Since the national championship is now behind us, we can officially say that we're in the heart of recruiting season, with National Signing Day coming up quickly.
I've written in this space before how much I loathe recruiting.
Sure, I'm always interested to see which players we sign, or if some hot-shot flips at the last minute.
But I just have to keep it all in perspective.
Guys. These are teenagers.
Everyone fretted in December when Jacob Eason — the apparent savior of the program — took an official visit to Florida when Mark Richt was fired.
Recruiting pundits, citing their "sources" and "people close to the situation," said he was ready to flip, or that he had told Florida players that he was going to be a Gator.
He's now enrolled in the University of Georgia.
Isaiah Crowell famously pulled out a Bulldog puppy to announce his commitment to Georgia. He lasted a year before getting kicked off the team.
You know who DIDN'T come with a lot of fanfare?
Todd Gurley, who was overshadowed by Keith Marshall, the higher-rated recruit in his class.
Nick Chubb, who — much like gurley — was considered the second-best running back in the signing class behind Sony Michel (who's still pretty doggone good, it's worth mentioning).
Dominick Sanders, who was almost an after-thought as a three-star prospect. He's started every game the past two seasons, excluding the Florida game in 2015, when he had to sit out the first half for a targeting penalty the game before, and led the team in interceptions both seasons.
David Andrews, a three-star center who started this season for the New England Patriots.
Chris Conley, a three-star receiver who was largely overshadowed in the "Dream Team" by the likes of Malcolm Mitchell, Jay Rome, Josh Harvey-Clemons and Crowell. He caught a touchdown pass for the Kansas City Chiefs in their blowout playoff win over the Texans.
Those are just a few, going back to the 2011 recruiting class.
I know recruiting isn't an exact science, with plenty of five-stars turning into studs (Matt Stafford, A.J. Green, etc.) and plenty of two- and three-stars turning into NFL prospects (Tim Jennings, Shawn Williams, etc.).
But please remember.
They're teenagers!
