In every recruiting class, football programs like the University of Georgia’s settle on a collection of prospects that they really would like to have. Of course, there are limitations in each class in terms of scholarships available and the make up and competitive balance of the roster from year to year. Ultimately there are certain players at certain positions that end up becoming must haves. Whether it’s because of depth, or lack there of, at a position, the proximity of the student athlete, or just flat out coach’s’ preferences, it happens. Some 2022 prospects are beginning to separate themselves into the ‘must have’ category and we list a few here today.
MALAKI STARKS (5-STAR – ATH – JEFFERSON, GA)
Not only is Starks a versatile 5-Star prospect, but he’s also in Georgia’s back yard. Longtime GHSA and current Jefferson Head Coach Gene Cathcart has coached some tremendous athlete over the year, but he heaps praise on Starks as both a player and a person, calling him “the best student athlete he’s ever coached.” The recruiting fight for such a terrific prospect is the type of battle that the Dawgs cannot afford to lose, especially to the other 2 in Starks’s top 3, Clemson and Alabama. Starks figures to play safety or even linebacker, maybe a hybrid/star, role at the next level. Georgia will pull out all the stops here, just as they did recently for his birthday!
TYRE WEST (4-STAR – DL – TIFTON, GA)
Georgia has been in on Tyre West for a long, long time. West has been a player on the biggest stage in Georgia since he was a freshman. Playing at Tift County in Region 1 7A at such a young age, and in such a dominant fashion is not easy. Now, in his junior season, West continues to produce and he’s propelled himself into being one of the most coveted defensive prospects in the entire class of 2022. Tray Scott and company want to land West very badly and Tyre feels comfortable with Georgia. With all the time and energy invested in this recruit, it’d be highly disappointing for UGA West were to play his college ball elsewhere.
OSCAR DELP (3-STAR – TE – CUMMING, GA)
The tight end from West Forsyth High School is the prototype prospect for what Todd Hartley and the Georgia Bulldogs want at the tight end position now and going forward. Delp is an absolute specimen at 6-5 220, and still growing. Delp is a polished route runner, with tremendous hands, and he doesn’t mind blocking in the least. In fact, West Forsyth often pairs Delp and current 2021 Georgia commit Dylan Fairchild up to absolutely punish teams off-tackle in the run game. I know for a fact that Georgia is incredibly strong in this recruitment and the feelings are mutual between the two parties, especially turmoil and speculation surrounding the other main contender, Michigan.
Oscar Delp First 6 Games 4🌟 TE
Oscar Delp First 6 Games 4🌟 TE
KOJO ANTWI (4-STAR – WR – SUWANEE, GA)
Let’s stay in Forsyth County Georgia for the last of the ‘must haves’, shall we? Kojo Antwi is a receiver that has all the tools and also caught the eye of Todd Monken early on in Monken’s tenure at UGA. Antwi and the Georgia OC have built a good relationship along with Cortez Hankton, and the Dawgs are going to be involved in this recruitment for the long haul. Antwi is a threat to beat opponents deep each play, and he also is a precise route runner in the intermediate passing game, and has enough burst and quickness to be effective in the screen game. I see a lot of former Georgia great wide-out Malcolm Mitchell in the game of Antwi. If UGA could keep him in-state and Antwi produces in similar fashion to Mitchell in a Monken ran offense, I believe all parties involved would be satisfied.