Mary Persons DE Malik Herring Commits to Georgia Bulldogs

Kirby Smart and Tracy Rocker got an early Christmas present this afternoon with the much-anticipated public commitment of four star Middle Georgia defensive end Malik Herring.

Herring is rated the #13 player in Georgia and #4 strongside defensive end in the nation by 247Sports. The 6’3, 265 pound senior claimed offers from a veritable who’s who of college football, and while Georgia has long been thought to be the prohibitive favorite to land his services, Alabama and Clemson both pushed the ‘Dawgs hard for his services. You can see why here:

Herring is listed as a defensive end by recruiting services, and that’s his most natural position. He has excellent quickness for his size, pass rush moves, and strength. Want additional confirmation of his athletic credentials. Take a look at this play from a recent game against West Laurens High:

That’s encouraging.

The defensive line was probably not the position of greatest need for Georgia is this class due to the emergence of freshmen Julian Rochester, David Marshall, Tyler Clark, and Michail Carter. Add in sophomore leaders Trenton Thompson, Johnathan Ledbetter, and Daquan Hawkins-Muckle, and junior John Atkins, and it’s clear that Georgia remains set up front going into 2017.

But the lines of scrimmage are where Georgia has to perpetually continue to upgrade if Smart wants to meet his stated objective of making the Red and Black the toughest, most physical team they can be. Whether we’re talking about Alabama’s recent dominance, or the LSU teams Nick Saban built and Les Miles perpetuated, or the Junkyard Dawgs of Erk Russell, defensive football starts up front and in the middle. Continuously snagging elite, instate recruits on the defensive front like Herring should make Smart’s job easier. Add in the commitment of wide receiver Jeremiah Holloman, and it’s safe to say no coach in America had a better day today. Until later . . .

Go ‘Dawgs!!!