Georgia's Kirby Smart Closes Strong on 2016 National Signing Day

The hiring of head coach Kirby Smart brought a renewed sense of hope to the Georgia football program, and 2016 national signing day did nothing to suggest otherwise.

Smart and the Bulldogs coaching staff pieced together the nation's No. 7 haul, per the 247Sports composite rankings. Most impressively and importantly, Georgia used a strong finish to secure its place among the top classes.

Wednesday started with a brief moment of concern—or perhaps skepticism—but 5-star athlete Mecole Hardman Jr. pulled the ultimate troll job of the day.

Jeff Sentell of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution posted a video showing six individual cakes with Tennessee, Michigan, Florida, Clemson, Ohio State and Alabama pennants.

Instead of spurning Georgia, though, Hardman declared his commitment to Smart and the Bulldogs in dramatic fashion, as captured by Logan Booker of ClassicCityToday.com:

But the Bulldogs weren't finished. Far from it, actually.

Four-star defensive tackle Michail Carter sent in his paperwork, choosing Georgia over offers from Alabama, Clemson, Michigan, Ohio State, Oklahoma and other elite programs.

Tyler Simmons then flipped from Alabama, where the 3-star wideout had committed in early January and recently visited. However, Kipp Adams of 247Sports notes a late trip from the entire coaching staff helped Georgia gain momentum.

Credit: 247Sports

Per Jay Clemons of SEC Country, Simmons said "my heart was always telling me 'Georgia.' Something in the back of my mind kept saying 'Georgia'—so that's why I went with it."

Not long after, the Bulldogs swiped 3-star defensive end David Marshall from Auburn. He spent the weekend of Jan. 22 on an official visit to Athens, then returned the following week for an unofficial trip, cancelling a chance to take in Ole Miss.

To cap the encouraging day, 4-star linebacker Jaleel Laguins reaffirmed his commitment to Georgia, per Trent Smallwood of Rivals.

Yes, the Bulldogs couldn't reel in Lyndell "Mack" Wilson, E.J. Price and Derrick Brown, the latter of which certainly stings. There's no doubt about that.

Missing out on a 5-star like Brown is disappointing enough, but losing the No. 1 prospect in the state—while understandable this cycle—cannot happen regularly. Former head coach Mark Richt only missed on Georgia's top player twice during the last seven years.

Considering the number of targets who announced on signing day, though, Smart and Co. couldn't realistically be expected to snag each prospect.

Additionally, the Bulldogs had little reason to distribute "Plan B" offers simply to fill the 25-scholarship maximum. Per Marc Weiszer of the Athens Banner-Herald, Smart said he's comfortable with a smaller class.

Georgia can use those vacancies next season and count early enrollees toward the 2017 cycle. If the empty spaces go to early-enrolling talents like the 2016 class brought in 5-stars Jacob Eason and Isaac Nauta or 4-stars Julian Rochester, Ben Cleveland or Riley Ridley, Bulldogs fans won't complain.

And they'll celebrate if the last remaining target goes in Georgia's favor, too.

Demetris Robertson, the country's No. 1 receiver and highest-rated uncommitted prospect, is taking his time before signing. According to Adams, Robertson plans to visit Athens before making a decision, perhaps on Feb. 10.

Smart's strong finish might get even better. The hope for Bulldogs faithful is the team's on-field performance will follow suit.

---

All recruiting information via 247Sports. Follow Bleacher Report CFB Writer David Kenyon on Twitter @Kenyon19_BR.