At one time in early 1999, Georgia went five-deep at the quarterback position.

Quincy Carter was the incumbent after a stellar freshman year, Jon England and

Mike Usry were experienced backups, Nate Hybl had redshirted while learning

the Georgia offense, and Daniel Cobb was nearing recovery after an involved

circulatory problem. It was only fitting then that UGA's 1999 recruiting class

would feature some of the nation's best receiving targets.

The receiving foursome of Reggie Brown, Damien Gary, Michael Johnson, and Durell

Robinson was every big as heralded as the linebacker corps of the 1998 class.

Throw in Terrence Edwards who resigned in 1999 after qualifying, and no team

in the nation could boast a more quality group of receivers.

But something happened to that depth at quarterback and receiver. Hybl, Usry,

and Cobb transferred, and England graduated leaving Carter as the only experienced

quarterback on the roster. Academic problems among signees hit yet again for

the Dawgs as Brown and Robinson failed to qualify. Gary saw only limited action,

and Johnson redshirted; Terrence Edwards was the only receiver from the group

to see quality time in 1999 at a position where the Dawgs needed much help to

replace Tony Small and Champ Bailey.

Many in the rest of the class also had some connection to academic concerns.

In addition to Edwards, Ken Veal, Charles Grant, and Jessie Miller resigned

with the Dawgs. In addition to Robinson and Brown, Morgan and Sullivan did not

qualify. But just as the Dawgs resigned all of 1998's nonqualifiers, 1999's

also look to be coming to Athens for 2000. Robinson made it on the team as a

partial qualifier and practiced with the team in 1999, and the others signed

to become part of the class of 2000. A year later, only one of the 28 signees

from 1999 will not be with the team in 2000: Vince Faison signed to play professional

baseball out of high school.

Two JUCO transfers played as much a part in 1999 as some of the 1997 class

members did in terms of immediate contributions. Kendrell Bell emerged as a

force at linebacker in a year when the rest of the unit struggled a bit. In

addition to his play at linebacker, Bell was also a force blocking kicks. His

blocked punt on Kentucky's first possession set the tone for a dominating performance.

Jamie Henderson earned more and more playing time until he became one of the

leaders of the secondary. Henderson's year may have been highlighted by an interception

returned for a touchdown against Tennessee that gave the Dawgs a brief life

late in that game.

12 players from this class saw time in the 1999 season, but only six of those

were true freshman: Breedlove, Gary, Kilgo, Kirouac, Jackson, and Rader all

played some. A lot was asked of the two freshmen offensive linemen. Breedlove

earned a starting guard job early in the season, and Jackson was called on often

due to injuries to tackles Jon Stinchcomb and Jonas Jennings. Don't forget Josh

Billue though: although he redshirted, he was a USA Today honorable mention

All-American in high school and will be a part of the interior line in years

to come. Injuries may have prevented other freshmen from playing more. Gary,

Green, and Thornton were all injured early in the season.

Kilgo had an inauspicious start to his career. His first punt, against Central

Florida, was blocked deep in the UGA end. But he improved during the season

and saw a lot more kicks as the year wore on. Fans expected Kirouac to give

Hap Hines a run for the placekicking job, but Hines's grasp on that job was

not in doubt. Kirouac did solve one big problem for the Dawgs though. He was

able to get kickoffs into the endzone and won that job. He will be expected

to compete for the placekicking job next year, so getting him on the field in

any capacity in 1999 was good experience.

The 1999 class of course is still in its developmental years. While a few have

been pressed into service early because of need, a lot is still unknown about

the class. We've seen players like Grant, selected as a freshman All-American,

and Breedlove shine as starters. Bryant, Clements, and Curry are exciting defensive

backs who could come along just as Bierria and Burnett have. Ken Veal and Shed

Wynn will add needed depth on the DL. Rader and Brannon will be called on to

follow Brown & Wiggins and McMichael & Johnson as the next great tight

end duo. Green, Thornton, and Bailey all have speed to burn and will have to

earn their place within a potent offense.

With the prospects of the class still up in the air, the best we can ask for

is that they are all still in the program developing. And, excepting Faison,

they are. Those who are already contributing are already making their impact,

and if this class can hold together over four years, there will be quality depth

for several seasons at UGA.

Entering 2002, this class is just coming into its own. Two JUCO members of

this class have gone on to the NFL, and about a quarter have transferred or

dropped football. In terms of contributions to the program, this class has been

one of the better ones - only three (Billue, Faison, and Morgan) have not lettered

at least one season.

The class is starting to work its way into starting roles. Thornton, Bryant,

and Curry are 75% of the secondary. Edwards and Gary are the starting receivers.

Veal and Sullivan are the interior DL. Jackson and Breedlove have been four-year

mainstays on the OL. Kilgo is perhaps the best punter in the SEC. Plenty of

others are coming up the depth chart and will be pushing for playing time and

eventual starting roles. Brannon, Brown, Hewitt, Johnson, and Wynn already have

meaningful experience.