{"id":1719,"date":"2016-10-01T07:30:14","date_gmt":"2016-10-01T11:30:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordoncollegefootball.com\/?p=1719"},"modified":"2025-09-13T15:08:48","modified_gmt":"2025-09-13T19:08:48","slug":"georgia-football-recruiting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/2016\/10\/01\/georgia-football-recruiting\/","title":{"rendered":"Georgia Football Recruiting: The Sons of the State Must Stay"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>This weekend for <strong>Georgia<\/strong> Football recruiting is going to be crazy. There are 18 targets from the 2017 recruiting class coming to <strong>Athens<\/strong> this weekend. Twelve\u00a0are from the state of Georgia.<\/p>\n<p>The list of recruits coming this weekend for the <strong>Dawgs:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/uga.forums.rivals.com\/threads\/updated-visitor-list-for-saturday-vs-tennessee.223895\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/uga.forums.rivals.com\/threads\/updated-visitor-list-for-saturday-vs-tennessee.223895\/\u00a0\u2026<\/a><\/p>\n<p>In-state recruiting, especially in Georgia, is influential. The University of Georgia has the reputation of having some of the most dominant high school athletes across the country.<\/p>\n<p>Georgia is currently sitting at number five on the team ranking charts from Rivals.com and presently\u00a0has 16 verbal commitments.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">14 prospects in the <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Rivals100?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#Rivals100<\/a> already confirmed to visit <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/UGA?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#UGA<\/a> Saturday. 22 total in the <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Rivals250?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#Rivals250<\/a>. List here&#8212;-&gt;&gt; <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/95QuvZk3HZ\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/t.co\/95QuvZk3HZ<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/L0GI14CtQh\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/L0GI14CtQh<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Trent Smallwood (@SmallwoodTrent) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/SmallwoodTrent\/status\/780400987077050372?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">September 26, 2016<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>The <strong>Bulldogs<\/strong> hope to capitalize on a few more after this weekend is over. However, they must show these athletes what being a part of the University of Georgia is all about.<\/p>\n<p>This weekend is going to be pivotal for the\u00a0<strong>Georgia Bulldogs\u00a0<\/strong>2017 recruiting class.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>What\u00a0Georgia Currently Possess:<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>The Bulldogs are doing well with in-state recruiting thus far in the 2017 recruiting class.\u00a0Out of the 16 commitments they have, 10 are from Georgia.\u00a0Of those 10, eight of them are four star athletes, according to <strong>Rivals<\/strong>. Out of the eight, four of them are in the top 10 overall recruits in Georgia. They rank at four, five, six and eight in the state.<\/p>\n<p>It has been two years since Georgia has come close to a class like this.<\/p>\n<p>However, Coach <strong>Kirby Smart<\/strong>\u00a0is making an effort to keep Georgia boys <em>in<\/em> Georgia. He is selling the program and getting recruits to buy in early.\u00a0This helps Smart and coaches to\u00a0see what else they need in the class.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">This weekend will continue an awesome July for UGA! <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/GoDawgs?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#GoDawgs<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/CommitToTheG?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#CommitToTheG<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/SicEm17?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#SicEm17<\/a> \ud83d\udc3e\ud83d\udc36 <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/jxjWFuiuZC\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/jxjWFuiuZC<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; UGA BACK-TO-BACK NATIONAL CHAMPS Supporters (@Support_UGA) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Support_UGA\/status\/750927708415295488?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">July 7, 2016<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>The guys who have already\u00a0committed are recruiting just as hard as the coaches. They have labeled themselves with the hashtag #SicEm17.<\/p>\n<p>Recruiting during a rebuilding year, or with a new staff, can be a balancing act. There are many unknowns for the high school students, but the coaches generally are able to sell the idea of quicker playing time. The more in-state recruits that buy that pitch, the easier it is for the staff to convince others across the country.<\/p>\n<p><strong style=\"color: #111111; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">What Could Happen:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The 2016 class set the school record for most five-star signees with three. If all the current commits keep their word on signing day, the 2017 class will top that with five. That could also put them on pace to finish with the number one overall recruiting class in the country. That would be quite a feat in Smart&#8217;s first full year as head coach.<\/p>\n<p>However, for Georgia to be able to do this, they must continue to push these in-state recruits.<\/p>\n<p>As of right now, four out of top 10 players in Georgia remain uncommitted.\u00a0Three of those four will be in Athens this weekend. They are, five-star linebacker, <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/n.rivals.com\/content\/prospects\/1554\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Nate McBride<\/a>,<\/strong> four-star defensive lineman, <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/n.rivals.com\/content\/prospects\/713\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Malik Herring<\/a>,<\/strong> and four-star defensive lineman, <a href=\"https:\/\/n.rivals.com\/content\/prospects\/4521\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Aubrey Soloman<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Georgia must impress these three guys this weekend by showing that they will be influential players for the team and great assets to the program.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>What Georgia Needs to do:\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Recruiting is something that Georgia wasn&#8217;t necessarily weak in, but they were not particularly strong either.\u00a0The telltale sign of where the Bulldogs have fallen short in recent years can be seen in three specific positions; the wide receivers, the line, and the linebackers.<\/p>\n<p>The times have changed in the <strong>SEC.<\/strong> The wide receivers are not only taller, but just bigger in general. They aren&#8217;t the small speed type guys anymore.\u00a0Georgia is still behind in this area. All of the current wideouts are 6-3 or shorter, with the one exception of <strong>Javon Sims <\/strong>at 6-4.<\/p>\n<p>With the caliber quarterback that Georgia has now, they need to add bigger and tougher receivers.<\/p>\n<p>Another area that needs work for Georgia is bigger linemen, both on the offense and defense.\u00a0There is a lack of depth for the offensive line. Also, it is one of the smallest lines in the SEC. If Georgia wants to contend for the title, they have to build an intimidating line.<\/p>\n<p>Lastly, what Georgia needs focus on is landing sizable\u00a0linebackers. The defense is evolving for Georgia, and that includes the hybrid position that can play both linebacker and safety.\u00a0Georgia needs a player that can do that. There are more and more defenses showing this type player; Georgia needs to catch up.<\/p>\n<p>It is essential for the coaching staff at Georgia to evolve the type of\u00a0player they recruit.\u00a0However, times are changing in the SEC, and Georgia is playing catch-up.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>A New Georgia Football Recruiting Era:<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Coach Smart is bringing a new game plan to Athens when it comes to recruiting.\u00a0He\u00a0is bringing a new style to Georgia. And he\u00a0is trying to build a more physical team; a team that doesn&#8217;t break in crucial games.<\/p>\n<p>It all starts with recruiting. By pushing for bigger and stronger athletes, Smart is trying to assemble a new team. He doesn&#8217;t want to settle for the lower level recruits just to make ends meet.\u00a0These bigger athletes are crucial to recruit for the\u00a0type of team he wants to run.<\/p>\n<p>This weekend is going to be make or break for Georgia, as they must seal the deal with the three athletes coming to visit.\u00a0Granted Georgia could\u00a0get beat this weekend, but that doesn&#8217;t mean they cannot win recruiting.\u00a0The kids who are coming are just what Georgia needs to improve in the future. They are tough players and have a lot of talent.<\/p>\n<p>For Georgia to win in-state recruiting, they need\u00a0at least seven out of the top 10 commit to the &#8220;G.&#8221;\u00a0However, if Smart plays his cards right, this #SicEm17 class could go down as the most impressive class ever.<\/p>\n<p>Main Photo<\/p>\n<div class=\"getty embed image\" style=\"background-color:#fff;display:inline-block;font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;color:#a7a7a7;font-size:11px;width:100%;max-width:594px;\">\n<div style=\"padding:0;margin:0;text-align:left;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/510827222\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"color:#a7a7a7;text-decoration:none;font-weight:normal !important;border:none;display:inline-block;\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div>\n<div style=\"overflow:hidden;position:relative;height:0;padding:68.855219% 0 0 0;width:100%;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"\/\/embed.gettyimages.com\/embed\/510827222?et=QbM6ml8BRh5CaPSuBrZUUA&#038;viewMoreLink=off&#038;sig=HCwW8PpSjfFcqag7tsxDYgjhcbj6uF8maiYXfnk3IQc=&#038;caption=true\" width=\"594\" height=\"409\" scrolling=\"no\" frameborder=\"0\" style=\"display:inline-block;position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;margin:0;\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p style=\"margin:0;\">\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This weekend for Georgia Football recruiting is going to be crazy. There are 18 targets from the 2017 recruiting class coming to Athens this weekend. Twelve\u00a0are from the state of Georgia. The list of recruits coming this weekend for the Dawgs: https:\/\/uga.forums.rivals.com\/threads\/updated-visitor-list-for-saturday-vs-tennessee.223895\/\u00a0\u2026 In-state recruiting, especially in Georgia, is influential. The University of Georgia has the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1380,"featured_media":1780,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[3,35578],"tags":[1407,71,65,106,20],"class_list":["post-1719","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sec","category-georgia-bulldogs","tag-college-football-recruiting","tag-football","tag-georgia-bulldogs","tag-kirby-smart","tag-sec"],"modified_by":"Michael Kovacs, ADMIN","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1719","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1380"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1719"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1719\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":78383,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1719\/revisions\/78383"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1780"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1719"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1719"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1719"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}