In February (or three years from now, whatever amount of time you wait to evaluate recruiting classes), we can hold Mark Richt to this statement in today’s ABH. “There’s no question that’s the most critical position that we have to recruit this year, offensive lineman and in particular offensive tackles.” Coaches often talk about general recruiting priorities, but you don’t often see someone put it out there like that. This class, for all of the quality players Georgia will get at other positions, will be judged a success or failure based on the quality of its offensive line signees. The two present commitments are an outstanding start, but there are a few prospects in the state who could really make or break this class. From the fan perspective, a recruiting class often becomes distorted based on the success of the staff to win one high-profile recruiting battle. This year, that one battle might be the one for offensive tackle Chris Little.

Aside…it’s encouraging to see the news from the same Marc Weiszer piece that Sean Bailey is coming along in his rehab. Of course there’s still a big gulf from straight-ahead sprinting to SEC-quality receiving, and we’ll see over the next two months if Bailey can make those strides. He might have quite a decision to make: does he redshirt and come back for a completely healthy senior season in 2007, or does he take the risk and come back this year if he’s cleared?