• Jerseys are real fator in recruiting

  • By Dave Hooker | September 6, 2011 10:24:08 AM PDT
Here are some thoughts on how the games from around the Southeast and Atlantic coast will affect recruiting.Jerseys mean a lot I'm old. I try to be hip and stick with the times but it's no use. No matter how open-minded I try to be, I mostly hate the new jersey trend. Sure, it's OK (I guess) if a team like Boise State or Oregon wants to experiment. But when a program as tradition-rich as Georgia messes with their already awesome unis, it makes me a bit ill. The red on red was fine. The Georgia on the back was a neat way of showing team unity, but the helmets were the railroad tie that shattered the camel's back. But what do I know? Prospects on Facebook and Twitter mostly loved them. And for the record, the Maryland uniforms were the worst abomination of a football jersey I've ever seen. But they're not for me and prospects are always watching.Off the MarkAs much as I like Mark Richt, I don't see it working out for him long term at Georgia. The Bulldogs got pushed around by Boise State in Atlanta. Not good. The upcoming schedule lightens a bit but not much. If Georgia loses to South Carolina this week, fans aren't going to care what happens against Coastal Carolina and Ole Miss. Then it's Mississippi State and Tennessee. More than one prospect has told me they're concerned about Richt's future. I'd say they'll continue to hold back until there's more certainty in Athens, and that will take some big-time wins.Kentucky playmakers are MIAKentucky misses Randall Cobb more than I thought it would. The previous staff under Rich Brooks did a fantastic job of evaluating Cobb from Alcoa (Tenn.) High School and landing him despite Tennessee's late push to get him. Whether the Wildcats have to do that again or simply win a battle for a five-star, blue-chip player, the Wildcats have to have an upper-level playmaker. Kentucky's talent simply isn't as good across the board as high-level SEC teams. So if you're a superb athlete prospect, pay heed to the Wildcats. You should get plenty of touches.Acronym Partners -- West Virginia is hot in the D.M.V., which I recently learned stands for the area where D.C., Maryland and Virginia meet. Prospects from that area are certainly aware of the Mountaineers, who have placed a premium on recruiting there. I expect the chatter to continue. Morgantown is a scenic three-hour drive from the area and seems to be a great option for D.M.V. prospects. The game day atmosphere is superb and the offense will excite many prospects. WVU. has to be good in the D.M.V. if it wants to compete for championships. I'll have more on that connection soon although I don't have an E.T.A. just yet.

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