Georgia Bulldogs news: National Signing Day, men’s hoops drops another, plus Saban on Gameday

National Signing Day used to be a tentpole event on the college football calendar, now it’s barely a footnote. Back on early signing day in December, Georgia already locked up the No. 1 class in the country, the fifth straight year that Kirby Smart brought in a top 5 class, despite Kirk Herbstreit’s best efforts. 

Yesterday, Georgia did add one small piece to the 2024 class with three-star walk-on Jeremy Bell. That brings Georgia to 28 commits and finalizes the class. 

Attentions have already turned to recruiting for 2025 and without Dylan Raiola heading to Athens, the Bulldogs need to address the quarterback position. Six of the top 10 QBs are already committed, but Georgia made Matt Zollers’ final four along with Missouri, Pitt, and Penn State. Zollers is the No. 9 QB in the class. 

Men’s basketball falls to Mississippi State

The Bulldogs men’s basketball team’s losing streak has now grown to four games after last night’s loss to the SEC’s other Bulldogs. Mississippi State was led by Tolu Smith III who finished with 19 points and 12 rebounds in the 75-62 win over Georgia. 

Georgia shot just 35.1% from the field, but Noah Thomasson was the bright spot, scoring a game-high 20 points on just 12 shots. Thomasson and the Dawgs will be back in action on Saturday at Arkansas. 

The Women’s basketball team plays tonight in Starkville against the Mississippi State Bulldogs. The Georgia women are 12-11 and coming off a win over Kentucky. 

More college sports news: Nick Saban joins ESPN’s College Gameday

Lee Corso had been a constant on ESPN’s College Gameday, but as the former coach approaches 90 years old the show has begun to use him sparingly. Corso does not plan to leave College Gameday, but the show has found a replacement for the former coach on the panel. 

On Wednesday, it was announced that 72-year-old Nick Saban will join College Gameday for the 2024 college football season. It’s not likely that Saban will be any substitute for Corso’s antics and his headgear pick, which will still be a part of the show, but that’s what Pat McAfee is for anyway. 

Saban will play it straight, even as Rece Davis and McAfee work to loosen him up, but that’s fine. The seven-time national champion will break down the game like nobody on that show ever has, and we’ll all be better for it.