When Sam Pittman arrived at Georgia, he was billed as an assistant who preferred a beefy offensive line. Pittman has still brought the size, but now he’s delivering numbers.

He’s most recent commit, Brunswick (Ga.) tackle D’Antre Demery, listed at 6-foot-6 and 319 pounds is the latest in a flurry of linemen to pledge with the Bulldogs. Pittman also landed Cedar Grove’s Netori Johnson (6-4, 348) and Justin Shaffer (6-5, 356).

Demery and Johnson are four-star recruits, while Shaffer is a three-star, according to 247Sports. Throw in 2019 commit Luke Griffin and 2018 commit Max Wray, Georgia has offensive tackle commits in each of the next three recruiting classes.

Pittman also was credited with closing the 2016 class commitment of Solomon Kindley, a 6-5 330-pounder from Jacksonville, Fla.

All of this comes on the heels of a 2015 season when Georgia shuffled its line and had a strong finish. But this spring, there were reports, including one from DawgNation.com, that center was the only stable position on the OL.

“I wouldn’t say anybody’s been standing out. … It’s been a struggle with that group. Nobody has really stood out, I’d say,” coach Kirby Smart told DawgNation.

Georgia has struggled in recent years to land highly touted offensive line recruits. John Theus, a rare five-star recruit, from Jacksonville, Fla., became All-SEC as a senior.

Former Georgia and NFL offensive lineman Matt Stinchcomb recently told UGASports.com that the change in philosophy is a positive transition in his mind.

“I like the emphasis on focusing on offensive line and getting the right guys, I do like that,” Stinchcomb told the site. “I will say, as much as I respect it, and I appreciate Coach (Mark) Richt and what he did, one that that I did not agree with the idea with offensive line was kind of just a commodity. I think it worked that way at Florida State.”

Smart’s staff philosophy was clear from the day he hired them and explained his priorities in selecting a staff.

“That first piece was to get that offensive coordinator and offensive line coach together, that tandem,” Smart said, according to DawgNation.com. Smart later added that when he checked Pittman’s references, everyone talked about the relationship he developed with players.

Pittman previously coached at Arkansas, Tennessee, North Carolina and Northern Illinois. He’s had eight offensive linemen drafted since 2013.

Georgia’s offensive line last season dealt with the departure of David Andrews, who signed and later became a starter with the New England Patriots. For the upcoming season, Georgia will miss Theus and Kolton Houston as starters.

“I think that’s an area where we’ve gotta improve,” Smart told DawgNation. “We’ve gotta get bigger people on the offensive and defensive front to be successful. And we’ve gotta get more depth within the people we have. (Pittman) has been able to do that.

“He’s been able to recruit successfully. He’s been able to develop players. He’s proven that all the places he’s been. He’s been able to run the ball. I’ve got a lot of respect for the way his offensive line’s have played when we’ve played against them. That speaks volumes to me for him as a person.”