Isaiah Crowell is one of the top rated running backs in the country and one of the most-coveted high school players (he was ranked as the top RB on ESPN and Rivals’ lists). On Signing Day Wednesday, he announced he was choosing Georgia over Alabama. The Carver High product combines with several other in-state recruits to form what coach Mark Richt terms a “dream team” of local players.
Richt’s squad has been struggling lately, going 8-5 in 2009 and 6-7 this past year which was Richt’s first losing season. He had a well-publicized plan to recruit in state and keep local players at home — hence the “dream team” concept. Crowell helped make Richt’s dream come true by finally accepting the scholarship offer that was extended to him when he was a freshman.
So what’s the story behind the bulldog puppy you ask?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution found out that “Crowell’s friend and backup running back Cequanti Ford brought out his bulldog puppy for him to hold.” Keeping in stride with the antics many high schoolers devise on Signing Day, “the two had hatched the plan Tuesday to add flair to the ever-growing pomp of signing-day announcements. Ford had to smuggle in the puppy — named Uga, naturally — to keep the decision a secret.”
I ripped into a Rutgers signee for his self-centered jerk move during his announcement and I’m no fan of the egotistical display put on by many of these teenagers. Breaking out the puppy however didn’t hurt another school, and let’s face it, it was kind of cute. Now all that remains is seeing if Crowell can live up to his high school billing. Let’s just say if he comes close to matching Knowshon Moreno’s production he’ll be in fine shape.
