Georgia Recruiting: National Signing Day disappointment?
By Matt Green
While Georgia did not close the way they wanted to on National Signing Day, one thing that fans need to remember is that recruiting is not a one-day process.
Related Story: Georgia Football: Signing Day Recap
Signing Day is merely the finish line of a two to three-year marathon, and the Dawgs finished third in that race.
So before you jump off the ledge because Georgia missed out on Aubrey Solomon, Markaviest Bryant, and Nico Collins, and failed to flip Jamyest Williams, remember one of the biggest aspects of NSD is keeping the ones that are already on board.
Georgia came into the day with 23 commits and every single one of them signed their National Letter of Intent, and they also picked up three more.
Georgia closed with three defensive backs on NSD, filling a huge need they had at cornerback.
Eric Stokes – Eastside HS (Covington, GA)
Stokes started off the day by picking UGA over Ole Miss. The Covington-native is a 6’0, 170-lb. corner and is ranked as a three-star prospect. Stokes is known for his elite speed and some say he might be the fastest cornerback in the entire country.
Ameer Speed – Sandalwood HS (Jacksonville, FL)
Speed was likely the best player Georgia added on the day. He’s a 6’3, 195-lb. corner, which is almost unheard of. He has the type of size that Smart wants in his secondary, and he could see the field very soon.
Latavious Brini – Mater Charter Academy (Hialeah, FL)
Brini also posses the elite size that Kirby wants. He’s a 6’2, 200-lb. corner who committed to the Dawgs back in July before decommitting in October. He’s a rare decommit-recommit, and with UGA’s need in the secondary, he could also see the field quickly.
Final 247sports Team Rankings:
Alabama (322.53) – 6 five-stars, 18 four-stars, 4 three-stars
Ohio State (310.97) – 5 five-stars, 14 four-stars, 2 three-stars
Georgia (300.98) – 2 five-stars, 18 four-stars, 6 three-stars
USC (296.12) – 2 five-stars, 12 four-stars, 10 three-stars
Michigan (293.77) – 2 five-stars, 19 four-stars, 8 three-stars
The #SicEm17 class is the highest ranked class the Bulldogs have ever signed and only time will tell how great it actually turns out to be.
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The Bulldogs finished with 26 commits, including two five-stars, 18 four-stars, and six three-stars.
Like we discussed about a week ago, the Dawgs had a lot success in the Peach State in this 2017 class, locking down 11 of the state’s top 16 prospects, including four of the top six.
Only Alabama and Michigan finished with more four and-five star commits than the Dawgs, and only Alabama and Ohio State finished with a higher average ranking per recruit.
Dating back to 2001 in 247sports’ team rankings, only 14 teams have ever put together classes with a 300-point numerical ranking. Alabama, Ohio State, and Georgia each accomplished that this year.
Kirby is an ace on the recruiting trail and it is only a matter of time till it translates to wins Between the Hedges.