Looking at how Georgia’s top recruits will impact the program

Here’s a quick look at the best five recruits joining the Bulldogs, according to ESPN’s rankings:

QB Justin Fields, 6-3, 225, Kennesaw

Fields has the makings of a transcendent dual-threat talent and ranks atop ESPN’s recruiting rankings. ESPN’s Tom Luginbill told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution before the season that Fields is a near clone of former Clemson quarterback and championship winner Deshaun Watson.

Fields’ decision to come to UGA was a curious one to some given Jake Fromm’s breakout freshman season. But Fields isn’t scared of competition and embraces playing for his “local” program.

“This is the greatest three-year recruiting stretch at the quarterback position in the history of modern recruiting,” CBS analyst Barton Simmons said. “Fields is a national championship quarterback. It's going to happen; it was just a matter of what uniform he would be wearing when he hoists the trophy. Smart has convinced him he looks good in red.”

DE Brenton Cox, 6-4, 250, Stockbridge

No. 13 in ESPN’s top 300, Cox is integral to Smart building the mean, physical defense he preaches so much about.

Cox withdrew from his commitment to Ohio State on Dec. 6 and signed with Georgia on Dec. 20, the first day of the early signing period. Cox projects as an elite pass rusher able to attack with his hands in the dirt or standing up.

Cox chose the Bulldogs over the Crimson Tide, acknowledged that his home of Stockbridge being 60 miles from Athens played a role.

RB Zamir White, 6-0, 210, Laurinburg, N.C.

Just what Georgia needed, another running back.

White tore his ACL but expects to be ready for camp. He’s the consensus top running back in the nation and comes in No. 15 overall on ESPN’s listing.

"They feel that I am progressing well officially and that things are going really well," White said of UGA's training staff.

White is already drawing comparisons to fellow North Carolina product Todd Gurley. He’ll make an impact in the rushing and passing game.

OT Cade Mays, 6-6, 318, Knoxville, Tenn.

Mays committed to Tennessee in November 2015. A Knoxville native, he appeared likely to follow his father, Kevin, in wearing the orange and white.

But upon Tennessee’s struggles, Mays rescinded his commitment. He considered Ohio State and Clemson before picking the Bulldogs.

Mays, ranked No. 19 by ESPN, is a behemoth of a human being. He’ll join guard recruits Jamaree Salyer and Trey Hill to make up one of the more impressive offensive-line hauls in recent memory.

Players built like Mays are why Smart’s program is often declared the next Alabama. Simply get bigger, faster and stronger than everyone else.

WR Kearis Jackson, 6-0, 200, Fort Valley

Opinions of Jackson are widespread depending on your scouting source, but ESPN lists him as the 26th most coveted recruit.

Smart has frequently said he loves players from Peach County because of their toughness and how they’re taught to play. That must leave him salivating over Jackson’s potential.

Jackson has been an important piece of Georgia’s recruiting cycle, pushing Fields and others to join him in Athens. He projects as a slot receiver-type, complementing some of the bigger receivers Georgia collected last cycle.

Despite being listed at 6-feet, Jackson is extremely physical and a capable blocker (going back to Smart’s praise of Peach County). As Georgia looks to maintain the culture it’s developed, players like Jackson will be critical.

Other signees to crack ESPN’s top 100:

No. 27: G Trey Hill, 6-4, 330, Warner Robins

No. 28: G Jamaree Salyer, 6-4, 325, Atlanta

No. 55: RB James Cook, 5-11, 183, Miami

No. 57: DE Adam Anderson, 6-5, 225, Rome

No. 63: TE Luke Ford, 6-6, 252, Carterville, Ill.

Note: Heights and weights are those listed by UGA when each player signed.