Georgia Football Recruiting: Tracking 2012 National Signing Day Targets

It's almost time.

It's almost time for the Georgia Bulldogs to sign their next group of future starts as national signing day approaches.

With 16 players already committed, the Bulldogs have a strong class, but they want to have a very strong finish and look to close on a few players that have not committed yet, but are considering the Bulldogs.

Here's a look at the 17 players that have committed as well as a few players that are still on Georgia's radar.

Josh Harvey-Clemons, Athlete, Lowndes HS, Valdsota, GA

Josh Harvey-Clemons is considered by many as the top linebacker in the country and the best recruit in the state of Georgia,

He finished his senior season at Lowndes with 117 tackles, five for losses and three interceptions. He was named as the Georgia Region 1-AAAAA Player of the Year and was also named to the All-State First Team.

Every major college has offered Clemons, so it will be very interesting to see what decision he makes when signing day arrives.

Harvey-Clemson is ranked No. 31 overall by Rivals.com.

Committed to Georgia on 2/1 

Dalvin Tomlinson, Defensive Tackle, Henry County HS, McDonough, GA

Here's another in-state player the Bulldogs are going hard after.

Dalvin Tomlinson is only 270 pounds, but he is very strong and very fast.

Tomlinson is known for being a strong pass-rusher and if he ends up going to UGA, he will be used as a defensive end since the Bulldogs run the 3-4 scheme.

Rivals has Tomlinson ranked as the 11th best defensive tackle in the country.

As of right now, Tomlinson is down to three schools and there's no telling which direction he will go.

Committed to Alabama to 2/1

Cordarrelle Patterson, Wide Receiver, Hutchinson C.C., Hutchinson, KS

This might be a long shot for the Bulldogs but they are taking a good look at Cordarrelle Patterson.

Standing at 6'4" and 205 pounds, Patterson has become won the most dangerous weapons in the country.

While at Hutchinson Community College last year, Patterson had 61 receptions for 924 yards and 15 touchdowns.

He has narrowed his decisions to three schools, but has not revealed those three yet.

He will make his final decision on Wednesday.

Committed to Tennessee on 2/1

Trae Elston, Safety, Oxford High School, Oxford, AL

This safety from Alabama is not easy to read.

Trae Elston is one of the best players in the state because he can play either safety or wide receiver.

Elston had over 100 tackles and seven picks last season, but he also has 21 yards he catched on 12 receptions at the wideout position.

Oklahoma State is leading the race, but has not ruled out schools such as UGA or any other school that has offense.

Elston is the 28th best safety in the country according to Rivals.

Committed to Ole Miss on 2/1

Faton Bauta, Quarterback, Dwyer HS, West Palm Beach, FL

Faton Bauta has been called the next Tim Tebow because he runs like a fullback but also threw for over 1,000 yards, 13 touchdowns and four picks last season.

Standing at 6'3", 220 pounds, Bauta is a physical player that has a very strong arm. According to Rivals, he is the 15th-best dual-threat quarterback in the country and the 79th-best player in Florida.

He graduated from Dwyer in December so he could get used to the Athens lifestyle and the football terminology. So all Bauta has to do is sign on Wednesday and he will be good to go.

Verbally Committed to Georgia

James Deloach, Defensive End, Jenkins County HS, Millen, GA

One of the Bulldogs strengths is the linebacker position and they look to continue that trend with the addition of James Deloach.

Standing at 6'3" and 260 pounds, Deloach can play either outside linebacker or defensive end. He is considered one of the best players in the state so this was a guy the Bulldogs had to have in order to continue to run the state of Georgia when it comes to recruiting.

Deloach is the 74th best defensive end according to Scout.

Verbally Committed to Georgia

Jonathan Taylor, Defensive Tackle, Jenkins County HS, Millen, GA

Can we say package deal?

Along with Deloach, the Bulldogs were able to nab Jonathan Taylor who is considered by many recruiting services as one of the 10 best defensive tackles in the country.

With his size and agility, Taylor has a chance to be the best defensive tackle to come out of Georgia in the last five years.

Rivals has Taylor ranked as the seventh best defensive tackle in the country.

In fact, Rivals said he so talented, they compare him to Baltimore Ravens nose tackle Holti Ngata.

That's not a bad comparison at all.

Verbally committed to Georgia

John Atkins, Defensive Tackle, Thomson HS, Thomson, GA

Thomson High School is located 60 miles from Athens so John Atkins will be not far away from home when he starts in the fall.

Atkins is a 300-pound defensive tackle, but has played tight end, offensive tackle and defensive end.

Depending on where the coaches want him, Atkins will either play defensive end or nose tackle in the fall. Regardless, the Bulldogs got a very athletic player that will play early.

Atkins is the 23rd best DT in the country according to Scout.

Verbally Committed to Georgia

Collin Barber, Kicker, Cartersville HS, Cartersville, GA

This was a need for the Bulldogs because they are losing Blair Walsh and Drew Butler.

Colin Barber will probably be a punter on the next level and actually committed to the Bulldogs after working out in font of the coaches at the UGA camp last summer.

Barber can put a five-second hang time on his punts and kicked a 54-yard field goal during his junior year.

He should go down as another good kicker for the Bulldogs if he continues to improve.

Verbally Committed to Georgia

Mark Beard, Offensive Lineman, Coffeyville C.C., Coffeyville, KS

As of now, this is the last Bulldog player to verbally commit.

Mark Beard had a good season at Coffeyville Community College, as he was selected to the All-Conference team and was also named the team's MVP.

The offensive tackle has the chance to play this fall since Cordy Glenn and Justin Anderson will not return.

And with Beard enrolling early to take part in spring drills, the chances of him starting will be greater.

Verbally Committed to Georgia

Leonard Floyd, Defensive End, Dodge County, Eastman, GA

Leonard Floyd is one of the top defensive ends in Georgia, but will likely play linebacker at the next level. Floyd recorded 10 sacks this past season and will likely be an effective outside linebacker.

Floyd committed to the Bulldogs last spring because he wanted to focus on his team and not his college decision. So the chances of him making a last minute change are slim, to none.

Rivals has Floyd as the 13th best defensive end in the country.

Verbally Committed to Georgia

Keith Marshall, All-Purpose Back, Millbrok HS, Raleigh, NC

You can never have enough running backs and the Bulldogs hope that Keith Marshall can make an early impact.

Because all the issues with Crowell last year, Richt was looking for two more running backs for depth and Marshall is as good as it gets when it comes to running and receiving.

Rushing for over 1,800 yards and scoring 24 touchdowns his final season, Marshall has a very good chance of stealing snaps from some of the veteran players this upcoming season, especially with him enrolling early to participate in spring drills.

Marshall is the 48th best overall player in the country according to Rivals.

Verbally Committed to Georgia

Todd Gurley, Running Back, Tarboro HS, Tarboro, NC

As mentioned earlier, Richt wanted to get two top-notched running backs and he was able to do that by getting Marshall as well as he very good friend Todd Gurley.

As good as Marshall's numbers were his senior year, Gurley's numbers were out of this world, rushing for 2,600 yards and 36 touchdowns.

Gurley was named AP North Carolina Player of the Year and led Tarboro to its third consecutive state title.

With Marshall enrolled and both players wanting to go to the same school together, Marshall is a lock for Georgia.

Gurley is ranked by Rivals as the 42nd best overall player in the country.

Verbally Committed to Georgia

Quayvon Hicks, Fullback, Pierce County HS, Blackshear, GA

Quayvon Hicks is being recruited as a fullback, but he also can play linebacker or defensive end.

But he will be a fullback because according to Rivals, Hicks is listed as the second-best fullback in the country.

Standing at 6'2", 245 pounds, Hicks will be a great addition to the backfield, especially when you bring in Marshall and Gurley.

Hicks committed last June and was the seventh player to commit to the Bulldogs.

Verbally Committed to Georgia

Jordan Jenkins, Defensive End, Harris County HS, Hamilton, GA

This defensive end from Hamilton, Ga. is probably one of the five best recruits in the state so it was essential for the Bulldogs to target Jordan Jenkins.

The best thing Jenkins has going for him is his work ethic. He loves playing the game of football and wants to be better every time he is out on the field.

He should fit into Todd Grantham's system just fine.

Jenkins is ranked the 56th best player in the country according to Rivals.

Verbally Committed to Georgia

Marshall Morgan, Kicker, American Heritage HS, Miami, Fl

Marshall Morgan has a great chance to be another great kicker for the Bulldogs.

During his senior season at American Heritage, he nailed 10-of-12 field goals with his longest being 60 yards.

Morgan is considered one of the 10 best kickers in the country, but can also punt if needed.

Morgan and Barber has the makings of a very good duo.

Verbally Committed to Georgia

Greg Pyke, Offensive Lineman, Boys Latin School, Baltimore MD

At 6'6", 315 pounds, Greg Pyke is known for being very aggressive when he is between the trenches.

Just like the other linemen that have committed, Pyke has a chance to play right away because the Bulldogs are losing five senior linemen.

Pyke did not have Georgia on his radar until he visited the campus during the summer and the coaches were impressed with him.

Pyke is listed by Rivals 29th best offensive guard in the country.

Verbally Committed the Georgia

Ty Smith, Tight End, Colquitt County HS, Moultrie, GA

The coaches hope Ty Smith can make an impact when he is ready to play.

The tight end from Moultrie, Ga. had 785 receiving yards and five touchdowns.

The system that Georgia runs is different from what Colquitt County runs, but he should be able to adjust.

He was the third player to commit to Georgia, so he should be solid on signing day.

Smith is listed the 12th best tight end in the country according to Rivals.

Verbally Committed to Georgia

Blake Tibbs, Wide Receiver, Martin Luther King HS, Lithonia, GA

Blake Tibbs could very well be the most dynamic player in the class.

Tibbs caught 66 passes for 1,086 yards and 15 touchdowns, and he also returned two kickoffs for touchdowns.

He got a late offer from the Bulldogs because C.J. Curry de-comitted from Georgia for Oklahoma State.

Tibbs was the 15th player to commit.

Tibbs is the 65th best wide receiver in the country according to Rivals.

Verbally Committed to Georgia

John Theus, Offensive Lineman, Bolles HS, Jacksonville, FL

If there was one out-of-state recruit the Bulldogs needed to get, it was John Theus.

The reason for this is the Bulldogs needed a top-notch tackle to fill the void of Glenn and Anderson, and Theus is considered by many as one of the five best tackles in the county.

Theus has great size and has the ability to start the next four years.

Fans are excited because this is the best offensive lineman recruit to come to Athens in the last few years.

Theus is listed by Rivals as the 23rd best player in the country.

Verbally Committed to Georgia

Sheldon Dawson, Athlete, Ridgeway HS, Memphis, TN

Ranked as the 27th best athlete in the country according to Rivals and the 11th best cornerback according to Scout, Sheldon Dawson brings a lot to the table.

With his ability to play both ways, Dawson has a chance to be a early contributor to the Bulldogs if he plays his cards right.

He committed to the Bulldogs on Monday night and will make a formal announcement on Wednesday afternoon.

Verbally Committed to Georgia

Josh Dawson, Defensive End, Tucker HS, Tucker, GA

Josh Dawson is the 27th best defensive end in the country according to Scout, but will be another player that will play outside linebacker.

Dawson was a key player last season for Tucker, who won the Class 4A State Championship. Dawson has great speed and should fit into Todd Grantham's system very quickly.

He was a long-time Vanderbilt commit, but recently made the jump to the Bulldogs.

Committed to Georgia on 2/1