Behind the Hedges: UGA Transfer Portal December Commits

UGA Transfer Portal December Commits

UGA TRANSFER PORTAL DECEMBER COMMITS – With the transfer portal open and early signing day on Wednesday, this week has been a busy one for the Bulldogs.

Georgia holds the 2nd ranked class nationally according to the 247Sports Composite after hauling in 27 commits. Out of the 27 new players, 21 are 4-stars and 2 are 5-stars. As you might imagine, UGA cleaned up on the defensive side of the ball in recruiting, but also signed several promising skill players. 

Even with another immensely talented class on the way, Georgia is still looking to bolster its 2023 roster with talent. The Dawgs were desperate for help at receiver and two of their top targets committed to the Dawgs today. 

Receiving Core

Mississippi State’s leading receiver RaRa Thomas committed to the Dawgs just hours before Missouri’s Dominic Lovett joined him.

These two players were Georgia’s primary targets in the portal and they landed both of them. Thomas and Lovett will compete for snaps next season and have the opportunity to start games.

UGA lacked experienced depth in the receiver room. Without AD Mitchell for most of the year, the Dawgs failed to have a receiving threat out wide.

While Ladd McConkey has served admirably, he is not quite the talent level that UGA is looking for.

Next year, UGA could roll out AD Mitchell and Thomas as the bigger bodies outside, McConkey in the slot, and TE Brock Bowers over the middle. By taking Thomas and Lovett, UGA has the opportunity to turn one of it’s greatest weaknesses into one of its greatest strengths in the off-season. 

However, signing Lovett and Thomas nearly guarantees that UGA will see some receivers hit the portal. 

UGA’s 2023 Projected Receiver Room

• AD Mitchell
• Kearis Jackson
• Dillon Bell
• Arian Smith
• Ladd McConkey
• Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint
• Jackson Meeks
• De’Nylon Morrissette
• Chandler Smith
• Dominick Blaylock
• Cole Speer

Signed Incoming Receivers

• Yazeed Haynes
• Tyler Williams
• Anthony Evans Jr.
• Dominic Lovett—Transfer
• RaRa Thomas—Transfer

 Committed Receivers

• Raymond Cottrell

That’s 17 receivers, folks.

There has to be some attrition here.

Will Cottrell sign elsewhere with Thomas and Lovett coming in? Possibly, as Cottrell has already flipped his commitment once and is probably the incoming receiver the Dawgs are least excited about. He’s talented, no doubt, but is considered more of a possession receiver. 

Projected to Leave

I highly suspect that Kearis Jackson is done as a Dawg.

He has his Covid year to use if he wanted, but he isn’t seeing a ton of playing time even as a 5th year senior. I’m guessing he’ll transfer or try to go pro.

I also suspect Dominick Blaylock is gone as well. He also walked on senior day, and has seen limited action this season. 

Who Else May Go?

If you just look at who isn’t playing much, there are three names that stand out: Cole Speer, De’Nylon Morrissette, and Chandler Smith.

Speer was one of the lower ranked players in last year’s class. I don’t see him ever playing significant time for the Dawgs, so he may leave.

Morrissette has played in a majority of Georgia’s games, but on special teams. He has 4 catches this season.

Jackson Meeks has been surpassed by freshman Dillon Bell for snaps, so perhaps he leaves.

Chandler Smith has played in 2 games this year without recording a statistic. He may seek more playing time elsewhere. He is supposed to be an explosive receiver, but has not developed enough to play. Plus, he has dealt with injuries during the year. 

Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint is going to be in an interesting spot. Does he stay and fight for playing time or move on to greener pastures? He has developed in Mitchell’s absence this year. It seems like each game he gets better after having some early season struggles. I would hate to see him hit the portal for his senior season, but also would understand with Thomas coming in to compete. 

Bottom Line

With 5 and likely 6 in-coming receivers for next year’s class, Georgia is going to have to lose some guys to the portal at receiver. Still, this should be the most talented receiver group the Dawgs have had in some time. 4 of this year’s top 15 pass catchers will be in Athens next year, plus AD Mitchell. 

Here’s the last nugget for you: Smoke Bouie should commit to UGA any day now.