Midyear enrollees aided Georgia's class

Quarterback Jacob Eason was among six early enrollees who kept Georgia's class together during a time of transition, new Bulldogs coach Kirby Smart said.
Quarterback Jacob Eason was among six early enrollees who kept Georgia's class together during a time of transition, new Bulldogs coach Kirby Smart said.

ATHENS, Ga. - Georgia had a new head coach and seven new assistants during this recruiting cycle, which isn't always ideal when it comes to signing prospects.

Helping out down the stretch, however, were the six players who enrolled early - quarterback Jacob Eason, receiver Riley Ridley, tight end Isaac Nauta, tackle Ben Cleveland, defensive tackle Julian Rochester and cornerback Chad Clay.

"The six midyear enrollees were critical for us to have a successful class, because they could sell us as a staff better than our other players could," new coach Kirby Smart said Wednesday. "The six midyears were kind of the glue, and keeping Jacob in the class was critical. It showed momentum, and it showed confidence in our program."

Until December, Smart had never met Eason - whose persistent recruitment by previous Bulldogs coach Mark Richt was well documented - but he knew Georgia's other early enrollees from spring and summer camps when he was Alabama's defensive coordinator. The early enrollees admitted Wednesday that they stayed very active in recruiting after enrolling.

"I had the advantage of being on campus and telling people what it was actually like," Eason said. "Some guys were questioning what it was like, so I was able to tell them firsthand. I told them college would be hard work wherever you went, but that Georgia has the guys who are going to push you to the next level."

Said Rochester: "I was involved with a lot of dudes. I told them that I feel like we're fixing to be the next big thing. I think we're fixing to win the SEC championship and the national championship. I feel it in my heart."

Smart took time to thank his assistants for their efforts on the recruiting trail, but he stressed the importance of the early enrollees on a couple of occasions.

"Those six staying in place gave confidence to the rest of this class that everything is going to be OK," he said.

Pulling for Peyton

Eason's favorite quarterback growing up was Peyton Manning, so his allegiance in Sunday's Super Bowl is obvious.

"I've got my Manning jersey ready to go," he said. "I had one for the Colts, and I've got one for the Broncos now. Cam Newton is really good and the Panthers are rolling right now, but I'll take the Broncos by seven."

Getting acquainted

Georgia has a suddenly crowded tight end contingent under new assistant Shane Beamer that consists of juniors Jeb Blazevich and Jordan Davis, sophomore Jackson Harris and now Nauta.

"We're with each other all the time," Nauta said. "Whenever we go to eat, we're sitting with each other. We have a group chat with Coach Beamer, so we're always talking. Jeb, Jackson and Jordan have been great. They reached out to me from the beginning."

The position will grow by one again this summer when Charlie Woerner, the nephew of legendary Bulldogs cornerback Scott Woerner, arrives.

Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.

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