Breaking Down Tyson Campbell's commitment to Georgia
Georgia’s top-ranked recruiting class didn’t necessary need the boost, but Kirby smart will certainly take another five-star. Tyson Campbell’s commitment to UGA padded an already loaded 2018 group and gave the Bulldogs eight five-stars in the fold. Campbell’s pledge seems like a fitting close for a Georgia program that seems to see its stock rise by the week. Below, we take a look at how the blue-chip defensive back will help the Bulldogs and how missing on his pledge will hurt other teams.
THE SITUATION
Campbell took visits to Alabama, Tennessee and Miami down the stretch but it was his Jan 12 trip to Georgia that sealed the deal. Pulling the five-star cornerback out of South Florida was no easy task considering the current momentum in Coral Gables and beating Nick Saban on the recruiting trail is always chore. Still, here we are. Campbell’s selection of UGA isn’t a total shocker, but it’s certainly impressive.
WHY IT'S BIG FOR GEORGIA
It’s obvious that landing a 6-foot-2 cornerback with legitimate track speed helps the Bulldogs. What’s more notable, however, is the message it sends on the macro level. Georgia’s trip to the national title game continues to pay off, as it has now pulled a five-star away from in-state Miami, another program with a massive wave of recruiting momentum. If UGA is able to use its newfound standing as a title contender to pull top-flight Florida players away from UM, Florida and Florida State, things may get even better from here.
Kirby Smart seems poised to cash in on transitional periods at Florida and Florida State to lead some of the Sunshine State’s top talent north to Athens. Campbell has the build and the speed to make a quick impact at UGA, but what his commitment represents is more important than any of that.
HOW IT HURTS THE SCHOOLS THAT MISSED:
Miami’s impressive class will be just fine without Campbell, but it’s never ideal to let a five-star located near your campus cross state lines. The Hurricanes would love to have him and may have very well landed the five-star had the Bulldogs not emerged as a long-term national title contender.
Alabama was involved with Campbell and is also hurt by his decision, as both he and high school teammate Patrick Surtain were high the Crimson Tide’s recruiting board. Nick Saban swinging and missing on multiple five-star defensive backs is a rarity, so this situation certainly stings.