Wednesday marked the initial date for the early signing period and the state of Georgia was exceptionally busy with its Class of 2021 standouts taking advantage of the first opportunity to sign their National Letters of Intent. This year’s early signing period is expected to be incredibly important in shaping the incoming recruiting classes due to the changes that were forced following Covid’s disruptions on the process. Among them were the NCAA’s ruling to suspend all in-person recruiting until April 15, 2021, a summer that saw the normal camp schedule scrubbed and the removal of SAT/ACT requirements from the initial academic eligibility requirements.
The state’s top prospects largely jumped on this opportunity and the University of Georgia was highly successful in landing the top tier—securing the state’s three highest rated prospects and seven of the top 11. As for the other major headlines, Clemson tabbed North Gwinnett five-star outside linebacker Barrett Carter, while Alabama welcomed in Terrence Ferguson—a four-star offensive guard from Peach County. The state’s No. 8 rated prospect—cornerback Jordan Hancock of North Gwinnett—pledged his signature to Ohio State.
Outside of UGA, Clemson was the biggest recipient of Peach State talent at the top of the ratings. Carter’s future Tigers teammates includes Westlake four-stars Nathaniel Wiggins (cornerback) and Dacari Collins (wide receiver), Grayson four-star running back Phil Mafah and North Oconee quarterback Bubba Chandler—all of which are rated 29 or higher in the statewide rankings.
Georgia Tech inked nine outstanding instate products to bolster its Class of 2021. This includes three-star outside linebacker Trenilyas Tatum (Mt. Zion-Jonesboro), three-star guard Weston Franklin (Wayne County), three-star tight end Leo Blackburn (Westlake), three-star safety Kaleb Edwards (Dacula), three-star safety Sirad Bryant (Crisp County), three-star defensive end Joshua Robinson (Douglas County), three-star defensive end Noah Collins (Grayson), three-star offensive tackle Jakiah Leftwich (Westlake) and three-star athlete Jamal Haynes (Grayson).
One of the last big announcements made on Wednesday came at 7:30 p.m. with transfer four-star quarterback Jake Garcia. The Grayson passer—who de-committed from the University of Southern California on Dec. 3—signed with the University of Miami.
BIG PICTURE
As of Wednesday evening, the top 5 recruiting classes in the nation were Alabama, Ohio State, Georgia, LSU and Clemson. Ferguson was the lone Georgia player that went to the Crimson Tide and Hancock was the only instate product to go to the Buckeyes—paling in comparison to Georgia and Clemson that loaded up on the state’s top prospects. The University of Florida landed three four-stars from inside the state: Carlos Del Rio-Wilson (Cartersville QB), Daejon Reynolds (Grayson WR) and Chief Borders (Heard County OLB). Notre Dame also tabbed a trio of four stars with Deion Colzie (Athens Academy WR), Cane Berrong (Hart County TE) and Jayden Thomas (Pace Academy WR).
University of Georgia’s Class of 2021 Instate Products
#1 Amarius Mims (Bleckley County OT)
#2 Brock Vandagriff (Prince Avenue Christian QB)
#3 Smael Mondon Jr. (Paulding County OLB)
#7 Micah Morris (Camden County OT)
#9 Nyland Green (Newton CB)
#10 David Daniel (Woodstock ATH)
#11 Dylan Fairchild (West Forsyth OG)
#15 Jonathan Jefferson (Douglas County DE)
#27 Chaz Chambliss (Carrollton OLB)
#55 Javon Bullard (Baldwin CB)
(Player’s state ranking listed on the left)
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