Recruiting Recap: Georgia starts 2023 off the right way
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Good things happen when you win, and Georgia’s done plenty of that as of late.
It’s paid off in the form of commitments from some of the nation’s best in 2024 and beyond.
Let’s look back on the month that was in Georgia recruiting.
An unsurprising flip in 2023
The Dawgs opened the year on a slightly lower, though anticipated, note with longtime wide receiver commit Raymond Cottrell switching up and going with the Aggies of Texas A&M. Once he delayed his initial signing and Georgia picked up commitments from both Rara Thomas and Dominic Lovett, the writing was on the wall for this one, but it was still an event on the recruiting timeline, so we felt it worth a mention.
It wasn’t how the rest of January would look, however.
Not by a long shot.
Georgia’s commitment train begins to roll
It didn’t take the Bulldogs long get to back in the right direction on the commitment trail, however.
While Texas made a late surge for the nation’s Consenus No. 2 safety Peyton Woodyard, the four-star defender would ultimately end up picking the Bulldogs at the Adidas All-American Game. Georgia went light at safety in 2023, taking only one bonafide prospect for the spot (though it’s Joenel Aguero, who has ability to find himself in the mix early), so the need was pronounced in this cycle.
They wasted no time in continuing to address the position with the nation’s Consensus No. 3 safety Jaylen Heyward joining the list soon thereafter. For the Dawgs, it was a win on two fronts. Heyward is a tremendous prospect in his own right, and the Florida Gators were considered the team to beat for his services. Georgia gained a great player and kept him out of the hands of a bitter rival. Recruiting victories don’t get much better than that.
There was some 2023 action, as well, as former Georgia commit and Texas A&M transfer Deyon ‘Smoke’ Bouie made his long-anticipated decision to choose the Bulldogs. Bouie was heavily pursued by the Dawgs even after decommitment and was welcomed back to Athens with open arms once he entered the portal. A versatile defensive back, Bouie is likely to compete for time at both safety and star in the early goings of his tenure.
Attention then turned further to the future, with a pair of 2025’s best announcing their intentions to be Bulldogs. Justus Terry, a mountain of a man on the defensive line, and Micah DeBose, an Alabama-based offensive tackle with major upside, wasted little time in pledging their services following Georgia’s National Championship parade. Both look to be among the best in the class in the early goings of the cycle.
Top 10
- 1
Brad Stevens
Makes Indiana intentions clear
- 2
Auburn vs. Alabama odds
Point spread released
- 3
Dawn Staley
Admonishes rev-share reversal
- 4Hot
March Madness
Predicting Top 16 reveal
- 5Trending
Joel Klatt
NFL Mock Draft
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To round out the month, Dwight Phillips Jr., who projects to running back at the next level, brought a heavy dose of speed to the 2024 cycle by announcing his commitment. Phillips had played his recruitment close to the vest, making the decision a bit of a surprise given the timing, but he was being pursued heavily by the Dawgs and is a most welcomed addition for the class. Legit gamebreaking speed in this one.
And since we’re already on February 2, we should go ahead and mention the commitment of Ellis Robinson IV, the nation’s top cornerback for the Class of 2024. A total package at the corner spot, Robinson’s length, speed, and work against top competition at IMG should make him a possible impact maker upon arrival to Athens.
Looking back
January was a tremendous month on the trail for the Bulldogs and on February 2, they sit with the nation’s No. 1 class in the 2024 cycle, hold ten commitments for the class, and have so much meat left on the bone that it’s not hard to see this being an all-time highly rated class.
There’s plenty of time to go, but it’s all coming up roses for Kirby Smart’s staff just a month in 2023.
Here’s believing there’s plenty more good news to come.