Blazevich Picks Georgia Over Clemson, Ole Miss.

Coach Richt and his staff got some great news this afternoon when Charlotte Christian (N.C.) tight end Jeb Blazevich committed to Georgia over offers from Clemson, Ole Miss, Alabama, LSU, Notre Dame, Auburn, Ohio State, Stanford, Michigan, Florida and others.

Blazevich's brother attends Clemson, so it wouldn't have been terribly surprising for him to become a Tiger. But I sense that a lot of the credit on this one belongs to Coach Lilly who by all accounts built a great relationship with the young man who he'll coach in Athens.He's getting a 6'5, 230 pound tight end who snagged 30 passes for 379 yards and 5 touchdowns as a junior. He's a consensus top 10 player in the country at his position, though not in the state of North Carolina, which has a lot of talent this year (several of the players ranked ahead of him are also showing serious interest in the Bulldogs, by the way). I've been really impressed with the young man's hands, but also his athleticism. Despite his size it's not out of the question for Georgia to split him out wide at some point,as his high school team did.

One question that must be asked is whether Blazevich's commitment means that Georgia will stop pursuing other tight ends, specifically Savannah Calvary Day standout (and nephew of the Goal Line Stalker) Milan Richard. I think the answer is likely no. For one thing Richard and Blazevich are very different players. Richard is smaller and more compact, a little like former Dawg Orson Charles. Blazevich compares more to some of the bigger tight ends in recent Bulldog memory, like current players Jay Rome and Artie Lynch.

For another Georgia really needs tight ends. There'll only be 3 on the roster in 2014, assuming that Jay Rome doesn't have an outstanding redshirt sophomore season and head for the NFL. That would leave only 2, unproven Ty Smith and just as unproven Jordan Davis. After stocking the cupboard across the board in 2013, the Bulldogs can afford to fill holes like this selectively in 2014.

That being said, barring something unforeseen Georgia will sign a much smaller class than last year's haul of 33 freshmen. So spots are at a premium. Blazevich's pledge brings the Classic City Canines to four commitments for the upcoming class. In fact, barring some pretty major attrition, it's unlikely Georgia will sign more than 15-16 players in this class. Don't be surprised if the 2014 class is halfway done before Independence Day. Until later . . .

Go 'Dawgs!!!