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Do you like drama? You don’t need to watch TNT or buy a car to get a taste of it this week, just keep yourself tuned into college football recruiting. With high stakes for every team and a bunch of teenagers involved, National Signing Day is bound to provide enough twists and turns to fill a soap opera.
Terry Godwin, Georgia
The nation’s top-ranked athlete has been committed to the Bulldogs for a year, but in the days leading up to NSD there are some nerves surrounding his official commitment. Godwin told reporters that he’s still committed to UGA, but in the last few weeks he’s visited Auburn, Alabama and Colorado State, where former Georgia offensive coordinator Mike Bobo is now the head coach. Godwin is reportedly planning to take it down to the fire before signing Letter of Intent.
Georgia is in need of talent at wide receiver, where Godwin is likely to play at the college level, especially after losing four-star Van Jefferson to Ole Miss. The 6-foot Godwin is an explosive talent who already has great route-running ability, and with Georgia’s exodus of talent out wide he could be in line for immediate playing time if he sticks with his commitment. Michael Bennett and Chris Conley, two of the Dawgs’ most reliable targets in 2014, were both seniors. With a rising sophomore taking over at quarterback in Brice Ramsey, Georgia could use the playmakers to make his job easier.
Where else could Godwin end up? There’s a strong sense that Auburn could be the school to flip him. He’d be a good replacement for Quan Bray, a departing senior who was a dynamic pass catcher and return man. Will Muschamp would likely love to get his hands on him on the defensive side of the ball, too. Alabama is also lurking, with Crimson Tide defensive coordinator Kirby Smart reportedly putting in work on Godwin.
Drew Richmond, Ole Miss
Richmond was at the center of a Twitter beef over the weekend, with Tennessee commit Kahlil McKenzie making claims that Richmond would flip from Ole Miss to Tennessee and Ole Miss offensive lineman Robert Conyers taking some offense. There’s good reason to get up in arms over Richmond; the four-star offensive tackle is one of the top five offensive tackles in this class and appears to have the skills to step in and play immediately, be it at Ole Miss or Tennessee.
With all of the hoopla surrounding Richmond, Hugh Freeze and his staff have to feel a little uneasy about his September commitment to Ole Miss. Offensive line was the Rebels’ weakest position in 2014, and Laremy Tunsil’s broken leg will knock Ole Miss’ best lineman out for spring practices. The Rebels will need depth up front, and Richmond is one of the keys to restocking the front line.
Tennessee is putting on the full-court press, having Richmond spend time with a few of its early enrollees over the weekend and introducing him to the crowd at UT basketball game. While the Volunteers need Richmond just as badly as Ole Miss, the Rebels holding on to the 6-foot-5 Memphis native is the key to maintaing a top-20 recruiting class.
Kyler Murray, Texas A&M
There’s been intrigue surrounding Murray for months now, with rumors of a flip to Oklahoma and a surprise visit to the rival Texas Longhorns the latest tidbits to come out of Murray’s recruiting. Murray restated his commitment to Texas A&M over the weekend, but that still isn’t enough to ease the minds of Aggies coaches and fans.
With Kenny Hill’s decision to transfer, Texas A&M is thin at quarterback. Kyle Allen is entrenched as the starter, but the players behind him are nothing to write home about. Rising redshirt junior Conner McQueen has very minimal playing time outside of holding duties, and rising sophomore Jordan Traylor didn’t get on the field at all. Murray will have a chance to compete in camp, but even if he doesn’t earn playing time his talent behind Allen is a necessity.
With Texas, Oklahoma and any other suitors out of the picture, the Aggies just have one thing left to worry about: Murray’s baseball career. The speedy 5-foot-10 player passed up early enrollment at Texas A&M in order to finish out his high school baseball career. Murray has been a two-sport star at Allen High School, and Major League Baseball could come calling with this spring’s draft, and there’s talk that he could be a first round pick.
Kevin Sumlin is an excellent recruiter, but can he convince Murray to pass up on perhaps millions of dollars to give college football a shot?
A former freelance journalist from Philadelphia, Brett has made the trek down to SEC country to cover the greatest conference in college football.
