Georgia fallout: Top Bulldog recruiting targets
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Rivals ranking: Five-star, No. 7 overall
Recruiting wrap: Robertson's recruitment has been all over the map since he decommitted from Alabama earlier this year. He has long maintained that Stanford is his top school, but has yet to set an official visit. He's already visited California and Notre Dame, but it's believed those two programs are still behind the Cardinal, Tide and UGA.
How this changes things: Robertson had said the Bulldogs were running third prior to Richt and Georgia parting ways. However, he and Richt had a very good relationship and he had been looking forward to bringing his mother to campus to meet Richt and his staff. Unless his replacement is someone Robertson is already familiar with, the Bulldogs will have a lot of ground to make up in a short time.
Prediction: It all depends on who Georgia brings in because Robertson really seems undecided despite the fact that Signing Day is only two months away. Based on the current circumstances, Alabama is his likely destination.
ATH
Bowman (Ga.) Elbert County
Rivals ranking: Five-star, No. 16 overall
Recruiting wrap: Hardman recently returned from an official visit to Michigan and raved about his time in Ann Arbor. He's also visited Miami, but the Canes are viewed as a non-factor in his recruitment. He has long maintained that Georgia and Tennessee are his co-leaders, but a recent visit to Alabama earlier this month seems to have put the Tide heavily in the mix as well.
How this changes things: Hardman was close with both Richt and defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt. On Sunday, he went as far as to say that Pruitt should be the man to replace Richt. Assuming a new coach cleans house and brings in new coordinators with him to Athens, it could be a big blow to Georgia's chances.
Prediction: Hardman has always been high on Tennessee and this could be exactly the opening Butch Jones and his staff needs to close on another high-profile prospect.
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Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy
Rivals ranking: Five-star, No. 18 overall
Recruiting wrap: A one-time Florida State commit, Nauta was thought to heavily favor Georgia before Richt was removed as the program's head coach. Michigan, Alabama and Ole Miss are also involved with Nauta, who was thought to be close to announcing his commitment.
How this changes things: What happens with Nauta will likely depend on who Georgia brings in to replace Richt. It's hard to imagine Nauta will announce his decision before a successor is named. Michigan is a player to land Nauta, as is Alabama, which impressed the five-star tight end during a recent visit. That said, Nauta, a Georgia native, is extremely fond of everything UGA.
Prediction: Odds are Georgia makes what Nauta deems to be an inspired hire and the five-star tight ends up committing to the Bulldogs' new head coach. There's a lot bonding Nauta to the Peach State, and breaking those family ties won't be easy.
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Sugar Hill (Ga.) Lanier
Rivals ranking: Four-star, No. 26 overall
Recruiting wrap: Brown spent the weekend taking an official visit to Mississippi State, a school that has been a dark horse in his recruitment. He's also been to Tennessee, Alabama, Auburn and made several trips to Georgia as well.
How this changes things: While Brown has never publicly declared a leader, it always looked like he was Georgia's to lose. The question now is how much does Richt impact that? He is also close with Pruitt and defensive line coach Tracy Rocker, so their fate could also play a major part.
Prediction: While Mississippi State is sneakily in the mix (he has family ties to the school) and Tennessee is always dangerous, Brown is the type of prospect that Georgia can hang on to, especially if the right man gets the job.
Rob Cassidy
Southeast Recruiting Analyst
Woody Wommack
Southeast Recruiting Analyst
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