Georgia Football: Strong Recruiting Close Essential for Bulldog Momentum

If the Georgia Bulldogs can close out the 2015 recruiting class with a strong finish, momentum will be squarely on their side heading into the offseason. That challenge remains daunting, but success could represent a complete 180-degree turn from the direction the program seemed to be heading as recently as last month.

On Friday, Nov. 28, the Missouri Tigers overcame a fourth-quarter deficit to beat Arkansas. In doing so, the Tigers claimed the SEC East's spot in the SEC Championship Game over Georgia, a team that beat a home-standing Missouri squad by 34 points.

Twenty-four hours later, Georgia fumbled and pooch kicked its way to an improbable overtime loss to in-state rival Georgia Tech. It was the Bulldogs' first lost to Georgia Tech since 2008, and just the second since 2000.

A few weeks later, Mike Bobo, the wizard behind the most prolific offenses in Georgia history, accepted a head coaching position at Colorado State. He took offensive line coach Will Friend with him.

As the year came to a close, "momentum" did not seem like a word that would describe the state of Georgia football this offseason—at least not positive momentum. But somehow, athletic director Greg McGarity and head coach Mark Richt have positioned Georgia to succeed and advance the program heading into the 2015 season, thanks to a few short weeks of feverish action.  

The reversal of fortunes began in earnest, with a convincing 37-14 Belk Bowl victory over the Louisville Cardinals and former Bulldog defensive coordinator Todd Grantham. That win, Georgia's 10th of the year, propelled the Dawgs to a ninth-place finish in both the AP poll and the Coaches Poll (and Bleacher Report's own college football poll).

Chuck Burton/Associated Press

Then, Georgia managed to hold onto, promote and pass out raises to a handful of highly coveted assistant coaches, like defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt, defensive line coach Tracy Rocker and running backs coach Bryan McClendon.

And of course, Georgia was able to lure away an NFL coach who was expected to spend 2015 as his 10th consecutive year as an offensive coordinator at football's highest level. Instead, Brian Schottenheimer opted to pursue the opportunity in Athens. After Schottenheimer arrived, Rob Sale was hired as an offensive line coach to replace Friend.

All of a sudden, Georgia seems committed, at least monetarily, to avoiding painful regular-season endings like 2014's. According to Seth Emerson of The Telegraph in Macon, Georgia's assistant coaches will make $4.45 million in 2015. In 2014, that figure was $3.22 million.

But as we all know, recruits can't be bought. At least not within the confines of the NCAA's imposed infrastructure. Accordingly, if Richt and his staff want to earn the 38-percent raise that was distributed to assistant coaches, they must do so over the next two-and-a-half weeks on the recruiting trail.  

To be sure, this recruiting class will be a good one for Georgia. According to 247Sports, the Bulldogs currently have the nation's fourth-best class lined up.

Year	National Ranking	5-Stars	4-Stars
2015	4	2	12
2014	8	3	10
2013	11	0	15
2012	8	4	6
2011	6	2	10
2010	12	1	9
2009	5	3	11
2008	7	2	11
2007	9	0	9
2006	3	1	15

But maintaining alone is a lofty calling, and an SEC rival, Tennessee, has already surpassed Georgia in overall class rankings since the new year began.

If Georgia really wants to make a splash heading into the spring, a bowl victory, coaching hires and staff raises won't be enough. Georgia must sign big-name prospects. 

Roquan Smith, a 4-star outside linebacker and one of the nation's 50 best prospects, per 247Sports, must become a Bulldog. Donte Jackson, who could start immediately in Pruitt's secondary, must sign with Georgia. Four-star offensive linemen Chidi Valentine-Okeke and Patrick Allen must pledge to Richt.

If recent recruiting news is any indication, Georgia really might close out strongly. According to Jake Rowe of 247Sports, Michael Chigbu, a 4-star wide receiver out of New Orleans has shut down his recruitment and will stay loyal to his longstanding commitment to Georgia. Chigbu was previously slated to visit Arizona State and California over the coming weeks.

Georgia locked down a big win over Louisville and locked down a host of high-profile assistant coaches over the past three weeks. Locking down a few more elite prospects will make the next three weeks even more exciting.

Unless otherwise noted, all quotes obtained firsthand and all recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports.com.