Ad Disclosure
Georgia’s recruits have begun reacting to Mark Richt’s firing.
Most recruits seemed disappointed that Georgia was getting rid of its longtime coach. Some of them questioned whether or not they want to go to UGA, while others reaffirmed their loyalty to the Bulldogs despite Richt’s departure.
Georgia has been one of the favorites to land Mecole Hardman, a five-star athlete from Elberton, Ga. Hardman was shocked after hearing about Richt’s firing, and indicated that if Georgia also gets rid of defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt, it can forget about him putting on the red and black.
If that isn’t a shocker than I don’t know what is 👀👀👀😅
— Mecole Hardman Jr. (@iiAm_Mesho) November 29, 2015
Georgia better not get rid of Pruitt because if they do, 😅😂
— Mecole Hardman Jr. (@iiAm_Mesho) November 29, 2015
Offensive lineman Chris Barnes from Leesburg, Ga., who has been committed to the Bulldogs since April, said it was a sad day.
SAD DAY IN DAWG NATION!!😭😭😭 — Chris Barnes (@bigman6178) November 29, 2015
Offensive lineman Ben Cleveland from Toccoa, Ga., who has been committed to Georgia since July 2014, said he’d still be joining the Bulldogs.
I have 100% faith in UGA bringing in the right man. I’ve committed to the program and will always be a dawg. Gotta stay positive — Big Country (@BenCleveland74) November 29, 2015
However, Cleveland’s father, Derek, is disappointed that Richt won’t be coaching his son in college.
The Cleveland family will truely miss this great man! At this time we have no words to sum up how we are feeling. pic.twitter.com/4plySLGyyz — Derek Cleveland (@CountrysDad) November 29, 2015
William Poole III, a five-star cornerback from Atlanta, is an uncommitted recruit the Bulldogs have been chasing. Georgia offered him a scholarship his sophomore year of high school. He thanked Richt for all the coach had done during his 15 years with the Bulldogs.
Thanks @MarkRicht. You’ve given UGA your all for 15 years. Also thanks for believing in me, being the first to offer me my sophomore year. — William Poole III (@__WP3) November 29, 2015
However, Poole also said the news about Richt will not affect his college decision.
Coach Richt will be missed. He’ll forever be a #DGD. The departure of Coach Richt DOES NOT effect my thoughts about UGA. #GoDawgs — William Poole III (@__WP3) November 29, 2015
Chauncey Manac, a four-star defensive end from Homerville, Ga., committed to Richt and the Bulldogs in September 2014. Manac, the No. 6 defensive end in the nation (according to Rivals), understands that ultimately college football is a business.
Smh jus remember it’s jus a business — WOLFPUP (@chaunceymanac) November 29, 2015
Offensive tackle E.J. Price from Lawrenceville, Ga. tweeted his list of five finalists on Saturday, and Georgia was on it. Georgia may have disappeared from that list on Sunday.
That Changes everything 💯💯😑 — Mr. Pancake (@Ej_Price77) November 29, 2015
Earlier Sunday, Nate McBride from Vidalia, Ga., one of the top inside linebacker prospects in the country from the Class of 2017, tweeted that he wouldn’t be going to Georgia if Richt and/or the current defensive staff was no longer there.
I’m really starting to think about my commitment decision and I know I won’t be committing to Georgia if the defensive staff or richt is gon — donkeiii (@nmcbride13) November 29, 2015
Ben Davis, a five-star junior linebacker from Gordo, Ala. and Derrik Allen, a sophomore defensive back from Marietta, Ga., both said they have a lot of respect for the longtime Georgia coach.
Much love for coach Richt @MarkRicht 💯 pic.twitter.com/4FxcySVQkF
— Mr. UNO™〽️ (@bendavis_1) November 29, 2015
Much respect @MarkRicht #DGD pic.twitter.com/lDizF3nZAX — Derrik Allen (@DsmoothAllen) November 29, 2015
Jacob Eason, the No. 1 quarterback in the nation, according to Rivals, had committed to the Bulldogs and was supposed to enroll at the school in January. He has not spoken publicly about Richt’s dismissal, but Ben Cleveland’s father told DawgNation that Eason and his family are “taking a wait-and-see approach.”
“Both of our boys are smart enough to know that they need to sit tight and see who steps into this role and what changes, if any, that person is going to make before reacting,” Derek Cleveland said.
On Sunday, Richt was fired after 15 seasons as Georgia’s head coach. He has a 145-51 record, and won SEC championships in 2002 and 2005.
