The class of 2022 is running strong right now for the Georgia Bulldogs. Already with 8 commitments that are all 4-Star prospects and above, the Dawgs are easily in contention for the top class in the nation at this point. COVID recruiting has changed how the game is played, so to speak also. In the 2021 and 2022 classes, in-state prospects have been paramount. Currently, 7 of the 8 commitments that Georgia has in the class are from the Peach State, and there are several more key targets from inside UGA’s home state that are nearing decisions. Whether the lack of visits is making prospects trend more toward their home state schools, or it’s simply the fact that the 2021 and 2022 classes have been absolutely loaded with even more talent than usual, it appears that the Dawgs’ run on homegrown talent is far from over.
This week’s commitment watch highlights the 5 players that I feel the most confident about becoming Georgia Bulldogs. The list is based on conversations with the prospects themselves, family members and generally assessing program needs and recruiting trends to this point in the class. Number 1, of course, is the player I’m most confident in committing to the ‘G,’ and number 5 is the least.
COMMITMENT WATCH AS OF 3/9/2021
- MALAKI STARKS – There is no doubt that Alabama and Clemson will continue to push for the 5-Star from Georgia’s backyard essentially. However, to me, it’s absolutely apparent that family and relationships are paramount to Starks. The future safety at the college level has done nothing, but compliment Georgia on the family feel and the strength of the relationships that he has built with Kirby Smart, Dan Lanning, and even recently with new Defensive Back Coach Jahmile Addae. The entire recruiting department has made the Starks family well aware of how major a priority the standout from Jefferson High School is to the class and the future of the program. I think it’s a virtual lock at this point that Starks stays home. March 25th at 5:30, I expect the Georgia class of 2022 to get a 5-Star shot in the arm!
2. OSCAR DELP – Delp has not set a commitment date and hasn’t even narrowed things down past a top 13 yet officially. Don’t let that fool you, though. Georgia is extremely well positioned with their top tight end target in the class for many reasons. For one, Todd Hartley, as is customary now, locks in on a tight end that he wants in a class early on and does a masterful job of cultivating a genuine relationship with that prospect. Hartley received a raise this past offseason, and it was well deserved after bringing in Darnell Washington and Brock Bowers in back-to-back classes. The ability to get to know and express his personal values and the vision for how Georgia can mold recruits as players and people is something that several recruits have told me that Hartley is tremendous at. Delp and the Georgia tight ends coach talk more frequently and more openly than any recruiter the 4-Star has. Delp said that much and more in a recent interview I did with him. It certainly feels the longer that the dead period is extended, the more likely the former teammate of now UGA roster members Dylan Fairchild and Drew Southern from West Forsyth and the current roommate with Hustle Inc. QB and Georgia commit Gunner Stockton is to end up in Athens.
3. MYKEL WILLIAMS – There is not much to say here, other than I believe that Tray Scott has done some of his best work in the class of 2022 and it’s going to come to fruition in major prospects like Williams. Yet again, as the first 2 on this list, Williams is an in-state target from the Columbus area. A combination of Scott, Dell McGee, Kirby Smart, and Dan Lanning should be enough to have Williams committing to Georgia next week. Georgia will be looking to replace a lot of talent leaving the program from the interior defensive line after the 2021 season and adding Mykel Williams to current Georgia commits Bear Alexander, the only commit currently from outside Georgia (Texas), and Tyre West would be a fantastic start.
4. CHRISTEN MILLER – A couple of days ago, Miller would have been higher on this list for me. At this point, I still feel that Miller’s relationships with Mykel Williams, current UGA commitment Tyre West, and of course, Tray Scott will be enough to have Miller ultimately wind up in Athens. However, I was much more confident in this projection when his final 4 consisted of Georgia, Florida, Georgia Tech, and Indiana. Ohio State and Southern Cal had not entered the picture yet. I was confident that the Cedar Grove star defensive lineman would be staying home before postponing his commitment yesterday, originally scheduled for April 4th. This action would certainly make it seem that Ohio State and USC are making strong runs, and Miller might want to wait out the dead period to get OVs in.
5. EMORY FLOYD – Ok, so it has seemed for a long time that the Hillgrove speedster and safety have been a lock to commit to Georgia. I am confident that Floyd wants to be a Dawg and is more likely than not to pick Georgia on May 7th, but there has been some development with new secondary prospects like Toriano Pride and Jordan Allen. At his point, you’d still have to assume that Floyd is a take and that Georgia is enamored with his speed and instincts, despite needing to add weight and develop some at the next level. Also, in today’s recruiting, between now and May 7th is like an eternity.