Recruiting Rewind: Georgia Climbing The Rankings With Big Fish Still Available

As we've already discussed, the Georgia Bulldogs added a couple of very solid defensive commits recently in Tyler Clarkand Chad Clay. Those pledges have not gone unnoticed, as the Bulldogs have climbed to #4 in the 247Sports team rankings for the class of 2016.

That's exciting for Bulldog fans, but even more excited when you consider that Coach Richt and company aren't nearly done with the class. The Red and Black have 17 seniors on the roster, though there are relatively few redshirt sophomores and juniors who appear to be early entry threats (Leonard Floyd is likely the main exception). That means that while the Bulldogs have 12 current commitments, they probably have room for at least 10-12 more players, assuming no offseason hijinx, academic or injury casualties, or other unexpected attrition.

It's also worth noting that holding onto all the current pledges is fairly unlikely. For one, I can't remember the last time Georgia didn't lose/cut loose a kid who verbally committed early. While most of the instate commitments in the 2016 class appear pretty solid, tailback B.J. Emmons publicly said some months ago that the UGA coaches weren't really contacting him any more, and just received an offer from Alabama. Florida prospect Malek Young was an under-the-radar guy when he committed, but recently picked up an offer from Texas.

That being said, huge targets like defensive tackles Julian Rochester, Rashan Gary, and Derrick Brown remain uncommitted but strongly in play. The nation's top athlete, Demetris Robertson recently decommitted from Alabama and has spent lots of time in Athens, just as the state's top wide receiver recommitted from South Carolina and is now widely viewed as leaning toward the Bulldogs. In fact, there are at least five other recruits who hail from the Peach State, are in the 247Sports list of the top 247 prospects in America, and have shown significant interest in the Classic City Canines.

All told the next few months set up very well for the Georgia staff to finish off a top three class, the kind required to compete for national titles.