LOOK: Georgia goes in-home with 2023 commits across the country

Georgia coaches have been busy since the SEC Championship Game. It seemed almost immediate that Kirby Smart and company were hitting the road and off to go see recruits as opposed to celebrating the conference crown. Instead, their eyes were on winning another, and locking up one of the top classes in the country certainly would go a long way towards doing so.

The Bulldogs currently sit at No. 2 in the On3 Consensus Team Rankings Class of 2023 just behind Alabama. If things stand the way they are, it would be Georgia’s seventh straight top three class including No. 1 classes in 2018 and 2020. Samuel M’Pemba leads the way as the only five-star on board as it stands – announcing his intentions to be a Bulldog on Sunday – with a crew of talented players joining him on their way to Athens.

Here’s a couple of highlights from Kirby Smart and the coaching staff’s trip across the country to go in-home with the Class of 2023.

AJ Harris – CB – Central (Phenix City, Ala.)

Polished, developed defensive back with positional versatility. Has good stature and size, checking in at 6-foot-1 and around 180 pounds prior to his junior season. A smooth mover and shows some technical refinement to his game. Coordinated and looks to have good ball skills for the position. Was a top performer at The Opening Finals prior to his junior season, showing anticipation and ball skills in picking off a number of passes while lined up as a safety. Played subpar competition at a small private school prior to transferring to a powerhouse public school as a senior. Has not shown high-end long speed to this point and may be best fit as a safety long-term, despite being considered as a cornerback prospect to this juncture. – Charles Power, On3 Director of Scouting

Joenel Aguero – S – St. John’s Prep (Danvers, Mass.)

Head-hunting, twitched-up safety who is the biggest hitter in the 2023 cycle. Delivers crushing blows over the middle of the field. Explodes into ball carriers and receivers. A top athlete who tests very well in the combine setting. Ran a 4.48 electronically-timed 40-yard dash prior to his junior season. Was considered the top athlete on the loaded IMG Academy defense as a junior. At his best when he can use his athleticism and physicality to play fast and move forward as a cover down defender. More of a strong safety type at this stage. Not overly long and may not have much more room for growth on his 5-foot-11 frame. Will need to continue developing his man coverage skills. – Charles Power, On3 Director of Scouting

Raylen Wilson – LB – Lincoln (Tallahassee, Fla.)

One of the more athletic linebackers in the 2023 cycle who looks to be an ascending prospect after continued physical development. Measured around 6-foot-1.5, 215 pounds prior to his senior season. Grew over an inch and added over 10 pounds during his junior season. Also saw improvement on the track, cutting several hundredths off his 100-meter time running a personal best 10.91 mark during the spring. Flashes that top end speed on the field, where he is an eraser in space with sideline-to-sideline ability. Excels in pursuit where he shows the ability to close very quickly. Can track down plays from the other side of the field. A natural in space and shows the ability to cover. Often plays in the box and has experience reading and reacting as a run defender. A high volume tackler with 139 tackles and 16 tackles for loss as a junior. Physical in taking on blocks. Looks to have improved his play strength a bit, but will need to continue progressing in that regard. Father was a wide receiver in the NFL for five seasons and has several siblings who were high level college athletes. Younger for the class, not turning 18 years-old until the July before his freshman season in college. – Charles Power, On3 Director of Scouting

Monroe Freeling – OT – Oceanside Collegiate Academy (Mount Pleasant, S.C.)

Physically-gifted offensive tackle prospect who pairs an elite frame with high-end athleticism. Has grown to around 6-foot-7, 285 pounds prior to his senior season. Has plus length to go with the stature, checking in with a 7-foot wing-span. Also a top athlete at the position. A fluid, flexible mover on the field. Moves as well as any top offensive lineman in the cycle. Tests very well in the combine setting and is a dunker on the hardwood. At his best as a second level run blocker at this stage. Still developing from a technical standpoint. Needs to improve his pass set technique and functional play strength. Physical traits and continued growth potential point to a high ceiling. – Charles Power, On3 Director of Scouting

Troy Bowles – LB – Jesuit (Tampa, Fla.)

Box linebacker that has the ability to key and diagnose as good as anyone in the country. Son of NFL coach Todd Bowles. Jumped a 5’06” high jump in 2022 and ran 11.73 in the 100m in 2021. Striker that sees the field extremely well and triggers to the ball quickly. Instinctive player that will lay the wood consistently. Plays faster than a watch will have him in the 40 or on the track. More of a box player that can thump and be disruptive in the run game. Lacks size and stature for the position, measuring around 6-feet, 205 pounds going into his senior season. Has some hip stiffness and will need to prove his overall ability to play sideline to sideline at the next level. With his physicality and field awareness he has a high floor and will always be around the football. – Charles Power, On3 Director of Scouting

CJ Allen – LB – Lamar County Comprehensive (Barnesville, Ga.)

Explosive linebacker who wins with processing and ability to sort through the trash to bring down ball carriers. Good tester in the combine setting who jumped a 30-inch vertical and 9’7” broad jump in 2022 as well as an electronically-timed 4.62 second 40 in 2021. A three-sport athlete that ran a 23.72 200m in 2022 and 11.18 100m in 2021. Also plays basketball. A two-way player on Friday nights, playing running back and linebacker. Rushed for 1,080 yards and 16 touchdowns along with 91 tackles and 3 interceptions as a junior. Shows excellent field vision and awareness. Rarely caught out of position and quick to trigger and come downhill. Efficient tackler that gets his face across ball carriers consistently. Lacks Ideal length for the position, but is always around the football and should be productive at the next level. – Charles Power, On3 Director of Scouting

Tyler Williams – WR – Lakeland (Lakeland, Fla.)

Former basketball-first athlete who blossomed as a wide receiver after transferring to powerhouse Lakeland High as a junior. Has a natural, well-rounded skill set at receiver. A big, fluid mover at around 6-foot-3, 200 pounds. Has plus length for the position with 33.5-inch arms. Draws on his basketball background to win at the catch point. High-points and attacks the ball in contested situations. Shows good lateral agility and spatial awareness as a runner after the catch. Continues to be a top basketball player, averaging over 15 points per game as a junior. Will need to continue progressing in the technical aspects of his game given his lack of football focus to this point. – Charles Power, On3 Director of Scouting

Pearce Spurlin – TE – South Walton (Santa Rosa Beach, Fla.)

Lengthy tight end with twitch and a wide catch radius. Measured over 6-foot-5 and around 230 pounds with a 33.75-inch arm. Ultra productive offensive weapon that totaled 74 catches for 1,404 yards and 20 touchdowns as a junior. Wins at the catch point with body control and explosiveness. Has a knack for bursting through arm tackles and getting upfield in a hurry. A willing blocker that looks to finish, just needs to continue adding play strength to become more productive in that role. Also plays basketball. Has a leaner build with plenty of room for growth – has added close to 30 pounds between his sophomore and senior years. Has the chance to be productive early on at the next level. Can become a complete tight end once he physically develops and becomes a greater force as a blocker in the run game. – Charles Power, On3 Director of Scouting

Raymond Cottrell – WR – Milton (Milton, Fla.)

Big-bodied route running savant that can dominate at the catch point and run through defenders with the ball in his hands. Versatile offensive weapon tallying 63 catches for 985 yards and 8 touchdowns as well as 55 carries for 311 yards and 7 touchdowns during his junior season. Thicker athletic build with excellent muscle definition and weight distribution. Body control and change of direction shine on tape. See the bend and burst in his route running and as a ball carrier working between the tackles. Excellent leg drive and ability to pull through arm tackles. Natural pass catcher. Can manipulate his body to put himself in the best position to catch the ball. Top end speed is solid. Ran an 11.13 100m during his sophomore track season. One of the most complete offensive weapons in the country. Has the ability to elevate any roster in Power 5 football. – Charles Power, On3 Director of Scouting

Roderick Robinson II – RB – Lincoln (San Diego, Calif.)

Kelton Smith – IOL – Carver (Columbus, Ga.)

Big-bodied offensive lineman with an outstanding combination of length and functional strength. Plays with the power of an interior offensive lineman with the plus length (arms over 35 inches) of a top offensive tackle. Measured at around 6-foot-4, 330 pounds prior to his senior season. Has primarily worked at right tackle for a top talent-producing high school program in west Georgia. Shows some dominant tendencies as a drive blocker, moving defenders 10 to 15 yards downfield at times. Functional strength is also validated with some strong results in the shot put, including a 53-8 foot toss as a sophomore. Still has room to refine his technique and pass set. Can also tend to bend at the waist at times. Unique combination of play strength and length makes him one of the higher upside offensive linemen in the 2023 cycle. – Charles Power, On3 Director of Scouting

Anthony Evans – WR – Judson (Converse, Texas)

Joshua Miller – IOL – Life Christian Academy (Colonial Height, Va.)