ESPN College Football

David Ching writes : UGA Recruit 411: Get to know the very confident pass-grabbing UGA receiver commit Ty Smith.

Coach's Q&A : Colquitt Co. head coach Rush Propst has plenty to say -- about everything -- and he sees receiver Ty Smith helping Georgia morph into a more gunslinging kind of offense.

Ching: Contracts for Richt, Grantham are not ready to be finalized.

DN Roundtable : This week's discussion answers the question, "What's the driving force behind Georgia's recent rush of recruiting success?"

Kipp Adams writes : How is UGA looking with offensive line recruiting, and how many do the Bulldogs look to sign at the position for 2013? How about massive OL Shamire Devine? DN answers those questions and more.

David Ching writes : This summer's influx of new freshmen, including ILB Leonard Floyd, will only bolster Todd Grantham's masterful orchestration of carefully moving parts in the UGA defense.

Kipp Adams writes : With junior Arthur Lynch as the only returning TE with game experience, the Bulldogs are hoping to add another elite prospect in the 2013 recruiting class -- perhaps former Georgia resident Hunter Henry -- to keep the pipeline going.

And: Kipp Adams, Monday chat transcript

Now that national signing day is out of the way, we're going to take another look at our SEC power rankings.

You won't see any change really, but we have more confidence in some teams now than we did before:

1. Alabama: The Crimson Tide hauled in the nation's No. 1 recruiting class last week and not only did Nick Saban sign a handful of top-rated players, but he met all of Alabama's major needs with the 2012 class. There are a few freshmen who could make early impacts in Tuscaloosa, including athlete Eddie Williams (Panama City, Fla./Arnold), and wide receivers Chris Black (Jacksonville, Fla./First Coast) and Amari Cooper (Miami, Fla./Miami Northwestern).

2. LSU: The Tigers' class wasn't as highly rated as some recent ones, but Les Miles and his coaches brought in a solid group and there are a few defense players who might see some playing time early. Three starting linebackers need to be replaced and a few freshmen will get their chances. While LSU lost Torshiro Davis ((Shreveport, La./Woodlawn) flipped to Texas, the Tigers brought in ESPNU 150 linebackers Kwon Alexander (Oxford, Ala.) and Ronnie Feist (Edgard, La./West Saint John).

3. Georgia: The Bulldogs needed to get bigger up front and add a couple of playmaking linebackers. Georgia did just that with the handful of athletic defensive linemen signed and grabbed top outside linebacker Josh Harvey-Clemons (Valdosta, Ga./Lowndes), who should thrive in Todd Grantham's 3-4. Georgia's offense could be even better this fall with Keith Marshall (Raleigh, N.C./Millbrook) helping Isaiah Crowell, and the wide receiver depth returning.

4. South Carolina: Talk about underrated. South Carolina didn't make much noise at all on national signing day, but the Gamecocks brought in a very balanced class and have a few players who should contribute early to a team that will yet again compete for the SEC East title. Two freshmen to keep an eye on in 2012 are wide receiver Shaq Roland (Lexington, S.C.) and safety Chaz Elder (College Park, Ga./Benjamin E. Banneker).

5. Arkansas: It seemed like the Razorbacks were headed for a very strong finish to its 2012 recruiting class, but watched as top receiver Dorial Green-Beckham (Springfield, Mo./Hillcrest) and four-star offensive tackle Jordan Diamond (Chicago, Ill./Simeon) committed elsewhere. However, Arkansas is still waiting on top athlete Davonte Neal (Scottsdale, Ariz./Chaparral) and signed some pretty talented wide receivers to add to that high-flying offense. Defensive depth was a need and Arkansas added six defensive linemen and snatched Tennessee linebacker commit Otha Peters (Covington, La./Covington) late.

6. Auburn: Before Auburn could complete its recruiting class, it had to find someone to run its offense. The Tigers lured Scot Loeffler away from Temple, getting a coach who knows a thing about teaching quarterbacks. Clint Moseley and Kiehl Frazier should be ecstatic. The loss of Michael Dyer hurts, but Auburn has a stable of running backs to work with and signed one of the best offensive line classes around. Also, athlete Ricardo Louis (Miami Beach, Fla/Miami Beach Senior) could be a real playmaker at wide receiver.

7. Florida: Will Muschamp wanted his team to get tougher and he took a step in the right direction by hitting the line of scrimmage hard in his first full recruiting class. He also got a big back in Matt Jones (Seffner, Fla./Armwood) and having D.J. Humphries (Charlotte, N.C./Mallard Creek) in early should really help the offensive line. Florida is also waiting for a potential receiving threat in Stefon Diggs (Olney, Md./Our Lady of Good Counsel). Muschamp feels better about this team's attitude and expects a more resilient squad in 2012.

8. Missouri: These Tigers could come in and frustrate some of its new SEC East family with the depth it returns. No one is quite sure if top running back Henry Josey will return in 2012 after a major knee injury, but the Tigers added a very complete back in Morgan Steward (Kansas City, Mo./Staley), who could compete for playing time early. But Missouri took home the biggest national signing day prize when Green-Beckham picked Missouri. Mizzou lacked a big-play receiving threat until now.

9. Tennessee: There is a lot of talent returning in Knoxville and the Vols added some quality depth with its 2012 recruiting class. Tennessee took a hit when top inside linebacker Dalton Santos (Van, Texas) flipped to Texas and needed to add a big-time running back to help that offense, but grabbing junior college wide receiver Cordarrelle Paterson (Rock Hill, S.C./Hutchinson Community College) was big. He'll add to an already solid receiving tandem and could provide more leadership. Tyler Bray should have a fun offseason.

10. Texas A&M: The Aggies lose a lot heading into their first season as a part of the SEC Western Division, but helped the future by signing a top-25 class. Running back Trey Williams (Houston, Texas/Andy Dekaney) could provide an early spark for the offense with Cyrus Gray leaving. The receivers got some needed help with the signing of No. 3 receiver Thomas Johnson of Dallas, and outside linebacker Jordan Richmond (Denton, Texas/Billy Ryan) should see early playing time as well.

11. Vanderbilt: James Franklin's first full class at Vanderbilt was a total success. He showed that he won't just compete on the field with the SEC big boys but he'll recruit with them too. He beat out a few bigger schools for ESPNU 150 athlete Brian Kimbrow (Memphis, Tenn./East) and the Commodores added a lot of bigger bodies up front and at linebacker. Vandy's veterans shouldn't have an issue mingling with this solid recruiting class.

12. Mississippi State: The Bulldogs will head into the spring looking to jump start their offense. There is a lot of depth and three senior starters returning at wide receiver, but some oomph needs to return to this offense. It's officially Tyler Russell's time at QB and LaDarius Perkins and Nick Griffin could be a powerful one-two running back punch. Where Mississippi State really struck gold in recruiting was up front, where the Bulldogs added three top defensive linemen, including No. 13 tackle Quay Evans (Morton, Miss.).

13. Kentucky: The Wildcats need playmakers on offense and having running back Josh Clemons come back at full health this year, will go a long way. But Kentucky desperately needed to add more with its 2012 recruiting class. The Wildcats are hoping dual-threat quarterback Patrick Towles (Fort Thomas, Ky./Highlands) can help in that department. Kentucky won't get anywhere without developing the talent already on campus and that's most important at this point.

14. Ole Miss: Hugh Freeze had some defensive success in his first recruiting class as the Rebels' head coach. There is a good foundation with ESPNU 150 defensive tackle Issac Gross of Batesville, Miss., and ESPNU 150 defensive end Channing Ward of Aberdeen, Miss., and the secondary got a boost when safety Trae Elston (Oxford, Ala.) picked Ole Miss over LSU. Now, Freeze turns his attention to players a part of a two-win 2011 season. Generating discipline and finding leaders are key for a program glued to the bottom of the SEC.

Now that everybody's coming down from their signing day high, here are a few links:

• It's another big recruiting bounty for the SEC.
• Auburn and Florida say they gave some multi-year scholarships for this class.
• Mississippi State closes signing day with a pair of Browns.
• Ole Miss wins a late battle to get defensive back Trae Elston.
• South Carolina fills its needs, particularly at receiver and defensive back.
• Josh Harvey-Clemons convinces his grandfather and signs with Georgia.
• Mark Richt talks Georgia recruiting.
• Vanderbilt's James Franklin says this is "his best class ever."
• Tennessee coach Derek Dooley isn't dwelling on the past and says "its hard to feel better than I do today."
• The 2012 recruiting class says the Vols are more desperate than prosperous, writes John Adams of The Knoxville News-Sentinel.
• This class resembles Bobby Petrino's first class at Arkansas.
• Kentucky's Joker Phillips eyes recruiting diamonds in the rough SEC, writes John Clay of The Lexington Herald-Leader.
• LSU's Les Miles says the Tigers didn't get everybody they went after, but "got what we needed."
• Analyzing the 2012 Auburn signing class.
• Nick Saban looks back on Alabama's class.

National signing day is finally over and the SEC once again showed its dominance.

With the ESPN.com class rankings finalized, the SEC came away looking pretty good yet again, as the conference had eight teams in the top 25 rankings.

Alabama led the way with the No. 1 class in the country, after inking 26 commitments, including 13 ESPNU 150 members. Florida finished fourth, with 23 signees and nine ESPNU 150 members. And Georgia rounded out the top five with 18 signees. Georgia waited until Thursday morning to finally get No. 1 outside linebacker Josh Harvey-Clemons (Valdosta, Ga./Lowndes) to fax his letter of intent in, after family issues prevented it Wednesday. That gave the Bulldogs 19 signees and six ESPNU 150 members.

There are still a couple of prospects unsigned and waiting to make their decisions, so the 2012 recruiting season isn't quite done for some teams.

As we try to say goodbye to the 2012 recruiting class, we'll end things with an awards ceremony. It's time to hand out our 2012 recruiting superlatives!

Take a look:

Top class -- Alabama: Alabama had most of its stellar class done before national signing day even started. The Crimson Tide were in it for a few top prospects Wednesday, but most importantly, Alabama didn't lose any significant prospects, including No. 1 safety Landon Collins (Geismar, La./Dutchtown), whose mother had her eyes set on him signing with LSU. Beyond bringing in 13 ESPNU 150 members, Alabama met every need on both offense and defense.

Biggest surprise -- Torshiro Davis flips to Texas: Davis was supposed to be LSU's headliner in its 2012 class, and seemed to be locked up ... until the 11th hour. The LSU coaches waited and waited for his letter of intent to come in Wednesday, but it never did. Instead, Davis pulled a shocker and signed with Texas. LSU usually doesn't let top players leave the state of Louisiana, but did Wednesday.

Recruiter of the year -- D.J. Durkin, Florida: The Gators' linebackers coach went into North Carolina and cleaned up for Florida. He helped to secure commitments from four of the state's top 14 players, including No. 1 offensive tackle D.J. Humphries (Charlotte, N.C./Mallard Creek) and No. 4 defensive end Jonathan Bullard (Shelby, N.C./Crest).

Player you’ll see often next season -- Dorial Green-Beckham: Missouri needed a big-play receiver in its lineup to make its transition to the SEC complete, and got it in Green-Beckham, who has drawn comparisons to Calvin Johnson, A.J. Green and Julio Jones. He'll see plenty of playing time this fall.

Future Thorpe Award winner -- Landon Collins: Alabama is stockpiled with talent in its secondary, but Collins is someone who shouldn't have to sit and wait very long in Tuscaloosa. With his athleticism and game-changing ability, he should see the field in some capacity next season, but he might be a real star in the future. He can play down in the box like a linebacker and be a ballhawk in the secondary. This award will definitely be on his mind.

Biggest headache -- Woodrow Clemons: Josh Harvey-Clemons' grandfather appeared to be the only thing standing in the way of him faxing his LOI to Georgia. As his legal guardian, Clemons had to sign his grandson's LOI in order for it to be valid, but he wanted him to sign with Florida. After refusing to sign it Wednesday, Clemons did the right thing early Thursday morning by signing Harvey-Clemons' LOI to the right school.

Most underrated -- South Carolina: Steve Spurrier and his staff had a pretty quiet national signing day, but the Gamecocks had a heck of a class. South Carolina's class ranks 16th, but has really good balance on both sides, and No. 5 wide receiver Shaq Roland (Lexington, S.C./Lexington), No. 5 safety Chaz Elder (College Park, Ga./Benjamin E. Banneker) and No. 6 running back Mike Davis (Stone Mountain, Ga./Stephenson) should compete for early playing time.

Program on the rise -- Vanderbilt: James Franklin's first full class at Vanderbilt was a total success. It spent most of the year in ESPN's top 25 before a late fall, but met the needs of what Franklin wanted. He got bigger and more athletic on the offensive line, and added really good depth to the linebacker spot. For the first time, Vanderbilt was really competing with the bigger SEC schools for prospects. Franklin signed a lot of speed and athleticism, and the types of players who wouldn't have considered Vanderbilt in the past.

Georgia might still be waiting on top outside linebacker Josh Harvey-Clemons (Valdosta, Ga./Lowndes) to fax his letter of intent, but coach Mark Richt went ahead and announced the Bulldogs' official signing class.

Georgia received 18 letters of intent Wednesday, including No. 2 running back Keith Marshall (Raleigh, N.C./Millbrook) and No. 5 offensive tackle John Theus (Jacksonville, Fla./The Bolles). The Bulldogs signed five ESPNU 150 members, but that number would obviously increase to six once Harvey-Clemons sends in his LOI.

The Bulldogs currently own the No. 5 class in ESPN.com's team rankings.

You can view Georgia's class here.

The Josh Harvey-Clemons (Valdosta, Ga./Lowndes) drama could be coming to an end for Georgia.

Though he publicly committed to the Bulldogs early Monday morning, he has yet to fax his letter of intent and there has been family drama surrounding his decision. Some of his family members want him to go to Florida, but Harvey-Clemons told Kipp Adams of ESPN.com's DawgNation late Wednesday afternoon that he is "100 percent" committed to Georgia.

"I just have to finish my paperwork and send it in," Harvey-Clemons told Adams. "It might be tonight or tomorrow."

In order for his letter of intent to be valid, Woodrow Clemons, Harvey-Clemons' grandfather and legal guardian, must co-sign it. He has yet to do so and told Adams earlier that he preferred his grandson to sign with Florida, who was a finalist for Harvey-Clemons.

Harvey-Clemons, who is the No. 1 outside linebacker in the country, would be a major get for Georgia and would thrive in Todd Grantham's 3-4 defense.

Florida coach Will Muschamp has announced the Gators' 2012 signing class.

Florida received 23 letters of intent Wednesday, but could be holding out for more. There is some late drama surrounding top-rated outside linebacker Josh Harvey-Clemons (Valdosta, Ga./Lowndes), who has yet to send his LOI to Georgia, and Florida is still hoping to sign No. 3 athlete Stefon Diggs (Olney, Md./Our Lady of Good Counsel), who is making his college decision on Feb. 10.

Muschamp's first full recruiting class at Florida includes nine ESPNU 150 members and is headlined by top offensive tackle D.J. Humphries (Charlotte, N.C./Mallard Creek) and No. 4 defensive end Jonathan Bullard (Shelby, N.C./Crest). Florida added to its class Wednesday with a couple of surprise commitments from former Florida State four-start defensive end pledge Dante Fowler Jr. and three-star wide receiver Raphael Andrades.

Florida's class currently ranks fourth in ESPN's class recruiting rankings.

You can view Florida's full class here.

Georgia might have received a verbal commitment from top outside linebacker prospect Josh Harvey-Clemons (Valdosta, Ga./Lowndes), but the school has yet to receive his letter of intent.

That's because there is supposedly some drama surrounding Harvey-Clemons and his decision earlier Wednesday. Kipp Adams of ESPN.com's DawgNation told ESPN's Cara Capuano that Harvey-Clemons' family wanted him to pick Florida, not Georgia.

Capuano said during the ESPNU Signing Day Special that Harvey-Clemons and his family are now at home and have shut off their cellphones. Harvey-Clemons actually left his cellphone on a recent recruiting visit to Miami, so there isn't a way to directly get a hold of him.

Georgia coach Mark Richt has said that he and his coaches aren't worried about losing Harvey-Clemons, but the longer it takes for his letter to be faxed in, the more uneasy Georgia's staff has to feel.

I know you're focused on recruiting, but we still have some links for you.

• Georgia's class gets a big boost with the addition of outside linebacker Josh Harvey-Clemons.
• Alabama board considers a plan to improve cell phone service inside Bryant-Denny Stadium.
• South Carolina is recruiting well in the state of Georgia.
• There could be a lot of potential in Kentucky's recruiting class.
• Ole Miss defensive back Senquez Golson is making the transition from football to baseball.
• Brad Locke of The Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal takes an early look at Mississippi State's special-teams unit for 2012.
• Former LSU offensive lineman commit Patrick Miller is enrolled at Auburn and is ready to go through spring practice.
• Running back Steven Ridley continues LSU's tradition in New England.
• Linebacker Harding Harper provides an unexpected boost to Vanderbilt's signing class.

Josh Harvey-Clemons (Valdosta, GA/Lowndes), the top rated outside linebacker in the ESPNU 150, announces his commitment to Georgia.

The nation's top outside linebacker is headed to Georgia.

Josh Harvey-Clemons (Valdosta, Ga./Lowndes) started the Bulldogs' national signing day in a good way by picking Georgia over Florida and Florida State. During his live announcement on ESPNU, Harvey-Clemons said he grew very close to Georgia defensive coordinator Todd Grantham during the recruiting process. He should really thrive in Grantham's 3-4 defense.

The 6-foot-4 and 210-pound Harvey-Clemons will obviously need to bulk up some, but he'll likely continue to play on the outside in college. However, he's versatile enough to move around the different linebacker positions. Georgia also doesn't have to worry about his speed, as he also played wide receiver at times in high school.

Harvey-Clemons' commitment gives Georgia its sixth ESPNU 150 member.

Here's another look at the prospects scheduled to make their announcements today on ESPNU. All times are Eastern:

• DE Mario Edwards (No. 1 in ESPNU 150): 9:05 a.m.
• OLB Josh Harvey-Clemons (No. 17): 9:15 a.m. -- Will it be Florida, Georgia or Florida State?
• CB Tracy Howard (No. 18): 9:35 a.m. -- Florida was once the leader, but Miami might have taken control after a successful visit over the weekend.
• DT Eddie Goldman (No. 10): 10:05 a.m. -- Florida State is trying to hold off Alabama and Auburn.
• WR Dorial Green-Beckham (No. 3): 10:15 a.m. -- Arkansas held the lead for a while, but Missouri has the momentum after his official visit over the weekend.
• OLB Kwon Alexander (No. 29): 11:05 a.m. -- Looks like this one is an Auburn vs. LSU affair. Auburn will be hard to beat.
• S Trae Elston (No. 10 safety): 11:05 a.m. -- LSU and Ole Miss appear to be at the top of his list.
• WR Nelson Agholor (No. 47): 12:05 p.m. -- This sounds like a battle between Florida and USC. Watch out for the Trojans.
• WR Thomas Johnson (No. 33): 12:20 p.m.
• OT Andrus Peat (No. 9): 1:35 p.m.
• OT Avery Young (No. 61): 2 p.m. -- Auburn, Florida and Georgia area all in the running and this one still appears up in the air.
• CB Ronald Darby (No. 38) 2:30 p.m. -- Auburn has been heavily involved with Darby, but Florida State might have the edge.

Here are some other notable announcement times for ESPNU 150 players:

• DE Dante Fowler Jr. (No. 71): 10 a.m. -- He's committed to Florida State, but Florida hasn't stopped heavily recruiting him.
• DT Leonard Williams (No. 50): 11 a.m. -- It sounds like he's down to Florida and USC.
• S Landon Collins (No. 6): 1 p.m. -- He's committed to Alabama, but we've all heard about the drama surrounding his mother and her desire for him to go to LSU.
• ATH Ricardo Louis (No. 21): 1 p.m. -- He was once committed to Auburn, then Florida State. Now, he's uncommitted, but it sounds like it's Auburn or Florida State.

National signing day is famous (or infamous) for all of its twists and turns.

It looks like some of the drama has already started.

Among the latest developments, while remembering that nothing counts until the papers are signed on Wednesday:

• Arkansas was able to turn linebacker Otha Peters of Covington, La., after Peters had been committed to Tennessee since August. Peters’ high school coach, Malter Scobel, told The New Orleans Times-Picayune that Peters was concerned about the coaching stability at Tennessee. It’s the second highly rated linebacker the Vols have lost in the past few days. Dalton Santos of Van, Texas switched from Tennessee to Texas last weekend.
• Alabama has taken the lead for ESPNU 150 defensive tackle Korren Kirven of Lynchburg, Va. The 6-foot-3, 270-pound Kirven is rated as the No. 8 tackle prospect in the country by ESPN, and it was thought a few days ago that his finalists were Tennessee and Virginia Tech.
• Missouri could be a big signing day winner if receiver Dorial Green-Beckham of Springfield, Mo., signs with the Tigers. It was thought to be down to Arkansas and Missouri, but the Tigers seem to have all the momentum after Green-Beckham visited there last weekend. He’s a five-star prospect rated by ESPN as the No. 1 receiver prospect in the country and the No. 3 overall prospect.
• Vanderbilt has lost a pair of cornerback commitments to Eastern Division rivals in the past few days. Chris Moody of McDonough, Ga., switched to South Carolina, and Sheldon Dawson of Memphis opted for Georgia.
• Five SEC schools -- Auburn, Georgia, LSU, Ole Miss and Tennessee -- are keeping their fingers crossed on top junior college receiver Cordarrelle Patterson.
• Josh Harvey-Clemons, ranked by ESPN as the No. 1 outside linebacker in the country, is playing it extremely close to the vest. The Valdosta, Ga., product has Florida, Florida State, Georgia and Miami among his finalists.
• ESPNU 150 athlete Ricardo Louis of Miami has been committed to both Auburn and Florida State at different points. He’ll finalize everything on Wednesday.
• Florida is hoping to score with ESPNU 150 defensive linemen Darius Hamilton of Ramsey, N.J., and Leonard Williams of Daytona Beach, Fla. The Gators are also among the finalists for ESPNU 150 cornerback Tracy Howard.
• ESPNU 150 outside linebacker Kwon Alexander of Oxford, Ala., is apparently down to Auburn and LSU.
• Auburn is trying to hold onto four-star receiver Ja’Quay Williams of Tyrone, Ga., but Georgia is still pushing hard.
• ESPNU 150 offensive tackle Avery Young of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., will announce between Florida and Georgia on Wednesday.