UGA now has SEC’s 2nd best recruiting class for 2017
By Jay Hawkins
With new addition, Georgia Football now has the 2nd best 2017 recruiting class in the SEC.
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Georgia fans weren’t sad for long after Sunday’s announcement that Demetris Robertson would not be playing Between the Hedges. A few hours later, Trey Blount committed to play at UGA.
The new addition moved Georgia’s 2017 recruiting class up to No. 5 overall and the best among SEC schools according to 247 Sports. However, Alabama overtook them on Monday with the commitment of a four star quarterback. Safe to say, there is plenty of time left, and UGA is certainly in good shape. Not only is the class star-studded, but every player in this class is from the state of Georgia.
Georgia head coach Kirby Smart has emphasized countless times how important it is to recruit the state of Georgia and get the top talent in the state to stay home. He has certainly done so with this class.
This class is excellent now, but it will only get better. Let’s take a look at each one of the guys in this class as it stands.
Trey Blount
Georgia’s newest commit Trey Blount is a 6-2, 185 pound wide receiver from Pace Academy in Atlanta. He is rated as a 4-star prospect for the class of 2017 and one of the top 30 players in the Peach State.
His speed really stands out most when watching his tape. He has been clocked at 4.36 seconds in the 40-yard dash according to Scout. He has good size as well and plays with physicality. Blount also has a nice pair of hands.
Blount will be a welcome addition to a UGA receiving corps in need of added depth. He looks like he can come in to Athens and compete for playing time right away.
Breon Dixon
Dixon was one of the first guys to commit in UGA’s 2017 class after Smart was hired and has stuck with the Dawgs. The 6-0, 214 pound inside linebacker from Grayson High School in Loganville, Ga., (formerly of Peachtree Ridge in Suwanee, Ga.) has to be attracted to Smart’s great history of developing top inside linebackers at Alabama.
Dixon is rated as a 4-star prospect and is ranked seventh at his position in the nation. The hard-hitting linebacker looks to be a very good prospect as he possesses good speed to close down opponents.
He is not only adept at sniffing out ball carriers and stuffing the run but can also pressure the quarterback. An important quality that really jumps out from watching his tape is his solid hands which proved to be an asset in coverage.
He’s also very versatile and can line up on the outside as well. Kirby Smart has got to be happy he got Dixon’s commitment as the inside linebacker position certainly needs more playmakers.
Jake Fromm
A former Alabama commit, the 6-2. 224 pound quarterback from Houston County in Warner Robbins, Ga., surprised Bulldog fans with his commitment to Georgia in early March. Fromm may be one of the most important pieces in this class as he fills a position that sorely lacks quality depth.
He’s got a heck of an arm and will be a welcome addition to bring more quality depth to UGA’s quarterback position. Kirby Smart has to happy about flipping a former Alabama commit as well.
Jaden Hunter
Georgia fans were excited about Jaden Hunter’s commitment to UGA. The 4-star outside linebacker is the son of former UGA player Brice Hunter. Jaden Hunter fills a position that is not the deepest.
The Atlanta native has also been an outstanding recruiter as he constantly talks about UGA on his Twitter account. He has the skills to play right away and add to Georgia’s pass rush.
Xavier Jenkins
Xavier Jenkins from Lowndes County High School in Valdosta, Ga., adds a dimension UGA has lacked for a few years at wide receiver. He’s big.
The 6-5, 195 pound prospect is only a 3-star prospect but gives whoever is the quarterback in the coming years a big target to throw to. He will add nice depth his first year in Athens.
Netori Johnson
Fans have to be excited about this guy. Georgia’s biggest priority should be getting more quality guys on the offensive and defensive lines, and you got to believe they did that when landing Johnson.
The 6-3, 348 pound native of Cedar Grove High School in Ellenwood, Ga., is a big, powerful and athletic offensive guard who is rated as a 4-star prospect. Johnson is a dominant player who is a big get for UGA O-line coach Sam Pittman. He’s the kind of player that Pittman likes as he has been known to recruit big lineman.
Richard LeCounte III
Richard LeCounte seems to be the favorite of UGA fans in this class. He certainly is heard from the most. LeCounte is a great recruiter as he wants to build a powerful class around him.
LeCounte is not all talk though. He’s an amazing athlete (4-star) that will play safety on the next level. UGA head coach Smart has to be happy that he will have one of the top athletes in the country to utilize in his secondary.
William Poole III
One of the top corners in the country, William Poole committed to the Dawgs on G-Day of this year. Poole is solid in coverage, is fast, and pursues the ball.
Poole is a weapon on special teams as well. The Georgia secondary is setting up to be pretty decent this fall but are still in need of more true No.1 worthy cornerbacks. Hopefully, Poole will be one of those guys in 2017.
Justin Shaffer
A high school teammate of Netori Johnson, Justin Shaffer is a 3-star OG. He’s actually bigger than Johnson at 6-5, 356 pounds.
He’s another guy that Pittman loves to go after. Shaffer will add depth right away at UGA.
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Overall, the UGA recruiting class of 2017 is excellent so far. It has the potential to be even better. Look for UGA and Alabama to battle back and forth for bragging rights of the top class in SEC for months to come.
*Note: All recruiting stats, rankings, etc. in this article are via 247 Sports unless otherwise noted.