5-Star QB Jacob Eason Committing to Georgia Is Perfect Start to Kirby Smart Era

Exhale, Athens.

Jacob Eason is indeed coming to town.

Despite intensified flirtations with the Florida Gators, the 5-star quarterback opted to move ahead with a Georgia Bulldogs commitment that spans 17 months. He announced his intentions during an event at Lake Stevens High School in Washington:

Eason spent an official visit in Gainesville earlier this month, days after Georgia and longtime head coach Mark Richt parted ways. Gators head coach Jim McElwain and offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier made a strong push to flip his pledge, but a new Bulldogs regime managed to maintain grips on the coveted West Coast playmaker.

Ironically, Eason received Gatorade National Player of the Year honors moments before breaking some hearts at Florida:

Though the drama surrounding this SEC recruiting showdown may have pushed many Georgia fans to the brink, they can now truly feel comfortable knowing Eason will be on campus within weeks. The Lake Stevens High School senior is set to enroll early, representing pivotal steps in a whirlwind transition period for new Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart.

The veteran Alabama Crimson Tide defensive coordinator needed to hit the ground running representing Georgia during a frenzied final stretch toward national signing day. With his top priority expected to attend college nearly a month before signing day, the stakes were even higher.

It was imperative for Smart to address the offensive coordinator position with decisiveness, and he did just that, plucking play-caller Jim Chaney away from Pittsburgh. The new duo went right to work concerning Eason, looking to alleviate any questions that a high-profile coaching change may have created.

"Just meeting with coach Smart and Jim Chaney just reassured everything," Eason told Jeff Sentell of DawgNation.com. "Those are great guys and great coaches and really fit for the jobs. I am just really excited.”

Most importantly, the Bulldogs got Eason back in Athens for an official visit after his trip to Gainesville. Coaches play a paramount role in recruitments, but campus life and your future teammates are also important factors, so time spent on campus may have confirmed feelings about Georgia that he carried earlier in the process.

Credit: 247Sports

Smart retains the team's crown jewel in a 2016 recruiting class that could finish among America's best. Eason's loyalty should provide momentum with multiple uncommitted targets and potentially firm things up with a few pledges who considered exploring alternative opportunities.

Georgia offers Eason a chance to compete for immediate snaps as a true freshman, and spring practice provides an excellent proving ground for the young gunslinger. By the time training camp starts in late summer, expect the blue-chip recruit to emerge as a strong contender to start.

Bulldogs quarterbacks combined to throw just 12 touchdowns during the regular season, averaging 187 passing yards per game. Eason, rated No. 1 nationally among quarterback recruits and No. 4 overall in 2016 composite rankings, presents promise to rapidly elevate a pedestrian aerial attack.

Following 15 years with Richt at the helm, Smart takes over in Athens looking to establish a fresh, unique identity. Success in recruiting, especially when those wins occur in head-to-head conference showdowns, provides his staff with instant legitimacy in the eyes of program supporters.

Eason could quickly become the face of a new Georgia era.

The 6'5", 217-pound prospect completed 70 percent of pass attempts this fall, totalling 3,585 yards and 43 touchdowns. He led Lake Stevens to an undefeated regular season, reached the state semifinals and tossed at least four scores in seven of 13 games.

In addition to being named Gatorade National Player of the Year, Eason is a finalist for U.S. Army All-American Player of the Year. He threw for 9,813 yards in high school, tallying 102 touchdown tosses and 18 interceptions.

Though speculation swirled during recent days, Florida has officially failed in its attempt to pull off a high-value cross-country heist. The Gators could suffer those consequences for years, as Eason aims to lead new-look Georgia in rivalry matchups that just gained another level of intrigue.

Tyler Donohue is a Bleacher Report National Recruiting Analyst . All player ratings are courtesy of 247Sports' composite ratings. Follow Tyler via Twitter @TDsTake.