Georgia Commits D'Andre Swift and Mark Webb Discuss Future of Bulldogs Offense

WARMINSTER, Pa. — Throughout a battle between two of the Philadelphia area's premier high school football programs Friday night, conversations along the sidelines repeatedly circled back to a faraway university. 

Archbishop Wood High School receiver Mark Webb joined cousin and St. Joseph's Prep standout D'Andre Swift in the Georgia Bulldogs' 2017 recruiting class shortly before their respective teams competed on a national television broadcast. Approximately 800 miles away from Athens, Georgia, it was impossible to miss the magnitude of head coach Kirby Smart's latest success.

"We've been wanting to do this for a while now, and it's a big thing," Webb told Bleacher Report. "Once [Swift] made his decision, it was just on me to make sure I was ready and solidify it."

Swift, rated No. 4 nationally among running backs in composite rankings, announced his intention to attend Georgia on Sept. 1 via a Bleacher Report video:

Webb, considered the No. 19 receiver in this cycle, didn't hesitate long to confirm an anticipated "package deal," committing to the Bulldogs just two weeks later.

"Georgia just got a great player and a great leader," Swift said. "It's huge to welcome him to the family."

Their collegiate pairing is the realization of a long-term goal.

"We've been talking about playing together in college since the beginning of high school," Swift said. "A lot of the same offers started coming in for us after a couple seasons and going to camps, and it really became a possibility."

An impressive list of mutual offers also included Alabama, Miami, North Carolina, Penn State and Pittsburgh. Both players spurned more than 20 programs to combine forces at Georgia, providing increased evidence of Smart's expansive recruiting efforts.

"It's a unique package deal. I don't think the previous coaching staff would've even thought to reach and pull out two of Pennsylvania's best players," DawgNation Georgia insider Jeff Sentell told B/R. "The Mark Richt script, although it was very good at times...everyone knew how that movie ended. These players think Kirby brings something new and fresh."

This sentiment resonated during conversations with Swift and Webb in the aftermath of a 43-24 St. Joe's victory. 

"It feels like we're two more building blocks for a program that's on the rise," Webb said. "You can already tell something special is going on there."

Georgia is 3-0 under the direction of Smart's staff, which notched its first SEC win Saturday at Missouri. Freshman quarterback Jacob Eason tossed three touchdowns against the Tigers, including a game-winner with less than two minutes remaining in the contest.

Eason, one of three 5-star signees in Smart's first Georgia recruiting class, was viewed among America's premier prep passers throughout his high school career. He'll be joined on campus next year by 2016 Elite 11 finalist Jake Fromm, who recently joined Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson as the only Georgia high school quarterbacks ever to surpass 11,000 career passing yards. 

"Georgia's young quarterback situation is as good as any in the country," Sentell said. "If you're really smart and savvy at receiver, you want guys who can deliver the ball and help facilitate your career just as much as you'll do for them. The rising talent is tough to ignore."

Credit: Student Sports

Factor in significant reciprocated interest from top-ranked 2018 quarterback recruit Trevor Lawrence, and it becomes clear the Bulldogs could build a uniquely gifted quarterback stockpile through 2020 and beyond.

"Quarterbacks like that open up the offense for everyone," Swift said. "If the defense loads the box, you've got Jacob Eason and Jake Fromm who can do multiple things with the ball. They're so talented. That's a big part of the reason we're so up-and-coming as a program."

Webb, who averaged 25.4 yards per catch and recorded 10 touchdown receptions in 2015, identified this positional strength as an alluring component of his recruitment.

"The team's situation at quarterback was a main part of my decision because it means a lot to me at receiver," he said. "You can't get much better than that group of QBs for the future."

Swift, sidelined throughout most of Friday's first half because of an ankle issue, returned to limited action after intermission. He lined up at receiver and was targeted multiple times despite dealing with obvious discomfort. 

"That's the kind of player I am," Swift said. "I never want to sit out of a game or miss any plays. I was trying to do whatever I could to get back on the field and help my team."

Aside from catching a couple of passes, he served as a serious decoy while St. Joe's gained separation in the second half.

His ability to impact games beyond the backfield—Swift shined in pass target opportunities during two appearances at The Opening and racked up 176 receiving yards in this season's opener—creates immense opportunities for college coaches to implement a diverse skill set.

"I think [receiver] can be a good role for me at times so we're able to create mismatches against the defense," Swift said. "That's something I work on every day. I'm an athlete, and I want to make the most out of my talent."

Swift and Webb, rated No. 1 and No. 3, respectively, in 2017 Pennsylvania prospect rankings, add to a Bulldogs class that also features three 4-star in-state offensive linemen, 4-star Atlanta receiver Trey Blount and 4-star Texas running back Toneil Carter.

"There's no doubt we're going to get some things done together at Georgia," Webb said. "We'll be part of an offense that I think can be very explosive for years to come."

The presence of elite talent such as Carter, Swift and Webb from beyond state borders creates compelling dynamics within a recruiting class currently rated No. 3 overall in the 2017 cycle.

"People always say you need to close the borders around Georgia to win national championships, but now you see Georgia specifically targeting guys they really want," Sentell said. "That's the mentality now. They valued Swift and Webb more than some guys who are closer to home, and now they're the highest-rated Georgia commits at their positions."

Quotes obtained firsthand by Bleacher Report National Recruiting Analyst Tyler Donohue. All player ratings are courtesy of 247Sports' composite ratings.

Follow Tyler via Twitter: @TDsTake.