UGA Football Recruiting Update: 5 Targets With Signing Day Approaching

UGA football recruiting update. Five targets the Bulldogs are after as National Signing Day nears.

Kirby Smart’s young tenure as head coach of the Georgia Bulldogs has gotten off to a brilliant start, but what else would you expect from a Nick Saban disciple?

Smart learned from the best in the game, and now he’s aiming at building his own powerhouse program in the SEC. To be fair, the Bulldogs are already a powerhouse, but Smart is eyeing a much higher level than anything Georgia accomplished with Mark Richt at the helm — a national championship.

How long will that take to reach? No one knows. We don’t even know if it will ever happen, but you have to hand it to Smart. He’s done a phenomenal job of recruiting in the short time he’s spent in Athens, Ga.

He managed to hold onto 5-star quarterback Jacob Eason. He secured a commitment from the top tight end in the country, Isaac Nauta, and now Smart is looking to tack on some more big-time recruits on National Signing Day — now just a day away.

But what players are the Bulldogs looking to add to their 2016 class? Below are five UGA football recruiting targets the Dawgs could land on National Signing Day.

Mecole Hardman Jr.: 5-star, No. 2 ATH, No. 16 Overall

Biggest Competitors: Ohio State Buckeyes, Alabama Crimson Tide

Mecole Hardman Jr. is a one-of-a-kind athlete capabale of making plays on both sides of the ball. He’s an agile, explosive player who can burst for 40-plus yards at any given moment when he has the ball. While the Alabama Crimson Tide are believed to be the favorite to land Hardman, it’ll also be tough to fight off the in-state Georgia Bulldogs. Smart will give everything he has to land the 5-star athlete.

Demetris Robertson: 5-star, No. 3 ATH, No. 23 Overall

Biggest Competitors: Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Alabama Crimson Tide

Much like Hardman, Demetris Robertson is electric with the football in his hands. He may even be faster than Hardman. Robertson’s most impressive attribute is his foot speed. His footwork is deliberate, and he can turn the corner at any given moment. Alabama and Notre Dame are both fighting hard, but Georgia is in the conversation, too, and it could most certainly keep Robertson close to home.

Derrick Brown: 5-star, No. 4 DT, No. 9 Overall

Biggest Competitors: Alabama Crimson Tide, Auburn Tigers, Tennessee Volunteers

Derrick Brown is a 6-foot-4, 322-pound run-stopping machine. He can line up in a three technique and explode off the ball, getting a lot of penetration into the backfield. He goes hard until he hears the whistle and has a great work ethic. Georgia has been considered the favorite to land Brown, but Alabama, Auburn and Tennessee won’t go down without a fight.

Lyndell “Mack” Wilson: 4-star, No. 2 ILB, No. 46 Overall

Biggest Competitors: Alabama Crimson Tide

Lyndell “Mack” Wilson projects more as an outside linebacker at the next level with his speed and athleticism. He lives for big hits and attacks ball carriers on the edge. For a long time, he claimed Florida as his leader, but after cancelling his official visit to Gainesville, Fla., it’ll come down to Georgia and Alabama.

E.J. Price: 4-star, No. 8 OT, No. 99 Overall

Biggest Competitor: Auburn Tigers, USC Trojans

E.J. Price is a very physcial offensive tackle who comes off the ball well. He still needs to work on his technique and footwork in pass protection, but he’s definitely someone running backs want to run behind. The Bulldogs are the favorite to land his commitment, but Auburn and USC are lurking in the shadows.

Note: Scout rankings and ratings used in this article.