Georgia tailback commitment Nick Chubb, shown here in an all-star game after his junior season at Cedartown High, is the nation’s No. 35 overall prospect according to Rivals.com.
Georgia tailback Keith Marshall looks for room in a 2013 game against South Carolina.
Georgia running back Todd Gurley (3) dives into the end zone for a touchdown as Kentucky cornerback Jaleel Hytchye, left, defends in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Athens, Ga.Georgia’s 19-member signing class in 2012 was highlighted by the tailback tandem of Todd Gurley and Keith Marshall, who combined for 2,144 rushing yards and 25 touchdowns later that year as the Bulldogs came within a whisker of playing for the national championship.
The Bulldogs entered today’s national signing day with 18 commitments, including a pair of tailbacks — Sony Michel of Plantation, Fla., and Nick Chubb of Cedartown, Ga. — who will prove superior to their predecessors in the view of one recruiting analyst.
“There is not a Todd Gurley among these guys,” said J.C. Shurburtt, the national recruiting director for 247Sports.com, “but Todd Gurley is 225 pounds, runs a 4.4 and is far more special than any recruiting analyst, including myself, thought he would be coming out. Keith Marshall, though, has been injury-prone and is kind of a one-cut-and-go guy. He’s still a talented running back, but he’s not a five-star guy.
“Sony Michel and Nick Chubb are closer in ability, but they’re better combined, I think, than Gurley and Marshall. Next year, if Georgia loses those running backs [early to the NFL], they won’t have a problem, because these guys will be ready to go.”
Georgia’s class of commitments entered today ranked No. 8 by Rivals.com and 247Sports.com, No. 10 by ESPN and No. 14 by Scout.com. The class includes quarterback Jacob Park of Goose Creek, S.C., who was the program’s lone early enrollee this winter.