CFB Recruiting: Will 5-Star RB Isaiah Crowell Chose Alabama Or Georgia?
Isaiah Crowell, a top five running back from the 2011 recruiting class, has been one of the hot topics of conversation for Alabama and Georgia fans hoping to hear his commitment for their respective schools.
Of course, with another year of Mark Ingram, and Trent Richardson entering only his sophomore year, the Crimson Tide can't claim to need Crowell's services as much as the Bulldogs do.
But that doesn't mean Alabama is any less likely to land the coveted prospect.
Crowell has listed his top five choices as Alabama, Georgia, Clemson, Miami, and FSU for quite awhile now, but most observes feel that it's really a two-race horse between the two SEC rivals with the other suitors sitting distantly in the stands.
Crowell has already said that he will be making his commitment at the Under Armor All-American game if he's ready or on National Signing Day, but it will definitely come on one of those two dates.
So will it be Alabama or Georgia? Lets break down some of the key variables and get a better idea.
Potential Playing Time
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At Alabama, Crowell would have to be the good solider and wait his turn because the competition is fierce. Just look at the current situation to get a better idea of what I'm talking about.
Staring running back Mark Ingram could be in line for a second consecutive Heisman trophy and be a top 10 selection in the NFL draft, but many insiders feel his backup, Trent Richardson is actually the better rusher.
That's how things go at Alabama. Unless the player ahead of you on the depth chart isn't getting it done, you wait your turn. Richardson will wait his and then take over the starting job in 2011 with two years of eligibility left.
Behind him is redshirt freshman Eddie Lacy and junior Demetrius Goode.
Georgia offers Crowell a better chance to show of his skills. Washaun Ealey will be a junior in 2011 and while he'll probably take the lion's share of carries unless he doesn't have the breakout year everyone is expecting of him in 2010, there's no one behind him on the depth chart Crowell can't overtake.
If he opts to become a bulldog, Crowell should get playing time as a true freshman and be the favorite to start for at least two seasons.
Edge: Georgia
Offensive Scheme
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The Crimson Tide will feed the ball to their running backs all day long if it's working. This team loves to control the clock with hard nose defense and a methodical ground game.
Their 3,011 rushing yards in 2009 was good enough for eighth in the country and their 601 rushing attempts was the 5th highest total.
That's what allowed Ingram to claim the first Heisman trophy in Alabama school history.
In comparison, Georgia was ranked 46th in rushing last season and their top back had just 717 yards.
The Bulldogs are capable of putting up better numbers than that and should show improvement in 2010, but there's really no comparison between the offensive scheme's from a running back's perspective.
Edge: Alabama
Offensive Line Support
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One of the main reasons Alabama's running game is so successful is because they boast arguably the top offensive line in the country, one that seems to be a swinging gate talent year after year.
The new name to be familiar with is James Carpenter; he'll be taking over at left tackle and as the makings of a star.
Carpenter will be gone by 2011, but the Tide's right tackle will be a sophomore, their center will be a senior, and the two starting guards will be juniors.
Add in the fact that Alabama has highly-rated talent waiting in the wings and the situation looks good for any incoming rusher.
Georgia on the other hand will be losing three starters after this season and doesn't have nearly the same level of depth with their reserves.
This one is another landslide for the Tide.
Edge: Alabama
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Passing Game Support
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Alabama and Georgia have the the top two receivers in the country on their rosters and depending on who you ask you'll get a different answer for which one is better. Both players will be headed to the NFL after the 2010 season though.
For Alabama, the future at quarterback is Philip Sims, the 5-star recruit from their 2010 class.
For Georgia, the future at quarterback is Christian LeMay, the 5-star recruit form their 2011 class. Again, depending on who you ask you'll get a different answer to who's better.
At receiver, both teams have good, young talent with high upside. So for as back and forth the debate is over A.J Green and Julio Jones, the same can be said for the support each passing attack will provide over the next few years.
Edge: Push
Coaching Staff and Development
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Mark Richt might be the longest-tenured coach in the SEC and a staple of the Georgia football program, but you can't deny the effect Nick Saban has had on Alabama or his superior pedigree as a coach, recruiter, and developer at talent.
At LSU he pumped out NFL-caliber talent and he's done the same in his three years at Alabama. His specialty might be the defensive side of the ball, but the proof is written on the walls.
When your current starting running back has a Heisman to his name and his backup is nationally recognized as a future candidate to receive the same award, you're doing something right.
Crowell has talked about going to the NFL and being one of the best running backs in the country. If that's really the case, he should follow in the footsteps of his close friend and potential teammate, Trent Richardson.
Edge: Alabama
2011 Recruiting Class
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Alabama might have the better overall recruiting class in 2011, but most of their top-rated talent is on the defensive side of the ball.
Besides center Ryan Kelly, rated No. 2 at his position, and receiver Marvin Shinn, rated No. 8 at his position, there isn't too much to get overly excited about on the offensive end.
Yes, they have some great players, but when you're looking at a situation like this it can't just be about who has the better overall recruiting class. It has to be about how well a certain prospect would fit into the mix.
At Georgia, they not only have LeMay, one of my favorite prospects from the 2011 class, they also have two 4-star offensive tackles who excel at run blocking and have very high ceilings.
Add in speedy 4-star receiver Chris Conely and Crowell would be a perfect complementary piece to what they already have in place.
This isn't to say Alabama's recruiting class is subpar, quite the contrary actually; they have one of the top classes in the country. Georgia's offensive pieces just mesh better with Crowell's game.
Edge: Georgia
Overall Edge
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Crowell once said that Georgia was his favorite school growing up and for awhile I thought the Bulldogs had the edge partially based on that.
But since then he's made four visits to Alabama, has spoken very highly of the program, the players, the coaches, and the school. He's developed a close friendship with Trent Richardson and has begun inching closer and closer to the Crimson Tide side of the fence.
At the end of the day, Alabama just offers him more. They have one of the top running games in the country, a monstrous offensive line, and a coaching staff that has helped two 5-star recruits reach stardom at the position in the last couple years.
Georgia might be home and the Bulldogs might be his childhood team, but it just doesn't look like that's enough to sway him that direction anymore.
Edge: Alabama
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