Although the Georgia Bulldogs took steps forward in several defensive areas under defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt, the ‘Dawgs were still weak up front, struggling with consistently stopping the run.

This became more of an issue later in the season thanks to Florida, Kentucky and Georgia Tech. And while Georgia is returning key linebackers Leonard Floyd and Jordan Jenkins, the defensive line will lose seniors Mike Thornton and Ray Drew.

So UGA was in need of a top defensive line recruiting class and that’s exactly what it got.

Current defensive line commitments

  • Five-star — Trent Thompson, 6-4, 305 (Westover HS, Albany, Ga.)
  • Four-star — Jonathan Ledbetter, 6-4, 265 (Tucker HS, Tucker, Ga.)
  • Four-star — Natrez Patrick, 6-3, 220 (Mays HS, Atlanta, Ga.)
  • Four-star — Chauncey Rivers, 6-2, 247 (Stephenson HS, Stone Mountain, Ga.)
  • Four-star — Michael Barnett, 6-5, 258 (Woodland HS, Dorchester, S.C.)
  • Three-star — Justin Young, 6-2, 255 (Grayson HS, Loganville, Ga.)

Immediate Impact?

The obvious answer to this question is five-star Trent Thompson. He’s already got an SEC-ready frame at 6-foot-4, 305-pounds and he’s a prototypical defensive tackle for Pruitt’s 3-4 scheme.

Thompson will also benefit from the ‘Dawgs losing their top-two defensive tackles after the season — Mike Thornton and Toby Johnson. Thompson’s quick first step, despite his incredible size, will likely make him too much of an asset to keep off the field for Pruitt.

One area where Thompson could help out immediately is pressure on the backfield. The five-star defensive tackle is known as one of the most feared rushers in high school. Georgia recorded only 24 sacks this season, good for ninth in the SEC.

With UGA’s linebackers rushing from the edge, a defensive tackle that can create havoc up the middle would have a significant impact. And that’s what Thompson can provide from day one.

In addition to Thompson, the ‘Dawgs should be very encouraged by the prospects who have chosen to early enroll. Jonathan Ledbetter, Natrez Patrick and Michael Barnett — all defensive line recruits — have signed financial aid agreements with UGA. Although the players can still back out of that commitment, if they so choose, it makes known their intentions of enrolling at Georgia in January.

Early enrolling is so key for high school recruits. Simply put, it just gives players a huge head start compared to others in the recruiting class. It’s an extra few months involved in the weight training and conditioning program, more time to practice with the team during Spring ball and it allows the recruit to get acclimated to college life well before the actual season begins.

For these three defensive line prospects, adjusting to the physicality and pace of SEC football will be the main deciding factor in how much playing time they receive early on. Early enrolling can only accelerate this process and that means more depth for the Bulldogs in 2015.

Pruitt has done a fantastic job of building a top defensive line recruiting class and you can expect to hear these guys’ names called on Saturdays next fall.