Recruiting Recap: A May to Remember for Georgia

So, about Georgia in May…

What a month is was in so many regards.

DawgsHQ picked up a five-star in Rusty Mansell, but the Bulldogs were even more active on the trail.

Let’s look back on the whirlwind that was May.

The Crown Jewel comes home

There are few things that draw more eyes to recruiting than being the No. 1 ranked prospect in the class, and for the 2024 On3 Industry Ranking, that’s what Dylan Raiola is.

Long speculated to land with the Bulldogs since his decommitment from Ohio State in December, the top quarterback in the nation made things official on May 15 and delivered shockwaves throughout the recruiting world as a result.

With an NFL pedigree, elite arm, and a readymade build for the next level, Raiola is the sort of prospect that Arch Manning was last cycle – an elite player with needle mover ability in the ranks of other stars in his class.

He wasted no time following up his commitment with a visit to Athens, playing host to the likes of Jeremiah Smith, Colton Heinrich, and Jaden Reddell.

The latter two ended up on the commitment list soon thereafter, which we’ll get to, but having a prospect like Raiola in the fold for 2024 should shape Georgia’s class for the entirety of the cycle.

While the moment is done, Mike Bobo still deserves his flowers for sealing the deal here, and Kirby Smart had to be smiling ear-to-ear when receiving the news that the top signal caller in the nation would help to continue Georgia’s run of dominance on the recruiting trail.

Making strides with the nation’s No. 2 prospect

Jeremiah Smith is seemingly quite solidly committed to Ohio State, but that hasn’t stopped Georgia from pressing for his services.

And Smith isn’t turning a deaf ear to it.

While the Buckeyes will prove tough to overcome, Georgia felt like the biggest threat before his official visit and likely bolstered its standing coming off of that trip.

His connection with Raiola doesn’t hurt either.

While we’re still not penciling him into Georgia’s class, should things take a turn, May will be a month that many look back upon as the turning point.

Georgia expands the commit list even further

As mentioned, Colton Heinrich and Jaden Reddell jumped aboard the 2024 train with the Bulldogs, and after losing longtime commit Landen Thomas to FSU earlier, the Dawgs look to have the tight end position pretty well addressed for the cycle.

Reddell is the top tight end in On3’s rankings and spurned several other top programs, Tennessee and Alabama, most notably, to commit to the Bulldogs. His build and speed should keep Georgia rolling in the proverbial hay at the spot for several more years to come.

Heinrich, while not as highly rated, was sought after by several of the big names, as well, and brings a grinder mentality with strong tools to boot.

Both were sought after, and now, both plan to be Dawgs. Todd Hartley stays winning.

Stacy Searels saw his ranks grow, as well, with New York-based behemoth Marcus Harrison pledging his talents to the Bulldogs.

His elite size and pronounced power are a welcomed addition for the Dawgs as the search for offensive line continues in what’s a down year nationally at the position.

And how about some help on the specialist front, as well?

Drew Miller, the No. 1 ranked punter by Kohl’s Kicking, offered up his services, and the Bulldogs happily accepted the big leg from Iowa.

Don’t forget the transfer either.

Former Tennessee running back Len’Neth Whitehead found his way back to the Classic City and is expected to provide some experienced depth in a big frame for Dell McGee’s room.

Looking ahead for Georgia

While the scavenger hunt weekend was the first for official visits, this weekend really gets the ball rolling for the Dawgs in that regard, and they’ll host a who’s who of the nation’s best over the next four weeks.

Key visits, such as Sammy Brown, KJ Bolden, Justin Scott, Justin Green, Jordan Ross, and Daniel Calhoun, are set, and Kirby Smart and company will be putting in the work to flesh out what’s already the nation’s No. 1 Class in 2024.

Stay tuned to DawgsHQ for the latest on it all.