Kirby Smart has obvious call to make after missing out on 5-star target Derrek Cooper

The Georgia Bulldogs have certainly taken a couple of hits from the Texas Longhorns in the last couple of weeks when it comes to recruiting. Most recently, the Longhorns gained a commitment from running back 5-star Derrek Cooper, whom the Bulldogs were also in pursuit of.

With the loss of Cooper, head coach Kirby Smart really needs to be on the Savion Hiter train. Hitter is down to four schools: Michigan, Tennessee, Ohio State, and Georgia; however, it is known that it seems like Michigan and Tennessee are leading the way. Smart needs to make a very important call to Hitler in order to get back in the lead for this 5-star running back.

Hiter had an official visit to Athens back in early June, but has since been on an official visit with both Tennessee and Michigan. Hiter comes in as the No. 15 player in the Class of 2026, the No. 1 running back in the class, and the No. 1 player in the state of Virginia according to 247Sports.

Smart has just one running back in the Class of 2026 with Jae Lamar having been committed since late June. While Lamar is a great player, Hiter is just a different breed of running back and would be a huge addition to an already stacked Georgia recruiting class.

Georgia had the No. 1 recruiting class for a short time until they lost out on 5-star linebacker Tyler Atkinson, and now losing Cooper is just another hit Smart is trying to absorb. Now, Georgia still has the No. 2 recruiting class, which is still something great, but of course, Smart wants to be No. 1.

Smart has to make a push for Hitler, even if it seems like it is down to the Wolverines and the Volunteers. Some teams have come out of the woodwork late in someone's recruitment and make a late push to land great commits, and Georgia could do just that with Hiter.