Georgia Football: Recruits React to UGA's Dawg Night Camp

The University of Georgia was the epicenter of all things recruiting over the weekend as the Bulldogs hosted their annual "Dawg Night" camp.

As noted by Jeff Sentell of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, more than 800 campers made their way to Athens over a two-day period. 

Included in that group were dozens of elite prospects from the 2016 and 2017 classes.

Current commitments such as 5-star quarterback Jacob Eason and 4-star corner Chad Clay were in town, as were a host of top targets such as 5-star receiver Kyle Davis, 5-star defensive tackle Derrick Brown and 4-star athlete Mecole Hardman.

What were some of the main storylines to emerge from "Dawg Night," and how did a few of the main prospects on the radar of head coach"Mark Richt and his staff react to the atmosphere over the weekend?

Find out in this review of Georgia’s premier summer-camp showcase.

2016 CB Commit Plans to Enroll Early

One of the key pieces to the Bulldogs 2016 recruiting class is Chad Clay.

Not only does he fill a big need at the corner position, he’s been one of the more vocal recruiters for the Bulldogs since he committed to Georgia back in May.

Clay was definitely in the ear of friends such as Davis and 2017 5-star corner Deangelo Gibbs—who is his prep teammate at Peachtree Ridge High School in Suwanee, Georgia.

“’Dawg Night’ was great,” Clay told Bleacher Report. “It was a lot of great players and great people there. It’s always fun when you get a chance to be around some good people.”

The event also gave Clay a chance to talk with his future coaches about their expectations for him when he gets on campus.

“The main thing I really got out of the trip was just being ready when I get there in January because they’re really expecting me to come in and contribute to the team, whether it's defense or special teams,” Clay said. “They just want me to be ready.”

As for when he arrives to Athens, that could be a little earlier than expected. 

“As of right now, I’m going to be an early enrollee,” he said.

2016 4-Star ATH Says UGA “Will Be One of Top Schools Until the End”

Given the show he put on at The Opening as a corner, Mecole Hardman is a priority recruit for the Bulldogs.

However, he admits that he enjoyed the fact that the atmosphere was laid back with recruiting discussion—whether it be with other prospects or coaches—kept to a minimum.

“It was a great experience being my first time at ‘Dawg Night,’” Hardman said. “It was so many people there. There were a lot of top prospects there and they had a lot of their commitments there too. We just were there to have a good time and compete. That’s what we did. Nobody tried to push me to commit or anything like that.”

Hardman, who noted that he will not decide until signing day, said he’s still open to all schools that are recruiting him.

In addition to Georgia, he mentioned Alabama, Auburn, Miami, Ole Miss and Tennessee as other schools that he’s hearing from regularly.

Given that he could excel as either a receiver on offense or as a corner on defense, Georgia is one of a handful of schools pitching Hardman the opportunity to play on both sides at the college level.

However, he understands how difficult that can be and instead plans on making a choice on which position he will play when he arrives on campus at the school of his choice.

One thing that caught his attention about Georgia is the class the Bulldogs are currently assembling.

“I think they are doing a great job,” Hardman said. “First of all, they got the biggest piece in Jacob Eason. He’s the No. 1 quarterback and I feel like that’s what every class needs at the top is a great quarterback. With Jacob, they have a great quarterback with a great frame and a great arm. He’s coming in in January and I know they [coaches] are very excited about him coming in. That’s a big piece there.”

While he’s in no rush to make a commitment, it’s clear that the homestanding Bulldogs will be in the picture with Hardman until he makes his commitment. 

“[Georgia] is still in my top group, no doubt,” Hardman said. “They are still one of my top schools until the end, and I know that for a fact. This was another chance to visit and just have a good time and try to build a better relationship with the coaches.”

2017 ATH Gets Answer He Was Looking for from UGA Coaches

When 2017 4-star athlete Jamyest Williams released his group of top 10 schools earlier this month, Georgia—which is located less than an hour away from his hometown of Lawrenceville, Georgia—was curiously low at the No. 9 spot.

The reason, Williams said, is because he wasn’t sure where the Bulldogs staff wanted to play him if he were to choose Georgia.

Williams could play receiver or running back, but his preference is to line up at corner.

After a standout showing at Florida State earlier in the week, Williams went to Athens with designs on proving to defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt that he could play corner in the ‘Dawgs system.

Consider his mission accomplished. 

“Basically, I got to see where they wanted me,” Williams said. “I got to be around the coaches and see how Coach Pruitt was and how he coaches. There was a lot of talent there so I was able to compete against a lot of top guys. It was like The Opening all over again. I was just very blessed to be a part of it. Coach Pruitt loved me.”

After getting confirmation from Pruitt that he can play the position he prefers, the Bulldogs have moved up the list for one of the nation’s most electric juniors.

“[Georgia] moved up into my top five,” Williams confirmed.

The Bulldogs are also heavily recruiting a few of his prep teammates at Archer High School—including Davis, 4-star offensive lineman E.J. Price, 4-star corner Dylan Singleton and 2017 4-star safety Isaiah Pryor.

Williams said that it would be fun to go to college with a few of his buddies but noted that his decision will come down to where he feels most comfortable.

The only trip he has confirmed on his schedule is a potential visit to Auburn this weekend. As for a decision, he plans to play his upcoming junior season and then concentrate on finding his landing spot at the next level.

“I probably will make my decision after my junior season and going into my senior year,” he said.

Nation’s Top 2017 CB Paying Attention to Detail

Given that two of his uncles had long and successful careers in the NFL, Deangelo Gibbs has been well-versed on the recruiting process.

The 6’2”, 204-pounder, who also plays receiver for his prep squad, has nearly 30 offers to his credit heading into his junior season.

He’s been to Athens a few times, and he said that his main focus on this trip was watching the Bulldogs coaching staff in action.

“Coach Pruitt coaches all of his guys the same,” Gibbs noted. “Whether it’s his current players or guys just there for the camp. All of the coaches there are like that. Everybody there was just cool. The coaching staff was coaching hard, but it was still them having fun with us."

Richt and his staff have already made it clear to Gibbs that he is on their wish list as far as 2017 prospects go.

While his good friend and teammate Clay is in his ear about joining him in Athens, Gibbs said he’s still in the infant stages of his process.

As with all of his visits, Gibbs is studying each campus from a variety of angles.

“I want to feel comfortable in the atmosphere of the school,” Gibbs said. “I want it to feel like a family vibe. I don’t want to be just another robot or football player. Do I get along with the team? Can I fit in with the program? Can I fit in their system? I want to pay attention to all of those small details.”

Gibbs has yet to narrow his list and maintains that he is still open to all suitors. However, Georgia was able to make a favorable impression on the top prospect from the Peach State in the 2017 class. 

“Georgia is a great place,” Gibbs said. “It’s the home state school and it’s not too far away from home. The atmosphere there is a family atmosphere. Everybody gets along there. They always hang out together. Coach Richt, he’s a great guy and a great coach.”

Sanjay Kirpalani is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. Unless otherwise noted, all quotes obtained firsthand and all recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports.

Follow @SanjayKirpalani