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Georgia scored its biggest recruiting coup yet this year without as much as landing a single new commitment.
The Kirby Smart coaching era in Athens got off to a much more promising start with Tuesday’s news that prized quarterback recruit Jacob Eason had re-committed to the Dawgs after flirting with other suitors following the recent dismissal of Mark Richt.
Eason, a five-star recruit who rates as the nation’s top pro-style quarterback, had second thoughts and considered serious overtures from Florida before announcing that he planned to enroll at Georgia as of January, like originally planned.
The decision was a huge relief for a Bulldogs team desperately in need of better production from the quarterback position in 2016.
Thrilled to hear the news! Now, who wants to catch a @skinnyqb10 post? Better have some jets! #Squad16 #CommitToTheG
— Coach Kirby Smart (@KirbySmartUGA) December 15, 2015
Eason will arrive in Athens with larger-than-life expectations, but could be in the starting lineup from Day One.
Georgia currently has 14 commitments at the start of the dead period that began earlier this week that prohibits SEC coaches from having face-to-face contact with potential recruits.
The dead period will allow Smart and the staff he does have assembled time to get a better look at other pressing needs and how their 2016 roster might look by the season’s start.
Let’s take a look at Georgia’s recruiting grades so far:
OFFENSE: B+ (8 TOTAL COMMITS)
Eason is clearly the crown jewel, a highly-regarded talent who will have the opportunity to make a difference for the Dawgs from the outset.
But speedy tailback Elijah Holyfield, the son of former heavyweight boxing champion Evander Holyfield, could also be a difference-maker while spelling a healthy Nick Chubb and Sony Michel in the backfield. It will be interesting to see how quickly Holyfield picks up the intricacies of the college game and whether Smart feels that he can afford to redshirt him. A lot of that will depend on the full extent of Chubb’s recovery.
Georgia will say goodbye to go-to receiver Malcolm Mitchell, so finding somebody to step up and replace that production will be imperative. Isaiah McKenzie, who doubles as one of the nation’s most exciting return men, is a home run threat every time he touches the ball in the air or on a jet sweep, but he must stay healthy. Terry Godwin came on strong at the end of his freshman year and will be asked to do considerably more next fall.
Incoming receiver prospect Javon Wims, a junior college All-American, could also figure prominently next fall with his lanky 6-foot-4 frame and ability to consistently go up in the air and make plays.
DEFENSE: B- (6 commits)
Georgia enjoyed having one of the nation’s top corps of linebackers, but the losses of Jake Ganus, Jordan Jenkins and Leonard Floyd — and possibly Lorenzo Carter next year — means that it’s time to load up again now. Four-star linebacker prospect Jaleel Laguins is a bit on the smallish side and perhaps in need of a redshirt year, but he is the only linebacker to have committed to the Dawgs so far.
Four-star defensive tackle prospect Tyler Clark figures to play right away and help keep the Bulldogs loaded with the usual talent on the defensive front. The influx of a few new faces and the added maturity of so many young players forced into action this year should prove beneficial to the Dawgs in 2016.
RECRUITING NEEDS
Georgia entered the recruiting season with its most obvious needs at quarterback, wide receiver and linebacker. Adding further depth at linebacker and along the offensive line will be among Smart’s top priorities.
The Dawgs won’t be lacking in talent next fall. It’s just a matter of filling in a few small gaps. How this class is later viewed will largely rest on Eason’s development.
John Hollis is a contributing writer for Saturday Down South. He covers Georgia and Florida.
