Georgia football fills big need with Jalen Carter

Jalen Carter from Apopka, Florida, committed to Georgia football last night, giving the Dawgnation a chance to needle Dan Mullen. Carter’s a big, fast defensive lineman, too.

Georgia football will lose six defensive lineman after the 2019 season. Kirby Smart took anther big step in filling that future need with Monday night’s commitment from Jalen Carter.

Carter, from Apopka, Florida, also fills a significant need for the Bulldog nation – annoying Dan Mullen.

Carter is the number ten defensive line prospect in the country and the fifth highest rated commitment so far in Georgia’s 2020 class. His commitment pushes the Georgia 2020 class ranking to number five.

Put a bullet by that number five ranking. Georgia has only ten commitments so far and only top ranked Clemson has a higher per-player ranking than the Dawgs. Put a bullet by Carter’s name as well. Talent experts expect his ranking to rise.

Florida in Smart’s sites

Carter is the second 2020 Georgia recruitment from the Sun Shine State where the head Gator, Judge Mullet Mouth, holds court weekly on the subject of Kirby Smart and the Georgia Bulldogs.

For Georgia’s part, head coach Kirby Smart has made clear he is coming after the nearby Florida talent. Last spring, Smart hired Todd Hartley off the Miami staff, Charlton Warren off the Florida staff, and elevated to offensive coordinator Miami High school star and former Miami, FSU and Miami Dolphin coach James Coley.

The Dawgs need more up front on defense

The Dawgs have consistently trailed Alabama and Clemson in recruiting defensive lineman, so look for Kirby Smart to prioritize the position.

Georgia is also in the mix for a couple more highly ranked defensive tackles and the Georgia football recruiting machine will give them the Smart Treatment this summer.

The Orthus

In Jalen Carter, Georgia gets a two-headed dog. As a  powerlifter, Carter placed second in the Florida High School Athletic Association weight lifting meet with a 395-pound bench press. As an athlete, Carter steps on the hardwood to take his man off the dribble for the slam.

Offensive skills on the defensive line

While Carter will stay parked in the defensive meeting rooms at Georgia, his versatility extends to the offensive side of the ball. He has played many minutes for Apopka as a tight end.

While Carter moves fast on the football field, he also moved fast in the recruiting process. Just a day ago he tweeted out his final three schools. He announced his top school less than twenty hours later.

Georgia also covets several defensive lineman committed elsewhere. Expect the Smart Flip Machine to move into high gear in the fall as the calendar moves toward the early signing period. Georgia will have a lot of chambers to fill on the defensive line after this season.