Georgia’s signees, needs and analysis

GEORGIA BULLDOGS

Number of signees: 19

Starters lost: seven (1 offense, 6 defense)

Top needs: Wide receiver, offensive line, defensive line

Filling the gaps: Georgia did well to land defensive tackle Mike Thornton on Wednesday, and he could potentially fill the nose tackle role in Todd Grantham’s new 3-4 scheme. Georgia landed two solid offensive line recruits in Brent Benedict and late addition Kenarious Gates, who aren’t likely to see the field this year but will be poised to step in for some of the departing veterans in 2011. Da’Rick Rogers’ late decision to de-commit from Georgia and head to Tennessee left the Bulldogs a bit short-handed at wide receiver, but UGA hopes Michael Bennett and Lonnie Outlaw can round out the current crop of receivers in Athens.

Surprises: Thornton’s late decision helped add a few smiles around Athens on signing day, but most of the surprises were actually disappointments. The departure of Rogers marked the fourth departure of a one-time commitment when Rogers chose Tennessee over the Bulldogs on Wednesday.

Still searching: Odds are, Georgia won’t land another big score after signing day. Last year, Orson Charles and Kwame Geathers arrived late, but this time around, the Bulldogs have likely completed their haul and will go to battle with the cast they already have in place. Some position changes among current players — like Richard Samuel to linebacker — may help fill in a few holes.

Notable: For the first time since Mark Richt’s first year at Georgia, the Bulldogs were ranked outside the top 10 classes in the nation by Rivals.com. This year’s crop ranked 15th at the end of signing day by the recruiting service, fifth among SEC schools. ESPN.com rated Georgia higher, ninth overall and fourth in the SEC. Scout.com had the Bulldogs rated the lowest, coming in 19th nationally and seventh among SEC schools. Also of note, Outlaw is expected to play next season at Georgia Military despite signing a letter-of-intent with Georgia.

Immediate impact players:

Jakar Hamilton

Hometown/School: Edgefield, SC/Georgia Military College

Position: Free Safety

Height/Weight: 6-2, 196

Outlook: Hamilton is a junior college transfer already enrolled at Georgia and could be an immediate starter in 2010 with a reputation as a big hitter.

Alec Ogletree

Hometown/School: Newnan/Newnan High School

Position: Safety

Height/Weight: 6-3, 215

Outlook: Ogletree is Georgia’s top recruit, possessing speed and size. He’ll start out at safety, where he could compete for a job right away, but it’s also possible he could bulk up and find a home at linebacker.

Garrison Smith

Hometown/School: Atlanta/Douglas High School

Position: Defensive Line

Height/Weight: 6-3, 250

Outlook: Smith has the potential to be a star, but he’ll need to add some bulk if he wants to stay on the interior line in the 3-4. Regardless, he looks to be a strong pass rusher and tough against the run, making him a candidate for early playing time with the departure of some veteran linemen from the 2009 squad.

T.J. Stripling

Hometown/School: Decatur/Southwest DeKalb High School

Position: Defensive End

Height/Weight: 6-6, 215

Outlook: Stripling could be poised for an immediate transition to outside linebacker in Georgia’s new 3-4 scheme and his size and strength could put him in position for some big results sooner rather than later.

By position: Offensive Line (3), Quarterbacks (1), Wide Receivers (2), Running Backs (1), Tight Ends (0), Defensive Ends (4), Defensive Tackles (2), Linebackers (2), Defensive Backs (4), Kickers/Punters (0)

By state: Georgia (13), Florida (4), South Carolina (2)

Rest of the class:

Demetre Baker (Orange Park, Fla./Orange Park High School, LB, 6-0, 200)

Brent Benedict (Jacksonville, Fla./The Bolles School, OL, 6-5, 273)

Michael Bennett (Alpharetta/Alpharetta High School, WR, 6-3, 186)

Brandon Burrows (Marietta/Walton High School, DE, 6-3, 240)

Marc Deas (Kissimmee, Fla./Osceola High School, S, 6-1, 185)

Jalen Fields (Dalton/Dalton High School, DE, 6-5, 250)

Kenarious Gates (Grantville/Greenville High School, OL, 6-5, 300)

Kolton Houston (Buford/Buford High School, OL, 6-5, 270)

Ken Malcolme (Decatur/Southwest Dekalb High School, RB, 6-0, 212)

Hutson Mason (Marietta/Lassiter High School, QB, 6-3, 190)

Dexter Morant (Manning, S.C./Manning High School, DE, 6-7, 240)

Alexander Ogletree (Newnan/Newnan High School, LB, 5-10, 205)

Derek Owens (Jacksonville, Fla./Andrew Jackson High School, CB, 5-9, 180)

Lonnie Outlaw (Rochelle/Wilcox County High School, WR, 6-5, 180)

Mike Thornton (Stone Mountain/Stephenson High School, DL, 6-1, 280)