Everything that needs to be written, blogged or said about UGA-Alabama was probably already said by Thursday. What still needs to be divulged is an updated report showing the inbound traffic of blue-chip talent to Athens this week.
Who’s in? Who’s out? Who does UGA hope has a nice dry spot to watch the game with lots of Gore-Tex gear on?
We’ve worked to update the guest list as the day goes along. The biggest news on the visit front of late was that 3-star tight end Thaddeus Moss has opted not to travel to Athens this week for his official visit.
There’s also a few recent developments: 2017 commitments Devonta Smith and DeeJay Dallas are not going to make it. Major 2016 target Shyheim Carter, Sr. will also not be in attendance..
It looks like there will be another five 2016 commitments who also won’t be inside Sanford Stadium on Saturday, too. That’s 3-star WR Davion Curtis, 5-star QB Jacob Eason, 4-star LB Chauncey Manac, 3-star tight end Garrett Walston and 3-star DB Malek Young.
Most of the reasons involve travel and worries about the weather. It is “going to come up a cloud” in Athens tomorrow as our grandparents were prone to say.
Stephens County offensive lineman Ben Cleveland also wasn’t sure he was going to make it. He may still attend, but he wasn’t 100 percent certain yet.
“Weather is looking pretty bad,” Cleveland told DawgNation.com.
UPDATE: 5-star RB Zamir White has confirmed with DawgNation.com this evening that he will be in Athens. He was going to come, but couldn’t find a hotel room so he opted to go to Clemson for the Notre Dame contest instead.
He’s found a hotel room and will be in Athens on Saturday. White rates as the No. 2 overall prospect for the Class of 2018.
If you don’t see a player’s name on the list it is because DawgNation.com has not been able to confirm their travel plans as of late Thursday or Friday.
CLASS OF 2016
OFFICIAL VISITS
5-star WR Kyle Davis (Lawrenceville, Ga.) — The nation’s No. 1 receiver will make his decision on Oct. 23. Look for it to come down to UGA, Auburn and Tennessee. He’s a gifted player, but is also going to enroll early at the school of his choice. He should play early as a freshman and the depth chart at UGA certainly allows for that.
4-star WR Joshua Hammond (Hallandale, Fla.) — Hammond is a Florida commitment that is rated as the No. 54 WR in the nation. He’s far better than that. He got a glimpse of UGA when his team visited the Mark Richt Football Camp in June. His squad tore up the camp and won the 7-on-7 tournament. He caught at least a dozen touchdowns in the process. He wants to see everything about UGA this week.
5-star OL Gregory Little (Allen, Tex.) — The nation’s No. 1 OL is said to favor Alabama, and UGA hopes it can sneak a foot in the door with a great official visit. UGA has a clear need for a big plug-in-and-play offensive tackle given the turnover on the line after this season. Little de-committed from Texas A&M and has made it clear he wants to play in the SEC. Allen High School coach Tom Westerberg told DawgNation.com that little plans on commiting on his birthday.That’s Nov. 4.
5-star TE Isaac Nauta (Bradenton, Fla.) — Nauta comes to town for the first of his five official visits. UGA has always been in a good position with the former Buford standout. He’ll visit Michigan, Ole Miss, Southern Cal and Texas A&M later this season. Michigan and Ole Miss are pushing hard, but no head coach is as actively involved in his recruiting as Mark Richt.
3-star DE Levi Onwuzurike (Allen, Tex.) — The 3-star defensive end is a relative unknown in recruiting circles and doesn’t even hold an offer from in-state Texas or Texas A&M. That’s not as uncommon as it used to be, though. Just look at UGA commitment Davion Curtis. Onwuzurike is rated as the No. 24 weak-side defensive end in the country. His recruiting process is just getting underway and he’ll be traveling all over the country.
UNOFFICIAL VISITS
COMMITS
- 3-star WR Darion Anderson (Warner Robins, Ga.)
- 3-star OL Chris Barnes (Leesburg, Ga.)
- 4-star DL Tyler Clark (Americus, Ga.)
- 3-star WR Randrecous Davis (Atlanta, Ga.)
- 4-star RB Elijah Holyfield (Atlanta, Ga.)
- 3-star DB Tyrique McGhee (Fort Valley, Ga.)
- 4-star DL Julian Rochester (Powder Springs, Ga.)
- 4-star WR Charlie Woerner (Tiger, Ga.)
Not visiting: 3-star WR Davion Curtis (Temple, Texas); 5-star QB Jacob Eason (Lake Stevens, Wash); 4-star LB Chauncey Manac (Homerville, Ga.); 3-star TE Garrett Walston (Wilmington, N.C.) and DB Malek Young (Pompano Beach, Fla.)
TARGETS
5-star DT Derrick Brown (Buford, Ga.) — The state’s overall top prospect was really excited about the game earlier this week. His official visits will be to UGA, Auburn, Alabama, Mississippi State and Tennessee.
4-star DE Brian Burns (Plantation, Fla) — Burns is making a long trek from South Florida to see the game. He’s been a dynamite edge rusher so far as a senior wreaking havoc wherever he lines up. He really likes UGA, Alabama, Florida, Florida State and LSU. The American Heritage pipeline is real. He’s close with Sony Michel and Isaiah McKenzie and UGA has a great shot at adding him to the class this year.
4-star DB Marquez Callaway (Warner Robins, Ga). — The 4-star athlete really likes basketball, but his future is on Saturdays. UGA wants him at a safety, but he’d likely rather play receiver or cornerback.
5-star ATH Mecole Hardman, Jr. (Elberton, Ga.) — Hardman is not going to take an official visit to UGA, but he’s so used to being in Athens he could probably be a great tour guide around the Butts-Mehre facility at UGA. He’s already taken an official to Miami (Fla.) and is also planning an official to Michigan, among others. The prevailing opinion is he will sign with either UGA or Tennessee. Hardman plans to make his silent commitment sometime over the next two months and won’t reveal that choice until National Signing Day.
3-star WR Tyler Simmons (Powder Springs, Ga.) — Simmons is part of a complicated puzzle in terms of what UGA is doing at the wide receiver spot. There are already four committed recruits at that spot with the potential to sign at least two more. UGA, Alabama and Texas A&M are the major contenders for his signature, but Georgia Tech is also in the picture.
CLASS OF 2017
COMMITMENTS
4-star QB Bailey Hockman — (Powder Springs, Ga.)
Not visiting: 4-star ATH Deejay Dallas (Brunswick, Ga.) and 4-star WR Devonta Smith (Amite, Lou.)
TARGETS
- 4-star DB Malcolm Askew — (McCalla, Ala.)
- 4-star OL D’antne Demery — (Brunswick, Ga.)
- 4-star OT Tony Gray — (Lawrenceville, Ga.)
- 4-star DE Jaden Hunter — (Atlanta, Ga.)
- 4-star ATH Richard LeCounte III — (Hinesville, Ga.)
- 5-star ILB Nate McBride (Vidalia, Ga.)
- 4-star DB William Poole III — (Atlanta, Ga.)
- 4-star LB Nathan Proctor — (Indian Head, MD)
- 4-star RB Brian Robinson (Tuscaloosa, Ala.)
- 4-star WR Shawn Smith (Brunswick, Ga.)
- 4-star WR Tyler Smith (Powder Springs, Ga.)
- 4-star DL Aubrey Solomon (Leesburg, Ga.)
- 4-star LB Leonard Warner (Snellville, Ga.)
- 4-star DB LeAnthony Williams (Roswell, Ga.)
CLASS OF 2018
- 4-star DE Justin Mascoll (Snellville, Ga.)
- 5-star DB Christian Tutt (Thomson, Ga.)
- 5-star RB Zamir White (Scotland, N.C.)
Jeff Sentell covers UGA recruiting for AJC.com and The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Follow him on Twitter for the latest on who’s on their way to play Between the Hedges.