Georgia fills need of depth with talent in Uzo-Diribe's first class

ATHENS, Ga. — Recruiting is all about identifying needs and filling the holes with talent. Simple as that. Master that skill, you’ll probably end up with a class you’re happy with almost every year. Well, it’s safe to say that Georgia did just that at outside linebacker. With Nolan Smith likely off to the NFL and Robert Beal out of eligibility, the room was looking a little thin for next season. In comes first-year assistant Chidera Uzo-Diribe to save the day, landing a trio of the nation’s best at EDGE in the Class of 2023.

In-state prospect Gabriel Harris committed in April after G-Day. It was a commitment that was met with a decent bit of excitement but not an overwhelming amount. Well, as Harris has shot up recruiting rankings across the industry, Georgia fans found the No. 77 overall player in the country committed to their team for quite some time.

Harris seemed to come easy. The next two weren’t quite as much of a layup as the South Georgia native. In fact, Uzo-Diribe had to go across the SEC foot print for each, landing a St. Louis, Missouri native and IMG product as well as another from the southern half of the Sunshine State. The nation’s No. 4 EDGE Samuel M’Pemba committed to the beginning of the month. Then, on Wednesday, Damon Wilson – ranked the No. 2 EDGE – joined the mix too.

“Excited about the group we’ve got there. I think we’ve got good depth. We’re trying to get that room back to where it’s been in the past,” Georgia coach Kirby Smart said on Wednesday, the first day of the Early Signing Period. “You know, there was a time when there were three or four really high draft picks in that room. That’s what you want in that skill set. That helps you on third down. Those body types help you on special teams. The 6’2″-plus, the 240-plus is a position that can cover kicks, can cover return punts in terms of holding people up. So much value in that room, packages you can do on defense.”

“When we’ve been at our best, we’ve had a lot of speed and athleticism in that room, and we’re trying to get back to it,” he continued. “We hope these guys can do that and provide some defensive end help as well when it comes to playing 4-3 and having two guys out there.”

Speaking specifically on Harris and M’Pemba who had their signatures in by the time Smart addressed the media around midday, their relationship having played together at IMG this past season stood out to him. Both were able to utilized their skillset and showcase their talent without taking from one another. He also couldn’t help but notice their athleticism too.

“He is an athletic outside backer,” Smart said about Harris. “He and Sam played together down at IMG. I think both those kids have a great relationship with each other, great rapport. “

“He is one of those outside backers that has great length, great toughness. He was a really good athlete growing up. Played competitive soccer. Traveled all over,” he added on M’Pemba. “As many as two years ago he was playing tight end. So he is very raw, has a high ceiling, but he has a lot to learn about the position. But he is a tremendous talent when it comes to athleticism. He is going to have to learn how to play the position as well because he has kind of played all over as a football player.”

All three – Harris, M’Pemba and Wilson – will be on campus early this spring. In fact, Harris already is with the team and partaking in on-campus bowl practices as Georgia prepares to play in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl against Ohio State. They’ll join a room that added plenty of talent last season too. Five-star Marvin Jones Jr. was the third-highest signee Georgia landed in the Class of 2022, plus there’s a high-upside development prospect in Darris Smith there as well. Don’t forget about will-be upperclassmen MJ Sherman and Chaz Chambliss, both of whom have seen some playing time this season. Still, Smart saw a need for even more depth with two guys leaving and having seen the toll injuries can take on the position group.

“We’re down on depth in that room with Nolan and Beal leaving, so it’s one of those deals where we have to add some depth, and we have to have guys that can play early for us at those positions.”