That's how Georgia coach Vince Dooley stumbled onto a defensive back from Huntsville, Texas, in 1980.
"When we signed Herschel [Walker], the number one recruited player in the country, we also signed Terry Hoage, who was the least recruited player in the country," Dooley said. "Nobody in Division I offered him. A professor at Georgia knew his daddy at Huntsville, Texas. He taught at a state college. He contacted us. Terry was a quarterback who hurt his knee. We had one or two scholarships left. I told my coaches, 'Let's see if we can find a good student, a hard worker, who could hang around for four years and maybe help us.'"
Hoage became a two-time All-American safety and played for many years in the NFL. Hoage and Walker came into Georgia at opposite ends of the recruiting spectrum, but both made it to the College Football Hall of Fame.
Four years ago, Georgia again experienced this with Tim Jennings. He was the last player we offered, and his only other offer was South Carolina State. Some other recent Dawgs who were *very* lightly recruited but hit it big:
- Thomas Davis: Became a first round draft pick safety for the Carolina Panthers. Got caught up in coaching transitions at Georgia and Alabama during the recruitment process. His only other offer was Grambling. Brian Van Gorder offered him while watching him play a basketball game.
Davis gets UP.
- Arnold Harrison: Just named to the Steelers Super Bowl roster up from the practice squad. Recruited as a 6'3" 210 lb defensive end. Worked himself into an 235 lb+ outside linebacker. No other Div I-A offers. He thought it was a mistake that he was invited for an official visit to Georgia so he brought a camcorder. He didn't think anyone would believe him in a few years so he needed the evidence.
- Randy McMichael: Miami Dolphins starting Tight End. 6'3" 215 lb Tight Ends don't draw much attention. Donnan said, "We were the only coaches in America who recruited him. Most folks thought he couldn't play dead in a western."
Randy soars for six.
