This weekend for Georgia Football recruiting is going to be crazy. There are 18 targets from the 2017 recruiting class coming to Athens this weekend. Twelve are from the state of Georgia.
The list of recruits coming this weekend for the Dawgs:
https://uga.forums.rivals.com/threads/updated-visitor-list-for-saturday-vs-tennessee.223895/ …
In-state recruiting, especially in Georgia, is influential. The University of Georgia has the reputation of having some of the most dominant high school athletes across the country.
Georgia is currently sitting at number five on the team ranking charts from Rivals.com and presently has 16 verbal commitments.
14 prospects in the #Rivals100 already confirmed to visit #UGA Saturday. 22 total in the #Rivals250. List here—->> https://t.co/95QuvZk3HZ pic.twitter.com/L0GI14CtQh
— Trent Smallwood (@SmallwoodTrent) September 26, 2016
The Bulldogs hope to capitalize on a few more after this weekend is over. However, they must show these athletes what being a part of the University of Georgia is all about.
This weekend is going to be pivotal for the Georgia Bulldogs 2017 recruiting class.
What Georgia Currently Possess:
The Bulldogs are doing well with in-state recruiting thus far in the 2017 recruiting class. Out of the 16 commitments they have, 10 are from Georgia. Of those 10, eight of them are four star athletes, according to Rivals. Out of the eight, four of them are in the top 10 overall recruits in Georgia. They rank at four, five, six and eight in the state.
It has been two years since Georgia has come close to a class like this.
However, Coach Kirby Smart is making an effort to keep Georgia boys in Georgia. He is selling the program and getting recruits to buy in early. This helps Smart and coaches to see what else they need in the class.
This weekend will continue an awesome July for UGA! #GoDawgs #CommitToTheG #SicEm17 🐾🐶 pic.twitter.com/jxjWFuiuZC
— UGA BACK-TO-BACK NATIONAL CHAMPS Supporters (@Support_UGA) July 7, 2016
The guys who have already committed are recruiting just as hard as the coaches. They have labeled themselves with the hashtag #SicEm17.
Recruiting during a rebuilding year, or with a new staff, can be a balancing act. There are many unknowns for the high school students, but the coaches generally are able to sell the idea of quicker playing time. The more in-state recruits that buy that pitch, the easier it is for the staff to convince others across the country.
What Could Happen:
The 2016 class set the school record for most five-star signees with three. If all the current commits keep their word on signing day, the 2017 class will top that with five. That could also put them on pace to finish with the number one overall recruiting class in the country. That would be quite a feat in Smart’s first full year as head coach.
However, for Georgia to be able to do this, they must continue to push these in-state recruits.
As of right now, four out of top 10 players in Georgia remain uncommitted. Three of those four will be in Athens this weekend. They are, five-star linebacker, Nate McBride, four-star defensive lineman, Malik Herring, and four-star defensive lineman, Aubrey Soloman.
Georgia must impress these three guys this weekend by showing that they will be influential players for the team and great assets to the program.
What Georgia Needs to do:
Recruiting is something that Georgia wasn’t necessarily weak in, but they were not particularly strong either. The telltale sign of where the Bulldogs have fallen short in recent years can be seen in three specific positions; the wide receivers, the line, and the linebackers.
The times have changed in the SEC. The wide receivers are not only taller, but just bigger in general. They aren’t the small speed type guys anymore. Georgia is still behind in this area. All of the current wideouts are 6-3 or shorter, with the one exception of Javon Sims at 6-4.
With the caliber quarterback that Georgia has now, they need to add bigger and tougher receivers.
Another area that needs work for Georgia is bigger linemen, both on the offense and defense. There is a lack of depth for the offensive line. Also, it is one of the smallest lines in the SEC. If Georgia wants to contend for the title, they have to build an intimidating line.
Lastly, what Georgia needs focus on is landing sizable linebackers. The defense is evolving for Georgia, and that includes the hybrid position that can play both linebacker and safety. Georgia needs a player that can do that. There are more and more defenses showing this type player; Georgia needs to catch up.
It is essential for the coaching staff at Georgia to evolve the type of player they recruit. However, times are changing in the SEC, and Georgia is playing catch-up.
A New Georgia Football Recruiting Era:
Coach Smart is bringing a new game plan to Athens when it comes to recruiting. He is bringing a new style to Georgia. And he is trying to build a more physical team; a team that doesn’t break in crucial games.
It all starts with recruiting. By pushing for bigger and stronger athletes, Smart is trying to assemble a new team. He doesn’t want to settle for the lower level recruits just to make ends meet. These bigger athletes are crucial to recruit for the type of team he wants to run.
This weekend is going to be make or break for Georgia, as they must seal the deal with the three athletes coming to visit. Granted Georgia could get beat this weekend, but that doesn’t mean they cannot win recruiting. The kids who are coming are just what Georgia needs to improve in the future. They are tough players and have a lot of talent.
For Georgia to win in-state recruiting, they need at least seven out of the top 10 commit to the “G.” However, if Smart plays his cards right, this #SicEm17 class could go down as the most impressive class ever.
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