T’was the night before National Signing Day, when all through Bulldog Nation, Darius Slayton decommitted from the University of Georgia. Not the start Georgia was hoping for as the No. 15 wide receiver in the 247Sports Composite broke the news via Twitter (@Young_Slay2) at 10:30 Tuesday night, only to commit to Auburn 60 seconds later.
— Darius Slayton (@Young_Slay2) February 4, 2015
Despite the rocky start to the 2015 class, Georgia’s fax machine started buzzing and never looked back. 29 new Bulldogs joined the team, including eight early enrollees, capping off National Signing Day with the No. 8 recruiting class in the country.
NFL veteran coordinator Brian Schottenheimer replaces long time Georgia offensive coordinator Mike Bobo, who left to become the head coach at Colorado State. Schottenheimer’s first class includes nine offensive players. One of the most notable signee on the offensive roster is Terry Godwin, a 5-star athlete, who Georgia listed at wide receiver. Godwin had Bulldog Nation on its toes, sending in his papers at 6:20p.m. Wednesday night, sticking with his commitment rather than flipping to Auburn or Alabama.
No surprise for CMR. Why wouldn't you wanna come play for him? Welcome home @TerryGodwin_4!!!! #Fam15 pic.twitter.com/r92oThO7FU
— Jamie Han (@jamiehan) February 4, 2015
“I was very pleased with the decision Terry Godwin made this evening,” head coach Mark Richt said in a statement released by the school. “He’s an exceptionally talented young man, a good student, and a good person. His future is bright at UGA.”
Others joining Godwin are 3-star receivers Michael Chigbu, Jayson Stanley and Shaquery Wilson (ATH). The Bulldogs also picked up tight end Jackson Harris and running back Tae Crowder.
The Bulldogs signed four big guys up front, signing Patrick Allen, Sam Madden, DeVondre Seymour and Sage Hardin to report to new offensive line coach, Rob Sale. Sale replaces former offensive line coach Will Friend, who left to become the offensive coordinator at Colorado State University.
19 out of the 29 signees will be reporting to defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt. Georgia landed Trenton Thompson, who is listed as the No. 1 recruit in the nation according to 247Sports. The 5-star, 6-foot-4, 293 lbs defensive tackle verbally committed to Georgia in August and made a huge impact in recruiting other prospects for the class. Following Thompson to the defensive line roster are five 4-star defensive ends: Michael Barnett, Johnathan Ledbetter, Natrez Patrick, Chauncey Rivers and D’Andre Walker.
Thompson has such an influence on and off the field that he is working on 4-star OLB Roquan Smith to commit to Georgia. He was present at Macon County High School to watch Smith commit to UCLA over UGA. After announcing his decision, Smith was bombarded by fans and media, not getting an opportunity to sign and send in his LOI immediately. In the stalled time, he learned that UCLA defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, Smith’s primary recruiter, is considering taking a position with the Atlanta Falcons. And since then, he has pulled his commitment from UCLA and will take the week to reevaluate. If Thompson and the rest of the class along with the coaches can convince Smith to sign with the Bulldogs, he will be the seventh linebacker in the 2015 class.
@RoquanSmith1 BRUH COME ON TO THE FAM!!!!!
— Jayson 2❤️Stanley (@Itslilstanley) February 4, 2015
“@RoquanSmith1: There is no perfect school nor 100% right choice #SigningDay” Yes there is @UGAAthletics
— Thomas Davis (@ThomasDavisSDTM) February 4, 2015
JUCO transfer Chuks Amaechi and 4-star outside linebacker Gary McCrae are just few names of the new group of linebackers. They’re also joined by Jake Ganus, Natrez Patrick, Juwan Taylor and D’Andre Walker. With All-SEC standout linebackers Amarlo Herrera and Ramik Wilson leaving for the NFL, a few of these players could get an early opportunity to make an impact.
Finishing off the 2015 class are seven defensive backs. Safeties Jonathan Abram and Rashad Roundtree are both excellent pick ups for the Bulldogs, and will help out Pruitt’s secondary. Along with Abram and Roundtree joins cornerbacks Deandre Baker, Juwuan Briscoe, Kirby Choates, Rico McGraw, Rashad Roundtree and Jarvis Wilson. The group will be helpful in the defensive backfield, providing a lot of depth where the Bulldogs need it.
“Well, there’s no doubt we feel like we needed to bolster what’s going on in that defensive backfield, and we believe we did that,” Richt said in his press conference. “A lot of talented guys, a lot of guys that are going to compete well, but it’s a situation I think where they saw opportunity, and we’ll probably ‑‑ the goal is to be able to do some things defensively that ‑‑ play a little more man coverage and challenge people a little bit more, and I think we’ve got a great bunch of guys to do that.”
Overall, Richt and company made great strides with the signing class despite the last minute coaching changes and recruits flipping. The defense added great depth to the chart and with a veteran of offensive players returning in addition to the new signees, the Bulldogs are at no miscue to have a great season.
“It has been a great day to be a Dawg,” Richt said.
*Photo credits to Dale Zanine, USA Today Sports
