UGA Football Recruiting: Smart and Staff have some closing to do

The 2020 UGA recruiting class has just 16 commits, and with another loss of an instate 5-star, Smart and Staff have some closing to do

Yesterday the recruiting world was sent a bit of a shockwave. Though the chances of Arik Gilbert announcing he'd be playing at LSU was a possibility, most thought he was going to Alabama (88% of 247sports.com crystal ball predictions) with a slight chance for the home Dawgs to land the instate talent. 

LSU came out of nowhere, and one could only assume that the recent change in the offense, bringing in the young offensive guru Joe Brady from the New Orleans Saints, may have won Gilbert over. 

Since Joe Brady has taken over as the passing game coordinator at LSU, the Tigers have become one of the most explosive teams in the country. 

Joe Burrow's second in the country in Yards. LSU is second in the country in scoring offense. Third in the country in yards per game. Long gone are the days of the Power-I formation in Baton Rouge. 

So, with just 16 commits in the 2020 class, and yet another in-state target having departed on other ventures, it's safe to say that Kirby Smart and staff have some closing to do. 

Here are the top remaining targets: 

Running Backs:

It's been rumored for some time that Georgia's staff wants to sign two running backs in the 2020 cycle, and with a solid commitment from Kendall Milton, that leaves room for one more. 

Zach Evans - The nation's top back is still available and his recruitment to this point has boiled down to Georgia and LSU. If paired with Kendall Milton, the two would surpass Nick Chubb and Sony Michel in the class of 2014 as the highest-ranked pair of backs ever at Georgia. 

According to Evans himself, he's decided...

I’ve decided 💯

— Zach Evans (@Runzekerun01) September 20, 2019

Ashaad Clayton - The Warren Easton running back out of New Orleans has long been connected to LSU. However, who's to say that connection might be slightly severed if Zach Evans picks LSU. Or maybe a certain Georgia commit and teammate Sedrick Van Pran can sway him if need be. 

Jahmyr Gibbs - First things first, yes Mr. Gibbs is a Georgia Tech commit and has been since May of this year. Just keep an eye out, things could potentially heat up around the back from Dalton, Georgia if Georgia misses out on others. On the radar, not quite a target just yet. 

Tank Bigsby is currently an Auburn commit, but hey so was George Pickens at one point. Things could change. 

Wide Receiver

Arian Smith - When talking about Arian Smith, you lead with the world-class speed. This is a 10.3 100-meter runner, that is a dynamite playmaker on the football field. Our information tells us that despite Georgia's early lead, Clemson has made way and Alabama is slowly moving in. 

Michael Henderson - Henderson is an Oklahoma commit and is an absolute wildcard for multiple reasons. No one truly knows what he's going to play at the next level, but everyone knows the guy can play. Currently playing QB for his high school team, the 4-star is ranked as the 10th best athlete in the 2020 class. He liked Georgia early, we will see if Kirby can close. 

Tight End

Darnell Washington - With Gilbert gone and off the board, the conversation in the Athens war room revolves around Washington who was in town for the Notre Dame game sitting alongside UGA commit Carson Beck and fellow TE target Theo Johnson. The 6'7 specimen from Nevada is truly one of a kind. 

Bottom to Top- Theo Johnson, Darnell Washington, Carson Beck 

Theo Johnson - The tight end from Canada is currently being battled over by a couple of big ten teams in Iowa and Penn State. The Georgia staff will most likely be visiting Johnson soon with hopes of making their way further into the conversation and ideally, they pair Johnson with Washington. 

Defensive Line 

Jordan Burch - If Georgia is going to run down the top spot in the 2020 class, it's going to take a big fish. Well, the biggest fish is still available. Jordan Burch maintained the #1 overall ranking for quite some time before being surpassed by Brian Breese after the open. The DE from South Carolina is Clemson's to lose at this point, but Georgia has a seat at the table. 

Zykeivious Walker - The Schley County defensive end is a lengthy prospect at 6'4 with incredible reach, he's a fluid athlete that's been on Georgia's board for quite some time, receiving an offer back in February of 2018. He's Georgia's to lose at the point. 

Linebacker 

Noah Sewell - By far this writer's favorite prospect in this class. It's rare you see a 256-pound athlete destroy people on defense, then proceed to juke, leap and of course run over defenders while playing running back. What a system fit he would be at Georgia too, Kirby Smart could play him anywhere in the box and a perfect counterbalance to the type of backer Nakobe Dean is. 

He's linked to Oregon, where his older brother currently plays, but Georgia is not to be slept on here. 

Defensive Back 

Kelee Ringo - Ringo is the bold name at the top of the DB's board right alongside UGA commit Jalen Kimber. He's everything you could want in a corner, then some. A 4.3 forty at 6'2 with incredible length, it's no reason he's the #1 CB in the class. He has enjoyed several trips to Athens, and Georgia seems to lead here. 

Dontae Manning - Georgia's been making moves on the corner from Missouri lately. Most of Manning's recruitment has been from the likes of A&M and Oklahoma, but our sources believe Manning has received love from the Georgia staff recently.