Three 2022 Georgia Football prospects that could commit to the Dawgs

According to 247 Sports Composite Ranking, Georgia football ranks No.3  in the 2022 recruiting rankings, just behind No.2 Penn State and No. 1 Alabama.

Ever since Kirby Smart became the head coach at Georgia in 2016, he has recorded six top-6 classes, including two No. 1 classes in 2018 and 2020. Now Smart is looking to have that top-rated class again in 2022.

Between those six classes, Kirby Smart and Georgia have been able to get 26 5-stars. To put that number in perspective, Mark Richt, through 14 years, was only able to recruit 27 total 5-stars.

Even without being able to do a whole lot of physical recruiting due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Smart put together the top-rated class.

In his press conference on Tuesday of the bye week, the head coach talked about the differences in recruiting from last year to this year. The recruiting visitor lists have been jaw-dropping with games like Arkansas, Clemson, and last week against Kentucky.

As someone who has been in college football for as long as he has, it was unique to see his perspective on it.

"“There was no such thing as recruiting last year, it was all by phone and by Zoom,” Smart said in his Tuesday press conference. “The kids not being able to experience the games is hard on them. They are having to make decisions to go places without going places. That is just hard. This year has been like pretty much back to normal, if anything it’s heightened. There is the ‘new effect’ because so many people have not done it. Your sophomores and juniors are dying to go places and your seniors — this is like their first trip. So, it has been heightened and it certainly has helped that we have had some premiere games at home to bring the kids here.”"

Smart has changed the Georgia football culture in just six years by transforming the recruiting and having one less through eight-fewer years.

Malaki Starks currently headlines the Dawgs 2022 class as he is the lone 5-star among the 19 pledges. However, that will likely change sooner than later.

According to 247Sports Composite rankings, Starks is the No.21 overall, No.3 linebacker and the No. 2 player in Georgia.

Starks is one of the more athletically gifted recruits in his class. Even with not being the typical size of an outside linebacker, at 6-1, 200-pounds, he is not afraid to lay the hammer on you.

Other commits who could have a huge impact in the Classic City are 4-star quarterback Gunner Stockton, 4-star running back Branson Robinson, 4-star defensive lineman Tyre West, and 4-star linebacker Jalon Walker.

Georgia football has a chance to beef up this recruiting class, and here are three prospects who can do just that.

Georgia football is working hard to land top-rated Walter Nolen

Walter Nolen is a once-in-a-lifetime talent as he is the 2022 247Sports Composite rankings No.1 overall player. He’s strong, he’s physical, and he is fast. As a coach, Nolen is everything you want in a defensive lineman. He is just that special.

Nolen, a native of Powell, Tenn., is a 6-4, 325-pound defensive lineman that would add incredible depth to an already stacked Georgia defensive front.

He plays with a high motor whenever he is on the field. Nolen will run down a defender like nobody’s business as he has very quick lateral speed and is a vicious pass rusher.

It’s easy to compare him to current Georgia defensive lineman Jalen Carter, just larger.

Nolen has an excellent opportunity to come in and earn some playing time early as Jordan Davis graduates this year, and so does Devonte Wyatt. The Dawgs will need another big man up the middle to help out Carter, which could be just enough to sway Nolen to pick Georgia.

The last time Georgia picked up the No.1 overall recruit for a class was not too long ago in 2019, when the Dawgs landed Nolan Smith.

Georgia’s defensive line coach Tray Scott has been the main one pursuing Nolen, and this kid is one of the Dawgs’ top priorities for 2022. Nolen’s top three are Texas A&M, Georgia and Tennessee, but Alabama and Florida are two other teams worth mentioning as well.

The key here will be getting him on campus before early signing day as he has official visits scheduled for Alabama on Nov. 6 and went to Texas A&M on Oct. 9 for one. He got a treat that week as it was when the Aggies upset top-rated Alabama.

If the Dawgs can get this big-time recruit, you will see them skyrocket up and become the No.1 recruiting class.

Kamari Wilson

Georgia football’s defensive backs coach Jahmile Addae has always heavily recruited Kamari Wilson during his coaching days at West Virginia.

The 6-0, 200-pound 5-star safety out of Fort Pierce, Fla., is a key contributor not only on defense but also on special teams for one of the most prestigious high school teams in the nation, IMG Academy.

According to 247Sports Composite rankings, Wilson is the No. 19 overall, No.1 safety and No.4 player in Florida. With 33-plus offers, this guy could go anywhere in the country and be successful.

The guys at 247Sports have him leaning to the Dawgs, but it’ll be between the good guys and Texas A&M.

Wilson is the type of safety to make the big hits. He is not afraid of making plays in the box or coverage, especially with those long arms. He can cover taller guys and can still manage not to get burnt.

His aggressiveness matches the kind of secondary player head coach Kirby Smart loves, and Wilson has a massive amount of upside to him.

With some development, this already talented safety could turn into an All-American. Georgia would be able to offer him early playing time as the secondary is the Dawgs’ weakest position on defense right now. They need bodies back there, which would likely mean playing time as a freshman.

Not to mention thinking about him and Kelee Ringo lining up back there together with Lewis Cine is quite the group of players.

Wilson took his official visit to Georgia on Oct. 1 for the Arkansas game and was on campus back in the summer as well.

He is a top priority for the Dawgs, and it wouldn’t be surprising if he didn’t commit and play in Athens.

Jaheim Singletary

The last time Kirby Smart and his staff saw 5-star cornerback Jaheim Singletary was when he made a trip to Athens four months ago. Then, he was still a hard commit to the Ohio State Buckeyes.

A month and a half passed by after his trip to the Classic City, and he announced his de-commitment from Ohio State and opened back up his recruitment.

Since then, Georgia has emerged as one of the favorites to land the 6-2, 170-pound cornerback out of Jacksonville, Fla.

According to 247Sports Composite rankings, Singletary is the No. 15 overall, No.5 corner and No.3 player out of Florida.

Singletary is known for his size, instincts, and ball skills.

He has a lot of length to him, and he uses it to his advantage by challenging quarterbacks to be as accurate as possible because if they’re not, especially on those downfield shots, he will take advantage of it and make a play.

He is a guy that if you put him on an SEC nutrition program, he will bulk up in the right ways, which in return will elevate his game.

Smart needs more depth in the secondary, and if they’re going to bring home the top-rated safety out of Florida, they might as well get the corner with him.

Singletary also has Florida and Miami in the mix, but Georgia seems to be the front runner right now. Even 247Sports Steve Wiltfong predicts he will pick the Dawgs at the end of his recruiting process.

Georgia seems to be getting closer to landing Singletary day by day. If you are a Georgia fan, that should feel very encouraging. Adding Singletary to this elite defense would only make it more lethal than what it already is.

The Dawgs have their eyes set on 5-stars as early signing day approaches.

If Georgia continues to win the way they have through the first part of the season, these recruits will run to Athens. Teams like the one Georgia puts on the field are why kids decide to play college football, so it wouldn’t be surprising at all to see them land six or seven 5-stars.