia
5-South Carolina
6-Arkansas
7-Auburn
8-Tennessee
9-Ole Miss
10-Kentucky
11-Miss. State
12-Vanderbilt

ACC
1-Florida State
2-North Carolina
3-Miami
4-Clemson
5-Virginia
6-Virginia Tech
7-Maryland
8-Georgia Tech
9-Duke
10-Boston College
11-Wake Forest
12-N.C. State

Early Look Top 10 at 2010 in SC
1-Marcus Lattimore (RB)
2-Martavis Bryant (WR)
3-Brandon Willis (DE)
4-DeAndre Hopkins (DB)
5-Corey Miller (DE)
6-AJ Cann (OL/DL)
7-Justin Parker (LB)
8-Eric Mack (OL)
9-Joe Craig (ATH)
10-Clayton Geathers (DB)

Comments

  1. just wondering......when did Auburn leave the SEC?????

    ReplyDelete

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