This seems familiar.
It might read like a proven play out of Georgia coach Kirby Smart’s recruiting playbook.
That’s the need to replace bad news on the recruiting trail with spike of momentum in the other direction. Georgia did that last year when it lost out on 5-star receiver Demetris Robertson. The Bulldogs followed that up with the commitment of 4-star receiver Trey Blount to recoup positive vibes.
That was exactly what happened on Monday afternoon.
Georgia lost on 3-star LB Monty Rice and then hit on 3-star junior college OT D’Marcus Hayes from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College.
Hayes, who is rated as the nation’s No. 2 tackle in the junior college ranks, chose Georgia over Mississippi State. He shared his decision via his personal Twitter account.
The likely plug-and-play offensive tackle ranks as the No. 20 junior college prospect in America for this year’s signing cycle.
Hayes is expected to have two seasons of eligibility in Athens. Hayes is a December graduate and will enroll at UGA in January.
The 6-foot-6, 325-pounder should instantly compete for playing time on Sam Pittman’s offensive line. He could line up at left tackle or right tackle. That will depend on what the Bulldogs plan to do with Isaiah Wynn.
Hayes becomes the 19th commitment for Georgia’s highly-rated recruiting class. He’s now the third offensive tackle and the fifth offensive line recruit for the Class of 2017.
The Bulldogs are currently rated No. 3 in 247Sports’ team composite rankings.