As @Ben Bachmann posted on Monday, Walter Nolen is in town today. With the 5-Star in town, now seems as good of a time as any to update the hot board. However, last time it was all defensive line prospects on the board. Today we will be hitting solely on the prospects that will solely play with their hand in the dirt. Defensive tackles and nose guards.
HOT
Yes, Walter Nolen is in town today and Georgia desperately wants to have Nolen as part of this class, but UGASports is hearing that there is nobody higher on the wish list than Travis Shaw. Shaw is blessed with an extremely uncommon combination of strength and athleticism. At 325 pounds Shaw is capable of being a true two-gap nose and a force in stopping opponents' run games. Shaw is also quick enough to slide out head-up to an outside shade of a guard and beat them on a pass rush with ease. If Georgia is able to convince both Shaw and Nolen to commit and sign, then it will truly be a historic class. The more likely scenario is that one of the two ends up at Georgia. UGASports has been told by sources Georgia feels very strongly that they are in good positioning with Shaw. North Carolina seems to be the biggest threat currently to Georgia. Jalon Walker did his part in recruiting Shaw to Georgia last weekend and other sources tell UGASports the OV to Georgia moved the needle for Shaw in a meaningful way.
Having Nolen on campus once again is a big deal for Georgia. Nolen has racked up the mileage in the month of June. Michigan is actually one of, if not the biggest threats to Georgia at the moment. The Georgia staff can sell early playing opportunities to Nolen on the visit with three interior defensive linemen at least exiting the program after the 2021 season. Jordan Davis, DeVonte Wyatt, and Julian Rochester will all be moving on. There is certainly room to take both Nolen and Shaw, but the likelihood of that is admittedly not great. Getting one of these two immensely talented defensive tackles is crucial for Georgia in the Class of 2022. Nolen is set to come back to Georgia this fall for an official visit, but the staff could turn up the heat and push for a commitment on this visit. UGASports will provide details on this latest visit as soon as possible. There is momentum here for the Bulldogs for sure, but that can be said for a handful of programs with Nolen. Especially, Michigan and even Florida.
WARM
Plain and simple, Georgia wanted and still wants Bear Alexander as part of the Class of 2022. UGASports has had that notion confirmed by multiple trusted sources. The decomittment of Alexander, while not overly shocking, was undoubtedly a blow to the class. There is also a cooling-off period after a decomittment, especially given the circumstances of this one with Alexander. Look for Georgia to consistently recruit Alexander until the end. Alexander has a track record of bouncing around to different high schools and young men in general oftentimes struggle with decision making and the recruitment process. Given the relationship with Nick Williams and being from Texas, it certainly looks like the Aggies are the favorite now. Alexander bumps up into the warm category for Georgia because there is a foundation that has been built and if it becomes apparent that things are not going as well as hoped for with Shaw and, or Nolen, then look for Georgia to apply the full-court press once again. Once again though, Georgia has been and will continue to consistently recruit Bear Alexander.
After the official visit to Georgia, Bryant told UGASports that Georgia and Texas were the top two teams on his list. Since that point in time, Texas A&M has made up ground with their opportunity to host Bryant on an official visit. During his visit to Athens, Bryant spent a lot of time with Nakobe Dean and Matt Luke. The Mississippi connection amongst those three helped to bolster the already solid relationship that Bryant had with Georgia defensive line coach Tray Scott. At this point, this recruitment is more about the number of spots for Georgia and stylistic fit. If Georgia is bringing a player out on an official visit, one has to operate under the assumption that the offer is committable. Bryant did have some hesitation about the style of defense Georgia plays, being more of a two-gap defensive line team than a gap-shooting, penetrating team. Now, with Georgia having gained so much ground with the likes of Shaw and Nolen, it will be interesting to see how the spots playout for the interior defensive line in the Class of 2022. UGASports has been told that no more than two true interior defensive linemen will be taken as Georgia wants to load up on edge defenders if at all possible.
PROSPECTS TO WATCH
Woody is trying to get to Georgia before the end of the month and he and Tray Scott talk consistently. Woody is being heavily recruited by Florida State and the 4-Star is on an official visit to Tallahassee this weekend. The Seminoles are definitely seen as the favorite now, however in recently speaking to UGASports, Woody mentioned that plans on keeping his options open and an official visit to Athens this fall is something he would be interested in. We will see if Georgia is willing to reciprocate.
Washington was once committed to the LSU Tigers. The 3-Star defensive tackle decommitted from LSU on January 17, 2021, and has visited Georgia this month. Everyone in this prospects to watch category is dependent on what happens in the two categories above when it comes to their chances with Georgia. It's always difficult pulling prospects out of Louisiana as well. Washington has recently listed Georgia as one of the schools recruiting him the hardest in an interview with CaneSport, the Rivals Miami site.
Georgia is in the Top 6 of Zxavian Harris. Harris is now closer to 6-foot-8 and 350-pounds. The four-star prospect is teammates with coveted running back Branson Robinson at Germantown High School in Madison, Mississippi. There is definite interest on both sides of the equation between UGA and Harris, but this is going to be a matter of spots and timing. Also, it remains to be seen if Georgia will get an official visit from Harris. Mississippi State is currently considered the favorite.
Hero Kanu is a Rivals100 player. Originally from Germany and now residing in California, the 4-Star defensive tackle has been busy this summer. Kanu was in Athens during the first week of June and left with an offer from UGA. Georgia is just now getting into the race here, but his recruitment is wide open. Currently, Kanu has no official visits scheduled. It will be worth monitoring to see if UGA can land one of those in the fall.
HOT
Yes, Walter Nolen is in town today and Georgia desperately wants to have Nolen as part of this class, but UGASports is hearing that there is nobody higher on the wish list than Travis Shaw. Shaw is blessed with an extremely uncommon combination of strength and athleticism. At 325 pounds Shaw is capable of being a true two-gap nose and a force in stopping opponents' run games. Shaw is also quick enough to slide out head-up to an outside shade of a guard and beat them on a pass rush with ease. If Georgia is able to convince both Shaw and Nolen to commit and sign, then it will truly be a historic class. The more likely scenario is that one of the two ends up at Georgia. UGASports has been told by sources Georgia feels very strongly that they are in good positioning with Shaw. North Carolina seems to be the biggest threat currently to Georgia. Jalon Walker did his part in recruiting Shaw to Georgia last weekend and other sources tell UGASports the OV to Georgia moved the needle for Shaw in a meaningful way.
Having Nolen on campus once again is a big deal for Georgia. Nolen has racked up the mileage in the month of June. Michigan is actually one of, if not the biggest threats to Georgia at the moment. The Georgia staff can sell early playing opportunities to Nolen on the visit with three interior defensive linemen at least exiting the program after the 2021 season. Jordan Davis, DeVonte Wyatt, and Julian Rochester will all be moving on. There is certainly room to take both Nolen and Shaw, but the likelihood of that is admittedly not great. Getting one of these two immensely talented defensive tackles is crucial for Georgia in the Class of 2022. Nolen is set to come back to Georgia this fall for an official visit, but the staff could turn up the heat and push for a commitment on this visit. UGASports will provide details on this latest visit as soon as possible. There is momentum here for the Bulldogs for sure, but that can be said for a handful of programs with Nolen. Especially, Michigan and even Florida.
WARM
Plain and simple, Georgia wanted and still wants Bear Alexander as part of the Class of 2022. UGASports has had that notion confirmed by multiple trusted sources. The decomittment of Alexander, while not overly shocking, was undoubtedly a blow to the class. There is also a cooling-off period after a decomittment, especially given the circumstances of this one with Alexander. Look for Georgia to consistently recruit Alexander until the end. Alexander has a track record of bouncing around to different high schools and young men in general oftentimes struggle with decision making and the recruitment process. Given the relationship with Nick Williams and being from Texas, it certainly looks like the Aggies are the favorite now. Alexander bumps up into the warm category for Georgia because there is a foundation that has been built and if it becomes apparent that things are not going as well as hoped for with Shaw and, or Nolen, then look for Georgia to apply the full-court press once again. Once again though, Georgia has been and will continue to consistently recruit Bear Alexander.
After the official visit to Georgia, Bryant told UGASports that Georgia and Texas were the top two teams on his list. Since that point in time, Texas A&M has made up ground with their opportunity to host Bryant on an official visit. During his visit to Athens, Bryant spent a lot of time with Nakobe Dean and Matt Luke. The Mississippi connection amongst those three helped to bolster the already solid relationship that Bryant had with Georgia defensive line coach Tray Scott. At this point, this recruitment is more about the number of spots for Georgia and stylistic fit. If Georgia is bringing a player out on an official visit, one has to operate under the assumption that the offer is committable. Bryant did have some hesitation about the style of defense Georgia plays, being more of a two-gap defensive line team than a gap-shooting, penetrating team. Now, with Georgia having gained so much ground with the likes of Shaw and Nolen, it will be interesting to see how the spots playout for the interior defensive line in the Class of 2022. UGASports has been told that no more than two true interior defensive linemen will be taken as Georgia wants to load up on edge defenders if at all possible.
PROSPECTS TO WATCH
Woody is trying to get to Georgia before the end of the month and he and Tray Scott talk consistently. Woody is being heavily recruited by Florida State and the 4-Star is on an official visit to Tallahassee this weekend. The Seminoles are definitely seen as the favorite now, however in recently speaking to UGASports, Woody mentioned that plans on keeping his options open and an official visit to Athens this fall is something he would be interested in. We will see if Georgia is willing to reciprocate.
Washington was once committed to the LSU Tigers. The 3-Star defensive tackle decommitted from LSU on January 17, 2021, and has visited Georgia this month. Everyone in this prospects to watch category is dependent on what happens in the two categories above when it comes to their chances with Georgia. It's always difficult pulling prospects out of Louisiana as well. Washington has recently listed Georgia as one of the schools recruiting him the hardest in an interview with CaneSport, the Rivals Miami site.
Georgia is in the Top 6 of Zxavian Harris. Harris is now closer to 6-foot-8 and 350-pounds. The four-star prospect is teammates with coveted running back Branson Robinson at Germantown High School in Madison, Mississippi. There is definite interest on both sides of the equation between UGA and Harris, but this is going to be a matter of spots and timing. Also, it remains to be seen if Georgia will get an official visit from Harris. Mississippi State is currently considered the favorite.
Hero Kanu is a Rivals100 player. Originally from Germany and now residing in California, the 4-Star defensive tackle has been busy this summer. Kanu was in Athens during the first week of June and left with an offer from UGA. Georgia is just now getting into the race here, but his recruitment is wide open. Currently, Kanu has no official visits scheduled. It will be worth monitoring to see if UGA can land one of those in the fall.
