The recruiting class of 2018 was one of the greatest of all time. Period. Kirby Smart and company compiled the amount of talent in that class was as impressive as any, regardless of which program you’re comparing to. In terms of overall talent, the Georgia signees of that class are very comparable with Alabama’s classes in 2021 and 2017. 247 Sports ranked Kirby Smart’s 2018 class for Georgia number 1 overall, a first for Georgia, and had a composite score of 323.31.

Out of that class, players remaining on the Georgia roster for the upcoming 2021 season are Zamir White, James Cook, Kearis Jackson, Jamaree Salyer, Warren Ericson, and John FitzPatrick on offense and Adam Anderson, Quay Walker, Channing Tindall, Devonte Wyatt, Chris Smith, and Jordan Davis on defense. Oh, let’s not forget quite the special teams weapon in punter Jake Camarda as well. I think it is safe to say that the signing class of 2018 will be largely responsible for Georgia’s results this year. Also, it should be pointed out that of that group, all but maybe 2 will have legitimate shots of having quality NFL careers.

Adding a quarterback with the level of talent, football acumen and intellect, and maturity that JT Daniels has, and well, that is why expectations are high in Athens for the 2021 season. As he very much so wanted to and welcomes the notion of, Kirby Smart has made an SEC Championship, a CFP birth, and ultimately the first National Championship in 41 years the standard for the program. Anything else, when it comes to the field, is an abject failure. Kirby Smart and company know that, and they don’t shy away from it. Now, only the 2nd full class to have entirely been recruited and signed by Georgia with Coach Smart at the helm has a chance to rewrite a lot of narratives both collectively and personally. That are a lot of moving parts to winning a championship, and it takes contributions across the board. Still, the class of 2018 will be absolutely vital to the ultimate determination of this group’s destiny.