Georgia 2022 Class Projection: Defense

The 2022 recruiting cycle is starting to heat up significantly as we enter the home stretch towards early national signing day. We take a look at what the class might look like.

We are nearing the closing stretch of what has been the craziest, most peculiar, unique, and compelling recruiting cycle in college football history. That is no exaggeration.

For nearly 16 months, high-school football prospects weren't allowed onto college campuses. This caused a free-for-all starting June 1 when visits opened up around the country.

With less than five months away from early national signing day — where 90% of the nation's elite talent will be off the board and signed — we attempt to paint a picture of what this 2022 Georgia recruiting class might look like on the defensive side of the ball.

Numbers

Any exercise like this can be extremely tricky. First off, you're attempting to predict the decision-making of 17-to-18-year-old individuals. Secondly, it's nearly impossible to actually quantify how many spots they have available in the 2022 class in terms of scholarships.

However, with the additions of transfers Tykee Smith, Derion Kendrick and Arik Gilbert, we can assume it won't be a "full class"

We will call it a class of 24 high-school prospects, considering the roster departures they've had via the transfer portal.

*Indicates current Georgia commit. 

Defense (14)

Defensive Back (5)

Malaki Starks* / Marquis Groves-Killebrew* / Jacorey Thomas * / TBD / TBD

Georgia is already looking extremely strong at the position considering the remodeling that needed to take place this offseason between the transfer portal and 2022 recruiting class. Sources close to the situation have said the staff believes Malaki Starks is the best defensive back in the country; Marquis Groves-Killebrew is an elite cover corner with the length and technique of a college veteran; and Jacorey Thomas is a player they were infatuated with after having seen him in camp this summer.

Now the question becomes, do the Bulldogs find a way to bring back Deyon (Smoke) Bouie into this class after the Bainbridge, Ga., prospect decommitted? Do they flip a current commit elsewhere? Can they land any of the IMG players? Kamari Wilson, Keon Sabb and Daylen Everette are the players to watch from IMG. They likely will have an answer sooner rather than later from Buford's Jake Pope. He's certainly a name to watch.

Defensive Line (3)

Tyre West* / TBD / TBD

Tyre West has been a member of this class since December, 2020, though they've got work to do to keep it that way. As for now, we will leave him penciled in as a member. The other two spots are reserved for some big fish, and they could be extended to three spots if need be: Bear Alexander, Walter Nolen and Travis Shaw, otherwise known at Dawgs Daily as The Big Three. Georgia has a shot at all three prospects, though they likely won't land each of them. With the in-state losses of Mykel Williams to USC and expectations of losing out on Christen Miller, the sole focus has been shifted to the biggest fish remaining.

Outside Linebacker (3)

*Darris Smith / Dani Dennis-Sutton / CJ Madden

This is a loaded class of edge rushers. Georgia will have some serious decisions to make here moving forward. Darris Smith, from Appling High School, is certainly locked into this class as UGA loves him. Dani Dennis-Sutton is set to commit on July 22 and we feel great about Georgia's chances. CJ Madden, from Cedar Grove in DeKalb, Ga., is a player that's burst onto the scene lately. He's set to commit in September, and Georgia appears to be in the lead. 

As for that additional spot, players like Shemar Stewart, Enai White and Samuel Okunola come to mind. They are all physical specimens, and all massive recruitments. Georgia is actively recruiting all these players, and if any of the three want to commit to Georgia, they will make room. 

Inside Linebacker (2)

Jalon Walker* / CJ Washington*

According to sources, if Georgia takes another inside linebacker, it's a commodity selection. We believe they feel more than comfortable putting a bow on this class with Jalon Walker and CJ Washington at the linebacker spot. 

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