Georgia's top prospects to face the best of Texas
For a team coming off a 7-5 end to the regular season, even the staunchest of critics have to admit: The University of Georgia's future may be as bright as anyone in the country's when you factor in the totality of the situation.
While we can't point to some type of coaching or schematic dominance, at least not yet, there's a serious influx of talent within the confines of The Peach State that could take the Bulldogs(among others) to the next level.
The 2016 class provided UGA with potential franchise-type players -- most notably quarterback Jacob Eason and tight end Isaac Naut a-- to go along with a plethora of interior defensive linemen. And the Classes of 2017 and 2018 have a chance to be game-changers, too.
But, if you ask some industry insiders, it's the 2019 class that has a chance to ensure Georgia's spot amongst the elite for years to come. This, perhaps, makes the True19 Georgia vs. Texas Showdown, a game that pits the best of the best from Texas against Georgia's most heralded, the must-see all-star event of the entire offseason.
The showcase's founder, Kenyatta Watson, a veteran coach and mentor of the Georgia high school scene for close to a decade, certainly appears ready to back up that claim.
"This class, the 2019 class in the state of Georgia, is going to be the best in the country," he proclaimed recently on my podcast Committed to the G.
"Like I've told you before, this class of young men will be the final piece of the puzzle to the [Coach] Kirby Smart era; this will be the class that brings the national championship to the University of Georgia. Mark it down."
Now while some, not in the know, may feel that statement is hyperbolic, I'm here to tell you: If Georgia is able to dominate this class like it has done with this current 2017 class, and like we expect it to do next season, these kids will have its roster stacked with elite talent like we've come to expect from teams in Baton Rouge and Tuscaloosa.
And I know most of you have been disheartened with the type of line-of-scrimmage talent that has (or more like hasn't) lined up Between the Hedges. Just know this particular class will have you singing some old Ohio Players song: Heaven must be like this.
"We have so many quality defensive linemen," Watson said, "but the first player that comes to mind is Nolan Smith out of Calvary Day School down in Savannah, Ga."
"Nolan's about 6-foot-2, 220 [pounds]; he can beat you with power; he can beat you with speed; he has a vast array of moves. I personally think he'll be a stand-up outside linebacker at the next level."
Many Georgia fans are well aware of Smith, as he's already started being vocal about his desire to be a Dawg, and he's already begun to recruit others to join him in his crusade.
One player who undoubtedly can match Smith skill-for-skill is Troup High School edge-player King Mwikuta. I've been aware of Mwikuta for quite some time, and he continues to amaze me every time I see him, as he's a great blend of tenacity, raw talent and elite athleticism.
"He's a freak, though; I'm at a loss for words when describing this kid," Watson said.
Both Smith and Mwikuta can operate from a motorcycle stance or stick their hands in the dirt and rush from a 6- or 7-technique. On the interior, players like Grayson's Tru Thompson and Washington's Rashad Cheney will hold the point and keep things clean for the standouts on the second level.
Those second-level stars include the incomparable Owen Pappoe (Grayson), who collects offers like most of us collect pounds, Walton's Malik Adams and JD Bertrand from Blessed Trinity.
If you caught my prelude to this particular piece, I raved about the exploits of combo defensive backs Jalyn Phillips (Archer) and Kenyatta Watson II (Grayson), but fans will undoubtedly leave the showcase impressed with a couple of Malik's -- Parkview's Malik Washington and Creekside's Malik Fleming.
"Malik's [Fleming] been a two-year starter who had five interceptions his ninth-grade year," Coach K expressed. "He's a young man who has the most swagger out of any kid in the United States of America. He probably has the most impressive film of a DB that you want to see."
And if you want to see all this for yourself, make your way out to Grady High School on Sunday Jan. 15 at 2 p.m.to see this class in action against the sophomore class from the state of Texas.
"They're all in this group chat and Nolan is the leader, he and Keiondre Jones (Callaway). And if somebody from Georgia is listening: You have a great chance to reel this class in, early, and have 15 Richard LeCounte's -- the way he carried the flag for Georgia, as far as recruiting.
"I haven't heard the Georgia banter this much from a class this young, ever. These kids are all like, 'We've got to all agree to go to Georgia.' These kids are fanatical about being a part of what Coach [Kirby] Smart and his staff is doing," Watson concluded.
The future is looking bright for them Dawgs, so make sure you come see it in action this Sunday.
Note: For a breakdown of the offensive personnel along with this complete interview, check out Committed to the G later on this week for another chat with Coach Watson.
Event: True19 Georgia vs. Texas Showdown
Where: Grady High School
When: Sunday Jan. 15
Admission: $10 for adults, $7 for those 12-and-under