Georgia turning ’17 success into recruiting gold

ATHENS, GA. » Momentum created by Georgia’s 2017 success has helped Kirby Smart reload for another championship run.

After Georgia landed the nation’s top-rated signing class in February, Smart’s recruiting roll has continued. He’s adding more big-name recruits from all around the country as he continues to chase Bulldogs’ first national championship since 1980.

Smart and his assistant coaches have taken advantage of Georgia’s breakthrough 2017 season that included the SEC title and a loss to Alabama in the national championship game.

That’s why Smart proclaimed at the SEC’s annual media gathering last month “The momentum we created from last season has been tremendous for us through recruiting.”

According to the 247 Sports Composite ranking, Georgia is No. 1 on the 2019 recruiting list, one spot ahead of Alabama.

Independence (Kansas) Community College defensive end Jermaine Johnson, ranked by 247 Sports as the nation’s top junior college player, said last week he will sign with the Bulldogs. Last month, Georgia received a commitment from defensive tackle Travon Walker, a five-star prospect from Thomaston, Georgia. Earlier this year, five-star defensive end Nolan Smith, from Bradenton, Florida announced his plans to sign with the Bulldogs.

Verbal commitments are non-binding.

Among seven five-star signees in this year’s freshman class are quarterback Justin Fields and tailback Zamir White.