The opportunity for early playing time has given a boost to Georgia’s football recruiting efforts this year.
With 23 commits, UGA is putting together a highly regarded group of prospects under coach Mark Richt. The Bulldogs are rated No. 3 overall in the nation, trailing only Alabama and Florida State.
“First, they (UGA) have really sold the opportunity to play early,” said Rusty Mansell of 247Sports. “Secondly, on defense, they have sold the recruits their philosophy about what (defensive coordinator Jeremy) Pruitt and his assistants are looking for. They’re basically saying, ‘We want to bring in our guys.’
“Third, and this doesn’t get talked about as much — but for recruits and high school coaches, I think there’s a lot more organization on the recruiting staff after hires such as Ronnie Letson (director of player personnel) and some other guys that have some experience.
“It sounds like they’re a lot more organized, and visits are flowing better. Those type of things don’t get talked about, but the programs that recruit well — such as Alabama and LSU — they have strong in-house personnel and experience. They know how to keep it organized well. And it all starts with those guys.”
IMPACT RECRUITS
Here are the three most important commitments:
Trent Thompson, DT, Westover High: He's rated as the nation's No. 2 overall prospect. Thompson committed early rather than holding out until signing day, giving the Bulldogs some recruiting momentum. "He's an elite defensive tackle," Mansell said. "Everybody talks about the how the biggest difference between the SEC and the other conferences is the defensive tackles."
Jonathan Ledbetter, DE, Tucker High: He committed early to Alabama, but flipped to UGA after the Bulldogs signed his older brother to a scholarship. "He's in the same mold as Thompson," Mansell said. "Those two guys make UGA better immediately. That's at a critical position."
Terry Godwin, WR, Callaway High: "He's a game-changer," Mansell said. "He is electric in space. He is the type of guy who UGA can have a package for to get him the ball in different ways."
TOP REMAINING TARGETS
Who they would like to get before signing day:
Josh Sweat, DE, Chesapeake, Va.: He's the nation's No. 1 prospect, ahead of Thompson. Virginia Tech and Florida State are considered the front-runners for Sweat, but UGA is in the mix because he took an official visit with the Bulldogs a few weeks ago. Sweat missed most of his senior season with a knee injury.
Donte Jackson, DB, New Orleans: This appears to be a battle between UGA and LSU that will go down to signing day. "UGA has to get Donte Jackson," Mansell said. "They have done a great job of recruiting him. He's an elite corner, one of the fastest players in the country. They have done a great job with him."
Roquan Smith, LB, Macon County High: UGA and Florida are the rumored leaders. "Because of position needs, they can't afford to miss on Roquan," Mansell said. "They have to have him at inside linebacker."
GEORGIA COMMITMENTS FOR 2015
Johnathan Abram, DB, 6-1, 200, Columbia (Miss.) East Marion HS
Pat Allen, OL, 6-4, 285, Reisterstown (Md.) Franklin HS
Deandre Baker, CB, 5-11, 175, Miami Northwestern HS
Michael Barnett, DE, 6-5, 258, Dorchester (S.C.) Woodland HS
Chris Carson, RB, 6-1, 210, Butler Community College (Kan.)
Michael Chigbu, WR, 6-2, 210, New Orleans Holy Cross School
Terry Godwin, ATH, 6-0, 160, Callaway HS
Sage Hardin, OL, 6-6, 260, Marist School
Jackson Harris, TE, 6-6, 250, Columbia (Tenn.) Columbia Central HS
Van Jefferson, WR, 6-2, 170, Brentwood (Tenn.) Ravenwood HS
Jonathan Ledbetter, DL, 6-4, 270, Tucker HS
Gary McCrae, ATH, 6-2, 215, Randolph-Clay HS
Natrez Patrick, DE, 6-2, 225, Mays HS
Chauncey Rivers, DE, 6-3, 225, Stephenson HS
Rashad Roundtree, S, 6-1, 200, Lakeside-Evans HS
DeVondre Seymour, OT, 6-6, 315, Hinds Community College (Miss.)
Jayson Stanley, WR, 6-2, 210, Creekside HS
Juwan Taylor, LB, 6-2, 200, Hallandale Beach (Fla.) Hallandale HS
Trent Thompson, DT, 6-4, 285, Westover HS
Quincy Vasser, DE, 6-4, 240, Navarro College (Texas)
Deontai Williams, DB, 6-0, 175, Jacksonville (Fla.) Trinity Christian Academy
Shaquery Wilson, DB, 6-3, 190, Coral Gables (Fla.) HS
Justin Young, DT, 6-3, 255, Grayson HS
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