Georgia might have been edged for the national championship last month, but the Bulldogs had all but secured the national title on the recruiting trail back in December, and a Georgia assistant is being recognized for his part in that.
Dell McGee, the team’s running backs coach, was announced as Rivals’ 2018 Recruiter of the Year for helping reel in an astounding class that finished No. 1 in the nation by a comfortable margin.
According to the 247Sports composite rankings, Georgia (323.3) beat out No. 2 Ohio State (317.1) and No. 3 Texas (300.1) based on its point-based system. Aside from that, the Bulldogs got commitments from seven 5-star prospects, two more than Clemson.
Of Georgia’s 26 commitments, 22 were either a 4-star or better. McGee especially made an impact at his respective position, helping land 5-star RB Zamir White and 4-star James Cook from out-of-state programs.
McGee also played a factor in getting pledges from a trio of 5-stars: QB Justin Fields, G Jamaree Salyer and DE Brenton Cox. He also assisted with three more 4-stars: CB Christopher Smith, DE Azeez Ojulari and C Warren Ericson.
McGee joined coach Kirby Smart’s staff just weeks before the 2017 season, helping to land 5-star RB D’Andre Swift, who is projected as Georgia’s No. 1 running back next season after posting 81 carries for 618 yards (7.6 yards per carry) and 3 TDs as a true freshman. He also had 17 receptions for 153 yards and another TD.
According to Rivals, Georgia had never finished better than No. 3 in the Rivals.com recruiting rankings and has ranked in the top five on just two other occasions. Meanwhile, the most 5-star prospects the Bulldogs had managed previously was three.
Georgia did especially well compared to its SEC counterparts. That includes Alabama, which finished No. 7 in the 247Sports composite rankings after finishing No. 1 in seven straight years dating back to 2011. The Tide were the only other SEC program to rank in the top 10.
