National Signing Day got off to a great start for the Georgia Bulldogs, with commitments from five-star athlete Mecole Hardman Jr. and three-star WR Tyler Simmons, an Alabama flip. UGA managed to hold onto its previous commitments and climb the 247Sports composite team rankings from No. 9 to No.7.

The Bulldogs are expected to finish with a class of 20 for 2016, but at this time two commits, four-star LB Jaleel Laguins and four-star DT Tyler Clark, hadn’t yet signed their letters of intent.

WINNING THE TRANSITION

Conventional wisdom says that firing a head coach will ruin the upcoming recruiting class. New Georgia coach Kirby Smart bucked that trend by signing a top-10 class (No. 7). Smart was put to the test early when five-star QB Jacob Eason flirted with division rival Florida in December. Eason ultimately stayed loyal to the Bulldogs, and Smart has an important centerpiece to build around. Adding five-star TE Isaac Nauta should also give the UGA offense a boost in 2016.

BEASTS OF THE EAST

Not many first-year coaches sign the top-rated class in their division. In recruiting, year two is when most coaches land their “bump class” after having a full cycle to pitch their ideas and point to changes in the program. Florida’s bump class, ranked No. 13, falls short of Georgia’s transition class, especially when comparing the number of five-star signees (3-to-0). Tennessee might be the most-hyped team heading into next season, but the Volunteers’ signing day haul is only third-best in the division at No. 14. The SEC East has learned the hard way that Smart’s staff knows how to win on the recruiting trail and close the deal.

THE NEXT STEP

Recruiting was never the problem under former coach Mark Richt. The Bulldogs signed plenty of highly rated classes during Richt’s tenure, so it’s not a complete shock that Smart was able to lure top talent to Athens. The big test for Smart will come in converting all this talent into division titles and conference championships. The speedy Hardman, listed as an athlete with experience on both sides of the ball, is a perfect example of signing raw talent that needs to be properly developed.

SIGNEES

  • Mecole Hardman Jr., ATH, five-star
  • Chauncey Manac, DE, four-star
  • Michail Carter, DT, four-star
  • Charlie Woerner, WR, four-star
  • Elijah Holyfield, RB, four-star
  • Javon Wims, WR, four-star
  • Tyler Simmons, WR, three-star
  • David Marshall, DE, three-star
  • Chris Barnes, OT, three-star
  • Tyrique McGhee, CB, three-star
  • Solomon Kindley, OT, three-star
  • Marshall Long, P, three-star

EARLY ENROLLEES

  • Jacob Eason, QB, five-star
  • Isaac Nauta, TE, five-star
  • Julian Rochester, DT, four-star
  • Ben Cleveland, OT, four-star
  • Riley Ridley, WR, four-star
  • Chad Clay, CB, three-star