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Georgia has been consistent when it comes to recruiting in recent years. Aaron Murray, John Theus, Jordan Jenkins and Leonard Floyd are the names of just a few top recruits that worked out.
The Bulldogs have been particularly good at developing running backs. Todd Gurley, Nick Chubb, Keith Marshall and Sony Michel have been stellar runners.
But Georgia would probably like to redo the 2013 recruiting class, particularly the defensive back recruits.
The highest-rated commit of the 2013 class was four-star safety Tray Matthews. In his first four games, Matthews lived up to his billing as he recorded 20 tackles, one interception and three pass defenses. Then, he suffered a hamstring injury.
After he returned, Matthews proved to be largely ineffective as he was unable to record a tackle in his final three games.
The most dreadful moment of those last three games in 2013 came against Auburn. Matthews appeared to have the game-winning interception falling into his hands when fellow safety Josh Harvey-Clemons batted it away from Matthews and into the hands of Tigers receiver Ricardo Louis, who scored the game-winning TD.
In the offseason, off-the-field trouble led to coach Mark Richt dismissing Matthews. Ironically, he transferred to Auburn.
Georgia’s third-highest rated recruit in 2013 was WR Tramel Terry, who switched to defensive back.
Unfortunately, Terry tore his ACL during a high school all-star game and never cracked the Bulldogs’ starting lineup. He played in 13 games and posted six tackles with one interception. In September of 2015, he decided to transfer.
The final big bust from Georgia’s 2013 recruiting class was CB Shaq Wiggins.
Ranked the fourth-highest Bulldogs prospect in the class, the four-star commit played well in his freshman season. He recorded 19 total tackles, including three for loss, four pass defenses and two interceptions.
The following offseason, however, he transferred to Louisville.
“I am looking for a team who will embrace my personality, someone who is a jovial, carefree and a bit of a jokester but who knows when to put jokes aside, get focused and become a true competitor, especially when on the field,” Wiggins said as part of his statement when he announced his transfer.
The Bulldogs’ recruiting of defensive backs improved in the last few years, helping them rank No. 1 in pass defense in 2015.
Dave covers SEC football for Saturday Down South.
