Kirby Smart high on Georgia's OL class but there's work to do
Georgia’s offensive line class of 2024 is six men deep, all weighing over 315 pounds. The Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart commends Georgia’s Director of Performance and Nutrition Collier Madaleno for the job that lies ahead.
Smart was candid when talking to reporters following on the evening of National Signing Day. The long-time Georgia headman has seen it every year for the last decade (including his time at Alabama).
Offensive linemen come in heavy, get in shape, drop weight and become key cogs in a short period of time. That comes with work from the staff assembled in the Butts-Mehre Heritage Hall complex.
“Collier Madaleno [director of football performance nutrition] is going to need a raise,” Smart said. “She’s in charge of our nutrition, and she’s got her work cut out for her based on some of these weights that are probably not even accurate, to be honest. I mean, let’s call it what it is. Some of these guys are too heavy, and they’ll be the first to say it.”
Georgia covets good size
Size isn’t a bad thing. Georgia covets massive offensive linemen and has made a living off landing massive maulers to create space in the run game but also build a strong pocket for the passing attack. Georgia also has created a culture of trimming some of the raw size from its young offensive linemen.
Smart struggled to remember an offensive lineman over 350 pounds that has started at Georgia in recent memory.
“They think heavy is good, but how many 350+ [lb.] offensive linemen have started at Georgia that y’all know of? I can’t think of one,” Smart said. “I can’t think of one guy that’s been 350+ and I can’t think of a guy that’s been 345 plus… Whatever they are, they’re going to have to reel it in to be successful. Everybody can print all the ‘Big is better’ they want, but if they don’t lose weight they won’t play.”
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Smart also feels there’s a certain makeup to a player that will allow him to do what is necessary to get his body in a good place to contribute in Athens. Earnest Greene, who started at left tackle as a redshirt freshman this fall was one Smart pointed to as a strong example of getting to where he needed to be physically.
“The key is are they wired the correct way to lose the weight,” Smart said. “I was just talking to a couple of guys out there at practice. Earnest Greene came in here at 355, and Earnest Greene was at 320 by the first snap of spring ball. You know, he was committed to a process, and these guys will have to be, too.”
Running back signees excited about 2024 offensive line class
Georgia signed three running backs in the class of 2024. All three four-star ranked prospects with sub-11-second 100-meter speed.
Four-star Dwight Phillips was paying close attention back in the summer as Georgia began accumulating pledges from its massive six-man class.
“Oh we’re about to have a good time,” Phillips said with a laugh back in June. “Those boys are big.”
Smart spoke highly of Phillips’ potential on Wednesday as well. More on that here.
Signees
- Roswell (Ga.) Walton OL Daniel Calhoun 6’6″, 370 pounds
- Copperas Cove (Texas) OL Michael Uini 6’7″, 345 pounds
- Oradell (N.J.) Bergen Catholic OL Nyier Daniels 6’8″, 370 pounds
- Kankakee (IL.) OL Marques Easley 6’5″, 345 pounds
- Athol (N.Y.) OL Marcus Harrison 6’7″, 345 pounds
- Cartersville (Ga.) OL Malachi Toliver 6’5″ 315 pounds
