Georgia Football: George Pickens headed to Athens for immediate impact

ATHENS, GA - SEPTEMBER 29: Head Coach Kirby Smart of the Georgia Bulldogs discusses a play with Tyson Campbell #3 during the game against the Tennessee Volunteers on September 29, 2018 at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)
ATHENS, GA - SEPTEMBER 29: Head Coach Kirby Smart of the Georgia Bulldogs discusses a play with Tyson Campbell #3 during the game against the Tennessee Volunteers on September 29, 2018 at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)

Look out next fall for the next big thing at wide receiver to make an impact with Georgia football in five-star recruit George Pickens.

Pickens, who played at national power Hoover High School in Alabama, spurned Auburn to sign with Kirby Smart and the Bulldogs, pushing Georgia even closer to achieving the top recruiting class this year.

This was a big-time loss for the Tigers, who secured the early signing services of Pickens back in 2017 for Gus Malzahn. However, despite making other visits, Pickens also appeared loyal to that decision until recently.

He told AL.com that “I just felt like it was a right spot for me. I always knew if I didn’t go to Auburn, I’d go to Georgia.”

The 6-foot-3, 200-pound Pickens is in the mold of the new-age wide receiver in that he is big, physical and has game-breaking speed. He helped lead Hoover to the Class 7A semifinals this past fall after recording 69 catches for 1,368 yards and 16 touchdowns.

Pickens had himself a field day during the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Classic, catching nine passes for 155 yards and two touchdowns in earning team honors. He also had Miami and Tennessee on his short list for possible landing spots.

By swaying Pickens over from Auburn, Smart and Georgia can rest a little easier after losing Jadon Haselwood. The top-ranked receiver had committed to Georgia but signed with Oklahoma instead.

Last year, Georgia’s top receivers were Mecole Hardman and Riley Ridley, who both had over 500 yards receiving. If Pickens is able to get a good grasp of the playbook and make a connection with returning two-year starter Jake Fromm at quarterback, he could be in for a breakout season that results in freshman All-American honors.