It's Day 1 of Early Signing, and Georgia hopes to lock up most of its 2020 class throughout the course of the day.
Below, meet the newest Bulldogs, including insight from UGASports staffers Jake Reuse, Trent Smallwood, Paul Maharry, and Patrick Garbin.
Mekhail Sherman: Sherman adds another key cog to the outside linebacker room for the Georgia Bulldogs. The four-star is the prototypical linebacker in defensive coordinator Dan Lanning's defense, and could see the field his freshman year. The 6-foot-4, 225-pound Sherman hails from St. John's College High in Washington, D.C.
Warren Brinson: The Rivals250 standout from IMG Academy initially committed to Georgia back in November of 2018, before backing off that pledge two months later. Kirby Smart and staff continued pursuit, and the No. 238 nationally-rated prospect recommitted to the Bulldogs in June of this year. Brinson finished his senior campaign with 30 tackles, six and a half tackles for loss, and three and a half sacks. The Savannah native will likely begin his career as a three-technique defensive tackle for Tray Scott in Dan Lanning's defense.
Nazir Stackhouse: After being committed for over two years, Stackhouse was still showing interest in schools such as Alabama and Auburn. Tray Scott and the Bulldogs were able to secure the commitment and add another big defensive tackle in this class. The No. 225-nationally-rated prospect out of Decatur, Ga., will also likely begin his career as a three-technique defensive tackle with the ability to slide in and play at nose tackle. Georgia went to more of a four-man front, playing two defensive tackles, in 2019, and Stackhouse will provide immediate depth at that position. A lot of defensive linemen need a year of development before really hitting the big stage, but I could see Stackhouse having a role in this Dan Lanning defense sooner than later.
Devin Willock: Offensive line coach Matt Luke wasted no time once he was hired, and sealed the deal with Willock just days after taking the job. The 6-foot-7, 350-pound three-star was committed to Penn State prior to flipping his commitment. Willock fits the mold that former offensive line coach Sam Pittman liked to recruit, which was heavy and tall, but could still move his feet. The New Jersey native could stand to use a redshirt year, but looks to have all the physical tools capable of competing in the SEC.
Carson Beck: As a junior, Beck had a breakout season, throwing for 3,546 yards and 39 touchdowns to only eight interceptions, to help lead his Mandarin team to a state title. As a senior, the No. 219 nationally-rated prospect lost a lot of his playmakers and offensive linemen, and the stats dropped off. The No. 10-rated QB nationally only completed only 48 percent of his passes for 1,843 yards and 20 touchdowns with nine interceptions. Beck has a cannon of an arm, but it will take some time to develop his mechanics. Enrolling early will be very beneficial for the young gunslinger.
Major Burns: Burns got the train rolling early on Georgia’s signing day festivities, announcing his commitment to the Bulldogs on Tuesday afternoon. The 6-foot-3 cornerback, a former longtime LSU commit, has the size the Bulldogs have shown they covet in recent recruiting cycles, and the fact they were able to see him over the past weekend and seal the deal has to feel all the better. While the Rivals250 defensive back is on the thinner side and will need to add bulk, his positional versatility, as both a corner and safety, should be an added benefit for his chances of seeing the field.
Jalen Kimber: Kimber is a true lockdown man-to-man corner. The 6-foot,160-pound corner needs to add weight, but resembles Eric Stokes in high school. Kimber could also blossom into the next Stokes, as Kimber plays best on an island, guarding the top receiver from the opposing team. The four-star could use a redshirt year to gain muscle and mass, but picking up the defensive playbook once on campus should be easy for the early enrollee.
Chad Lindberg: Recently measuring at a shade over 6-foot-6 and nearly 330 pounds, four-star Chad Lindberg of League City (Tex.) combines his massive size with exceptional athleticism, allowing him to play all along the offensive front. The nation’s No. 156 overall prospect and No. 17 offensive tackle could very well be moved to guard while at Georgia. Recognized as a “warrior” in the weight room and “nasty” in the trenches, Lindberg is also rated as one of the top 20 overall prospects in talent-rich Texas. Notably, he is one of five Georgia signees from the state of Texas in the last three years, after a period of more than a decade (2007-2017) in which the Bulldogs didn’t sign a single recruit from the Lone Star State.
Justin Robinson: A few days removed from winning a state championship at Eagles Landing Christian, Robinson is getting ready to enroll at Georgia. The big 6-foot-5 receiver is coming in at a perfect time to get on the field early, as the Bulldogs really struggled getting any consistency at the position this season. The No. 173 nationally rated prospect has really filled out his frame with muscle, and improved his quickness as well. Robinson has the ability to high-point the ball and really provide another red zone weapon that Georgia was lacking in 2019.
Marcus Rosemy: Wide receiver is and has been a concern for the Dawgs this season, but Rosemy is the kind of prospect who could provide some immediate relief. The big-bodied wideout from perennial Florida powerhouse St. Thomas Aquinas has established himself as one of the nation’s best with a combination of physicality, solid hands, and an eagerness when it comes to blocking. Rosemy committed to the Bulldogs early in the fall and never wavered on his decision, which had to be a delight for receivers coach Cortez Hankton.
Jalen Carter: Carter is rarely brought up, but that is not due to his football abilities. The four-star from Apopka, FL., stayed under the recruiting radar once he committed to Georgia in May, but just because he is not brought up does not mean that he is not a key integral player in this class. Carter has the size and speed that could help the defensive line immediately and could help fill the void left by Tyler Clark.
Tate Ratledge: A crown jewel of Georgia’s 2020 class, Ratledge spurned childhood favorite Tennessee to play for Sam Pittman. After the Hogs came calling for Georgia’s touted offensive line coach, Ratledge’s level of commitment was thought to be shaky, but new hire Matt Luke made the massive Darlington lineman a top priority upon arrival. An Opening Alum and Adidas All-American, Ratledge is a technically sound tackle with a frame that should have him competing for reps when he gets to campus. Don’t let the fact that he played in single-A private school ball fool you; Ratledge has competed and won against many of the nation’s best along the way, as a tremendous blocker and all around-athlete.
Jared Zirkel: The No. 3 kicker in the nation for this class, three-star Jared Zirkel of Kerrville (Tex.) committed to Georgia last June. He also received offers from Air Force and Army. What sparked Zirkel’s recruitment, according to his kicking coach Brent Grablachoff of Kicking World Kicking Camps, was a 59-yard field goal he made for Tivy High School early in his junior season of 2018. For Tivy this past year, he made 61 of 63 PATs and 4 of 6 field goals. Also for his senior campaign, Zirkel averaged more than 41 yards per punt, while his kickoffs were generally unreturnable. During the Rivals era, he is just the fifth kicker with a rating of at least three stars to sign with Georgia.
Kendall Milton: Pulling a prospect from California to Georgia is never easy, but Milton and his family were early fans of the Bulldogs, were well-versed in the running back tradition, and connected with Dell McGee and Kirby Smart right away. When he committed in late summer, Georgia was a foregone conclusion, and the five-star running back has been solid ever since. Milton runs with a ton of power and will likely be Georgia’s largest back from a size perspective as soon as he joins the roster.
Arian Smith: Georgia received great news when the No. 153 nationally rated prospect committed to the Bulldogs over Alabama on Wednesday afternoon. Smith's game is built around blazing speed that was used in a variety of ways during his high school career. The Lakeland (Fla.) athlete was used as a receiver, quarterback, running back, defensive back and in the return game his senior season. In Athens though, he will line up at receiver where he can take the top off a defense. Smith fills a position of need for Georgia and look for him to contribute early when he arrives on campus.
Jermaine Burton: Kirby Smart has made a habit of pulling off last minute flips, and Burton, a longtime LSU commit, is the latest, as a couple of late season visits helped to seal the deal here. A native of the Peach State, Burton has had several stops during his high school career, including Hapeville Charter, Marietta, IMG Academy, and most recently, California’s Calabasas High. LateA speedy wideout well known for shaking defensive backs with deceptive route running, Burton feels like a potential difference maker early on and has competed against some of the nation’s best along his high school career.
A late bloomer in the minds of some, Blaske is actually one of the stronger members of Georgia's 2020 class.
Able to squat 600 pounds, Blaske also has length to ultimately play and will learn under new offensive line coach Matt Luke.
Don't let the three-star ranking fool out.
One of the nation's top defensive players, this five-star from Arizona has star written all over him.
Ringo showed he can actually get it done on both sides of the ball, but figures to stay on defense where he should develop into one of the SEC's best defensive backs.
Although he may not start initially, Ringo will play and play a lot for the Bulldogs this fall.
At 6-foot-7 and 255 pounds, Washington is one of the biggest tight ends you'll see and should find himself in immediate contention for a starting job.
Washington slipped in the minds of some at the Under Armour All-American game but you won't find Bulldog coaches complain.
The Las Vegas native has a chance for a huge career in the red and black.