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Live: Signing Day Central for the Georgia Bulldogs

Jacob Eason drew a lot of attention as he spoke to local media in Athens for the first time on Wednesday.
AJC / CHIP TOWERS
Seth Emerson and Chip Towers

ATHENS — Good morning from UGA’s Signing Day Central for DawgNation.com and SEC Country.com. We will be here at Butts-Mehre Heritage Hall all day updating UGA’s 2016 recruiting class as the faxes come in.

 Click here to see a complete list of UGA signees, while we will follow the Bulldogs’ targets on signing day below:

  • 4-star DE/OLB Brian Burns (FSU).
  • 5-star ATH Mecole Hardman, Jr. (UGA)
  • 3-star WR Tyler Simmons (UGA)
  • 4-star DT Michail Carter (UGA)
  • 5-star ILB Ben Davis (Alabama)
  • 4-star OT Jauan Williams (FSU)
  • 3-star S Jeawon Taylor (Florida)
  • 2 p.m.: 5-star OLB Lyndell “Mack” Wilson (Alabama)
  • 2 p.m.: 3-star DE David Marshall (UGA)
  • 2:45 p.m.: 4-star OL E.J. Price (USC) WSBTV.com
  • 3 p.m.: 5-star DL Derrick Brown (Auburn)
  • 5:30 p.m.: 4-star ILB Jaleel Laguins (Watkinsville). The UGA commit will decide between the Bulldogs, Alabama and Florida.

Here’s a recap of the rest of the day for UGA …

5:35 p.m. — And finally, Georgia got its last letter-of-intent of the day from linebacker Jaleel Laguins of Watkinsville. The 6-foot-2, 209-pound athlete waited to the end of the day so his parents could attend his ceremony at Oconee County High School after work. Laguins chose the Bulldogs over Alabama and Florida and will be the only inside linebacker in this class.

4:15 p.m. — After a day-long wait, Tyler Clark is officially in the fold. He becomes the 19th signee, with Jaleel Laguins expected to be the 20th.

3:45 p.m. — Just got back from meeting with three of Georgia’s six midyear enrollees. The Bulldogs made quarterback Jacob Eason, tight end Isaac Nauta and defensive lineman Julian Rochester available on Wednesday. Supposedly we’ll get Chad Clay, Ben Cleveland and Riley Ridley sometime in the not too distant future.

Eason, the No. 1-rated pro-style quarterback in the nation, drew most of the attention, as expected. Eason was excited about the Bulldogs’ recruiting class, and athlete Mecole Hardman in particular. He said he’s known for “a while” that Hardman was coming to UGA and that it was “hard to keep it a secret.”

Eason said he is also actively recruiting receiver Demetris Robertson to come to Athens. The 5-star athlete from Savannah isn’t going to sign until after signing day and is still set to make an official visit to UGA.

“I think we’ve got one more (coming) with D-Rob. Hopefully we’ll get him. I’m sure I’m going to see him around. He’s a great friend of mine. Great guy like Mecole, great speed, great hands, all that. I really hope he decides to come here. But it’s his decision ultimately. He’s a great kid and I’d love to play with him.

Meanwhile, the 6-foot-5 quarterback said he has gained nearly 20 pounds in the 23 days he has been on campus and is now weighing in at 230 pounds.

3:10 p.m. — A bad 10 minutes for Georgia, which loses five-star defensive lineman Derrick Brown to Auburn a short time after losing OT E.J. Price to Southern California. Smart still felt good about Georgia’s D-line class when he spoke less an hour earlier, having signed Julian Rochester and Michail Carter, and evidently knowing that David Marshall was going to flip from Auburn. But Brown was the highest-rated of the bunch.

3:00 p.m. — As had been the building scuttlebutt all afternoon, Archer offensive tackle E.J. Price ended up signing with Southern Cal on Wednesday. Price was once committed to UGA under former head coach Mark Richt but de-committed after the coaching change. He was a high-priority target for the Bulldogs.

2:45 p.m. — Just coming from Kirby Smart’s media briefing on Georgia’s 2016 signing class. In the middle of Smart’s remarks, defensive end David Marshall of Thomaston flipped from Auburn and signed with the Bulldogs. That coincided with Smart’s comments that he felt that he and his staff had adequately addressed their needs on the defensive line.

However, he said of their recruitment on the offensive line, “that’s area we’re disappointed in. The Bulldogs have three in their ledger so far in Ben Cleveland, Chris Barnes and Solomon Kindley and projections for Archer’s E.J. Price weren’t good heading into his late-afternoon announcement.

That said, Smart was mostly upbeat about the Bulldogs’ 2016 class, and said the pressure is now on him and Georgia’s coaching class and not these players.

“To you guys it may be about stars and rankings,” he said. ‘To me about it’s new Bulldogs and members of the family.”

2:06 p.m. — Georgia just missed on another Alabama flip. Linebacker Lyndell “Mack” Wilson chooses the Crimson Tide.

1:57 p.m. – Just to remove any doubt: Tyler Clark has indeed signed with Georgia at his school, per a tweet:

1:40 p.m. — OK, things are about to happen pretty fast here. You can see the announcement schedule above. And in the midst of all that Kirby Smart is scheduled to hold his signing day press conference at 2:15 p.m. That will be interesting to follow, considering the timing. Right now, it appears Marshall is the best bet to choose Georgia. Things have not been trending well on Price, while Brown remains a mystery to many. Wilson has been though to favor Alabama all along, so if Georgia somehow pulls that out it will be quite a coup.

1:12 p.m. — Hey, remember this guy?

1:06 p.m. — Georgia signed a punter, but apparently won’t sign a kicker. And it may not get a preferred walk-on, at least not today. Mitchell Wasson, a place-kicker from Lassiter High School who had an offer to walk-on at Georgia, will instead walk-on at Alabama. Failing a late add, Georgia will head into the spring with walk-ons Rodrigo Blankenship and William Ham the leading candidates to kick. Of course Marshall Long, who signed to punt, could always place-kick while Brice Ramsey handles punting. Or Long could do both. We shall see.

12:45 p.m. — For what it’s worth, Mays wide receiver Randrecous Davis signed with South Carolina about an hour ago. He chose the Gamecocks over Miami. He was a long-time UGA commitment under Mark Richt but the Bulldogs cooled him under Smart. He has the “Power G” tattooed on one of his biceps.

12:30 p.m. — So we had our head down, absorbed in the laptop, when a voice at  the door could be heard saying: “Y’all working very hard here.” It was linebacker Davin Bellamy, who stuck his head in the door, smiled and left.

12:20 p.m. — Another letter-of-intent has rolled in: Defensive lineman Michail Carter, who announced for Georgia earlier this morning. That officially gives Georgia 17 right now. (Not counting Tyler Clark and Jaleel Laguins, now the lone remaining commitments who have yet to send in their LOIs.)

12:15 p.m. — While it’s quiet for now on the Georgia front, an interesting note on a former Bulldog commitment: Receiver Randrecous Davis, he of the G tattoo, has signed with South Carolina. He’s going to be playing for Bryan McClendon. And Davis, after de-committing from Georgia, chose South Carolina/McClendon over Miami/Mark Richt/Thomas Brown. So that must have made for some interesting recruiting behind the scenes.

11:45 a.m. — It’s quiet for the moment, but the afternoon is shaping up to be very eventful, especially if you care where Georgia finishes in the national team rankings. Right now the Bulldogs are a bit all over the place: No. 6 in 247Sports and ESPN, but No. 10 in Scout and 12 in Rivals. That averages out to No. 8 in the 247Sports Composite. … And there are three big announcements coming rat-a-tat starting at 2 p.m.: David Marshall, E.J. Price and Derrick Brown. Win all three, and Georgia could rocket up to near the top. Lose all three (which almost certainly won’t happen), and the Bulldogs could still finish out of the top 10. … And we haven’t even mentioned five-star Demetris Robertson, who it appears will not sign today.

11:30 a.m. — Georgia just passed out an as-of-now signing class roster, and the highlight – which may very well be a typo – is OL Solomon Kindley being listed at 370 pounds. Yes, 370. That’s 40 pounds heavier than he is on his 247Sports profile. Ben Cleveland, another O-lineman, is also listed much heavier, at 345 pounds, and considering he’s an early enrollee there’s a better chance that’s accurate. Among the other early enrollees, defensive lineman Julian Rochester is also up a few pounds, up to 327, while tight end Isaac Nauta (now 237 pounds) has dropped a few.

11:05 a.m. — Georgia head coach Kirby Smart addresses the 2016 class for the first time during an interview on the georgiadogs.com set at Butts-Mehre Heritage Hall. Here’s some highlights.

10:38 a.m. — OK, a bit of a bad run for the Bulldogs this hour, as they also miss out on offensive lineman Jauan Williams. The four-star prospect from Washington, D.C., just announced for Florida State on ESPNU.

10:35 a.m. — Here’s another one Georgia couldn’t quite reel in: Jeawon Taylor, a safety rated a three-star in some places and a four-star in others. Taylor was committed to Florida, and Georgia made a late run, but Taylor re-affirmed his commitment to the Gators just now.

10:27 a.m. — There are two players who have been committed to Georgia who have yet to send in their LOIs: Offensive lineman Tyler Clark and linebacker Jaleel Laguins. Is there some drama with either? Laguins is announcing Wednesday night whether he’s sticking with Georgia. (It’s expected he will.) There hasn’t been anything with Clark, which could just be a simple case of waiting to send in his letter. It is a school day, after all. But if something else is going on we should know soon.

10:19 a.m. — Georgia fans will get to hear from Kirby Smart about this class for the first time at around 11 a.m. when he’s scheduled to go on the set with Chuck Dowdle and D.J. Shockley. The show is streaming on georgiadogs.com.

10:14 a.m. — The second miss of the morning for Georgia, but this also was expected: Outside linebacker Ben Davis, a five-star from Alabama, will stay in the state and play for Nick Saban and Jeremy Pruitt. Georgia made a late run at Davis after Kirby Smart’s hire, but it wasn’t enough. The only other miss so far for the Bulldogs has been five-star defensive lineman Brian Burns, who opted for Florida State.

10:02 a.m. — Now it’s official with Tyler Simmons, the receiver who Georgia flipped away from Alabama this morning.

9:43 a.m. — The Bulldogs get another much-needed offensive lineman as the paperwork for Solomon Kindley (6-5, 330) of Jacksonville arrives. You can read his profile HERE.

9:40 a.m. — A great morning, so far, for Kirby Smart and Georgia. The only miss thus far has been Brian Burns, and that wasn’t much of a surprise. Mecole Hardman was expected, but it’s still a 5-star. Tyler Simmons and Michail Carter could be good gets as well. As of this moment Georgia’s class ranks sixth nationally in the 247Sports Composite, third in the SEC behind LSU and Ole Miss.

9:33 a.m. — Boom! Georgia nabs another Bama commitment. Wide receiver Tyler Simmons of McEachern High announces for Bulldogs. Here’s Jeff Sentell’s report. 

9:31 a.m. — Georgia next hoping to hear from Tyler Simmons, whose announcement was scheduled at 9 a.m. but is waiting for teammates to make their choices first. After that there are ceremonies scheduled for Ben Davis and Jeawon Taylor.

9:29 a.m. — Woodward Academy running back Elijah Holyfield is in. You may have heard of his father. His PROFILE.

Fruit pulling up the rear.
Fruit pulling up the rear.

9:14 a.m. — Food update. Chick-fil-A wins. By a mile.

9:09 a.m. — Another new one for Georgia: Defensive lineman Michail Carter has announced for the Bulldogs, choosing them over Alabama, Clemson and others.

9:07 a.m. — Mecole Hardman’s letter-of-intent is in at Georgia. And the fact it came in and was announced so quickly after the ceremony would appear to back up that Georgia was the choice for awhile.

9:03 a.m. — For those who want to watch it, Kirby Smart will be on UGA’s signing day show at 11 a.m. You can view it at Georgiadogs.com.

9:02 a.m. — This guy is pretty happy about the Hardman news.

8:42 a.m. — The first truly “Big Dawg” is in. Five-star athlete Mecole Hardman has announced for the Dawgs. DawgNation’s Jeff Sentell is on the scene in Elberton. You can read his report HERE.

8:40 a.m. — Javon Wims, the wide receiver from Hinds Community College in Mississippi, has inked with Georgia. Wims made headlines for inviting Buford football team manager Brandon Sudge to join him at UGA for his official visit this past weekend.

8:33 a.m. — It’s not going to be all victories for the Bulldogs today. Brian Burns, a defensive end target from Sony Michel’s American Heritage High in Fort Lauderdale, has signed with Florida State.

Toni Devane is ready for your questions.
Toni Devane is ready for your questions.

8:27 a.m — Toni Devane, UGA’s receptionist in Heritage Hall, has index cards and is taking up questions for head coach Kirby Smart to pull out and answer later. He’s expected to be on Georgia’s set with Chuck Dowdle and D.J. Shockley at 11 a.m.

8:24 a.m. — Charlie Woerner, nephew of Hall of Fame cornerback/ punt returner Scott Woerner, has sent in his paperwork. That’s 11 for the Dogs total.

Butts8:19 a.m. — Fans are slowly starting to trickle into the Butts-Mehre’s Heritage Hall for donuts and coffee and recruiting bliss. UGA has set up a broadcast position at the north end where Chuck Dowdell and D.J. Shockley will be doing a live show from 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

8:14 a.m. — Georgia gets its punter! Marshall Long has joined the 2016 signees.

8:01 a.m. — Chauncey Manac, an outside linebacker from Clinch County High, has sent in his letter-of-intent. That’s three for the Bulldogs today. They have nine overall in the class including the six early enrollees.

5:54 a.m. — Chris Barnes, an offensive tackle from Leesburg, becomes the Bulldogs’ second signee of national signing day. You can read his profile HERE.

7:42 a.m. — Biscuit number one for Chip. UGA, well known for its hospitality, has put out a pile of Chick-fil-A biscuits, donuts and fruit for the media covering today’s proceedings. We’re expecting to a close race between biscuits and donuts to run out first. The fruit is probably safe.

7:20 a.m. — Tyrique McGhee, a defensive back from Peach County, became the Bulldogs’ first official signee of 2016, according to georgiadogs.com’s official Twitter feed. You can read his profile HERE.

7:02 a.m. — Arriving at Georgia’s Butts-Mehre Building before dawn this morning, you could tell it was a different sort of day. Foley Field baseball stadium was fully aglow with every light on, which reflected off the shiny black Butts-Mehre football complex next door.

NEXT It’s official: Tyrique McGhee signs with UGA
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