Evaluating the early progress in Georgia’s 2021 recruiting hunt
Recruiting never sleeps. Not in the offseason, during the holidays or even a pandemic when the entire sports world has been set to pause.
Georgia football has continued to lay the foundation for its 2021 recruiting class despite the circumstances regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. The NCAA has suspended official, unofficial and in-home visits through at least May 31, but Georgia remains active through phone calls and other methods of reaching prospects.
“It’s unique this year,” Smart said in a Tuesday conference call with reporters. “We lost all of that time (February dead period and two spring break weekends), so for us it’s really been FaceTime communication, talking to family members. We’re checking in on the well being of everybody we recruit.”
Georgia has four commitments for the 2021 class, including one five-star pledge. That’s the fewest among top-15 teams in the 247Sports Composite rankings, but the Bulldogs have been known for late recruiting surges under Smart.
Let’s evaluate the current state of the recruiting haul and highlight potential additions in the coming months.
IN THE FOLD
Five-star quarterback Brock Vandagriff: Georgia hopes it struck gold with its backyard pledge. Vandagriff, out of Prince Avenue Christian, is the first Athens-area quarterback to commit to the Bulldogs since Zach Mettenberger (who came from Oconee County). Vandagriff was previously committed to Oklahoma — with former Georgia tight ends coach Shane Beamer as his primary recruiter — but flipped to Georgia on Jan. 21.
Vandagriff is the second-ranked dual-threat quarterback for the 2021 class. He threw for 31 touchdowns as a junior, despite playing in only eight games. Vandagriff was a 1,000-yard rusher as a sophomore (his last complete season) with 23 touchdowns.
Vandagriff will join a full quarterback room, despite the departure of graduate transfer quarterback Jamie Newman. Carson Beck and D’Wan Mathis, returners at the position, could engage in a three-deep competition alongside Vandagriff.
Four-star safety David Daniel: The first commitment of the 2021 class came from a South Florida kid — not much of a surprise given the Bulldogs’ recruiting hotspots. Daniel, now calling Woodstock, Ga. home, ranks as the fourth-best athlete in the 247Sports.com composite rankings. He is projected to play in the secondary at the college level.
Dean was heavily pursued by Bulldogs’ defensive backs coach Charlton Warren, formerly a position coach at Florida. Before departing for Texas A&M, Miami native James Coley engaged in the efforts for Daniel.
Four-star defensive lineman Jonathan Jefferson: Georgia fans received a distraction to all of their shelter-in-place worries with the addition of Jefferson. He is listed as a strong-side defensive end, but could be converted into an interior lineman at 255 pounds and continuing to add to his frame.
Jefferson latched onto the philosophies of position coach Tray Scott as the Bulldogs prevailed over other SEC programs. Jefferson ranks as the 12th-best player in the state of Georgia.
Three-star defensive tackle Marlin Dean: This Elbert County product (Georgia has had good luck at that high school, too, with Mecole Hardman Jr.) wins the name game of the 2021 class. He’ll have to compete with 2020 signee Major Burns for those honors after arriving on campus. Nonetheless, Dean brings a 265-pound frame to the SEC and chose Georgia over Arkansas, Auburn and others.
Dean, while only a three-star prospect, possesses a quality that Smart and staff see value in. The Bulldogs have had success with three-stars in the past — especially defensive linemen with rising star Jordan Davis.
IN PURSUIT
Five-star safety James Williams: Opa Locka, Fla., 6-foot-5, 218 pounds, No. 1 recruit at position, No. 1 recruit in the state of Florida. Alabama, Auburn, Miami and others in contention with Georgia. Bulldogs lose starter Richard LeCounte after 2020.
Five-star offensive tackle Amarius Mims: Cochran, Ga., 6-foot-7, 315 pounds, No. 2 recruit at position, No. 1 recruit in state of Georgia. Alabama, Clemson, Florida and others in contention with the Bulldogs.
Five-star cornerback Tony Grimes: Virginia Beach, Va., 6-foot, 180 pounds, No. 1 recruit at position, No. 1 recruit in the state of Virginia. Virginia Tech, Texas A&M and others in contention with Bulldogs. Georgia loses D.J. Daniel at cornerback and Eric Stokes is draft-eligible again after 2020.