Georgia football signed a great 2022 recruiting class that checked all the boxes the Dawgs need to keep moving in a positive direction. One of those who could benefit the Dawgs is 4-star interior offensive lineman Earnest Greene.
The Bellflower, Cali., native, committed to the Dawgs as a late addition, signing on Jan. 8 after the All-American Bowl. He was a great addition that Georgia needed to keep the depth rich at the offensive line.
Greene is a 6-4.5, 330-pound lineman who will be a tremendous interior addition as the Dawgs lost Justin Shaffer to the NFL Draft. While there are others ahead of him, he could shock people and plays some as a freshman.
Georgia football landed a solid guard in Earnest Greene and could use him right away.
According to 247Sports Composite rankings, Greene was the No. 45 overall player, the No. 2 interior offensive linemen, and the No. 3 player out of California. He has a lot of upside, and the Dawgs need a better interior situation than they currently have.
Greene racked up 25 offers from schools like Texas, Ohio State, Alabama, and plenty others, but he connected with Matt Luke and the Dawgs.
He is yet another California kid coming across the country to play for an SEC school, which should weigh heavy for future prospects.
Greene runs a 5.63 40-yard dash and is extremely athletic. He is an excellent run blocker and pass blocker.
There is something that ignites in him when he is playing. With a bit of development, he could be a great addition to the interior for Georgia Greene is gritty and nasty up front, and matching that energy with Tate Ratledge could be the perfect match, especially when you throw in Sedrick Van Pran in at center.
He can get to the second level and set blocks when needed.
That trio would be incredible together, but Greene will have to put in the work because it isn’t easy to come in high school and play on an SEC offensive line right away — it’s possible, but not easy by any means.
How Earnest Greene fits in with Georgia football
Georgia could turn to Warren Ericson, who will likely be the guy if others cannot make it happen in Spring and Fall camps. However, there were times in 2021 that Ericson struggled, and the Dawgs missed Ratledge badly.
Ratledge should be back this season and stay healthy because Georgia needs him. Ericson will be a veteran for the Dawgs, but he has to improve himself to keep that starting role.
Georgia has a lot of bodies in this offensive line room, but if Greene can impress this spring, he could find a way into that rotation. His grit and nastiness are what make him so appealing. Greene isn’t afraid to pancake someone and keep going until the whistle blows.
He is coming into an extraordinary situation, and if he wants to take it, there is a clear path for him to do so.
An Earnest Greene prediction for 2022
Greene may not start Game 1 for the Dawgs, but he is someone I could see earning that role by the end of the season. He can do it, and now Greene just needs to put in the work and prove himself.
Georgia football has depth at this position, but if they can get a young guy in there to build a relationship with the other youngsters, it could produce a line for the next couple of years.