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Samuel M'Pemba signs as Georgia's top-ranked committed defender in Class of 2023

Palmber-Thombsby:Palmer Thombs•12/21/22•

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Samuel M'Pemba/Courtesy

The signature is in for Samuel M’Pemba. Georgia’s highest rated commit is now officially a Bulldog as the No. 4-ranked EDGE player in the country who played his high school ball at IMG Academy put pen to paper on Wednesday, the first day of the Early Signing Period.

Coming in at No. 34 overall according to the On3 Consensus, a the only rating and ranking that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies and equally weights the four major media companies at 25%, M’Pemba committed to Georgia less than a day after the Bulldogs beat LSU for the SEC Championship. He had long been considered a Georgia-lean and took several visits to campus. His official visit to Athens for the Tennessee game put UGA over the top.

“I feel like they’re definitely developing into the best program in the country,” M’Pemba told On3 Director of Recruiting Chad Simmons. “I feel like Georgia got a great development staff. The players I’ll be playing, they all got same mentality, just want to be better. We all want to have the same dreams accomplished.”

At 6-foot-4, 245 pounds, M’Pemba projects as an outside linebacker, a position of need for Georgia with Robert Beal definitely gone and Nolan Smith likely leaving too. On3 Director of Scouting Charles Power gave the following scouting report having seen what M’Pemba could do:

“Physically-developed two-way athlete, with the highest projected ceiling as an EDGE prospect. Played as a pass rusher and wide receiver at his initial high school prior to transferring to IMG Academy as a junior. Primarily played as a tight end/h-back at IMG during the fall of 2021. A strong athlete with dip and feel for rushing the passer. Had considerable murkiness around his ultimate position. Practicing at EDGE in the spring for IMG and looks primed to make an impact as a pass rusher. Measured at 6-foot-3.5, 240 pounds with a 6-foot-10 wing-span prior to his senior season. Tests as a solid to good athlete, clocking an electronically-timed 4.94 second 40-yard dash prior to his senior season. Would benefit greatly from a permanent move to defense as a senior, in our opinion. Practicing at EDGE in the spring and looks good there. Can continue to improve initial quickness but savvy and has natural pass rush ability.”

In the four games MaxPreps has stats for, M’Pemba recorded a total of 20 tackles including 14 solo stops and 3.0 tackles for loss. He also had four quarterback hurries as well as one fumble recovery. M’Pemba is expected to enroll early in Athens and begin his collegiate career practicing with the Bulldogs this spring.

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