Just a month ago, Georgia head football coach Mark Richt was preaching through the press about the Bulldogs’ need at the running back position.

One month later, the Bulldogs’ future at the spot couldn’t be brighter.

Georgia picked up two commitments from North Carolina during that period — Keith Marshall and Todd Gurley — both of whom are rated as top five running backs nationally by multiple publications.

KEYANTE GREEN

For the class of 2013, the Bulldogs already have a commitment from Derrick Henry out of Yulee, Fla., and are interested in several other top running backs in a class that looks destined for Georgia to add two more backs.

One of those prospects is Keyante Green out of Eagle’s Landing Christian Academy in McDonough.

The 5-foot-9, 190-pound Green has already been offered by Georgia, as well as 15 other programs, including California, Florida State, Mississippi, Ohio State, South Carolina, TCU, Tennessee and Virginia Tech.

Green revealed to the Red & Black his top four, which comprised of Florida State, Georgia, Tennessee and Virginia Tech. But the Bulldogs are taking a backseat to that pack, sitting in fourth, according to Green.

That hasn’t prevented Georgia from leaving a sizable impression on Green, especially in his relationship with Richt.

“I like their coaching staff. I love Coach Mark Richt, he’s a great guy,” Green said. “I had like a 45 minute conversation with him. He’s a great guy. He remembers who you are, he remembers your character and who you’re living for. His main perspective is about character and what your character is — how you put God ahead of everything, so he’s a big role model for me.”

But Richt isn’t the only coach who has made an impression on Green.

“I like Coach [Bryan] McClendon too. He’s a great running backs coach,” Green said. “Me and him have good talks. He talks to me like I’m a normal person. There’s no recruiting going on. That’s what I like about Georgia, because their coaches are awesome.”

And Green wasn’t only awed by the coaching staff. He also came away quite impressed with the city of Athens as a whole.

“I like the fact that it’s a small city and everybody gets to know each other,” he said. “I know a couple of people that go there, and I know they love it. I haven’t heard one negative thing about Georgia.”

Green plans to commit before his senior season at ELCA begins.

Georgia still should have at least one chance to sway him before then, since he said he wants to take another visit to Athens.

If Georgia was to land Green’s commitment, it would be getting a young man who is highly motivated, and a compassionate leader as well.

After his 2011 season came to a screeching halt — losing in the Class A semifinals to a Landmark Christian team they had beaten 35-14 earlier in the season — Green didn’t fret about it.

Instead, he turned it into a positive.

“I use it as motivation in every way possible,” he said. “I’m not taking any games for granted, I don’t want to lose any other game.”

He also expects the same work ethic from his teammates heading into his final season in high school..

“I want to set high goals for my team, I’m gonna push them,” Green said. “There’s never a day that you can’t get better. ”