Chip Towers asked subject question today given the loss of UGA signees 3* DT Tramel Walthour and 4* CB Nadab Joseph to JUCO this summer. Additionally, 4* RB James Cook has yet to enroll. Btw, note that on 15 May 2016 he opted to reclassify from the Class of 2019 to 2018 because he was 16 years old (will turn 19 on 25 September) and FHSAA wouldn't allow him to play as a senior. Thus Cook's been taking online courses since then so that he can graduate high school this month (i.e., one year early).

http://www.fhsaa.org/sites/default/files/orig_uploads/eligibility_compliance/forms/hs_eligibility_poster.pdf

Must not turn 19 before September 1st, otherwise the student becomes ineligible to participate. (FHSAA Bylaw 9.6)

https://www.dawgnation.com/football/team-news/georgia-football-recruiting-2018-class-ranking-ohio-state

When everyone sees Z. White play.....J. Fields arm strength....Salyer earn a starting spot on the OL....Cox, Campbell, Adam Anderson and Otis Reese playing on D...this question will be answered.

Darin, you're exactly right my man. This class was so strong and deep with talent, that losing two players even as good as Walthour and Joseph will be made up for by the balance of the class. Towers was right that adding Hayes makes up for some of the loss of those two, and that recruiting rankings don't mean anything unless you translate to wins on the field, but other than that he's just stirring the pot.

This class wasn't just the best class last year, it was arguably the best class in UGA history, and one of the best signing classes ever. If not #1, who was? Ohio State? Not even close. Consider this: OSU signed one unanimous 5* recruit, we signed two; OSU signed one other guy who was rated 5* by more than one major service, we signed SIX; OSU signed a grand total of 5 guys who were rated 5* by at least one major service, we signed ELEVEN. (Fields, Campbell, White, Salyer, Mays, Anderson, Cox, Hill, Walker, Tindall, & Cook). Game, set, match. Ten of those eleven are enrolled. Everyone else in the class was a consensus 4* recruit except the punter Camarda (3* is a VERY high star rating for a punter) and Owen Condon, who I think was our first commit in the class. No other class is even in contention.

Now yeah, this is all on paper and we still gotta coach these guys up and produce on the field. But in terms of his question, it's a bit ridiculous. Just lazy journalism by Chip Towers.

Red Dawg....agreed. You know, I don't hear too many talking too much about Hayes, the transfer from ND. But I think that is huuuuge. He was a great player for them last year, and had a nice showing against us even. You know anything about he's coming along? Honestly, I can see him being solidly in the two deep rotation, even starting a game or two.

Darindawg said:

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You know anything about he's coming along?

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Well, I don't have any inside information whatsoever. But the first thing you wonder about a transfer is how well and how quickly he'll conform to the team. Will he mesh with the players and coaches? Will he adjust to the new culture of workouts, practices, film study, etc? That being said, you have to believe Hayes is a great pick-up for Kirby and the defense. I don't think there's any question about his ability. He was a 4* recruit, I think he redshirted his 2nd year at ND, then had a great RJr season last year. If you start at ND, you're good. Period.

I'm not sure he can displace Clark, Rochester or Ledbetter on our DL, but at a very minimum, he will provide much needed depth. I'm guessing well see more of him as the season goes along.

247Sports recalculated the final team recruiting rankings for the 2018 signing class to account for prospects that didn't make it to campus and UGA remains #1:

https://247sports.com/Article/2018-Enrolled-Team-Football-Recruiting-Rankings-121463255/