Big Board - OL
Spring practice is here and that means one thing. The 2014 football season is upon us. As Georgia prepares to mix it up this spring with who they have on campus, the coaching staff will also be working hard to get some of the top targets on campus for visits and, ultimately, sign them as members of the 2015 class.
Below, UGASports, as a part of our "Big Board" series, breaks down UGA's 2015 targets on the offensive line.
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Offensive Tackle
Chuma Edoga (McEachern) - There isn't much of an argument to be had here. Edoga is almost certainly Georgia's top target at offensive tackle. Tennessee, Stanford, and USC are also heavily in the mix as well as Clemson and Alabama. The Bulldogs and the Volunteers appear to be the top two programs vying for his signature. According to Edoga, all of the schools he is interested in have met his personal standards in regards to academics. The focus will now turn to finding a home at the next level before he graduates in December and enrolls at the school of his choice in January. He will visit USC and Stanford during the first week of April and says that he plans to visit UGA and Tennessee later in the spring. Tennessee has held the lead before in Edoga's recruitment but per sources close to him, Georgia is the team with the most momentum right now.
Tyler Carr (Southside; Southside, Ala.) - It is always a tough proposition to get a prospect to leave the state of Alabama, but Georgia is certainly trying. Carr has developed a strong relationship with Will Friend, but he grew up an Auburn fan. The Tigers are in hot pursuit as is Alabama, and odds are the Rivals100 prospect won't leave the state. Georgia isn't quitting, however, and Carr continues to visit the Bulldogs regularly. But in the end, we expect him to stay in state.
Bailey Sharp (Sprayberry) - Sharp grew up an Auburn fan and has ties to the school so the Tigers are obviously in good shape. Luckily for Georgia fans, the Bulldogs are also heavily in the mix here. The 6-foot-6, 285 pounder isn't tipping his hand, but those close to him seem to believe Georgia is on equal footing with the Tigers for the time being. It will be an extremely tough pull for Friend and company. Auburn will be tough to beat and there is no shortage of other big time programs coming after the Cobb County native. In the end, we expect it to be a Georgia/Auburn battle but it is hard to bet against the Tigers here.
William Sweet (First Coast; Jacksonville, Fla.) - Sweet was offered by Georgia last week and all three of the big Sunshine State schools, Florida, Florida State, and Miami, are pursuing the talented junior. Georgia was able to get him on campus for its first junior day in February, and according to those close to him, the Bulldogs are held in high regard by the Jacksonville native. Georgia has had a lot of success recruiting offensive linemen in the state of Florida in recent years, and there is definitely chance that the success continues with Sweet. The instate schools, however, are probably in better shape at the moment.
Interior Linemen
Kaleb Kim (Mill Creek) - Like Sharp, there are not shortage of suitors for Kim. Kim, also like Sharp, has Auburn and Georgia very high on his list as well as Alabama. The Tigers and Bulldogs appear to be the front runners here. Auburn made a strong impression during the 2013 season, according to Kim, when they got him on campus for a visit. Georgia, since offering, has made up a lot of ground as well. Kim has spoken highly of Georgia's academics and the proximity to home, and, in the long run, the Bulldogs could be tough to beat.
Zack Bailey (Summerville; Summerville, S.C.) - Georgia has been quietly recruiting Bailey for quite awhile now and the four-star prospect is returning that interest. He hasn't made it to campus yet, but he told UGASports recently that he plans to visit UGA sometime during the spring. South Carolina and Clemson will be tough to beat for Bailey but Georgia has had a tremendous amount of success recruiting the Low Country region of South Carolina under Mark Richt. Georgia will have to get the talented mauler on campus before it has a chance.
* This is in no way a comprehensive list of Georgia's targets on the offensive line but these do appear to be some of the top targets at this time. Stay tuned to UGASports.com for all of your recruiting coverage.