Tag: georgia bulldogs news

Recruiting experts project top QB to sign with Georgia football

Recruiting services are currently projecting Raiola to Georgia…

Georgia football has been trending lately for the No. 1 ranked quarterback in the 2024 recruiting class, Dylan Raiola (6-foot-3, 220 pounds).

The five-star prospect out of Phoenix, Arizona, is a former Ohio State commitment.

247Sports recruiting expert Steve Wiltfong had projected Railoa to sign with the Bulldogs before changing the prediction to the USC Trojans in early March.

Recently, Raiola’s recruitment has taken a turn in Georgia’s favor with an updated prediction from Wiltfong, as well as a projection by Jake Rowe of On3.

Both 247Sports and On3 have Raiola headed to Athens.

Raiola has strong ties to Georgia via former Bulldog quarterback Matthew Stafford, who is Raiola’s godfather.

Raiola’s father, Dominic, is a former Nebraska center who spent several years of his NFL career playing alongside Stafford for the Detroit Lions.

Here’s a look at Raiola’s highlight tape.

Georgia OL Xavier Truss says how Bulldogs can honor late teammate Devin Willock

“I feel the best way to honor him is to have that same energy that he always brought, and he always played with.”

Georgia offensive lineman Xavier Truss spoke about the effect the loss of late teammate Devin Willock has had as the Bulldogs prepare for the 2023 season without one of their brothers.

“Yeah, I mean obviously you know that was something that was incredibly hard, not just for myself obviously, but on the entire line, and the entire team. That’s a part of my life that I’ll always embrace, the relationship I have with all my teammates. It’s still just as much a pain in my heart, but I’m trying to look on the bright side. Devin had such great energy that he always brought into the facility, so I feel the best way to honor him is to have that same energy that he always brought, and he always played with.”

Truss says the Dawgs are remembering Willock’s memory every day.

“When we’re watching last year’s film, he’s always on there; you always see that big body running around and everything. I’m not sure who drew it, but there’s a hand-drawn portrait of Devin that sits right above the door, so you see it every time you walk in. His seat up front stays empty, so it always feels like he’s there with us, and you know he’s there.”

 

Georgia WR Arian Smith describes UGA freshmen wideouts

Smith breaks down freshman WRs Yazeed Haynes, Tyler Williams and Anthony Evans…

Georgia signed three four-star receivers in its No. 2 ranked 2023 recruiting class in Yazeed Haynes, Tyler Williams and Anthony Evans.

Bulldogs wide receiver Arian Smith spoke about each of the new wideouts in a post-practice press conference on Tuesday.

“He’s [Yazeed Haynes] just quick. He’s just a natural receiver — like, he don’t have to get taught to, like, run routes. It’s just [about] him learning the plays. Once he learns the plays and learns the offense, he’s going to be good”

Haynes, out of Fort Washington, Pa., was rated as the No. 27 wideout, according to rankings by 247Sports.

Smith continued with a comparison to a former NFL receiver when speaking of Evans.

“He’s [Anthony Evans] fast. He’s going to be good, too,” Smith said. “He reminds me a lot like Percy Harvin with the way he runs. It’s like effortless.”

Evans, out of Converse, Texas, was rated as the No. 29 receiver in the 2023 class.

Lastly, Smith described Williams, who was the highest-rated receiver signed coming it at No. 17. Smith and Williams both attended Lakeland High School in Florida

“[He’s] strong. Strong hands. You know, the early [enrollee] guys have got to learn the offense. They’ve got to take the time to learn first.”

We will get a good look at how the young wideouts are progressing when the Dawgs take the field at the annual ‘G-Day’ spring game in Sanford Stadium on April 15.

 

 

 

9 Georgia Bulldogs selected in ESPN’s 7-round NFL mock draft

Here’s where each Bulldog landed in ESPN’s latest NFL mock draft…

Georgia set a modern NFL draft record with 15 selections in last year’s draft.

Although the Bulldogs don’t have as big of a draft class this year, Georgia should be well represented in Kansas City.

ESPN’s latest NFL mock draft is full of Bulldogs: nine selections through seven rounds, including three in the first-round — all in the top 10.

Here’s a look at where each Bulldog landed, along with notes on top selections from ESPN’s Jordan Reid and position rankings from Draft Wire.

 

Georgia OLB Chaz Chambliss talks defensive expectations: ‘Anything else is not good enough.’

It’s all business for this Georgia defense…

Georgia’s offense has taken strides over back-to-back national title seasons, but defense has always been a focus in Athens, especially during head coach Kirby Smart’s tenure.

Smart brought a defense he helped develop at Alabama with a Nick Saban to Athens and has tweaked it to reflect the ever-changing offensive systems in college football.

Even with massive roster turnover from season-to-season thanks to the transfer portal and NFL draft, Smart and the Bulldogs continue to reload and suffocate opposing offenses.

Outside linebacker Chaz Chambliss will be an important part of a young outside linebacker corps following the 2022 season. A former four-star recruit in the class of 2021, Chambliss saw the most action of his career last season and played extensively after the injury to edge defender Nolan Smith.

According to Chambliss, the Bulldogs defensive mindset is what sets them apart.

“Nobody runs the ball on us, nobody gets past third downs on us. Nobody gets in our end zone. … Anything else is not good enough.”

Chambliss noted the youth at outside linebacker and mentioned a lesson he learned from NFL draft-bound teammates Smith and Robert Beal Jr.

“Just being there for the young guys like they were there for me. They were there for me and were helping me get through all the times I had as a freshman because that’s a long journey to when you get to playing shape. Right now, it’s just embracing that role and trying to help the young guys.”

What’s valuable for Georgia is Chambliss’ growth as a third-year defender.

“I feel like a whole different player from the beginning to the end. From Oregon to Ohio State to TCU, it feels like a whole different game.”

Chambliss is the most senior member among an outside linebacker room that includes rising sophomores Marvin Jones Jr. and Darris Smith, along with true freshmen Samuel M’Pemba, Gabe Harris, and Damon Wilson Jr.

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Las Vegas Raiders take Georgia DL Jalen Carter off NFL draft board

Jalen Carter is reportedly off of the Raiders’ draft board. LV has the No. 7 overall pick.

According to a report from The Athletic’s Vic Tafur, star Georgia defensive lineman Jalen Carter has been taken off the NFL draft board of the Las Vegas Raiders, who hold the No. 7 pick.

Tafur’s source cited Carter’s legal troubles in comparison to former Raiders wide receiver Henry Ruggs III as the reasoning behind the move.

Carter, who anchored Georgia defensive line in back-to-back national title seasons, was once widely considered a candidate for the No. 1 pick. However, he has fallen on draft boards due to legal issues and a lackluster pro day.

ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. still has Carter rated as the No. 1 prospect on his big board, but he projects Carter to go sixth to the Detroit Lions in his most recent mock draft. 

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Georgia football projected as the No. 1 team in 2025

247Sports has projected the top-25 teams in CFB for the 2025 season with Georgia at number one on the list. Details here…

247Sports has projected the top 25 teams in college football for the 2025 season. The site’s used metrics that take into account three-year recruiting average per 247Sports’ overall team rankings, future staff outlooks, how quarterback rooms develop, and how conference alignment and scheduling changes potentially affect wins and losses.

The measurements predict Georgia football to be a national title contender for the next three seasons.

“Kirby Smart swears his Dawgs will hunt, but when you’re marked with consecutive national championships, every team in college football is out to get you. It’s hard to envision Georgia falling out of the top two or three spots nationally in the coming years with Smart under a long-term deal and no signs of slowing down in recruiting. No program nationally spends more money annually on its recruiting budget and it has paid off in a big way. This is a machine, much like Saban has built in Tuscaloosa.”

“Smart also has a good problem at quarterback after losing Stetson Bennett. There’s a multi-player battle this spring and all are former elite-level recruits at the position. The Bulldogs did not take a quarterback in their 2023 class because of the depth there, but are in pursuit of a 2024 elite. Four-star Ryan Puglisi is committed as one of that cycle’s early headliners and the Bulldogs are still pushing for No. 1 2024 QB Dylan Raiola.”

The culture Smart has built in Athens is operating at an all-time high. There was expected to be some drop off after the 2021 national title due to the number of players sent to last year’s NFL draft – 15 to be exact – a modern NFL draft record.

Instead, Smart and the Bulldogs followed their first title in 42 years with a 15-0 season in 2022.

If the machine keeps chugging along at this rate, Georgia will be in the national title mix for seasons to come.

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Georgia transfer addition Smoke Bouie acclimating as a Bulldog

“Very quick and agile. He moves well. I think he’s going to make a great fit for our team.”

Georgia defensive back Smoke Bouie was once a highly touted Bulldog commit in the 2022 recruiting class before the Bainbridge, Georgia, native decided to play for Texas A&M.

Bouie (5-foot-11, 180 pounds) spent one season in College Station, appearing in seven games. At one point, he was suspended for violating team rules.

Now in Athens, Bouie has an opportunity to work with some of the top defensive minds in college football and contribute to the back-to-back national champions.

According to teammates, Bouie has the drive it takes to compete in the star-studded defense.

“Smoke (Bouie) is also one of those guys that’s just hungry, you know, coming in from a different school,” defensive back Kamari Lassiter said. “It’s kind of tough, you know, coming into a different environment because you don’t really know anybody. He’s gelled pretty well with us. He’s one of those guys that he just wants to get better every day.”

The Bulldogs are looking for players to step up in the secondary after the departure of cornerback Kelee Ringo and safety Christopher Smith to the 2023 NFL draft.

“Very, very handsy player,” defensive back Javon Bullard said of Bouie. “I love watching him play. He gets hands on receivers, very physical at the point of attack. Very quick and agile. He moves well. I think he’s going to make a great fit for our team.”

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Georgia football offers nation’s No. 2 LB Justin Williams

The five-star is one of the top players in the country…

Georgia football has offered a scholarship to five-star linebacker Justin Williams out of Conroe, Texas.

Williams (6-foot-2, 205 pounds) is rated as the No. 2 linebacker, the No. 5 player in the state of Texas and the No. 24 player overall in the 2024 recruiting class, according to 247Sports Composite.

247Sports recruiting expert Steve Wiltfong currently has Williams projected to sign with the Oregon Ducks, led by former Georgia assistant Dan Lanning.

Here’s a look at Williams’ sophomore season highlight tape. 

Georgia misses out on 5-star TE Duce Robinson

Robinson has committed to USC…

Major Georgia target Duce Robinson, the No. 1 ranked tight end in the 2023 recruiting class (247Sports), committed to USC over the Bulldogs on Thursday.

Robinson, out of Phoenix, Arizona, was projected to sign with Georgia ahead of national signing day in February, but he elected to delay his commitment and decided to join the Trojans led by head coach Lincoln Riley and 2022 Heisman winner Caleb Williams.

Robinson (6-foot-6, 225 pounds) will play both football and baseball in L.A.

The Bulldogs may have missed on the five-star, but Georgia signed two of the top-ranked tight ends in the 2023 recruiting class: Pearce Spurlin (No. 2) and Lawson Luckie (No. 8).