Everyone take a deep breath.

The chaotic recruiting cycle has officially ended for the class of 2012, and Georgia can exhale after landing an overall quality class.

The Bulldogs had their ups, filling huge positions of need with high quality players, including John Theus at offensive line, Keith Marshall at running back and Jonathan Taylor at defensive tackle.

But they also had their downs, losing four commitments over the process.

Recruits become familiar with Georgia head coach Mark Richt (left) and defensive line coach/recruiting coordinator Rodney Garner when the Bulldogs are in the running for their services. FILE/The Red & Black

As strenuous as it all was on Bulldog football coaches and fans, the biggest effects were taken in by the recruits themselves.

These are the 17 or 18-year-old young adults who just concluded perhaps the most hectic and mentally stimulating event in their young lives, signing their intent to represent the university of their choice for the next four years.

For some, like Bulldogs outside linebacker signee James Deloach, going through the recruiting cycle was fun, but got to be a nuisance.

“I liked it a lot,” Deloach said. “Once you get further down the road, you start figuring out who you like. Other schools will try and still recruit you — they try and make you commit even when knowing you have another school in your heart. That’s what made me commit.”

Bulldogs fullback signee Quayvon Hicks held mixed emotions pertaining to the entire process as well.

“It was a great experience, I enjoyed it, I enjoyed visiting different schools, visiting different camps, so overall it was just a great experience. Especially with me being more of a sociable person, you get to meet a lot of great athletes out there,” Hicks said. “After a while though, some things from the scouts I didn’t want to be bothered with anymore. You want to stay a kid as long as you can, and try and enjoy the process without it changing you as a person.”

Greg Pyke, offensive lineman signee for the Bulldogs, had his own theory on the process.

“As a lineman, it’s definitely different from other kids that play the skill positions like running back or quarterback,” Pyke said. “I think that if you see really good position guys, they’re going to definitely be recruited. I think it’s probably harder to get looked at as a lineman because there’s just so many of them. I like the recruiting process though.”

The toughest aspect of the recruiting cycle for recruits is narrowing down their list of schools, and ultimately setting their heart on a final decision.

Hicks credited the university itself as to why he chose Georgia.

“The great opportunity to get a great education from one of the biggest universities in the nation, I think that’s the biggest thing, and that played a big part in my decision,” he said.

Pyke didn’t know early on where he would end up, but it only took a single step on Georgia’s campus to figure out.

“I would say when I first stepped foot on campus I knew I wanted to go there. There was no doubt in my mind,” Pyke said. “I made a good decision to come down to Georgia just by chance. I went down for a one day camp and it all worked out.”

There are 15 other Bulldog signees alongside Pyke, Hicks and Deloach in the 2012 class — a class that has stirred up an interesting motto.

“I think it was John Theus who said it, but last year was the ‘Dream Team,’ and this year is the ‘Ring Team,’” Deloach said.

While the 2011 class may have borrowed their name from the great 1992 U.S. Men’s Olympic Basketball team, the “Ring Team” mantra is an original name with one ultimate goal — to win the national championship as soon as possible.

“I think we got some players that are ready to work,” Hicks said. “They know what they did in high school is only mediocre, and it’s time to do bigger and better things. They’re going to help push me to the ledge so we can get the job done. I think we’re going to do something great. It’s time to get to work and get this ring next year.”

As eager as this year’s class of Bulldogs is at getting their shot on the field, they still must finish out their final semester of school before reporting to Georgia in June.

Until then, the recruits will find different ways to stay motivated until their arrival in Athens.

“I’m just finishing school and playing lacrosse, that starts in the middle of February and goes til May,” Pyke said. “I graduate the second [of June] from my high school, and I’ll be at Georgia the fourth, on my birthday, actually.”

Deloach can’t wait to get to campus, either.

In fact, he already knows what Bulldog star he’s going to go to for advice to help the team get closer to its goal of bringing home a national championship.

“I’m just going to work out hard, try and get in-shape,” he said. “I want to be in tip-top shape. I want to study some of the playbook, and keep my grades right so I can learn from Jarvis Jones, who said he was going to work with me on my technique.”