Richt's First Full Class (2017) - Looking back - What a Brutally Bad Top15 Class

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Heard Manny speaking on this. It's kinda unfair to evaluate the offensive (and somewhat defensive) players bc they weren't put in a position to succeed.
Cool. That is also coaching and the defense has its share of busts also. Says a lot that manny’s highest drafted player is Redwine who went in the 4th round while at Miami.
 
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Cool. That is also coaching and the defense has its share of busts also. Says a lot that manny’s highest drafted player is Redwine who went in the 4th round while at Miami.
Manny didn't recruit Redwine. Manny's first full recruiting cycle is the 2017 class.
 
Jeff Thomas, Navaughn Donaldson & DJ Johnson were the 3 highest ranked players in that class.

JT underperformed but had flashes of his ability & played in an offensive that didn't utilize him correctly.

Donaldson regressed after being a Freshman all-American.

And DJ Johnson hightailed it out of here as soon as he could.

The best players from the 17 class were Bandy, JT4, Deejay Dallas, Jon Garvin, Mike Harley & the jury is still out on Jon Ford.
 
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Tons of JAGs and guys that seemed to be bad evaluations, talent and character wise -

Jeff Thomas - Headcase whose issues off the field surpass his on field production

Navaughn Donaldson - Came in overweight, still overweight and lazy and gets beat by smaller lesser talent guys constantly, huge disappointment

DJ Johnson - Not competing at Paradise Camp should've been a sign. Transferred out

N'Kosi Perry - Off field issues. Matured this year, but hasn't put it together on the field.

Kai-Leon Herbert - JAG

Zalontae Hillery - JAG

Jhavote Dean - JAGish

Amari Carter - Really struggles in space at S. Better in the box as a LB or blitzing safety

Brian Polendy - JAG - Transfered

Cade Weldon - JAG and Off Field Issues

Zach Dyksta - JAG

Zach Feagles - JAG, brutal

Evidence Njoku - JAG, transferred out

Waynmon Steed - Injuries

Bradley Jennings - Injuries

Robert Burns - Injuries and surpassed by better players

De'Andre Wilder - Injuries

Derrick Smith - complained about PT, transferred out


Thats 18 of out 24 commits that have virtually been irrelevant to this team and program. 2 out of the 6 that have been starters (Trajan & Gaynor) were borderline offers by the staff at the time. Makes you realize, Richt was losing his touch as a recruiter as well.

That's just brutal
 
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You give any other team in the conference our top 15 classes and they meet Clemson in the accg lol. It’s not just talent, it’s coaching, development, and leadership as well. And of course the injuries to all the LBs.
 
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