On the first day a junior college prospect can officially sign an NLI, Georgia landed a top 2017 JUCO offensive tackle prospect.

Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College product D’Marcus Hayes signed with the Bulldogs on Wednesday — giving head coach Kirby Smart a very good building block for the future:

The 6-foot-6, 320-pound behemoth is considered a 4-star prospect by 247Sports — as well as being the No. 3 JUCO offensive tackle prospect in the country.

Hayes chose Georgia over offers from programs all across the Southeast region — including Arkansas, Louisville, Mississippi State, and Auburn.

This is a significant pickup for the Bulldogs. The offensive line this past season struggled at times to garner a push up front. In fact, many view the OL as the weakest link offensively.

With starting LT Tyler Catalina and starting RT Greg Pyke both graduating, Hayes has a golden opportunity to come in right away and snag a starting gig.