Georgia football: 3 proven players who outplayed their recruiting ranking
![Ladd McConkey reacts to scoring a touchdown. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) Ladd McConkey reacts to scoring a touchdown. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/86d486c77c997b3061235a071763b95e6de8c4a961d11dae061a0db41dab1d0c.jpg)
Former 3-star Jake Camarda
Georgia football starting punter Jake Camarda was a 3-star out of high school as he was a member of the 2018 class. In contrast, it is hard for punters to get better rankings than that because usually, other skill players do the punting duties in high school, and it’s harder to rank.
However, Camarda is the Dawgs’ secret weapon. He has a monster leg, and since he got to Georgia, he has proved that despite not being a 5-star, he played like one. Camarda was Georgia’s secret weapon during his time in Athens and especially in 2021.
His ability to punt and do the kickoff duties kept opponents deep in their territory so the Georgia defense could get to work.
Camarda averaged 46.74 yards a punt, with 17 inside the 20-yard line and 18 going 50-plus yards. He had quite the leg on him, and when the Dawgs needed him to pin an opponent, Camarda answered.
Georgia will miss him next season, but he is a prime example that recruiting kickers and punters coming out of high school is misconstrued because sometimes they pan out, and other times they are just average. Camarda was a massive asset to the Dawgs and proved even with a 3-star ranking, and he could become one of the best punters in the country.