UGA Recruiting: A Look Ahead to Early Signing Day
2019 Class Breakdown:
With the early signing period just 23 days away, Dawg Post takes a close look at Georgia’s current commit list and who the Bulldogs can add in the next few weeks.
Quarterback:
Georgia’s lone commitment at the quarterback spot, John Rhys Plumlee is a dual-threat type at 6-foot-1 185-pounds who is a better athlete than a true quarterback in the SEC. He’s a competitor who runs well and has a knack for making big plays. He needs time to develop as a passer and work more on his arm strength, but behind Justin Fields he won’t be asked to play early. If Georgia can land an elite quarterback in 2020 and 2021, a move to receiver down the road would make for another offensive weapon.
Will Georgia take second quarterback in this class? It’s still possible, but a major target has not appeared so far. Like every year, numbers will be tight and the staff wants to take the absolute best players they can. Some names to keep an eye on are Arizona State commit Joey Yellen and Baylor commit Jacob Zeno.
Running Back:
Georgia has one back committed and that’s four-star Kenny McIntosh. A bigger, bruising back at 6-foot-1 215 pounds who can get tough yards. He can wear down on a defense late in games and can be a nice option on short distance runs.
Ideally, Georgia would like to take a second back, and four-star Noah Cain is the next option on the board. One of the top overall backs in the country, the Bulldogs will have to fight off Texas and Penn State after a successful official visit to Georgia this past weekend. Cain plans to make a decision and sign on December 19th.
Wide Receiver:
Elite wideout Dominick Blaylock is one of the best in the country and should make an impact very early in Athens. The high four-star has natural route running skills, great hands, body control, and big play ability. He has an outstanding high school career at Walton and should have one at the next level as well.
The second receiver committed is four-star Makiya Tongue. The Louisiana native is a big, physical receiver at 6-foot-2 210-pounds with nice athletic ability. He has been recruited to play outside linebacker as well, and should be a nice flex receiver who can make tough catches over the middle of the field.
Georgia needs to take one more receiver and it’s all about five-star Jadon Haselwood. The former Bulldog commit is the top-ranked prospect in the state and one of the best overall prospects in the country. Haselwood plans to take an official visit to Georgia on December 15th and that is very good news for the Bulldogs. There is no way a five-star prospect in Georgia is signing with Miami or Tennessee right now. Kirby is an ace recruiter, and it would be very surprising if he doesn’t close with Haselwood in the end.
Tight End:
Georgia plans to sign one tight end in this class and it will be four-star Ryland Goede. A big, physical tight end at 6-foot-7 235-pounds out of Kennesaw Mountain. Goede has room to put on more muscle and could be a mismatch in the red zone down the road.
Offensive Line:
It’s Clare the Bulldogs are getting bigger on the offensive line, and they’ll get even more beef with the addition of Xavier Truss. The Rhode Island native is a massive tackle at 6-foot-7 315-pounds who has dominated the competition up north. He will need time to adjust to faster, better players in the SEC, but he has the size and strength to do it down the road. Handling pass rush is another question mark right now, but with the right coaching, Sam Pittman can turn him into a major player at some point.
Four-star Warren McClendon is the other Bulldog commitment on the offensive line. A versatile player with good size at 6-foot-5 304-pounds, McClendon’s potential is likely at guard in Athens. He is fundamentally sound, physical, and an above average run blocker. He’s more on the quiet side, but he’s a smart guy and plays with confidence.
So where does Georgia go from here?
The Bulldogs have two spots left on the offensive line and the top two targets are no secret. Five-star Clay Webb has had Georgia in his top group throughout the process, and with ties to the peach state, many feel the Bulldogs are in a great spot to land the Alabama native on December 10th. An elite guard prospect, Webb’s future could easily be at center with his high football IQ, quickness, and overall strength. He looks the part at 6-foot-3 300-pounds and has been one of the best camp performers Dawg Post has seen over the last few years.
Tackle Trevor Keegan is one of the top overall players in the midwest and took his official to Georgia two weekends ago. Michigan is Georgia’s biggest threat currently for the 6-foot-6 310-pounder who plans to commit in mid-December.
Defensive line:
The Bulldogs loaded up on the defensive line this class with 5 current commitments.
Five-star Travon Walker leads the way and will bring elite athleticism to his defensive tackle spot. He’s got great size at 6-foot-5 275-pounds with a long, lean frame capable off adding more muscle.
He’s quick, plays hard, and does a nice job of getting after the passer from the inside. He still needs to develop and work on his technique, but he has a very high ceiling and has a chance to play early next year if he keeps getting better.
Defensive end Zion Logue is another play with a very high ceiling. He has great size at 6-foot-6 275-pounds and has his best football ahead of him. His recruitment didn’t take off until this summer, but once it did he was quickly a wanted man by Georgia, Alabama, and others. He’s got size, strength, and raw athleticism that could help him see the field sooner than later.
Bill Norton is another big bodied guy at 6-foot-5 28-pounds with good strength and versatility. He has a great motor, plays hard, and does a nice job of making plays in big moments. Norton can play both DE and DT in Georgia’s scheme and should be stout against the run from day 1.
JUCO OLB/DE Jermaine Johnson is an excellent pass rusher with long 6-foot-6 240-pound frame. He’s quick off the ball and has college football experience already from the junior college level. Johnson has the ability to make an instant impact in passing situations and a guy many are excited about.
Defensive tackles Tymon Mitchell and Tramel Walthour are solid defensive lineman who will add great depth at the position. Walthour is a little leaner and quicker as Mitchell is another guy who can be plugged into the middle and take on a double team.
Linebacker:
At outside linebacker, Georgia holds a commitment from five-star Nolan Smith, the nation’s top overall player. Another elite pass rusher, Smith is incredibly quick off the edge and does a great job of using his hands to get off blocks. He defends both the run and the pass extremely well. He runs a 4.5 at 6-foot-3 235-pounds and will see the field very early next season for the Bulldogs.
Four-star inside linebacker Rian Davis is one of the nation’s top linebackers due to his size and versatility. At 6-foot-3 230-pounds, Davis is a guy who knows how to run and hit. For a big guy, he covers a lot of ground and will deliver a nice hit once he gets there. He’s one of the best overall competitors this class and was very impressive when Dawg Post saw him on August 31st.
Four-star Trezman Marshall is a true thumper from the inside linebacker spot. He’s build well with tons of muscle in a 6-foot-1 235-pound frame. He’s a good athlete who does just about everything for his Clinch County team. After a commitment to Georgia this summer, Marshall has taken recent visits to Alabama and Tennessee.
The last target remaining is five star Nakobe Dean. The nation’s top inside linebacker is a fast, tackling machine and one of the best overall prospects in the country. Dean took his official visit to Georgia for the Auburn game and sources say this remains a Georgia and Alabama battle. Dean plans to make a decision and sign on December 19th.
Defensive back:
At safety, Georgia landed one of the nations best in four-star Lewis Cine. A ball-hawking safety with size, Cine is also a sure tackle and can come up and help in the run game. He is a big playmaker from the Dallas area and will bring toughness and leadership to the secondary in Athens.
At cornerback, JUCO four-star DJ Daniel is a fast, hard-nosed cornerback with two years of college already under his belt. He has good cover skills and will try to break the starting rotation somewhere in the secondary next fall.
The two remaining targets are two cornerbacks from the sunshine state. Four-star Tyrique Stevenson from Miami is one of the best defensive backs in the country with elite ball skills and true cover skills. Like others already on the team, Stevenson will bring south Florida swagger and competitive toughness to the position. Four-star Kaiir Elam is another good cover cornerback and known as one of the best in Florida. The Bulldogs are fighting off Miami for Stevenson and the Gators for Elam.
