The Georgia Bulldogs just put the finishing touches on a solid Top 25 overall recruiting class. But the Dawgs, head coach Kirby Smart and his staff have already turned their attention to the 2017 class.
While the Bulldogs might not end up with the #1 player in the nation in 2017, they'll targeting several high-profile recruits this year with the hope of landing them. A big tip of the hat to 247Sports, as their rankings were used to detail the recruits' overall and position rankings. The players are listed in descending order of their overall rank. With that in mind, here are the top seven prospects Georgia is targeting in the 2017 recruiting class.
7) 4-Star ATH Jamyest Williams (Lawrenceville, GA)
The #5 overall athlete in the Class of 2017 and #51 overall player, Williams is one of the most dynamic two-way players at the prep level. He's getting recruited primarily as a cornerback, but he's a plus receiver and halfback as well.
6) 4-Star OLB Nate McBride (Vidalia, GA)
McBride is the #4 outside linebacker in the nation and an early Georgia lean. He's the complete package both against the run and versus the pass, combining athleticism with an innate knack for reading and reacting to the game plans of offenses.
5) 4-Star CB Stanford Samuels (Hollywood, FL)
Ranked as the #34 overall player and #4 cornerback in the Class of 2017, Samuels is one of two shutdown corners on this list. He's got tremendous length at 6-foot-2, and he'll be a physical press coverage star once he bulks up a bit. More on Kirby Smart's 2017 recruiting efforts inside the Chat Sports iPhone and Android apps!
4) 4-Star RB Toneil Carter (Houston, TX)
Carter's the #2 running back and #32 overall player in the nation, sporting incredible balance as he picks and chooses holes to run through. Texas A&M and LSU are in the early lead, but UGA is hanging around.
3) 4-Star APB Anthony McFarland Jr. (Hyattsville, MD)
McFarland is the #2 all-purpose back in the nation, and he's already fielded 26 offers from a host of top programs. Georgia's in the early lead for the dynamic catcher/rusher, and we expect them to maintain their advantage through McFarland's senior season.
2) 5-Star OLB Baron Browning (Kennedale, TX)
Browning committed to Baylor last July, but there's plenty of time for Smart to flip the #2 outside linebacker in the nation over the next 12 months. He's built to absorb contact, ripping through blocks to make plays. Destined to make an impact, Browning has the skills to be a first-round NFL Draft pick.
1) 5-Star CB Deangelo Gibbs (Loganville, GA)
The second cornerback on this list and the one that's going to get the lion's share of the Bulldogs staff's attention, Gibbs is the #2 corner in the class and the #9 overall prospect. He's the complete package -- long, explosive, smart and athletic.