One does not have to look far to find differences in recruiting philosophy and execution between Mark Richt and Kirby Smart. In recent years, UGA has relied on recruiting events – junior nights and Dawg Night – to lure prospects to campus. These opportunities had become mega-events, especially Dawg Night (over 600 attendees), with problems arising when prospects (even highly ranked prospects) reportedly failed to receive adequate face-time with coaches.
 
 
Coach Smart appears to be taking a different approach. Since national signing day, recruits have been visiting Athens in smaller groups (20 or so each weekend). Smart’s small group concept allows every prospect to get adequate time with his position coach, his coordinator, Coach Smart and other program personnel like the strength and conditioning coaches.
 
 
Smart is putting the ideas he formulated over many years as a position coach and coordinator into practice as he gets his feet wet as a head coach. Will he and his staff be able to sustain a schedule that has them welcoming visitors almost every weekend rather than the occasion, but larger, events? I guess we will find out on national signing day 2017.