Signing Day: News and Notes

ATHENS - Signing Day News and Notes from Josh Kendall.

YOUNG RECRUITS: Assistant Mike Bobo is known as one of the Bulldogs’ best recruiters, but he said Wednesday he hasn’t even thought about recruiting in a week. He’s got a good reason.

Bobo’s wife Lainie gave birth to healthy triplets, two girls and a boy, on Monday morning.

“I’ve been trying to take care of my wife and those babies,” Bobo said.

The babies each weighed a little more than three pounds, which was an encouraging sign, Bobo said. Still, they will spend two months in the hospital.

“They’ve got a lot of tubes and wires in them right now, but they’re doing OK,” Bobo said.

LIKING THE LEGACY: Houston County’s Quintin Banks likes the fact that the Bulldogs have had three straight All-American safeties, but he’s more impressed that the most recent two – Thomas Davis and Greg Blue – were vicious hitters.

“I love how Georgia plays with big safeties coming up and making the tackles,” Banks said. “That’s my style, coming up and making plays in the box near the line of scrimmage.”

Georgia’s coaches feel like Banks can grow into another big hitter, Houston County coach Doug Johnson said.

“He’s probably one of the hardest hitters we’ve had here at Houston County High,” Johnson said. “He’s definitely a very physical player.”

CHANGING POSITIONS: Ben Harden played tackle for the Perry Panthers, but he’s going to be mainly a guard for the Bulldogs, offensive line coach Neil Callaway said.

“He’s a tremendous athlete as a lineman,” Perry coach Andy Scott said.

Harden had 41 pancake blocks in his senior season.

GOING NOWHERE: Versatile athletes Prince Miller and Asher Allen will begin their collegiate careers as cornerbacks, defensive coordinator Willie Martinez said. However, Allen will get some shots on offense, Richt indicated.

“I don’t think there’s any question he’s got some great offensive skills I’m excited about taking advantage of,” Richt said. “I don’t know how excited Coach Martinez will be about me borrowing him every once in a while, but we have to find a way to get the ball in his hands for sure.”

No full-time position switches are planned for this class, Richt said.

VERSATILE DEFENDER: At just 6-2 and 198 pounds, Maryland native Akeem Hebron looks a little small to play linebacker, his listed position; but looks can be deceiving.

“He was a little bit bigger than I thought,” said Scout.com analyst Jamie Newberg, who saw Hebron play at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. “He plays a little bit bigger than he is. There’s no reason that if Earl Everett can play (linebacker) at Florida that Akeem can’t do it at Georgia. He’s actually bigger than Everett.”

Hebron definitely will be a linebacker rather than moving to safety, Martinez said.

THIS AND THAT: Offensive lineman John Miller, who enrolled early, will not participate in spring practice after undergoing shoulder surgery. “Hopefully, he’ll be ready to go in the fall,” Callaway said. … Offensive lineman Greg Billinger of Parkview signed with Vanderbilt after being verbally committed to the Bulldogs for months. … Richt would not address specifics about this class’ academic standing, but he acknowledged, “there are some guys who have a little work to do.” Brandon Wood and Justin Anderson are believed to be the players most atrisk of failing to academically qualify. … The Bulldogs begin spring practice on March 4. The annual G-Day Game is April 8.