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Comments
I'm not sure what to say about playing time. It hasn't been hurting Georgia's defensive players in the draft. All signs are pointing to NIL here and I guess the point I was trying to make is that if that's what's motivating this decision, then the player is probably acting on some poor guidance. (I know, easy for me to say, but it's true.)
Which brings me to the other point I was trying to make about Terry in particular. Starting out as a high 5 star, he has a very clear chance of making it to the NFL. But he still has to get there. Whatever the scenario, when starting from an advantageous position, the wise move is to make decisions and take action with the purpose of maximizing that advantage. Smart and Scott's record of sending DL to the league, with a strong possibility of going high in the draft, speaks for itself. The same cannot be said of Riley and Henderson. And the difference between going in the first round and going in, say, the third, is a lot bigger than any difference in NIL offerings.
Ultimately this is all academic. Guys are going to decide what they decide, and that's fine. But since we have the luxury of being able to look at it without the pressure of actually having to make a decision, I don't see much disputing that going to Georgia would be the better move for a player like Terry. It's not like he wouldn't still be getting paid while he's here.
NIL and unlimited transfers are the worst thing’s to allow in college football……ever! Who’s the genius that even allowed it to happen? JS! Over!
There is really no need in blaming the kids. Lot's of people, lot's of people, would take a job that pays them more money even if the company they were going to might not be considered as good overall as the company they're leaving. The money always makes people think a situation is better than it is, or that they can make a bad or mediocre situation better. It's just human nature. I think for us at UGA, our coach has drawn a line in the sand somewhere when it comes to NIL. I don't know what that line is, but it is clear to me that there are kids out there who have asked us to give them more money and Kirby has just refused. He has made it clear publicly, as recently as last week, that he thinks the bulk of NIL funds should go to players who are ALREADY ON THE TEAM, not an incoming freshman, regardless of their stars. So that's why these sorts of flips are happening, and will continue to happen, unless Kirby changes his philosophy. And as long as he can be successful (which means competing for, but not necessarily winning, conference and national championships), I don't think he will change his philosophy. Now, if he were to start losing then yeah, maybe that NIL line moves a little bit because we all know UGA can afford these guys. The question is, do they want to? And so far, in most instances, the answer has been no. My only issue with these youngsters, if I had one, is that they lie when they say it's not about the money. Yes it is, because while I can believe that three of the top eight players in Georgia might decide not to attend UGA, I highly doubt those three would ALL wind up at the University of Southern California without heavy NIL enticements. Go Dawgs!
@E_Roc ...the flip of Terry might be NIL related...but it might not. Lincoln Riley hired defensive line coach Eric Henderson away from the Los Angeles Rams in part to boost the program’s recruiting at the position. But, he's an elite coach as well. Henderson was a a key figure for the Rams' during his time in L.A., helping the team to a Super Bowl win in 2021, and helping create a solid unit around future Hall of Famer Aaron Donald. This past season, he helped mold rookie defensive tackle Kobie Turner into a defensive rookie of the year candidate. Meanwhile, fellow rookie Byron Young also had a breakout season rushing the passer, with the two combining for 17 sacks.
This is the 2nd 5-star 2025 recruit that USC has stolen from the Dawgs. Terry joins quarterback Julian “Ju Ju” Lewis, the No. 9 overall player in the class who plays at Carrollton High School. USC is VERY actively recruiting the State of Georgia big time just as we have been going after players in southern Cal.
Are these (2) USC "steals" related? Dunno. Obviously, one guy is DL and one is QB so different coaches. Riley is one great QB development coach, so in both cases you have very strong coaches that could be the reasons for the flips. It may not have anything to do with NIL.
I understand Henderson has made a name for himself. But the fact remains that he hasn't done at the college level what Scott* has proven he can do. And there's a pretty easy case to be made for choosing proven results over potential, however alluring the latter may be. Let me put it this way. Let's say Henderson is the real deal as a college coach. What's the ceiling for a 5 star defensive lineman playing for him? Top 10 pick? Number 1 overall? Scott has already proven he can get his elite players there. There's no advantage in going to play for Henderson over Scott, but there might be a advantage to playing for Scott over Henderson. To say nothing of the clout that comes, more generally, with being a defensive player at UGA.
But bigger picture, you may be right. Maybe the flip, if it sticks, is more about wanting to try out the LA lifestyle than NIL. And if that's the case, then there's not much to be done about it. But I still don't see the argument that it would be about coaching. Oh and I don't see what relevance Lewis has in the Terry discussion. Yeah, USC recruits Georgia. So does everyone else. And a QB going to play for Riley makes a lot more sense than a DL doing it.
*Every reference to Scott should be read as also referring to Smart
@E_Roc...well, Henderson might be enough in of itself to make a guy flip - even from an elite school like GA. Like you said though, it may be about the LA lifestyle instead of coaching or the NIL.
But on Sunday, USC flexed its recruiting muscles by picking up five commitments — all on the defensive side of the ball and all from outside the West Coast footprint. The Trojans added three top-100 prospects to their 2025 class and a talented cornerback, Dominick Kelly, to their 2026 class.
Whatever it is...Something is going on in LA...
P.S. I brought up Lewis simply to show how USC has really upped its recruiting game in Georgia. Also, personally I'd rather learn from Riley as a QB than Bobo.
Regardless of what's going on in LA (I still suspect NIL but of course don't know any more about it than you do), strictly from a coaching standpoint, I still don't see the sense in passing on a chance to play for the best in favor of playing for someone whose ceiling won't be any better than what you're passing up.
Oh well. I think we're spinning our wheels at this point.