Georgia Too Early 2024 Mock Class Version 1.0: Defense
We’re just a month out of official visits beginning and what should be an absolutely loaded summer for the Georgia Bulldogs.
But before it all gets fired up, perhaps we should get a lay of the land as we see it today from the DawgsHQ vantage point?
We’ll start today on the defensive side of the ball and how we’d project a finish AS OF TODAY for the Bulldogs.
This list will likely fluctuate after those summer visits begin, but right now, here’s how we’d project it to play out if the cycle ended anytime soon.
One caveat we should include before we dive in – we’re keeping all guys who are currently committed on the list, though we’ll be sure to denote their standing more in-depth in our explanation.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Tray Scott is still searching for the first commit on the defensive front for the Bulldogs, but the names they’re involved with are already impressive.
We mentioned in the DawgsHQ Inside on Monday that you’d want to keep your eyes on Aydin Breland out of Mater Dei in southern California, and we’re not backing away from that in this mock class. He’s a top 40 player in the Industry Ranking, sports an outstanding frame, and has taken his fair share of under-the-radar visits to Athens all the way from the west coast. Long way to go there, but Georgia should continue to be a major factor in this recruitment.
Jordan Thomas, meanwhile, hails from Fran Brown territory in New Jersey. Georgia is in line for an official visit this summer on the second weekend in June, and with size like his, look for the Dawgs to pour on the love during that stop. The SEC clearly has his interest piqued, as South Carolina will also be on the receiving end of an official visit. Michigan and Rutgers are pressing as well, but going into the summer, the Dawgs look to be a very compelling option.
Lastly, and certainly not least, we’ll pencil in five-star EDGE Eddrick Houston of Buford. Yes, yes, we know, he’s from Buford, which hasn’t been kind to the Dawgs in years, but Houston has spent plenty of time in Athens. Coaches spent time checking in on the Wolves on Tuesday, as well. We understand your skepticism, but right now, do not underrate Georgia’s standing here. Dawgs look to be the team to beat.
If you’re looking for a few additional names to keep on your radar, you’ll want to have eyes on Nasir Smith of Grayson and Nasir Johnson of Dublin. They’re a couple of in-state guys who have offers, and Smith has spent time in Athens a couple of times already. Johnson has been a bit quieter, but he’s a specimen and could certainly see increased attention.
The good news for the Dawgs? They’re involved with several top names, and the production in Athens speaks for itself at this point. We’re willing to bet this defensive line class looks quite nice when all is said and done.
LINEBACKER
Sammy Brown
Riddick is one of the main reasons we included the caveat above. There’s no denying that Georgia would absolutely love to keep him in the fold for the long term, but that may prove to be easier said than done. Alabama has turned up the heat in a ridiculous way, and Auburn is also lurking, with plenty of ‘rebuild the program’ juice behind it. The Tide, however, look to be the program that should give the Bulldogs the most trouble. Right now, we’ll leave him on the list because he’s still committed. If that holds up, however, consider it a welcomed surprise.
Brown, however, is a name that’s surging in Georgia circles. Clemson is a major consideration and will continue to be, but going into the summer, we’re willing to pencil in the hometown kid with the Bulldogs. He’s set to officially visit the second weekend of June, and that will be a crucial trip for all parties involved. Right now, we’re of the mind Georgia wins out in this race.
Still, assuming Riddick decides to look elsewhere, the Dawgs will want to keep their options open at the linebacker position.
Right now, there are three names you should keep circled — Jamonta Waller, Kris Jones, and Edwin Spillman.
That trio continues to receive a lot of love from the Bulldogs, and Jones and Spillman have both expressed that they plan to officially visit Georgia this summer.
The Bulldogs like all three and will considerably turn up the head should Riddick explore options elsewhere.
Don’t lose this list if that happens.
EDGE
So far, we feel good on two names for Chidera Uzo-Diribe’s positional group, and they’re two huge ones.
Make no mistake on Greene — he’s one of the biggest names to know going into this summer. I’m told the Bulldogs love his ability as a five-technique and pass rusher, and he’s both played and camped himself into being one of the top targets on the board. He has excellent length, is just down the road from Athens in Lawrenceville, and would be an ideal fit for what the Dawgs are seeking on the defense.
Ross, meanwhile, hails from the Yellowhammer State, which could make things tough as they go along, but right now, Georgia looks to be in a very strong position for one of the top backfield disruptors in this cycle. Ross is a major focus, and we consider him to be a Georgia lean going into the summer.
As for names you should keep on the radar, Cole Mullins of Mill Creek recently committed to Notre Dame, but this is a guy I expect the Dawgs to continue to stay on and continue to evaluate. Should they turn up the heat, this could get very interesting.
I’d also keep eyes on Marquise Lightfoot at this juncture.
Christopher Jackson is another that may come down to how the heat is turned up. Georgia was in to see him on Tuesday afternoon, and he has the frame that fits exactly what the Dawgs look for in the EDGE spot. Won’t surprise me if we project him in on the next edition of this Mock Class.
DEFENSIVE BACK
Most of the hay is in the barn here, so Will Muschamp and Fran Brown can focus their attention on a couple of key names to round out the class.
In Woodyard, the Dawgs have a solidly committed safety with an ideal frame from one of the nation’s top programs. Yes, he’s taking full advantage of his recruitment and checking out other spots, but we’d surprised if he didn’t end up in this class.
Heyward, meanwhile, seems to be exploring his options in a much deeper way, but he’s still on the list right now and is a definite want for the Bulldogs. Look for them to work to him on board, though Miami and Florida are working to the opposite.
Demello Jones is a two-way speedster for Swainsboro, and the Dawgs LOVE his upside at the cornerback spot. Great get early in the cycle for Georgia right here.
Ellis Robinson, meanwhile, is all world, and another huge get early in the cycle. He’ll take his official visits, but the relationship he has with Fran Brown should prove tough to overcome for almost anyone else. The opportunity for early playing time on a team of this caliber shouldn’t hurt either.
Moving away from the commits, though, there are really two names to watch.
KJ Bolden, as with the aforementioned Eddrick Houston, is a Buford product, so I get folks will want to naysay it, but I continue to hear Georgia is the team trending there. It’s been a staffwide effort for him, and he’s been to Georgia the most by a wide margin. Keeping him out of the hands of Alabama, Clemson, and Ohio State would be a double win, also. As of today, I like where Georgia stands in this recruitment.
Lastly, Kam Mikell of Statesboro has a number of suitor, but the in-state team has kept it real with him. He appreciates the honesty from the staff, and Kirby Smart made a point to get down to see him in December. Fran Brown is no stranger down there either. With visits to come, I think Georgia is very much the team to beat. Tennessee and Kentucky won’t appreciate that, but that’s the advantage of being back-to-back champions and in-state for a talent like this.
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