The second most significant week in recruiting season has finally been completed after the conclusion of the US Army All-American game where the top high school recruits come together to showcase their talent, as well as they use it as a platform to announce where they’ll be attending school for the next 3-4 years of their football career.
Georgia had recruits playing in both games, the Under Armor All-American and US Army All-American game. In both, Georgia gained the commitment of a five-star recruit. At halftime of the Under Armor All-American game five-star athlete from Desert Pines, Las Vegas Darnell Washington announced where he’d be taking his elite talents for the next few years of his college career. Washington is a 6’7 260-pound tight end who plays like a receiver. He will have a chance to revolutionize the tight end position in Georgia. Athens has lost Eli Wolf, and Charlie Woerner has both graduated and is going to have an attempt at the NFL. When talking about why he decided to commit to Georgia, he said this, “I think I can play and help out a lot.” A big statement from a high school recruit who hasn’t played at the college level before. If anyone was able to say that, it would be Washington as he has some unmatched skills that will make him a dangerous weapon for the Bulldogs. Georgia also gained the commitment and signing of the number one cornerback in the 2020 class. Kelee Ringo announced Saturday in the fourth quarter of the Army All-American game that he signed with Georgia back in December during the Early Signing Period. Still, he kept it silent with the intent of announcing it at the game. Ringo will be a significant addition to an already talented Georgia secondary where he will have a chance to learn from Kirby Smart and Charlton Warren, as both men are hands-on coaches on that side of the ball. The decision of Eric Stokes lies in the balance as he is eligible to declare for the NFL Draft if he so chooses to do so. Stokes has been a lockdown cornerback for Georgia ever since he burst into the starting lineup for Georgia. Ringo possesses some of those same abilities as he has an advantage over any opponent with his elite track speed. He has used that to develop into a lockdown corner for Saguaro High School. The commitments of these two five stars help Georgia’s case as they pursue the number one recruiting class for the 2020 recruiting class. Both these great recruits have a chance to make a massive impact in between the hedges for Georgia.
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With day one of early signing day coming to a close, it is time to look forward to the next 48 hours. Georgia has had a very successful day one as many of their commitments made it official as they signed the letter of intent to attend the University of Georgia.
It wasn’t a day full of the known signees but Georgia got a few tossups to go in there in favor. Georgia was able to sign flip a highly rated receiver that was committed to LSU. The first big toss up that went in Georgia’s favor was the signing of the four-star receiver from Lakeland, Florida Arian Smith signed his LOI (letter of intent) to become one of the newest additions to the recruiting class. Smith possesses the elite speed that can help him run past defenders and get open for his quarterback on almost any route he runs. He has long arms with big hands that makes catching a football natural for him. Smith played multiple positions in his time in high school as he also played quarterback, running back, and defensive back. He is very versatile as he has the ability to help out the special teams unit in the return game. One of the biggest flips of the day came Georgia’s way as they landed the signing of Jermaine Burton, the four-star receiver was a longtime commit to LSU. One thing that we know about Kirby Smart is that he a perfect closer in recruiting. Smart knows how to seal the deal with a recruit. Smart showed that with the signing of Burton. Burton will bring more speed and potential to a receiving unit that struggled at times in the season. The latest news that we’ve received within the last hour was the surprise signing of Austin Blake. Blake, the three-star offensive tackle from Guyton, Georgia will add depth to Georgia’s offensive line that is currently set to lose three offensive linemen from this past season. The signing of these three brings Georgia’s signees up to 16 players. Who are all listed below:
“I got a chip on my shoulder,” One of the most underrated recruits that you will find in the 2020 recruiting class. He combines talent, hard work, and a high motor, to play a very physical and aggressive style of football. He is the “Top Dawg Recruit of the Week.”
Cade Brock, a six-foot, 250-pound defensive tackle, defensive end, center, and a guard, is one of the most technically sound prospects you will find in this class. Brock attends Darlington School in Rome, Georgia. For what he lacks in size, he makes up for it with his aggressive, very technical style of play on the line of scrimmage. He can play both inside and outside on defense, as he has the ability to shed his block and get after the quarterback and stop the run. Brock loves to create havoc in the backfield. I was able to talk on the phone with Cade Brock. One of the first things I asked him was about the coaching staff and what he thought of the coaches, Brock said this: “I like the way Coach Scott does everything, he’s really intense but he’s not over the top. But he’s intense.” He also expressed his affection for the way Coach Smart runs his practices, “I like how Coach Smart is real enthusiastic and upbeat and the energy there is really crazy during practice.” As you can tell from these quotes it sounds like Brock has already formed a great relationship with the coaching staff at the University of Georgia, and especially his soon to be position coach, Tray Scott. One of the things that I noticed right after turning his film is how physical and versatile Brock is. Brock is very talented working along the defensive line, as he is able to get off his blocks like any other top recruit. “I’m not going to be able to lean on people, like these other big guys, so my motor is what I have to use. I’m constantly working on my moves.” He is a guy that will come into the program with a high work ethic as he has put in countless hours on the field trying to better himself. He already has a chip on his shoulder and he hasn’t even played a college game. Brock said this about his recruiting process, “Not being heavily recruited, I got a chip on my shoulder, and have a lot more to prove than they do, and I don’t have any crazy attributes like guys like that. I just have a motor that got me here.” Brock won’t let up as he lines up to “kill” no matter where or what position he plays on the field, he is always trying to show up the man in front of him. Brock was offered a preferred walk-on opportunity from the University of Georgia and ended up taking them up on this offer as he committed to Georgia the night before I talked to him. Brock made it sound like a no-brainer for the Dawgs as he talked about his love for the Dawgs, “I don’t think I’ve ever missed a Georgia football game. I’ve been to a few games, I went last year on a couple of visits. We normally watch them on TV.” Brock also took a visit to the University of Tennessee and said this, “Tennesse is a really beautiful campus, and I like how it’s all laid out, and the town of Knoxville, but Athens, Georgia has always been my team, that’s where I wanted to go, I love the coaches there, and the coaches really seem to like me more at Georgia, they recruited me more, and just Coach Scott, I’m ready to play for him.” Cade has the work ethic of highly touted recruit and has a motor like no other. He made his dream come true through hard work and motivation. He will definitely get a shot to play at Georgia in the future, as he will be able to play multiple positions for the Dawgs if needed. With the commitment of Kendall Milton, the five star running back from the state of California, is still fresh in the minds of Bulldog fans. It is time for the UGA staff to turn their attention to another big-time five-star recruit from the west coast.
It is one of the hottest recruits on the market that is still uncommitted, Kelee Ringo, the five-star cornerback from Scottsdale, Arizona. Ringo is coming out of Saguaro High School. Where he has made a name for himself as a lockdown corner. Ringo is 6’2 and weighs around 205 pounds, and is drawing attention from every top school in the nation. Ringo has a long, muscular frame that allows him to explode off the line, and cover big receivers out wide. Ringo has shown to be a lockdown corner in man coverage, an aspect Georgia lacks. Ringo has very good ball skills and is very physical in every matchup. Ringo is a two-sport athlete as he excels in track and field which is where he gets his terrific straight-line speed. Kelee has the upside to start at any power 5 school he decides to attend next fall as he is the number one cornerback in this year’s class. Georgia is one of five schools that Ringo is considering to attend next year, and is expected by many to be the front runner as it is said he has come away very impressed with his visit at Georgia and sees that he has the potential to be a day one starter. Ringo would be a great fit in Georgia’s system as they are coming off the loss of the 2018 Thorpe award winner, DeAndre Baker. Baker who was also a lockdown, man coverage corner who didn’t give up a touchdown in his final two seasons at Georgia. Kelee would be expected to be in a position battle with Tyson Campbell who is right now expected to play opposite of Eric Stokes. Tyson has had some troubles in man coverage, unless he steps up this year he could see Ringo come in and compete for the starting job. It is said that Ringo has narrowed it down to Georgia, and Texas but it is not official. Many think Texas is behind Georgia as of right now but Ringo hasn’t taken an official visit to Texas, but he was apart of the recruiting event the Dawgs held this past weekend. I believe that Ringo is Georgia’s to lose, it would be a big addition to the class for UGA. One of the biggest recruits on Georgia’s board for the 2020 recruiting class has finally made his decision about where he would be attending school next fall.
Milton is the fourth best back in the 2020 recruiting class according to 247 Sports composite rankings. He is 6’2 and weighs in around 230 pounds, from Buchanan High School in Clovis, California. Milton has decided to commit to the University of Georgia, where he will add to an already filled running back room which is filled with talent and potential. Milton will bring a unique blend of power and speed. He is a more shifty back than you would expect from a guy of his size. Milton can take a hit, and can get extra yards after contact. Many have been comparing Milton to Steelers running back James Connor, who is known for being a good powerback that can take a hit and pick up extra yardage. Milton has the potential to be the next “big body” back to dominant the college landscape and eventually go onto the NFL and dominant their one day. Milton is a very big win for the Dawgs and will keep the momentum rolling for the Dawgs on the recruiting landscape. Georgia is on pace for another top 3 recruiting class in the nation. The 2020 class is filled with talent who can turn around any College Football program with just a few signees from this class. This 2020 class could be essential to the quick reload of the Georgia roster after the 2019-2020 season is over.
Some of Georgia's top offensive and defensive weapons will be able to enter the NFL Draft after the end of this season. Players like, Jake Fromm, D'Andre Swift, Andrew Thomas are just some of the players that Georgia could lose to early entry. But Georgia will also be losing players like Richard LeCounte, JR Reed, Tyler Clark, Brain Herrien and Tae Crowder will all leave because of graduation at the end of this season. That is a lot of key playmakers on both sides of the ball for Georgia and it would crucial for Georgia to replace the majority of those players with a great 2020 class. So who are those targets? 1. Kendall Milton: Five Star RB Clovis, CA 2. Kelee Ringo: Five Star CB Scottsdale, AZ 3. Arik Gilbert: Five Star TE Marietta, GA 4. Noah Sewell: Four Star LB Orem, UT 5. Jordan Burch: Five Star DE Columbia, SC 6. Zykeivous Walker: Four Star DE Ellaville, GA 7. Sedrick Van Pran: Four Star OL New Orleans, LA 8. Darnell Washington: Five Star TE Las Vegas, NV 9. Jacolbe Cowan: Four-Star DT Charlotte, NC 10. Tank Bigsby: Four Star RB Hogansville, GA Tank Bigsby, Sedrick Van Pran, and Arik Gilbert are the three guys on this list that I feel Georgia must land. All three would fill positions of need for Georgia next season. If Milton doesn't go to Georgia, Bigsby would be able to take that spot and maybe go on to have a great career at Georgia. Gilbert is one of the most athletic prospects in this class as he has the hands of the receivers and the size of a tight end. Gilbert at Georgia would be able to come in and automatically be given the chance to start at Tight End. Gilbert would be able to fill the void left behind by Nauta, who left for the NFL. Van Pran is a very interesting offensive line prospect and would have a chance to develop under Coach Pittman, and could even get a chance at replacing Kindley or Cleveland at guard. Van Pran is a center right now in high school, so he should have the ability to switch over the guard. The 2019-2020 College Football season is very fast approaching as we are just 47 days away from kicking off the season at Vanderbilt. With football so close to being back, the hotter it gets on the recruiting trail, even though it is a "dark period." Many 2020 recruits have been announcing their commitment dates and have been narrowing down their lists of schools to choose from.
I have made it my mission to find one prospect in the upcoming recruiting class to highlight each week. I had my sights set on another prospect, but then I was contacted by a contributor who was telling me about Chantz Williams. Williams not only impressed the contributor but also ended up impressing me, as not only did the contributor tell me some about his skills. But when I watched the tape, he matched the exact description that I was given about him. Chantz Williams, a four-star defensive end prospect from Orange Park, Florida. Williams is 6 foot 4 inches and weighs 238 pounds, he possesses 80-inch wingspan. His forty is pretty impressive for a defensive end as he put up a 4.56 at the Opening Finals. Williams has a lean, lengthy, athletic body. His build makes him a solid pass rusher, that uses his length, size, and speed to speed rush off the edge and run by an offensive lineman. Williams has the technique to shed blocks with the best of the best. Williams is a high IQ player off the edge and knows how to make a success out of a broken play. If he is unsuccessful in his first attempt to get past his blocker, he has the motor, technique, and mind to work through it and get past his block. Williams is also a three-sport athlete and one of those sports is basketball, as he holds the all-time shot-blocking record at his high school. Williams is a prospect that could very well improve his rating to a low or mid five star by the end of his senior season. He put up impressive numbers in his sophomore year with 6.5 sacks and 50 tackles. Williams reminds me of Leonard Floyd, as they both possess that first step quickness off the end, and that IQ to know where the play is going to be made. Williams commitment date is set for July 20th, as he is considering Georgia, Florida, and LSU. Which is in no particular order. I have a good feeling that Williams will not be committing to Florida, as they've been having trouble keeping their top talent happy within the program. That would leave LSU as our competition, which is befitting because LSU has a proven track record for producing great edge rushers into NFL Talent.
Andrew Raym, the number 3 offensive guard in the nation for the class of 2020, and number 1 in the state of Oklahoma has made his college decision for what appears to be the final time. Raym a former Oklahoma commit from Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.
Andrew Raym a college-sized offensive guard, who could potentially become a very versatile player among the offensive line. Raym is 6'5 and weighed in around 260 pounds, which means he can definitely put on some more weight and muscle mass once in college. He is a college-ready run blocker, and he has shown he can be the lead blocker for any running back in the backfield. Someone you would think is an SEC dream recruit. On November 25th, 2017, Raym decided to commit to the University of Oklahoma after a visit October of 2017. But then in May of 2018, Raym announced that he would be reopening his recruiting and would be decommitting from Oklahoma. This decommitment gave Georgia a big chance to recruit one of the best offensive linemen in the class to join the already o-line heavy class. Raym has taken two official visits in the time that he has been decommitted from Oklahoma, one to Georgia and the other to Michigan. Which brings us today, as it was announced earlier that Raym would be deciding on a video for where he would be attending school next fall.
Yes, Raym ended up deciding that "At the end of the day, I couldn't get rid of this #OUDNA !!"A decision that Brandon Adams of DawgNation said on his podcast DawgNation Daily, was something he saw coming.
With the offseason in full force and fall camp just a few weeks away. The media has turned its attention towards recruiting and some of the biggest names who still haven't decided on where they are going to school come next fall. I have been researching a prospect, who owns four stars on 247sports, and is from Schley County High School.
Yes, Zykeivous Walker is my pick for this week's "Top Dawg Prospect." Walker, a strong side defensive end (SDE) from Schley County High School, in Ellaville, Georgia. Is a four-star prospect who narrowed his schools down to a top five of Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee. Walker is 6 foot 4 and weighs in at 260 pounds which are expected from a high school defensive end these days. Walker has shown the natural ability to get off his block and disrupt the play in the backfield, whether it is a running back or a quarterback. He isn't the fastest edge rusher, which makes me think if he comes to Georgia, he would be a 3-4 defensive end. I think he would play the same role that Tyler Clark does in this Georgia defense. What he lacks in quickness, he makes up for it in his pure ability to shed a block and know where the play is going to be made. Something Ledbetter became very good at recognizing were the play is going to be made and adjusting to that. When Walker becomes within arms reach of you, he will be able to make the tackle 90% of the time. I think under the watch of Kirby Smart and this defensive staff, Walker could very well become a gem. With Nolan Smith and Jermaine Johnson lining up on both edges of the defensive line, Walker would be a welcomed addition in the front seven as he would provide help in stopping the run. But he cannot be underestimated when passing rushing because if he gets in that backfield he will make a play. With the departure of Tyler Clark coming after the 2019 season, that would give an incoming freshman like Zykeivous the chance to make an immediate impact on day one and be a starter. With the help of the Strength and Conditioning coaches, Walker would be able to put on more muscle mass and gain more speed. Which would help him in the long run. Walker has said that he wants to go somewhere that would give him the chance to get some game time his freshman year and a place that would offer him a good education and would feel like home. Walker has said that he wants to major in business. Considering the other four schools that are in the running for Walker, there is no better school to go to if he wants to major in business. Georgia has a great business program that could transition him into a job after his football career. He would stay in the state of Georgia, and he would be able to compete for an open spot on the field. Many recruiting experts have said that Walker is very likely to pick Georgia. With spring ball wrapped up after a very successful G-Day, Georgia coaches turn their attention to the recruiting trail. After a very successful 2019 recruiting class that ranked number two in the country just behind Alabama in the rankings, Georgia is looking to build off the momentum from the past two classes that have placed in the top two.
A five star running back prospect from Buchanan High School in Clovis, California. Kendall Milton is at the top of the board for this Georgia staff in the talented 2020 recruiting class. Milton stands in at 6'2 and weighs around 220 pounds. He is a very talented running back that is a must get for Georgia because of lack of depth at running back as of right now because of injuries. Georgia is expected to lose one running back at the end of the 2019 season, with Brian Herrian being a senior that means he will be leaving Georgia at the end of the season. But he might not be the only one to leave as it is being predicted that D'Andre Swift could decide to enter the NFL Draft if he has a strong junior season. If Swift decides to leave Athens after his junior year that does open up the depth chart for any recruit to come in as apart of the 2020 and instantly have a chance to start as a true freshman. Milton is a unique hybrid back that runs with speed, power, and balance. He shows the ability to be the power back that Georgia likes but also he could be a speed back for Georgia as he has shown on tape his ability to run away from defenders. Milton loves to run through tacklers just as much as he does running back defenders. Milton is also is a very shifty runner, as he has the ability to make quick moves to get past a defender. He has a great change of direction which is something you wouldn't expect for a guy his size. I think the best comparison to a Georgia running back is Todd Gurley. I see a lot of similarities between the two in film, they both have the ability to take a hit and not lose their balance. But they also have that speed to outrun defenders. Gurley in his time at Georgia showed the ability to hit the holes before they opened which is what Milton has shown on film in high school. Right now, Milton's status for where he would like to go to school is still up in the air as there is a huge recruiting battle going on right now between Alabama, Georgia, Texas, LSU, Oklahoma, and Ohio State. Many have predicted Oklahoma to be the current front runner for Milton. But after visiting Athens on G-Day, it seems like Georgia could be closing the gap. Milton did come away impressed with the way Georgia takes care of their former players, especially Nick Chubb and Sony Michel. Milton is definitely someone to watch in the coming months. |
Harrison RenoIs the author of Top Dawg Blogging. Harrison has been blogging for the past 4 years Archives
January 2020
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