2021 Early Signing Day: Georgia Recap Edition
2021 Early Signing Day: Georgia Recap Edition
Athens, Ga. — Georgia currently has 23 signed prospects following the Early Signing Period.
The Bulldogs are currently third in the nation in the team recruiting rankings, per 247Sports.
Here is the list of Georgia’s current signees in detail:
Brett Thorson, Punter
Thorson, an Australian native, was the first Georgia commitment to sign. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound punter was an Australian rules futbol player that grew up on a dairy farm until Bulldogs’ tight ends coach Todd Hartley saw his film. That’s when Thorson was awarded a scholarship and gave his pledge to Georgia on March 31. He’s rated a 3-star and is the nation’s top-punter, per the 247Sports Composite. Thorson will be the next punter to join the Bulldogs and will likely replace current senior specialist Jake Camarda.
Mykel Williams, Defensive End
Williams committed to Southern Cal back in the spring but flipped his pledge to Georgia on Oct. 20. The Columbus, Ga. native is rated the nation’s No. 5 defensive lineman, per the 247Sports Composite. The 6-foot-5, 265-pound defender totaled 69 tackles, 19 tackles for loss and 17 sacks in his junior season at Hardaway. The lead recruiter for Williams was Georgia running backs coach Dell McGee, who has significant ties to Columbus, which is both of their hometowns.
Oscar Delp, Tight End
Delp was a huge get in this class as he committed to Georgia over South Carolina. He is the nation’s No. 2 tight end and No. 9 prospect in the Peach State, per the 247Sports Composite. Delp is a whopping 6-foot-5 and weighs in at 220-pounds. He joins a position room that has no shortage of talent with Brock Bowers, John FitzPatrick and Darnell Washington already in Athens. Delp comes from West Forsyth High School, where he hauled in 730 yards and nine touchdowns as a junior. He also caught eight touchdowns and totaled 923 yards as a senior.
Malaki Starks, ATH
Starks is an Athens-area native and one of the biggest pulls in this class for Georgia head coach Kirby Smart. He was a two-way tool for Jefferson High School and led them to a Class 4A state championship appearance in 2020. Starks can play both ways for the Bulldogs, but projects as a safety at the collegiate level. The 5-star’s speed, agility and awareness should get him on the field often as a freshman on either special teams or defense.
Griffin Scroggs, Offensive Guard
Scroggs was once committed to Georgia Tech but flipped his pledge to Georgia in August. He’s only a 3-star prospect, although he has a lot of upside because of his stature. The Grayson High School product is 6-foot-4 and weighs in at 320 pounds. Scroggs gained a lot of valuable experience playing for the Rams in Georgia’s highest (7A) classification in high school.
Jalon Walker, Linebacker
Walker was one of Georgia’s biggest hype men on social media, advertising that he was a Bulldog since committing on March 28. The Salisbury, NC. native is a 4-star and the nation’s No. 4 linebacker, per the 247Sports Composite. At 6-foot-2 and 220-pounds, Walker hits like a Mack truck. He’s fast and can run the length of the field to make a play. It won’t be surprising if he gets some playing time early next season, given Georgia’s expected exit at the linebacker position in the offseason.
Gunner Stockton, Quarterback
Stockton was originally committed to South Carolina but flipped his pledge to Georgia after former Bulldog player and coach Mike Bobo left the Gamecocks. The 5-star gun-slinger was recently named Gatorade Georgia Player of the Year. Stockton is currently second behind Trevor Lawrence for most passing yards (career) and the leader in touchdowns (career) in the state of Georgia. He broke the record earlier this season while leading Rabun County to the Elite Eight of the GHSA Class 2A state playoffs. During his senior season, he completed 236-of-331 passes for 4,134 yards and 55 touchdowns. Stockton also added 956 yards and 15 scores on the ground in 2021. He is easily one of the biggest additions for Smart and Georgia in this class.
Chandler “CJ” Smith, Wide Receiver
Smith is arguably one of the fastest prospects in this class. He finished first in the 100-meter and 200-meter races last season as a junior at the Florida Class 2A state track meet. Smith 6-foot-3, 180-pound pass-catcher that can gash defenders on the perimeter, while also running great routes across the middle. The 4-star prospect is the nation’s No. 34 wide receiver, per the 247Sports Composite. He committed to Georgia the night before Early Signing Day.
Cole Speer, Wide Receiver
The Calhoun, Ga. native led his team deep into the GHSA state playoffs this season. Speer was also recently named the GHSA Region 7-5A Player of the Year as the Yellow Jackets were beaten in the state championship by Warner-Robins. As a junior, he hauled in 1159 yards and 11 touchdowns at Calhoun. Speer is only a 3-star prospect, but Smart and offensive coordinator Todd Monken saw his raw talent, which is when they offered him a scholarship.
Branson Robinson, Running Back
Robinson is a north-south type runner that has already received comparisons to former Georgia running Nick Chubb. The 5-foot-10, 220-pound bruiser is a force to be reckoned with on the field. Robinson is the nation’s No. 3 running back, per the 247Sports Composite. The Mississippi native was heavily recruited by many other SEC schools, although he committed to Georgia in late June. Robinson might get a fair amount of touches next year if seniors Zamir White and James Cook decided to leave for the NFL.
Jacob Hood, Offensive Lineman
The 6-foot-8, 342-pound offensive tackle is only a 3-star, but he has a lot of upsides, much like Scruggs. Hood hails from Nashville, Tn. and played at Hillsboro High School. He displays a lot of athletic ability for his size and is very mobile. Hood is great in pass protection and is a decent run blocker, which are two important qualities that position coach Matt Luke is looking for. Regardless, the Georgia coaching staff will ask him to play both guard and tackle. He will have to become more of a two-way tool on the offensive line if he wants to see the field next season.
Ja’Corey Thomas, Defensive Back
Thomas gave Georgia a solid commitment back in the summer when prospects were allowed back on campuses following the NCAA lessening COVID-19 restrictions. He is rated the nation’s No. 28 overall safety and the No. 40 player in Florida, per the 247Spors composite. Thomas’ recruitment was spearheaded by defensive backs coach Jahmile Addae and former defensive coordinator Dan Lanning. Thomas’ versatility could lead him to play other positions than safety, including either cornerback spot or nickel.
Keithan “Bear” Alexander, Defensive Tackle
Alexander is the next potential great member of the “trench mob,” which is what Georgia’s defensive linemen call themselves. He will fit in perfectly as both Jordan Davis and Devonte Wyatt will more than likely move on to the NFL. Alexander is a 6-foot-5, 325-pound behemoth that is rated as the nation’s No. 6 defensive lineman, per the 247Sports Composite. He ended up committing to the Bulldogs on Feb. 3, although he backed off that pledge in June. Texas A&M was picking up some steam, but he re-committed to Georgia on Oct. 21. Alexander is one of the most physically gifted signees in this class for the Bulldogs.
CJ Washington
Washington attended the same high school (Cedartown) as Nick Chubb and committed to Georgia on July 22. He stayed true to his word and recently signed his letter of intent. Washington is rated as the No. 10 linebacker in the 2022 recruiting cycle, per the 247Sports Composite. The 6-foot-1, 215-pound athlete also played basketball and ran track in high school. Per his MaxPreps profile, he racked up 42 total tackles, 3.0 tackles for loss and seven sacks in 2021. Washington also had 1,095 all-purpose yards and 15 touchdowns on the offensive side of the ball during his senior campaign. He will make a great fit at either linebacker position.
Jaheim Singletary, Cornerback
Singletary is the nation’s No. 5 cornerback, per the 247Sports Composite. The 6-foot-2, 170-pound defensive back was originally committed to Ohio State but gave his pledge to Georgia on Nov. 21. Singletary is a huge get for the Bulldogs coaching staff because of his size and athleticism. Entering his senior campaign at Riverside High, he totaled 10 interceptions. Singletary was also the team’s leading tackler (28) this season and interceptions (4). He also added 10 pass deflections in 2021.
CJ Madden, Edge Rusher
The Cedar Grove (Ga.) product was only rated a 3-star, but the Georgia coaching staff saw something in the 6-foot-3, 240-pound edge rusher. Now, the 247Sports Composite projects him as a 4-star and he’s the nation’s No. 24-rated edge rusher in the 2022 recruiting cycle. Madden was once committed to Colorado, but the Bulldogs came at him with a scholarship, and he changed his mind. At times in high school, Madden played as a middle linebacker, but would also take snaps on the defensive line. He could do both at UGA, although he will have to get adjusted to the system and various schemes.
Drew Bobo, Offensive Tackle
Bobo is living out a dream right now as he’s finally signed with his dream school. The son of former Georgia quarterback and offensive coordinator Mike Bobo, the 6-foot-5, 300-pound prospect is a legacy. He was originally committed to Auburn where his dad was the offensive coordinator but was recently let go from his position. That’s when Drew flipped his pledge to UGA. Bobo will more than likely play at either tackle position or take snaps under center. He has the potential to be a great contributor down the road.
Julian Humphrey, Cornerback
Humphrey recently made news when he flipped his commitment from Florida to Georgia. The nation’s No. 11 cornerback was another great addition for head coach Kirby Smart and position coach Jahmile Addae. The Clear Lake (Tx.) product has some length, but his athleticism is what stands out most on tape. Humphrey’s got the speed to play as a cornerback, especially in man-coverage, but also could line up at either safety position. At 6-foot-1, 185-pounds, the 4-star defender can burst off the line of scrimmage. He’s a two-sport athlete and also runs tracks. His record in the 100-meter dash is 10.55 seconds and has a 21.77 mark in the 200-meter.
De’Nylon Morrissette, Wide Receiver
Morrissette is a big, physical receiver that Georgia landed in this class. He’s played prep ball at three different high schools in the last three years trying to get noticed, and it worked. The 6-foot-1, 200-pound North Cobb (GA) product is a great blocker and route runner. Morrissette chose the Bulldogs over Alabama, Auburn, Florida Tennessee, and Utah, among other schools. He’s got great ball skills and hands that help him track down 50/50 balls. Look for Morrissette to contribute down the road for the Bulldogs.
Daylen Everette, Cornerback
Everette is a 5-star defensive back that a lot of top programs wanted after he de-committed from Clemson on Dec. 10. It looked like it really came down to Alabama and Georgia, with the Bulldogs prevailing in the final fours of the Early Signing Period. He’s an IMG Product but is originally from Norview High School (VA), where he totaled 11 interceptions in 2019. He’s a speedster as well, running a 4.5 40-yard dash. Georgia now has a lot of options at cornerback next season, and Everette is possibly the most talented. He has the potential to make an immediate impact on the Bulldogs in 2022.
Shone Washington, Defensive Lineman
Georgia pulled Washington straight out of the bayou as it came down to the Bulldogs and several other SEC schools. He’s currently ranked the nation’s No. 64 rated defensive lineman and the No. 21 prospect from Louisiana, per the 247Sports Composite. The 6-foot-5, 305-pound defender could play all three spots on the defensive line for the Bulldogs. Washington will be competing with several others for playing time next season.
Aliou Bah, Offensive Tackle
Bah, who was a long-time Florida State commit, flipped his pledge on Oct. 18. The 6-foot-5, 325-pound lineman is ranked the nation’s No. 29 offensive tackle. Bah played at IMG Academy along with Alexander and several other current Georgia players. He’s a massive human being that is great in both pass protection and run blocking. Bah brings a lot of athleticism to the table for his size and can get off the line of scrimmage quickly. The Bulldogs are returning a lot of offensive linemen next season, so Bah will likely contribute when he’s an upperclassman.
Marvin Jones Jr., Edge Rusher
Jones came as a surprise to some because many thought he was going to Alabama. However, the nation’s No. 2 edge rusher signed with the Bulldogs in the end. The 6-foot-5, 245-pound defender is easily one of the nation’s most physically gifted and complete athletes in this class. Jones could see playing time early in his career as a Bulldog. He is explosive off the line of scrimmage and had no problem getting after opposing rushers in 2021 at American Heritage High School. Jones racked up 46 total tackles, six tackles for loss and five sacks for the Patriots during his senior campaign. He totaled 14 tackles for loss and 13 tackles during his junior year, leading American Heritage to an 11-2 record in 2020.
