Chat with Radi Nabulsi

Welcome to DawgNation! On Wednesday, reporter Radi Nabulsi stops by to chat about the state of Georgia football.
Nabulsi joined ESPN.com in 2011 after covering the University of Georgia for Rivals.com for the last four years and for the UGA Athletic Association since 1993. Nabulsi is a graduate of the University of Georgia's Grady College of Journalism and lives in Athens, Ga.
Send your questions now and join Nabulsi Wednesday at noon ET!
More Radi Nabulsi: @RadiNabulsi | Search | radinabulsiespn@gmail.com | Blog
Chris Fiegler (Latham,NY)
Which Georgia Bulldogs that were just Selected in the 2013 NFL Draft do you think will be great in the NFL?
Radi Nabulsi (12:02 PM)
Alec Ogletree, Jarvis Jones, Shawn Williams and Cornelius Washington. The jury is still out of Washington but i think he will find the right position and things will just click for him. I am not saying the others - Tavarres King, Bacarri Rambo, Sanders Commings and John Jenkins won't do well, but you said "great" and that is a high standard.
john (roswell)
is lorenzo carter really the alabama lean that everyone seems to think he is?
Radi Nabulsi (12:04 PM)
I just don't see it that way when I talk to him. I have been writing about him for two years and I know he like Georgia as well. But Norcross High School has been very good to Alabama so I can see why he would go there. He thinks the world of Alabama - remember they liked him in basketball very early too so that helps.
Norris (GA)
With UGA's momentum in recruiting do you think there is another that might commit soon?
Radi Nabulsi (12:07 PM)
Yes. When I wrote the "what this means for Georgia" analysis piece on the Jeb Blazevich commitment, one of the things I pointed out was that it was a momentum builder for the Bulldogs. Sony Michel added to that. Recruits saw those guys on ESPNU pick Georgia. That has some guys thinking hard about claiming a spot.
Willie (seattle)
Will UGA use Gurley and Marshall together this year
Radi Nabulsi (12:10 PM)
They have talked about it and there are some plays but I just don't see it happening. The potential rewards are just not enough to justify it - that is just my opinion. I think it better to have an extra receiver than a back that can catch out of the backfield. That just fits Murray's game better.
JC (Durham, NC)
What's the word on Nick Chubb and Dante Sawyer?
Radi Nabulsi (12:16 PM)
Nick Chubb still has Georgia on top but is looking around just to be sure. I still expect him to pick Georgia before the month is out. Sawyer told me last night he is still evenly split between Georgia and Alabama. I think he may be higher on Alabama's board than Georgia's, seeing as how the Bulldogs have Kentavius Street and Lorenzo Carter very high. Not Sawyer said he loves "everything about" Alabama but he has two close friends pulling him to Georgia in Bulldogs' signees DeVondre Seymour and Shaun McGee. Sawyer wants his mom to check out the schools and help him decide.
scoot (valdosta)
who has stepped up on the defensive side of the ball as a vocal leader and leader on field?
Radi Nabulsi (12:17 PM)
Garrison Smith, Damain Swann, Jordan Jenkins, Amarlo Herrera and believe it or not James DeLoach. Georgia just needs a leader at safety now.
Keenan (Atlanta, GA)
Where does your gut tell you Dante Sawyer will end up, Bama or UGA?
Radi Nabulsi (12:19 PM)
My gut changes on the hour. I see it as a coin flip but there are other things going on in the background that I cannot get on the record. Stay tuned.
Bill (Grayson, Ga.)
Who do you think Nick Glass was referring to in his tweet yesterday about us about to get some good news?
Radi Nabulsi (12:21 PM)
I didn't ask him but considering he was talking to Dante Sawyer prior to that, I called Sawyer to see if anything had changed. Sawyer said nothing had changed. So I wouldn't read too much into it. Also, Glass had talked to Richt earlier in the day.
Tony (Richmond, CA)
Orlando Brown Jr is set to announce his decision. He has an offer from Georgia, but do the Dawgs have a chance at landing him?
Radi Nabulsi (12:21 PM)
No. He never seemed excited about UGA. I think he picks Tennessee.
MKbulldog1983 (Clarkesville)
Is Shaq Wiggins recruiting for us? Love his personality.
Radi Nabulsi (12:23 PM)
Always and forever. But the Bulldogs need someone in 2014 who can do the same. Cue Nick Glass and Jeb Blazevich...
Tyler (Athens,Ga)
Radi What is the ceiling for Sony Michel?
Radi Nabulsi (12:24 PM)
Tough question. I am going to duck it. But I asked some analysts who Michel reminds them of and I got LeSean McCoy and David Wilson.
Name Withheld To Protect My Identity (Your Backyard)
With all the giant names coming on board, any chance Raekwan McMillan joins the party?
Radi Nabulsi (12:30 PM)
I will be considered a homer for saying this but I still think Georgia stands a good chance. McMillan does not see Georgia as being cool. Other teams seem flashier and more exciting. He always talks about how the big name players leaver the state, but then he remembers guys like Josh Harvey-Clemons, Isaiah Crowell, Ray Drew ans Malcolm Mitchell that stayed. He says if Georgia could keep everyone then the Bulldogs could win a national championship. So I think he has a question in his mind about whether or not he is making the problem worse or if he can be part of the solution. Also UGA took 5 inside linebackers last year so that doesn't help- BUT - McMillan is not a depth-chart watcher.
Jason (Buford, GA)
How is it possible that Georgia Tech leads Georgia for Malkom Parrish?
Radi Nabulsi (12:32 PM)
A great visit can do wonders and Parrish had that at Georgia Tech. The Bulldogs will get their chance. Expect them to highlight the fact that Georgia put eight players in the draft and Georgia Tech has only had 2 players drafted in the last three years.
Keenan (Atlanta, GA)
Do you think Butch Jones will turn the Volunteer program around? If so, how long do you think the reclaimation project take?
Radi Nabulsi (12:34 PM)
I do. Jones has brought some excitement to Knoxville and a very good marketing campaign that is resonating with the fans an the recruits. I would say three years but it seems every new coach in the SEC has a huge second year.
Kris (Minneapolis, MN)
As a follower of the SEC, do you think my Vikings picked the wrong Tennesse Vol WR to help Christian Ponder and take the team to the next level offensively?
Radi Nabulsi (12:36 PM)
Yes.
Jason (Buford, GA)
In the RN Hot Board Cameron Sims is listed as an Alabama lean. Actually it seems like all of the prospects that UGA is looking at are Alabama leans except for Lamont Gaillard, Kentavious Street, and Dante Sawyer. What, if anything, has changed with Sims and some of the other prospects like Lorenzo Carter and Elisha Shaw?
Radi Nabulsi (12:41 PM)
I think Georgia has a great shot with Sims. The Hot Board can be considered a snapshot of where the recruits are leaning now. Like Sawyer was originally listed as a Bama lean, but that changed last night. We could change it again this afternoon. And I think we are about to. My conversation with Sims makes me think he is far from settled.
Tony (Richmond, CA)
Once again a top recruit in Georgia has narrowed his choices to Georgia and Alabama. Do you think the Bulldogs will be able to keep Sawyer away Saban & Co?
Radi Nabulsi (12:43 PM)
Actually just got some news while doing this chat that makes me think we need to change his prediction to Bama. Ahhh recruiting never disappoints.
Tank (Atlanta)
Who are the biggest names at OT for 2014 that are considering the Dawgs?
Radi Nabulsi (12:44 PM)
David Sharpe and Nolan Kelleher are two that come to mind.
Jason (Buford, GA)
Is Demarre Kitt a lost cause for Georgia? And if so, how did that happen after securing his early commitment?
Radi Nabulsi (12:46 PM)
I don't see him as picking UGA. He committed too early and doesn't like to block. Thus he decided to look around and UGA has not recruited him as hard as they were.
aj (atlanta)
Who are some of the WR that Georgia is going after and do we have a shot at any of them? We have not had such good luck with WR lately...
Radi Nabulsi (12:48 PM)
You are right. It seems all quiet on the wide receiver front. I think the idea is to stick with Krenwick Sanders, try like mad to land Cameron Sims and maybe offer Emanuel Beal in the summer.
Chad (Athens)
Have you asked Shaun McGee or Seymour about their prediction for Sawyer?
Radi Nabulsi (12:49 PM)
I called both yesterday but did not reach them.
Deedge (Fort Valley Ga)
With Grantham finally having the depth, does he do with Oregon has done with their defense by rotating 18-20 players this season?
Radi Nabulsi (12:52 PM)
My inclination is to say yes but there have been times when all the fresh legs remained on the sidelines. The question is not bodies but rather the completion of assignments. That is what seems to motivate Grantham more. If he feels that the second guy is going to hit the wrong gap then he will play the No. 1 guy to exhaustion - at least that is my view.
Joey Vitale (Charlotte, NC)
Is Lamont Gaillard planning on commiting any time soon? What about Sawyer? Where do you think they'll land? Thanks
Radi Nabulsi (12:55 PM)
Not sure on Gaillard's time frame. He was set to commit to Florida but when he dropped them it seemed to cool his ardor for committing. As for Sawyer it looks like we will change him back to a Bama lean.
Paul (Chicago)
Radi, what are your thoughts on our chances of landing Lamont Gaillard? I feel like he isn't getting talked about at all, which is surprising given that he's a five star prospect who recently declared Georgia as his number one after ruling out Florida. Was that just a knee-jerk reaction or do you really think he could end up here?
Radi Nabulsi (12:59 PM)
He did name UGA his leader and the state of North Carolina has been good to the Bulldogs. Georgia stands a real chance of landing him but his teammate, Harold Landry, could come into the mix. A number of other schools have offered both of them and they would like to play together. I don't see Georgia offering Landry just like Florida doesn't seem to be close to offering Landry either.
Bert (Savannah)
Any change at all of convincing DeShaun Watson to give us another look?
Radi Nabulsi (12:59 PM)
I think so. Maybe in the fall.
Jeff (Tampa, FL )
Who is Georgia's top draft prospect on defense as things stand right now?
Radi Nabulsi (1:00 PM)
Draft eligible would have to be Damian Swann. Not eligible would be Jordan Jenkins.
Radi Nabulsi (1:02 PM)
Thanks for all the questions folks. If I did not get to yours, please drop by The Pound at www.DawgNationESPN.com and ask it there. See you next week.
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