Smart, Chubb Nikkas Pt. 2. The OFFICIAL 2017 University of Georgia Season Thread
- Thread starter AVXL
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AtlienInTheGoodieMob
Superstar
Kirby got the state of Georgia on lock
AVXL
Laughing at you n*ggaz like “ha ha ha”
Georgia, Clemson win big as early signing period opens
play
Justin Fields signs as a Georgia Bulldog (1:20)
6:54 PM ET
Georgia started the day by adding ESPN 300 offensive lineman Jamaree Salyer and went on a run throughout the rest of the day, landing ESPN 300 offensive lineman Cade Mays, ESPN 300 defensive lineman Brenton Cox and ESPN 300 defensive back Divaad Wilson. Later in the day, Georgia flipped ESPN 300 defensive back Nadab Joseph from Alabama.
Signing period Day 1: Ohio State loses QB Emory Jones and OT Jackson Carman
College football's first early signing period began Wednesday. Two five-stars committed and Ohio State has lost two targets. Georgia and Clemson ruled the day. Here's the best of the day.
The Dawgs were also able to get signatures from the No. 1-ranked prospect in the country, quarterback Justin Fields, who had already been committed but had been rumored to be listening to other programs.
"He's one of the alpha dogs of the alpha dogs. He took over The Opening, he won a lot of games, he made throws," Georgia coach Kirby Smart said. "And he did it all while keeping a calm, cool presence that is kind of unmatched -- never real high, never real low. He's really exciting, he can win the game with his feet, but he can win the game with his arm, and he's not afraid of competition. He's been very adamant that he wants to come in here and compete, and he knows we're going to give him the opportunity to do that."
The same goes for ESPN 300 running back James Cook, a former Florida State commit who stayed with his pick of Georgia.
Those commitments moved Georgia past Ohio State for the No. 1-ranked recruiting class after this first day of early signing.
#1 class and potentially a national title by Year 2. Kirby is killing it right now
play
Justin Fields signs as a Georgia Bulldog (1:20)
6:54 PM ET
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Tom VanHaarenESPN Staff Writer
Georgia started the day by adding ESPN 300 offensive lineman Jamaree Salyer and went on a run throughout the rest of the day, landing ESPN 300 offensive lineman Cade Mays, ESPN 300 defensive lineman Brenton Cox and ESPN 300 defensive back Divaad Wilson. Later in the day, Georgia flipped ESPN 300 defensive back Nadab Joseph from Alabama.
Signing period Day 1: Ohio State loses QB Emory Jones and OT Jackson Carman
College football's first early signing period began Wednesday. Two five-stars committed and Ohio State has lost two targets. Georgia and Clemson ruled the day. Here's the best of the day.
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Georgia leaps to No. 1 with big signing day
The first day of the early signing period belonged to Georgia. The Bulldogs moved to the top class, jumping Ohio State by adding four ranked prospects Wednesday. Clemson also did well, moving into the top five.
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Clemson adds to haul with No. 5 recruit Henry
Clemson added to its haul by landing No. 5 overall recruit K.J. Henry, giving the Tigers four ESPN 300 defensive line commits in its 2018 class.
The Dawgs were also able to get signatures from the No. 1-ranked prospect in the country, quarterback Justin Fields, who had already been committed but had been rumored to be listening to other programs.
"He's one of the alpha dogs of the alpha dogs. He took over The Opening, he won a lot of games, he made throws," Georgia coach Kirby Smart said. "And he did it all while keeping a calm, cool presence that is kind of unmatched -- never real high, never real low. He's really exciting, he can win the game with his feet, but he can win the game with his arm, and he's not afraid of competition. He's been very adamant that he wants to come in here and compete, and he knows we're going to give him the opportunity to do that."
The same goes for ESPN 300 running back James Cook, a former Florida State commit who stayed with his pick of Georgia.
Those commitments moved Georgia past Ohio State for the No. 1-ranked recruiting class after this first day of early signing.
#1 class and potentially a national title by Year 2. Kirby is killing it right now
AVXL
Laughing at you n*ggaz like “ha ha ha”
Another blue chip: Nation’s No. 2 TE Luke Ford chooses Georgia
Jeff Sentell
@jeffsentell
Posted 6 hours ago
Luke Ford was right. Even in July.
He just didn’t know how right he would be at the time. Ford told DawgNation at The Opening that wherever 5-star Justin Fields wound up, he was likely to follow, mentioning Alabama or Georgia in particular.
Recruits, of course, say things like that all the time. Ford was different, though. He speaks his mind often and says what he means. There’s no filter with what he says.
Well, Fields signed with UGA on the first day of the early signing period.
Ford, the nation’s No. 2 tight end prospect (247Sports composite) for 2018, decided on the second day of the early signing period to follow Fields to Athens.
Luke Ford (left) and 5-star OG Jamaree Salyer were always two of the top targets left on the UGA board for 2018. (Jeff Sentell/DawgNation)
Coincidence? Maybe. Planned? Maybe. Either way, it sure worked out after a couple of trips to Athens that impressed Ford.
Ford had hoped to take his official visit to Georgia last week in the final official visit window before the early signing period.
Family things came up and he couldn’t, but it did not matter.
The 4-star tight end and his family had seen enough of UGA on his other visits. Tight ends coach Shane Beamer had made Ford a priority by visiting him in December, once the staff was permitted to get back on the road after the SEC Championship Game.
This decision moves Georgia to 24 commitments in the Class of 2018. It extends Georgia’s lead over Ohio State in the race for the 2018 247Sports composite team rankings race for the nation’s No. 1 overall class.
The 6-foot-5½, 245-pound player sizes up as an ideal red-zone target. His toughness was covered earlier this year by DawgNation when it took forever for him to check on what eventually was diagnosed as a broken collarbone. The Carterville (Ill.) native also returned to the field after that injury later in his senior season.
Ford was expected to sign and not just commit to UGA Thursday. The U.S. Army All-American will not be able to enroll early.
What it means for UGA to sign Luke Ford
Ford comes as a package deal. His older brother, Noah, also plays college football. He previously walked on to the team at Southern Illinois but left the squad this season.
Luke Ford (middle) chats with his brother Noah (right) and UGA director of recruiting Lukman Abdulai during their unofficial visit to UGA on Nov. 14.
Noah will be a preferred walk-on at fullback next season.
The addition of his younger brother to the class adds to the weight of the class that the Bulldogs have now built for 2018.
It means:
Tim Ford, his father, is an Army veteran. He flew Apache helicopters defending our nation for more than 20 years. That’s a big reason why Ford will compete at the U.S. Army All-American game in January.
His 2017 highlight tape even points out his collarbone injury that he never let define his senior season:
Jeff Sentell
@jeffsentell
Posted 6 hours ago
Luke Ford was right. Even in July.
He just didn’t know how right he would be at the time. Ford told DawgNation at The Opening that wherever 5-star Justin Fields wound up, he was likely to follow, mentioning Alabama or Georgia in particular.
Recruits, of course, say things like that all the time. Ford was different, though. He speaks his mind often and says what he means. There’s no filter with what he says.
Well, Fields signed with UGA on the first day of the early signing period.
Ford, the nation’s No. 2 tight end prospect (247Sports composite) for 2018, decided on the second day of the early signing period to follow Fields to Athens.
Luke Ford (left) and 5-star OG Jamaree Salyer were always two of the top targets left on the UGA board for 2018. (Jeff Sentell/DawgNation)
Coincidence? Maybe. Planned? Maybe. Either way, it sure worked out after a couple of trips to Athens that impressed Ford.
Ford had hoped to take his official visit to Georgia last week in the final official visit window before the early signing period.
Family things came up and he couldn’t, but it did not matter.
The 4-star tight end and his family had seen enough of UGA on his other visits. Tight ends coach Shane Beamer had made Ford a priority by visiting him in December, once the staff was permitted to get back on the road after the SEC Championship Game.
This decision moves Georgia to 24 commitments in the Class of 2018. It extends Georgia’s lead over Ohio State in the race for the 2018 247Sports composite team rankings race for the nation’s No. 1 overall class.
The 6-foot-5½, 245-pound player sizes up as an ideal red-zone target. His toughness was covered earlier this year by DawgNation when it took forever for him to check on what eventually was diagnosed as a broken collarbone. The Carterville (Ill.) native also returned to the field after that injury later in his senior season.
Ford was expected to sign and not just commit to UGA Thursday. The U.S. Army All-American will not be able to enroll early.
What it means for UGA to sign Luke Ford
Ford comes as a package deal. His older brother, Noah, also plays college football. He previously walked on to the team at Southern Illinois but left the squad this season.
Luke Ford (middle) chats with his brother Noah (right) and UGA director of recruiting Lukman Abdulai during their unofficial visit to UGA on Nov. 14.
Noah will be a preferred walk-on at fullback next season.
The addition of his younger brother to the class adds to the weight of the class that the Bulldogs have now built for 2018.
It means:
- Ford has reunited with Fields. The two were on the championship team together at Nike’s elite The Opening showcase camp in July.
- He’s rated as the nation’s No. 49 overall prospect. Ford’s addition to the class now means that the Bulldogs have either signed or added a commitment from nine of the nation’s top 50 players on the 247Sports composite ranking.
- Georgia is rolling, with a signed letter of intent or a pledge from 10 of the nation’s top 100 players on that same scale.
- The staff in Athens has now added 12 players to the roster who are rated among the nation’s top 10 prospects at their position.
- UGA is doing even better among the truly elite prospects at their positions. Ford becomes the 10th future Bulldogs player who has been ranked among the nation’s top 5 players in their positional rankings.
Tim Ford, his father, is an Army veteran. He flew Apache helicopters defending our nation for more than 20 years. That’s a big reason why Ford will compete at the U.S. Army All-American game in January.
His 2017 highlight tape even points out his collarbone injury that he never let define his senior season:
AVXL
Laughing at you n*ggaz like “ha ha ha”
What I'm excited most about this class is the talent on the lines:
-We added 2 5 Stars and 2 4 Stars on the OL. This team's season turned around when the OL started to play like some grown men. We're only losing Isaiah Wynn from this line and we start a bunch of freshman anyway. We're gonna be 2 deep next season at OL for the first time in a LOOOONG time
-Justin Fields at QB, Luke Ford at TE, the #1 & #3 RB in this class. We're gonna be loaded on offense. I really think Fields redshirts but I could see him pushing Frommie especially if/when Eason leaves
Future is bright Dawgs brehs, bask in it
AVXL
Laughing at you n*ggaz like “ha ha ha”
BTW, no Natrez Patrick for the CFP. He's going into rehab...I hope he gets the help he needs and can come back to the team next yr
Konnan
Undisputed Jack in the Box Parking Lot Champion
Yea mane I never would have imagined Kirby would make such an impactWhat I'm excited most about this class is the talent on the lines:
-We added 2 5 Stars and 2 4 Stars on the OL. This team's season turned around when the OL started to play like some grown men. We're only losing Isaiah Wynn from this line and we start a bunch of freshman anyway. We're gonna be 2 deep next season at OL for the first time in a LOOOONG time
-Justin Fields at QB, Luke Ford at TE, the #1 & #3 RB in this class. We're gonna be loaded on offense. I really think Fields redshirts but I could see him pushing Frommie especially if/when Eason leaves
Future is bright Dawgs brehs, bask in it
Good times right now
:mjcrygt:
AtlienInTheGoodieMob
Superstar
Local radio guy back home Bill Shanks made a damn good point about this Kirby era and the richt era.
Richt only focused on skill players never the line of scrimmage and that is what wins championships and why Georgia always fell short Kirby in year two have beefed up the los on both sides and it shows dividends. Bill Shanks cant stand Richt he stay shytting on Richt defenders
They way Kirby locked down Georgia talent is just
Richt only focused on skill players never the line of scrimmage and that is what wins championships and why Georgia always fell short Kirby in year two have beefed up the los on both sides and it shows dividends. Bill Shanks cant stand Richt he stay shytting on Richt defenders
They way Kirby locked down Georgia talent is just
AVXL
Laughing at you n*ggaz like “ha ha ha”
Local radio guy back home Bill Shanks made a damn good point about this Kirby era and the richt era.
Richt only focused on skill players never the line of scrimmage and that is what wins championships and why Georgia always fell short Kirby in year two have beefed up the los on both sides and it shows dividends. Bill Shanks cant stand Richt he stay shytting on Richt defenders
They way Kirby locked down Georgia talent is just
Yea but I'll be honest with you I'm not really feeling the CMR slander. CMR brought us our first SEC title in over 20 years, dominated Tech & Auburn, for the most part ran a clean program and was a class act. Huge fan of Kirby and what he's doing but I don't feel like we gotta shyt on CMR just because Kirby is killin it right now
AtlienInTheGoodieMob
Superstar
Oh I agree 100% and the radio host im talking about says the same thing about Richt too. His problem is Richt defenders cant let go and always over look his flaws as a coach. Thats how the topic of recruiting between the two came up a caller said Richt always had a good recruiting class and dude broke down the differences between recruitment styles
AVXL
Laughing at you n*ggaz like “ha ha ha”
How Kirby Smart has made UGA Bama's best imitator
Great article on how Smart is rebuilding the UGA program after the Richt era
Great article on how Smart is rebuilding the UGA program after the Richt era
AVXL
Laughing at you n*ggaz like “ha ha ha”
Another great profile on Sports Illustrated and the Saban Coaching tree featuring our very own CKS
KIRBY SMART
GEORGIA
Worked under Saban at LSU in 2004, with Miami Dolphins in 2006, at Alabama from 2007-2015
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
• Georgia head coach, 2016-present
Smart worked as Saban’s defensive coordinator from 2008-15 before returning to his alma mater as the head coach. After going 8-5 in his first season, he won the SEC title and reached the College Football Playoff in 2017. After signing 23 players during last week’s early signing period, Smart’s third recruiting class stood at No. 1 in the 247Sports.com composite.
RECRUITING
Smart was always one of Alabama’s best recruiters, and he moved quickly when he became a head coach to take advantage of a good year in Georgia in his first full recruiting cycle as the Bulldogs’ head coach. He flipped QB Jake Fromm from Alabama, and Fromm wound up taking over the starting job after former five-star recruit Jacob Eason was injured in the season opener. Smart’s 2017 class ranked No. 3 in the nation. His 2018 class includes top dual-threat QB recruit Justin Fields; Laurinburg, N.C., RB Zamir White; Atlanta OG Jamaree Salyer; and Knoxville, Tenn., OT Cade Mays. If the No. 1 rating holds through the traditional National Signing Day in February, it would break Alabama’s seven-year stranglehold on the No. 1 ranking.
MANAGEMENT STYLE
Only Jimbo Fisher has mimicked Saban’s style as closely as Smart. Smart embraces the same top-down messaging to players and the same one-voice philosophy for public-facing statements. Smart also tries to clearly define the role of every employee in the organization.
SCHEMATIC FLEXIBILITY
Smart’s recruitment of Fields suggests he intends to run a more dynamic offense than we saw in his first two seasons in Athens. Even now, Georgia will tinker with a higher offensive tempo. This was quite effective in the SEC title game against Auburn. Smart helped Saban make many of the changes to Alabama’s defense to counter up-tempo offense, and he brought those same strategies to Georgia.
STAFFING
Smart’s best hire so far might be Scott Sinclair, the strength coach he found at Marshall. He needed his version of Alabama’s Scott Cochran, who more than any other staffer imparts Saban’s vision to the players. The trick for Smart will be keeping his staff sharp if the Bulldogs keep winning. Assistants will leave for coordinator jobs. Coordinators will leave for head coaching jobs. How Smart handles that churn will determine his long-term success at Georgia.