National Signing Day 2016: Georgia football recruiting class
The Georgia Bulldogs have welcomed a new crop of talented players to campus, announcing the 2016 Georgia football recruiting class on National Signing Day.
It’s been an up-and-down year for Georgia football fans, including an up-and-down recruiting cycle that resulted in the No. 8-ranked class in the nation with 16 new signees on National Signing Day.
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New head coach Kirby Smart made arguably his biggest signing in January when five-star quarterback Jacob Eason pledged to stick with his commitment to the Bulldogs despite Mark Richt’s firing and a late charge from Florida.
Eason, a five-star recruit from Washington State that earned honors as the 2015 Maxwell Football Club National High School Player of the Year, Gatorade National Player of the Year and USA Today Offensive Player of the Year, is already enrolled, will compete in spring practice, and should compete immediately for the top spot on the quarterback depth chart.
Five other Georgia signees are already Athens, including Eason’s future targets tight end Isaac Nauta (the top-ranked tight end in the country) and wide receiver Riley Ridley – the brother of Alabama star Calvin Ridley. Joining them are defensive lineman Julian Rochester and offensive lineman Ben Cleveland (both of whom are ranked among the top 100 recruits in the nation) and three-star cornerback Chad Clay.
Georgia’s class includes several intriguing offensive players, including 6-foot-5 wide receiver Charlie Hoerner, 6-foot-4 JUCO wideout Javon Wims, and running back Elijah Holyfield – the son of former heavyweight world champion Evander Holyfield.
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Of course, Smart’s biggest impact on the recruiting trail came in landing defensive standouts like Chauncey Manac, Jaleel Laguins and Tyler Clark.
Complete 2016 Georgia Football Recruiting Class:
Note: All rankings mentioned come from 247Sports unless otherwise noted.