DJ Smith, one of UGA’s top remaining targets at defensive back, was impressed with the atmosphere for the Bulldogs’ win over South Carolina on Saturday.
“It was really loud, and everybody was really into the game,” Smith told the AJC on Sunday night.
UGA already has three DB commitments for its 2014 class, and will almost certainly add one more. And they could add two, depending on how everything shakes out over the next few months.
The top priority for the Bulldogs in that area appears to be adding a defensive back who can primarily play safety. Smith, who stars at Walton High School, is high on UGA’s board, along with Stockbridge High School’s Kendarius Webster and Juwann Winfree from Englewood, N.J. (who visited on Saturday, too).
The 6-foot, 190-pound Smith said he got to UGA early on Saturday and met with Mark Richt in his office.
“He brought me into his office, and he said he was happy I came to the game,” Smith said. “He was also telling me he could use me on his defense. Coach Richt told me he wanted me to come up there and play for him real bad.
“He asked me which position I liked better -- corner or safety? I said safety because I can come up and make tackles. He told me the safety they have now is a walk-on, so they’re still looking for safeties. And they could use me at corner, too.”
Richt also had something prophetic to say to the 4-star recruit before the game. “He said they were going to win against South Caroina,” Smith said with a laugh. “And he was right.”
Smith spent most of the game observing the UGA defensive secondary, particularly freshman corner Brendan Langley from Kell High School. “He had a rough time at the beginning, then he almost had a big interception. He had a pretty good game overall.”
Smith said he was invited by UGA DB coach Scott Lakatos to hang out with players after the game. “But I didn’t get the chance to do that. I was too tired, so I just went home.”
Which school leads for Smith? He claims no favorite out of Clemson, South Carolina, Tennessee and UGA.
Smith made an unofficial visit to Clemson last week for the UGA game. His next stop will be South Carolina’s home game against Vanderbilt on Saturday. He will decide by February’s signing day, or maybe sooner.
Defensive lineman Kendall Baker of Marist high school was one of many UGA commitments that attended Saturday’s game. “The atmosphere was electric with what was at stake. What we had to come out and do made it that more special. Georgia has a special team, and when they get challenged, they find a way to step up and show the world what we have.
“That’s why we beat South Carolina … imposing our will on them made them essentially just give up.”
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