Georgia landed its third commitment of the 2021 recruiting cycle on Friday as the Bulldogs secured the services of Marlin Dean.
Like the first two commitments in the class, Marlin Dean comes from the state of Georgia. And won’t be the last in-state pledge from this class either, given where the Bulldogs stand with some of the top players from the state.
Related: 6-foot-6 DL joins the 2021 recruiting class
The state of Georgia figures to take on a greater importance in the 2021 cycle, given how the Bulldogs signed only two of the top 25 players in the state from the 2020 class.
During the 2019 season, when it was clear Georgia was going to land very many of the top players from the state of Georgia, Kirby Smart emphasized the importance of recruiting Georgia.
“I would never change how we recruit the state of Georgia,” Smart said. “It’s home base, it’s primary, it’s A-number-one, most important. It doesn’t mean we’re going to get every kid.
“I mean, there’s some good players in the state that have left and we’ve fought to get.”
Interestingly enough, for as much success as Smart has had recruiting at Georgia, he is yet to land the No. 1 player in the state. At this point in time, 5-star offensive tackle Amarius Mims holds that distinction.
But he’s not the only elite talent still available. Below we’ve compiled a list of Georgia’s top in-state targets for the 2021 recruiting cycle and where they rank in the state of Georgia.
Georgia football 2021 recruiting: commitments
- Brock Vandagriff, 5-star quarterback from Bogart, Ga.: No. 12 player in 247Sports Composite rankings, No. 31 player in 247Sports rankings, No. 5 in Rivals, No. 33 in ESPN, No. 2 ranked dual-threat quarterback, No. 2 ranked player from Georgia. DawgNation story on Brock Vandagriff: Why the addition of 5-star QB Brock Vandagriff could be a great sign for in-state recruiting
- David Daniel, 4-star defensive back from Woodstock, Ga.: No. 78 player in 247Sports Composite rankings, No. 132 player in 247Sports rankings, No. 95 in Rivals, No. 35 in ESPN, No. 4 ranked athlete, No. 8 ranked player from Georgia. DawgNation story on David Daniel: Georgia lands commitment from 2021 prospect David Daniel
- Marlin Dean, 3-star defensive tackle from Elberton, Ga.: No. 408 player in 247Sports Composite rankings, No. 27 DT in 247Sports rankings, No. 33 SDE in Rivals, Unranked via ESPN, No. 33 ranked player from Georgia. DawgNation story on Marlin Dean: 6-foot-6 DL joins the 2021 recruiting class
Georgia football 2021 recruiting: in-state targets
- Amarius Mims, 5-star offensive tackle from Cochran, Ga.: No. 8 player in 247Sports Composite rankings, No. 13 player in 247Sports rankings, No. 2 in Rivals, No. 27 in ESPN, No. 2 ranked offensive tackle, No. 1 ranked player from Georgia. DawgNation story on Amarius Mims: 5-star junior Amarius Mims: His ‘Junior Day’ visit to UGA made a big impact
- Smael Mondon, 5-star linebacker from Dallas, Ga: No. 23 player in 247Sports Composite rankings, No. 18 player in 247Sports rankings, No. 82 in Rivals, No. 11 in ESPN, No. 3 ranked outside linebacker, No. 3 ranked player from Georgia. DawgNation story on Smael Mondon: Nation’s No. 2 LB Smael Mondon Jr. sees ‘national championship’ future for Georgia
- Terrence Ferguson, 4-star offensive tackle from Fort Valley, Ga: No. 53 player in 247Sports Composite rankings, No. 73 player in 247Sports rankings, No. 40 in Rivals, No. 90 in ESPN, No. 3 offensive guard, No. 5 player from Georgia. DawgNation story on Terrence Ferguson: Nation’s No. 8 OT hasn’t let Georgia’s coaching transition affect his outlook
- Barrett Carter, 4-star linebacker from Suwanee, Ga.: No. 54 player in 247Sports Composite rankings, No. 74 player in 247Sports rankings, No. 35 in Rivals, No. 99 in ESPN, No. 4 ranked outside linebacker, No. 6 player from Georgia. DawgNation story on Barrett Carter: Elite in-state LB Barrett Carter places Georgia among his top schools
- Micah Morris, 4-star offensive tackle from Kingsland, Ga: No. 72 player in 247Sports Composite rankings, No. 92 player in 247Sports rankings, No. 86 in Rivals, No. 94 in ESPN, No. 11 offensive tackle, No. 7 player from Georgia. DawgNation story on Micah Morris: Micah Morris: The future criminal justice major is still a Georgia priority
- Jordan Hancock, 4-star defensive back from Suwanee, Ga: No. 84 player in 247Sports Composite rankings, No. 45 player in 247Sports rankings, No. 136 in Rivals, No. 112 in ESPN, No. 6 ranked cornerback, No. 9 player from Georgia.
- Nyland Green, 4-star defensive back from Covington, Ga.: No. 98 player in 247Sports Composite rankings, No. 27 player in 247Sports rankings, No. 169 in Rivals, No. 126 in ESPN, No. 13 ranked cornerback, No. 10 player from Georgia.
- Cody Brown, 4-star running back from Lilburn, Ga.: No. 125 player in 247Sports Composite rankings, No. 137 player in 247Sports rankings, No. 69 in Rivals, No. 233 in ESPN, No. 9 ranked running back, No. 11 player from Georgia.
- Jayden Thomas, 4-star wide receiver from Atlanta: No. 183 player in 247Sports Composite rankings, No. 247 player in 247Sports rankings, No. 122 in Rivals, No. 207 in ESPN, No. 36 wide receiver, No. 17 player from Georgia.
- Chaz Chambliss, 4-star outside linebacker from Carrolton, Ga: No. 250 player in 247Sports Composite rankings, No. 484 player in 247Sports rankings, No. 183 in Rivals, No. 209 in ESPN, No. 18 ranked outside linebacker, No. 20 player from Georgia.