National Signing Day 2015

February is a busy month. My birthday, Valentine's Day (which would be a billion times better if Spree Hearts would make a comeback...), and Winter break for the school system in which I teach give me plenty to look forward to in the second month of the new year. But my favorite day of February isn't any of these.  It's National Signing Day.  Why, you may ask, do I like NSD better than my own birthday or most other women's favorite holiday? First of all, it's incredibly unpredictable, which makes the day especially exciting.  Kids commit to schools months out, but you never know until NSD if they will stay true to their word or flip to a rival school.  Additionally, analyzing the recruits gives me something to do until football season comes back around (which seems to take FOREVER). Most importantly, it's a day packed with sentimental value.  We get to watch countless young men take the first step in making their dreams come true.  Some of these may not have been able to afford college at all were it not for football scholarships.  What's not to love?

This year for UGA proved to be highly successful, in my opinion.  I was skeptical at Bobo's departure over which recruits would explore other options after his exit, but with the hire of Schottenheimer we were able to secure many of our original targets on offense.

Here is a quick rundown of UGA's NSD:

• UGA picked up 28 new commitments in this year's recruiting class
• 5-star: 2
• 4-star: 10
• 3-star: 14
• 2-star: 2
• 6 early enrollees
• 2 transfers
• JUCO LB Chucks Amaechi
• UAB transfer Jake Ganus (leading tackler on his team last year)
• UGA ended the day with the 8th best recruiting class, according to ESPN. (Watch for Roquan Smith's decision. If he chooses UGA it would definitely move the Dawgs higher in the rankings)
• 8 offensive recruits
• 18 defensive recruits (#Pruitteffect)
• 2 athletes
• No QBs signed in this class, but we will have one preferred walk on (Nick Robinson)

NOTABLE NSD MOMENTS:

Re-Commit to the G

Shaquery Wilson, Pat Allen, and Terry Godwin all flirted with other teams (Wilson and Allen formally de-committed from UGA), but ended up pleasantly surprising everyone when they ended up back with UGA in the end. Sighs of relief echoed through Dawg Nation.

Leap of Faith

Days before National Signing Day, UGA's only RB recruit flipped his commitment to Oklahoma State.  Hours later, his spot was already filled.  Tae Crowder was offered a scholarship over the phone by Mark Richt, and he committed on the spot, without ever meeting any of the coaches or even setting foot on campus.  Crowder is a longtime UGA fan, and that was enough to seal the deal for him and cause him to flip from GA Southern.  While Crowder is only a 2-star recruit, at 6'2 and 220lbs he looks to be a versatile back who isn't afraid to plow down anyone between him and the endzone.  Watch his senior season highlights here.

Roquan Smith, Will He or Won't He?

Bless this boy's heart.  Roquan Smith ended up "committing" to UCLA at his official announcement, but never faxed in his paperwork. Questions surrounding Ulbrich and the Falcons kept him from sealing the deal. Word is that he had UGA gear in his bag at his announcement, and it easily could have gone either way.  He is now taking his time and sticking to his original top 4 schools from which to choose.  His coach says the entire day was extremely nerve-wracking for him, and I truly feel for the kid.

FAM 15 

"Fam 15" is made up of a dedicated bunch of boys.  After committing to UGA many of these players became some of our best recruiters.  Most notably, Trenton Thompson (more on him later) spent lots of time at Roquan Smith's school after his own announcement trying to bring him into the fold.  I've also heard that after Roquan Smith hesitated in his decision, the entire group of recruits texted him encouraging words.  I like them already.

PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Terry Godwin, ATH 5'11" 166 lbs

Godwin will most likely end up playing wide receiver at UGA, and could make an immediate impact. I don't think he'll beat out Malcolm Mitchell, but Justin Scott-Wesley needs to watch his back. Godwin is a 5-star recruit and obviously has the natural tools to succeed.  See his 2014 season highlights here.

Trenton Thompson, DT 6'4" 293 lbs

This guy is a beast.  Seriously.  He's super quick for his size and is like a magnet to the ball. Whenever I have a stressful day, I watch this video of him basically destroying people on the football field and I immediately feel better.  See for yourself:

 

Jonathan Ledbetter, DE 6'3" 272lbs

We signed this guy's older brother (Joseph Ledbetter, and it's an interesting story) last fall to get baby bro to Athens. Similar to Thompson, he will find a way to get to the ball. Watch his 2013 highlights here.

MY WAY-TOO-EARLY PRE-GDAY STARTING LINEUP:

Offense

QB: Winner of the Brice Ramsey/Jacob Park battle royal (I honestly think this one is too close to call without seeing them in action at G-Day)

FB: Quayvon Hicks

TB: Nick Chubb and his team of other All-Americans.(They're like their own league of football-playing superheroes.)

WR: Malcolm Mitchell and Justin Scott-Wesley/Terry Godwin

TE: Jeb Blazevich

LT: John Theus

LG: Brandon Kublanow

C: Hunter Long (He might get beat by Isaiah Wynn)

RG: Greg Pyke

RT: 6th year senior Kolton Houston

Defense

DE: Sterling Bailey, Jordan Jenkins

NT: Trenton Thompson

OLB: Leonard Floyd, Lorenzo Carter

ILB: Tim "The Killer" Kimbrough, Jake Ganus/Reggie Carter

CB: Aaron Davis, Malkom Parrish

S: Dominick Sanders, Quincy Mauger

*I don't expect many of the incoming freshmen to beat anyone out of a position, but I do expect many of them to see significant playing time.  

For a full list of the 28 new Dawgs, go to https://rivals.yahoo.com/uga/football/recruiting/commitments/