Georgia Football: Is Kirby Smart Out Recruiting Nick Saban?

Kirby Smart has been all business since he became the man in charge of Georgia football, especially when recruiting. Just how good has Smart been on the trail cycle? Let’s take a look.

On December 6th, 2016, Georgia football hired former Alabama Crimson Tide defensive coordinator Kirby Smart. Smart took over as DC in year two of Saban’s charge in Tuscaloosa, and its been lights out ever since.

For 8 years, Saban and Smart consistently had one of the most stellar defenses across the nations and wiped the recruiting trails clean. Since taking over in Athens, it’s been smooth sailing so far for Georgia football.

Things are looking real good down there in Georgia football territory. Even in his short tenure, Smart has taken whatever he learned from Saban (or possibly taught) about recruiting to Athens. He might even be out recruiting Lord Saban. That’s got to be good music to the ears of Georgia football fans.

Since taking over for the Bulldogs after the national championship, Smart’s success in recruiting has not gone unnoticed. He’s building something special for all Georgia football fans. When he first stepped in the building, the 2016 class was strong but there were issues. Lingering reports of recruits like Jacob Eason, Ben Cleveland, and Mecole Hardman being drawn away from Georgia after the firing of Mark Richt surfaced.

When Kirby took over, he closed the deal on both lingering 5-Stars (Eason and Hardman) and 4-Star guard, Ben Cleveland. He also pulled Rile Ridley — brother of Alabama star Calvin Ridley — from South Carolina to tack on another 4-Star to Georgia’s 2016 recruiting resume.

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The success didn’t stop there for Smart, as the 2017 class has been just as good for him. In his tenure leading Georgia football, Smart has closed the deal on 4 247Sports Top 100 ranked recruits. Included in that group is 5-Star and #2 ranked defense end Robert Beal. On top of that, Smart has also earned pledges from highly coveted wideout Trey Blount. Blount isn’t someone who is as highly ranked as others, but is seen as one of the best wideouts in the class. Georgia and Smart have also pulled CB’s Latavious Brini and William Poole III from Florida’s grasp, both who seemed to be Gators before the recent events.

Smart has cleaned up shop on the recruiting trail defensively for sure, but has unexpectedly done just as good of a job on offense. In his short tenure, he has secured the aforementioned 5-Star QB Jacob Eason from the class of 2016. He has also earned what seems like a commitment to stay from 4-Star class of 2017 QB Jake Fromm. On top of the QBs, the former Tide DC has also reeled in aforementioned Trey Blount, 4-Star guard Netori Johnson, 4-Star tackle D’Antne Demery and 6’5 3-Star wideout Matt Landers.

Along with the pledges Smart has already earned, Georgia is expected to add another THREE five-star recruits in the class of 2017 in D’Andre Swift, JaCoby Stevens and Cam Akers. Names who are expected to be joining the Bulldogs alongside those highly coveted names are four 4-Star and top 100 recruits Deangelo Gibbs, Andrew Thomas, and Malik Herring.

At this rate, if Georgia football and Smart keep this up, they could see themselves having the #1 class of 2017 with ease. It would also be one of the best classes in the recent history of college recruiting.

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Obviously, all things are easier said than done. If Smart underperforms coaching wise, he could lose some of these commits and recruits leaning their way. Even with that being possible/said, what Smart has been doing on the recruiting trail in his short tenure — and with UGA underperforming last season — is rather remarkable. As a Gator fan, I’m rather worried.

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