Georgia Recruits React to Bulldogs Parting Ways with Coach Mark Richt

After closing the 2015 regular season with four consecutive wins, Georgia had the looks of a program gearing up for a run toward the nation’s top-rated recruiting class.

However, the Bulldogs abruptly fired head coach Mark Richt on Sunday—which has put a damper on the Dawgs' recruiting efforts.

Georgia’s 2016 class—which currently rates as the nation’s No. 4 class—and its hopes of finishing with a strong close are in limbo until a new coach is hired.

How are Bulldogs commits and some of their top targets reacting to the news of Richt's 15-year tenure in the Classic City coming to an end?

2016 Commits

Over the Thanksgiving holiday, the Bulldogs received a commitment from 4-star running back Devwah Whaley out of the state of Texas.

Three days later, Whaley certainly was blindsided by the departure of Richt.

“I didn’t see this coming at all,” Whaley told Bleacher Report.

When asked if the new development shakes things up with his recruitment, Whaley admitted it has given him cause for concern.

"Yes, it does shake things up," the stud rusher from the Lone Star State said.

As Chris Kirschner of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports, many fellow commits shared similar sentiments to Whaley's. Recruits such as 4-star linebacker pledge Jaleel Laguins are choosing to remain silent at this time.

However, pledges such as 4-star offensive linemen Ben Cleveland and 3-star corner Tyrique McGhee are among the members of the Dawgs' 2016 class who remain fully committed to the program. 

The top priority for whoever takes over for Richt will be keeping 5-star quarterback commit Jacob Eason—who is scheduled to be an early enrollee.

2016 Targets

With several top targets having high interest in Georgia, the timing of the announcement to move on from Richt has put the Bulldogs in a precarious position.

Between elite prospects such as 5-star athlete Mecole Hardman Jr., 5-star defensive tackle Derrick Brown and 5-star tight end Isaac Nauta—three talents that Georgia presumably led for—the 2016 cycle had the potential for a strong close in the weeks leading up to signing day.

However, with Richt out and the futures of the remaining coaches on staff up in the air, players who were heavily considering the Bulldogs could opt to look at other options.

Hardman—who found out the news while at Michigan on an official visit over the weekend—said that the Bulldogs are still in the mix, but the announcement caught him off guard.

"Yeah they are, but I'm just shocked," he said.

Brown pointed out that players are also looking for stability with their position coaches.

"

Coach Richt Gone.... Dang

— Derrick Brown9⃣0⃣ (@DerrickBrown90) November 29, 2015"

“I mean it’s hard to pick a school with no one in a secure head coaching job because if your position coach were to leave, which happens a lot, you want that security from the head ball coach to be there for your whole term of four years to always have somebody you are comfortable with leading you,” Brown told Kirschner.

Making prospects such as Brown and Hardman comfortable in a short time span will be among the chief priorities for whomever Georgia chooses to hire.

2017 Priority Recruit Reacts

The 2017 class will represent the first full cycle for Richt’s successor. However, Richt and his staff have already built a strong foundation with a number of touted juniors around the country.

One such prospect is 4-star corner William Poole III.

"

Thanks @MarkRicht. You've given UGA your all for 15 years. Also thanks for believing in me, being the first to offer me my sophomore year.

— William Poole III (@__WP3) November 29, 2015"

While the news caught some prospects by surprise, Poole admits he had heard whispers about Georgia’s administration wanting to go in another direction.

“Actually, it wasn’t really a surprise to me, because over the last few weeks, there’s been a lot rumors about Mark Richt and whether he may be leaving,” Poole told Bleacher Report. “Plus, when I went over to Athens recently and spoke with some coaches and even talking on the phone with some of the staff, they were kind of sending me mixed signals about it. It wasn’t really a surprise. It was kind of something that was waiting to happen.”

Poole—who holds nearly 40 offers—noted that Richt gave him his first one, which is something he said he will never forget.

"

Coach Richt will be missed. He'll forever be a #DGD. The departure of Coach Richt DOES NOT effect my thoughts about UGA. #GoDawgs

— William Poole III (@__WP3) November 29, 2015"

“It’s kind of hard. It’s a business and I understand that,” Poole said of Richt’s departure. “I just hope for the best for Coach Richt. Regardless of whether he coaches somewhere else, I just wish the best for him. He’s a great guy.”

Georgia has been among Poole’s early favorites, and while the news was tough for him to digest, he said the news doesn’t affect his overall feelings on the program moving forward.

“I still have the same feelings for Georgia. His departure doesn’t affect how I feel about them at all,” Poole explained. “They are still one of my top schools. I love Georgia as a school, not just because of Coach Richt or any other coach.”

Bleacher Report National Recruiting Analyst Damon Sayles also contributed to this report. 

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

Follow @SanjayKirpalani