Georgia football: Cortez Hankton is the latest superstar recruiter

Georgia football wide receivers coach Cortez Hankton helped sign two top-40 wide receivers in his first recruiting class.

So much for Georgia football being a team wide receivers don’t want to play for. When two junior wide outs decided to enter the NFL Draft early, everyone was ready to write the 2019 Bulldogs off. Georgia’s coaches, especially Wide receivers coach Cortez Hankton reversed that narrative with a 2019 recruiting class that includes two top-40 wide receivers according to 247Sports Composite.

Hankton already secured the signature of Dominick Blaylock in the Early Signing Period. Blaylock was the best four-star receiver in the 2019 rankings. He’s ranked fifth out of receivers nationally, and he’s the no. 36 player overall. The son of former Atlanta Hawk Mookie Blaylock displays some basketball skills as a receiver with how he uses his body to shield off defenders when he makes tight catches.

He’s not a better athlete than most corners he’ll go up against, but he’ll likely play a lot in the slot against nickles and safeties. Regardless of who covers him, he can beat anyone just with his route running. He’s also not that fast once he gets away from the line. But just like with his routes, he makes up for that shortcoming with excellent vision and having some power as a runner. He’s one of those guys who will always look like a better athlete because he’s so skilled.

Georgia still needed another receiver for the 2019 class to replenish the depth chart, and they didn’t sign just any receiver. George Pickens, who had been an Auburn commit since July of 2017, changed his mind this past Sunday and signed with Georgia on Wednesday. Pickens is Georgia’s first five-star wide receiver signed since Marlon Brown in 2009 (Terry Godwin and Mecole Hardman were athlete recruits). According to 247Sports Composite, he’s the no. 4 receiver and the no. 24 player in the nation.

He’s bigger than Blaylock and is more of a power receiver. He’ll play most of his snaps out wide, whereas Blaylock will play more in the slot. But Pickens will occasionally appear in the slot as well because with his big frame, he has some running back skills with the ball in his hands. He’s a guy Georgia will want to pass the ball to on quick passes. Played out wide, he uses his route running and big frame to make up for his lack of top-end speed. He’ll either find open space for the quarterback, or he’ll make a physical catch.

Hankton and the Bulldogs might not be finished hauling in receivers for 2019 either. Georgia is still courting Miami graduate transfer Lawrence Cager. He lead the Hurricanes with six touchdowns in 2018 and he has 681 yards in his career. He’s a great fade route receiver, Jake Fromm happens to be a great fade route thrower. So, bringing him to Athens would be a big deal.