National Signing Day 2011: How Cal, and Georgia Re-Built Their Programs

Recruiting is THE WAY to build a dynasty in college football. You have fair share at any player in the country that you want.

Teams have struck gold like the Cornhuskers in Tommy Frazier and Gators in Tim Tebow, both led their respected teams to national recognition.

But teams have struck out before in their draft classes. Look at the USC Trojans recruiting Class of 2007. Joe McKnight, Marc Tyler, and Chris Galippo, the three top players in the country. None of those 3 did anything for the Trojans. McKnight left after 3 average seasons, and Tyler and Galippo have battled injuries pretty much every year.

But the California Golden Bears and Georgia Bulldogs made all the right moves in recruiting for the Class of 2011. Let's take alook.

Cal: Offense

Top Signees: Maurice Harris, Brendon Bigelow, Daniel Lasco, Kyle Boehm.

Jeff Tedford, Cal's offensive guru did a great job in bolstering Cal's offense this winter. He got the Bears a 4-star receiver to go along with Keenan Allen, in Maurice Harris. Harris has great speed, size, and athleticism to contribute to the Bears passing attack.

Tedford also got not one, but two running backs to replace Shane Vereen who jumped ship for the Draft. Bigelow is pretty much Vereen 2.0., with great speed, and receiving ability, Bigelow is a nice flashy playmaker. Tedford also got Daniel Lasco who is more of an every-down back that will compliment well with Bigelow.

And finally, the Bears got a good quarterback in Kyle Boehm. Boehm has a great arm with all of the intangibles and measurable that you want in a quarterback. Boehm also has great running skills. If Tedford can work his magic on Boehm, he can add another great quarterback to his coaching resume.

Cal: Defense

Top Signees: Avery Walls, Todd Barr, Jason Gibson, Brennan Scarlet, Mustafa Jalil, Stefan McClure, and Puka Lopa, Villiami Moala

What might be better than the Offense Tedford got in this years class? The defense.

Tedford beefed up the defensive line extremly well with Todd Barr and Villiami Moala. Barr and Moala are both 4-star prospects and have great skills on the line. Barr is a 6'1 260lb. DT but will most likely play defensive end due to his smaller stature. Moala is a 6'3 330lb. freak of a DT that can rush the passer and stop the run. The dude is an absolutle freak. Brennan Scarlett also adds nice depth at the Defensive End position. Mustafa Jalil rounds it all out and gives the Bears another 300lb. DT on the line.

For the linebackers, Cal got Jason Gibson and Puka Lopa. Lopa was Moala's teammate on the line at Grant. Lopa stands at 6'3 245lbs. A little small for a defensive end, and will most likely play LB, outside or inside. Lopa has great pass rush skills and has surprising well coverage skills. Gibson is another OLB that matches Lopa with great pass rush skills and good run stopping skills.

And finally on to the secondary. Tedford got 4-star safety Avery Walls to get the Bears a good shut-down defensive back. Walls has great coverage skills and instincts with great speed.

Cal: Final Notes

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

BERKELEY, CA - NOVEMBER 20: Head coach Jeff Tedford of the California Golden Bears watches his team play their game against the Stanford Cardinal at California Memorial Stadium on November 20, 2010 in Berkeley, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Imag

Once again, Jeff Tedford did a great job in assembling a great class at Cal. Despite a disappointing 5-7 season, the Bears should bounce back well and have built a great program for the next 4+ years. If the Bears can beef up their secondary more, and the offensive line, don't be surprised if Cal beats Stanford and Oregon for the PAC-12 North Title, and this is coming from a HUGE Oregon Ducks fan. I am honestly scared of Cal now.

And on another note, Tedford got two players from Grant High School. That is where Shaq Thompson, brother of former Bear Syd'Quan Thompson. Thompson is one of the top Athletes in the Nation for 2012. With two Grant players already on the Bears roster, that gives added incentive for Thompson to go to Cal.

Georgia: Offense

Top Signees: Isaiah Crowell, Jay Rome, Malcom Mitchell, Chrisitan LeMay

The Bulldogs brought in the Number 4 prospect in the Nation, Isaiah Crowell. The running back out of Carver High School in Georgia, is an explosive package at running back. Crowell has all of the tools, size, speed, strength, nice elusiveness, and good hands. Crowell gives the Bulldogs the running back that they seem to have always won with.

The Bulldogs also brought in TE Jay Rome who is great at pass blocking and receiving.

Malcom Mitchell is the other freak that Richt brought in this year. With good cutting ability, amazing speed, great vertical ability, and overall pure athleticism, Mitchell will immediately replace AJ Green who left early for the Draft. 

Chrisitna LeMay will be the quarterback of the future. With nice legs and a great arm, LeMay will be in-line to replace incumbent starter Aaron Murray.

Georgia: Defense

Top Signees: Ray Drew, Damian Swan, Sterling Bailey, Devin Bowman, Kent Turlene, Amarlo Herra, Corey Moore, Ramik Wilson.

The top defensive signee for the Bulldogs is clearly Ray Drew. Drew is quick off the ball and has great speed and strength to get to the passer or running back. With great size, speed, and strength, Drew gives the Bulldogs great talent and upside.

For linebackers, the Bulldogs signed 3 great ones. With Kent Turlene Amarlo Herra, the Bulldogs have their two outside linebackers that have great pass-rush and run-stop skills. With Justin Houston also leaving for the draft, these two are going to be great for the Bulldogs. At inside linebacker, Richt got Ramik Wilson who has great flexibility in coverage and run-stop. A freaksih-athlete, don't sleep on Wilson.

And finally for the secondary the Bulldogs added Devin Bowman, Damian Swan, and Corey Moore. Swan is a tall, lanky, shut-down corner. Bowman gives the Bulldogs secondary, a talented 3-phase prospect that has great speed, quickness and hands. And finally for the safety position, Richt got Corey Moore, a well-rounded physical prospect that has great size to play safety.

Georgia: Final Notes

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

AUBURN, AL - NOVEMBER 13: Head coach Mark Richt of the Georgia Bulldogs against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on November 13, 2010 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Mark Richt has been disappointing in his career at Georgia, he failed to lead a team with great talent on it, to victories. That could change with this years recruiting class.

In two years, the recruits Georgia signed could be leading the Bulldogs back into the SEC elite and make the once proud Georgia program, no-longer a laughing stock.