Georgia Football Recruiting: Meet the Bulldogs' 2016 Class

The Georgia Bulldogs scored a major victory Wednesday in head coach Kirby Smart’s first recruiting class. 

Despite being hired on December 6, 2015, and not becoming the full-time boss in Athens until the second week of January, Smart was still able to haul in the seventh-ranked signing class in the country, according to 247Sports. 

What makes this accomplishment greater is that it comes after Georgia fired longtime head coach Mark Richt, one of the SEC’s most successful coaches of the last decade. The class very well could have imploded, but Smart did an excellent job of keeping the group mostly intact. 

The Bulldogs could still add 5-star receiver Demetris Robertson as the Peach State product will announce in roughly a week or two, according to Kipp Adams of 247Sports. This could possibly allow Georgia’s class to move up even further in the team rankings. 

As it stands right now, let us take a closer look at Georgia’s 2016 signees.

Player	Ranking	Position	Position Ranking
Jacob Eason	5-Star	Pro-QB	2
Mecole Hardman	5-Star	ATH	1
Isaac Nauta	5-Star	TE	1
Julian Rochester	4-Star	DT	10
Ben Cleveland	4-Star	OT	9
Chauncey Manac	4-Star	WDE	10
Michail Carter	4-Star	DT	15
Charlie Woerner	4-Star	WR	25
Elijah Holyfield	4-Star	RB	6
Riley Ridley	4-Star	WR	46
Jaleel Laguins	4-Star	ILB	10
Tyler Clark	4-Star	DT	25
Javon Wims	4-Star (JC)	WR	4
Tyler Simmons	3-Star	WR	62
Chad Clay	3-Star	CB	41
David Marshall	3-Star	SDE	21
Chris Barnes	3-Star	OT	45
Tyrique McGhee	3-Star	CB	56
Solomon Kindley	3-Star	OT	87
Marshall Long	3-Star	P	8

Most Impactful Recruit

Signing its most heralded signal-caller since Matthew Stafford in 2006, Georgia looks to have a quarterback capable of leading it to SEC East championships in the near future. 

Jacob Eason, who stands at 6’5” and 208 pounds, ended his senior season as the second-ranked pro-style passer nationally and fifth-ranked player overall. The Washington product signed in January and is already on campus working out with the team and preparing for spring ball. 

Much like Stafford, Eason is a big kid with a laser arm. He is not the most mobile quarterback you will find, but his size and quick release allow him to make any throw.

Take a look at his tape for a better understanding of what Georgia is getting:

With Greyson Lambert at quarterback, Georgia struggled mightily to throw the ball downfield, averaging a mere 185 yards per game. Opposing defenses crowded the line of scrimmage to stop running backs Nick Chubb and Sony Michel, daring Lambert to beat them over the top, which he usually failed to do. 

This gives Eason an immediate opportunity to earn the Bulldogs’ starting position as a freshman. He certainly believes he can win the job, according to the Telegraph’s Jason Butt:

As a first-year coach, Smart will likely opt for experience over the more talented Eason, at least to begin the season. If Lambert fails to prove he can become a legitimate threat through the air, look for Eason to take over, especially if Georgia drops a game or two by the second week of October. 

Having a great quarterback gives a team a chance to win every week. Expect Georgia to possess this benefit as Eason develops into a All-SEC performer.

Most Dynamic Recruit 

Georgia signed plenty of explosive players in the 2016, but one clearly stands above the rest in terms of speed and playmaking ability. 

Mecole Hardman, a 5-star rated as the No. 1 athlete nationally and No. 2 player in Georgia, chose the Bulldogs on signing day. This instantly makes Hardman the team’s most dynamic playmaker, along with receiver Terry Godwin. 

As his film demonstrates, Hardman can make plays from anywhere on the field with his absolutely blazing speed. This will allow Georgia’s staff the luxury of scheming creative ways to get the ball in his hands, adding an element of versatility the team was missing last season. 

Bleacher Report’s Barrett Sallee also sees Hardman’s playmaking ability as an asset, but believes his future lies on the defensive side of the ball. 

Hardman will see the field right away in multiple capacities, as he is just too dangerous and explosive to leave on the bench as a redshirt. He will eventually develop into a defensive back, as Sallee noted, but Georgia will look to get the ball in his hands often in the meantime. 

Expect a special teams score and at least two offensive touchdowns from Hardman in 2016.

Immediate Contributors Offensively

Outside of Eason and Hardman, two players who are likely to see the field early due to phenomenal skill sets, Georgia possesses a few players who could make an impact offensively in 2016. 

Smart admitted Wednesday he was not thrilled with Georgia’s depth at offensive tackle, even after adding three in the 2016 class, via DawgNation’s Michael Carvell:

"

We want some offensive tackles. If you say what’s the No. 1 need going into 2017? It’s offensive tackles is what we need. That’s the most deficient area on our front. I think if you combed the country and asked every SEC coach he’s going to say we’re most deficient at offensive tackle.

"

With Georgia losing three starters up front from 2015, including mainstay John Theus at tackle, freshman Ben Cleveland should contribute right away. 

Cleveland, a 4-star ranked nationally as the No. 9 offensive tackle, has the size at 6’6” and 319 pounds to compete in the SEC trenches. He also has nimble feet and can get out and make blocks on the edge when needed. The Georgia native will be in the rotation before earning a regular spot late in the season. Look for him to become a staple of future Bulldog offensive lines. 

Isaac Nauta, a 5-star tight end, is also too talented to keep off the field. He runs well for his size and, with some proper coaching, should develop as a blocker.

Fox Sports’ Bruce Feldman tabbed Nauta as an impact freshman due to matchup problems he presents. Judging by his highlights, it is easy to agree. Nauta has the ability to outrun linebackers while shielding off smaller safeties downfield with his 6’4” frame. 

Nauta will start behind incumbent Jeb Blazevich but will see the field plenty in passing situations. Expect to him to become a favorite target of Eason down the road while gaining valuable experience in 2016. 

Running back Elijah Holyfield, son of legendary boxer Evander Holyfield, has the ability to contribute right away but will certainly be the third option all season, barring injuries to Chubb or Michel. Look for him to break off some nice runs in garbage time before becoming more prominent in 2017.

Immediate Contributors on Defense

Missing out on defensive tackle Derrick Brown, Georgia’s top-ranked player, dealt a blow to the Bulldogs, but the team still received another stud inside. 

Standing at 6’5,” 321 pounds, Julian Rochester is a monster 4-star defensive tackle who is already equipped to eat up space inside. Fox 5 Atlanta’s Dale Russell provided a rather accurate comparison for the Georgia native. 

"

Julian Rochester looks like an aircraft carrier. @UGAAthletics #ssrochester

— Dale Russell (@DaleRussellFox5) January 9, 2016"

Rochester also has the quickness and strength to command double-teams, as he often lined up at defensive end in high school. He is a special talent. 

Georgia loses three key interior defensive linemen to graduation, opening the door for Rochester to play immediately. The big fellow is already on campus as an early enrollee. This should allow him to be more prepared for a bigger role as a freshman, and Georgia is certainly going to need him. 

Perhaps the weakest area on Georgia’s defense is its linebacker group. The team must replace its three starters: stars Leonard Floyd and Jordan Jenkins, plus Jake Ganus, the Bulldogs’ leading tackler in 2015. 

Smart could have addressed this area better in the 2016 class, as Georgia brings in only one true linebacker in Jaleel Laguins. 

However, Laguins, a 4-star, is capable of playing right away with his solid instincts and adequate speed. At 209 pounds, he will need to get stronger over the summer to sustain the grind of SEC play. 

Expect Laguins to join the linebacker rotation along with former top recruits Lorenzo Carter and Roquan Smith.

All recruiting rankings are courtesy of 247Sports. All statistics are courtesy of ESPN.com.