UGA Football: Ranking Top Recruits Who Will Play in 2011 Season

UGA is gearing up for what looks to be a great season with a red-hot quarterback, a very manageable schedule and some great recruits joining the squad.

With several positions on the Georgia team fairly thin in terms of depth, some of these incoming Bulldogs have an opportunity to play right away and make a real impact on the team.

Here is a ranking of the top five incoming recruits and how much they will play into the 2011 Georgia Bulldogs campaign.

No. 5: Damian Swann

True freshman Damian Swann needs to add some size and strength and improve his tackling skills, but does have a chance to see some playing time this season at cornerback or safety.  He has good height for a DB and a long wingspan. 

Especially after Georgia's sub-par 2010 season, Georgia will be looking hard for players who want to work hard and shine so don’t be surprised to see Swann spend some significant time on the field this year.

No. 4: John Jenkins

Although a junior college transfer, Jenkins is still considered part of the “Dream Team” recruiting class and will come in and have an immediate impact on the Bulldog defense. 

After spending two years at junior college, Jenkins' body is fully developed at 6’3” and 351 pounds. Those two years also gave Jenkins an opportunity to display an excellent attitude and work ethic. 

A big, athletic noseguard, Jenkins is competing with Kwame Geathers for a starting spot.  Expect to see playing time for both.  They should give offensive lines fits this season getting after the quarterback and stopping the run. 

Look for Grantham’s 3-4 scheme to be much more successful in year-two of the system.

No. 3: Malcolm Mitchell

Malcolm Mitchell, a freshman wide receiver, needs to put on some weight to play in the physical SEC, but with new strength coach Joe Tereshinski that should not take long. 

Although only 6’0”, Mitchell has great speed and long arms.  He should be able to go up and take some balls away from defenders. 

The wide receiver position for UGA is wide open, so to speak.  Look for Mitchell to get significant playing time as a freshman as Georgia tries to figure out their receiving corp.

No. 2: Isaiah Crowell

Isaiah Crowell has gotten as much attention as any player coming into this season’s “Dream Team” recruiting class for Georgia.  It remains to be seen whether he will live up to the hype, but there’s plenty of it, and for good reason. 

Crowell has a prototypical running back build at 5’11”, 215 pounds.  He also has blazing speed and the toughness to be an every-down back at some point in the future.  Crowell also has soft hands and can run well after catches out of the backfield.  With Malcolm coming out of the backfield and Orson Charles at tight end, this should take some of the pressure off the new receiving corp at Georgia and give Aaron Murray some more weapons to spread the ball around to. 

This season, look for Crowell to split time with veteran Richard Samuel, who returned to the running back spot from linebacker to help bring experience and depth to the position.  Ken Malcome and Carlton Thomas should also get some touches, but after an impressive spring, the number two running back spot is Crowell’s to lose at this point and he could move into the starting job by the end of the season.

No. 1: Ray Drew

Ray Drew is probably the best prospect to come out of this highly touted recruiting class. Drew has all the potential in the world to come in and make an immediate impact at Georgia.  Coming in as a freshman at 6’5” and 263 pounds, Drew has already put on about 20 pounds since his senior year of high school. 

Drew has all the skills to play in Todd Grantham’s 3-4 scheme.  He has tremendous size but also great speed and lateral pursuit.  Expect to see big things from Ray Drew as early as early as this season and to become a star in the SEC as his career progresses.