Weekend Overview: Long List of Stars on Campus

As recruiting season continues, multiple high school phenoms are on campus for the Bulldogs this weekend.

Ethan Offutt | Jun 4, 2023

It is officially June, which only means one thing. We are in the thick of recruiting season and official visits. The Dawgs have already started their official visits and hosted a long list of stars on campus this weekend, planting some current commits to do some recruiting as well. Let's take a look at who all was on campus this weekend.

This weekend's visits started Friday, June 2nd, and will end Sunday, evening —a whopping total of 16 athletes are on this official visit. Kirby Smart will welcome back six current commits, including Dylan Raiola, Ellis Robinson IV, Peyton Woodyard, Ny Carr, Damello Jones, and Demarcus Riddick.

Defense

For years to come, Ellis Robinson IV, Peyton Woodyard, and Damello Jones will be scary for opposing offenses facing the Dawg's secondary. Ranked top-6 at each of their respected positions, it could make for one of the best-ranking secondary classes Georgia has recruited in a long time and maybe even the best secondary class ever, as long as nothing changes come signing day.

Also on the defensive side of commits is Demarcus Riddick. Riddick has been one of Smart's longest-standing verbal commits out of the 2024 class. Committing back in November of 2022, the No. 3 LB has an important visit ahead of him this weekend. The Alabama native is coming back to campus after seeing how Sammy Brown, the No. 1 LB for the class of 2024, enjoyed his day with Raiola a few weekends back. If Smart and his Bulldogs' defense are able to land these two players, it could take their defense to a level never seen before.

Smart also hosted the No. 9 linebacker for the class of 2024 in Joseph Phillips. A Tuskegee, AL. native, the 4-star recruit tallied 75 tackles, nine sacks, and two forced fumbles following his junior season. Although listed as weighing 257 lbs according to his 247Sports profile, Phillips would definitely be a key piece to the Dawgs' defense if they are able to land a commitment from this 6' 2" prospect in Auburn territory.

Smart and Tray Scott hosted Williams Nwaneri and Justin Scott on the other side of the line. Nwaneri and Scott are currently ranked the No. 1 and No. 3 defensive lineman in the 2024 class and have the attributes and skill set to first right into any team they will join following their senior seasons. If Smart is able to land a commitment from one of these two players following this weekend, the 2024 class maybe even better than what everybody was already expecting.

A possibility of landing a commit from the No. 2 EDGE in the 2024 class, Dylan Stewart, would also help that case. As a junior at Friendship Collegiate Academy in Washington D.C., the 6' 5", 235 lb athlete tallied 16 sacks to help lead his team to a DCSAA Class AA state championship. With a championship background and an excellent frame to grow into, Stewart could come in and make an immediate impact on Smart's defense.

Also in town was in-state product Justin Greene. Watching the Mountain View defensive lineman's tape, you can see a few immediate positives in Greene's game. The 6' 4" DL is able to play both DT/DE, which is always a plus, but what is even more impressive is his patience off the ball. Greene doesn't get too far upfield, allowing him more time to read where the ball will be and explode there to make a play.

Offense

This was Dylan Railoa's second time back in Athens this summer after being in town May 19th for Georgia's annual recruiting scavenger hunt, "Where is Coach Smart?" Raiola was busy that weekend, working with some prospects on that visit, including Ny Carr, but he was there "unofficially." Raiola is on his official visit gave him another chance to put on his recruiting hat and create "the best class ever."

Ny Carr is an exceptional athlete from Colquitt County that committed to the G in February this year. Carr is currently the ninth-best WR for the 2024 class, according to 247Sports, but he has seen his rankings steadily climb since verbally joining the Dawgs. He wasn't the only receiver on campus this weekend as five-star Ryan Wingo was in town was well.

Wingo is a coveted WR prospect who is a native of Missouri. The Dawgs receiver room has recently added another Missouri native in Dominic Lovvett, which may be overlooked when considering Wingo's recruitment. So far, the Dawgs have verbal commits from Carr, Sacovie White, and "Nitro" Tuggle, but will more than likely be looking to add a fourth or possibly a fifth and bolster their depth at that position, the way Smart has done for the offensive line and the defenses front seven.

Daniel Calhoun is a prospect that Raiola hopes to bring to Georgia with him and the 6'5 offensive tackle was made to feel like a priority this weekend. Kirby Smart and his staff have been impressed with Calhoun for a long time, offering him in the Summer of 2020. Calhoun is an in-state product from Marietta, GA., and holds an offer from Tennessee as well, where Calhoun has been spending much of his time recently. Although the Vols seem to be steadily improving, a mixture of the No. 1 player in the 2024 class and seeing a few championship rings may sway some things after this weekend.

Marques Easley is another prospect the Dawgs have been hot on recently. Offering the towering 6' 7" OT from Illinois in January, the 4-star recruit was in Athens for his first time. Although Easley has a huge frame, he is a quick athlete. You can see Easley's explosiveness with his first punch off the ball on tape. In multiple plays, you see defensive lineman's pads jult back when his paws get ahold of their shoulder pads. He is a prospect who burst into the Power-5 conversation after an impressive junior season for Kankakee High School, and Georgia is looking to add more talent to their line.

An offensive line always needs someone to run behind them, and the No. 2 running back for the class of '24, Jerrick Gibson, is looking for a new line to protect him following his high school career. The Dawgs have that to offer, and with a great history of Georgia running backs, that may open Gibson's eye. Another note that may open his eyes is the fact that Georgia currently holds one commit from an RB in the '24 class. There is still a long road ahead in Gibson's recruitment, but Smart will definitely be working his magic with this highly-touted RB from Florida.

Carter Nelson, a three-sport athlete from Nebraska, was also on campus and was able to spend some one-on-one time with Todd Hartley. A 6' 4" tight end with an impressive seven-foot high jump will surely widen any scout's eyes. The Dawgs currently only have one tight end committed for the 2024 class but are not afraid to bring in more. Nelson would be a perfect prospect for Hartley and the Dawgs if they aren't able to land Caleb Odom.

Unofficially joining the crew on this visit was Justus Terry. Terry is currently the No. 3 ranked defensive lineman for the 2025 class and will have a great opportunity to meet some of his future teammates. After committing in January this year, Alabama, Florida State, and Florida have offered the 6' 5" Manchester, GA. product. Being around some future teammates will excite any recruit, allowing them to dream about their futures.

Kirby Smart and his staff have been busy all week; with SEC spring meetings wrapped up and official visits this weekend, the Dawgs will hope to land a commitment from the long list of stars on campus this weekend.

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Published Jun 4, 2023

ETHAN OFFUTT