ATHENS — The Georgia football addition and recent elevation of former 5-star quarterback recruit JT Daniels has made a look back at the 2018 signing class worth the while.
The Bulldogs had hoped their quarterback of the future would be in the class, and it turns out he is.
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But it’s not the one many thought it would be.
In fact, of the 12 Top 100 players Georgia signed in 2018 — in what finished as the No. 1-ranked recruiting class — only seven remain on the team.
Of those seven remaining Top 100 players in the 2018 class, four have not started more than one game in their three years in the program.
This will be a season of opportunity for the 2018 Class to come to fruition, including JT Daniels.
Daniels’ 12 career starts ranks fourth among the current UGA offense projected staters behind fellow 2018 signing class member Trey Hill (18), Demetris Robertson (17) and Ben Cleveland (16).
Cornerback Tyson Campbell has the most defensive starts out of the 2018 Class (14), which ranks fifth on defense behind: Richard LeCounte (28), Monty Rice (21), Julian Rochester (19) and Eric Stokes (16).
Here’s a look at how each of Georgia’s Top 100-ranked prospects in the 2018 Class fared and where they are now:
QB Justin Fields, No. 2
The only player ranked higher in the 2018 Class was Clemson QB and fellow Georgia high school product Trevor Lawrence.
Fields was SEC Freshman of the Week after his performance in Georgia’s win over UMass, 5-for-8 passing for a career-high 121 yards and 2 TDs, and rushing for 100 yards and a TD on seven carries.
Fields played his freshman season at Georgia before transferring to Ohio State where he led the Buckeyes to a Big Ten championship and College Football Playoff appearance last season.
RB Zamir White, No. 9
White has overcome torn ACL in both of his knees and made his first career start in Georgia’s 26-14 Sugar Bowl win over Baylor last January.
White, who had 18 carries for 92 yards against the Bears in New Orleans, is competing for the starting tailback job this season.
OL Jamaree Salyer, No. 10
Salyer made his second career start in the Sugar Bowl, playing at right tackle. Salyer projects to start at left tackle this season.
CB Tyson Campbell, No. 12
Campbell started the first three games of his freshman season before a shoulder injury slowed his progress. Last season, a foot injury derailed Campbell.
The Bulldogs have a competitive situation at cornerback, with DJ Daniel and Eric Stokes competing with Campbell for the two cornerback spots.
OLB Adam Anderson, No. 18
Anderson has yet to make his first career spot, but he’s at the Bulldogs’ ultra-talented and deep outside linebacker position.
Defensive coordinator Dan Lanning has utilized Anderson is pass rush situations and as a “spy” for opposing mobile quarterbacks.
OL Cade Mays, No. 22
Mays started 18 games for the Bulldogs, accomplishing the unique feat of playing at each of the offensive line positions in addition to taking reps at fullback and tight end.
Mays started the Sugar Bowl against Baylor at left tackle before transferring to Tennessee. Mays is hoping to get a waiver for immediate eligibility.
DE Brenton Cox, No. 23
Cox started one game for the Bulldogs, against Texas in the Sugar Bowl following the 2018 season.
Cox transferred to Florida following that season and sat out 2019. He’s eligible this season.
ILB Quay Walker, No. 31
Walker has played in 27 of 28 games, though he’s still looking for his first career start at inside linebacker.
The 6-foot-4, 240-pounder had six tackles in Georgia’s 21-0 shutout win over Kentucky.
RB James Cook, No. 41
Cook, who by all accounts has had a tremendous offseason, could be on the verge of a breakout season in Todd Monken’s Air Raid offense.
Cook, who has three career starts, is dynamic in the open field and figures to be used as a receiver as much as a runner.
TE Luke Ford, No. 51
Ford was the second-highest rated tight end in the 2018 class, but he caught just one pass in the nine games he played as a true freshman at Georgia.
Ford transferred to Illinois following his freshman season and sat out the 2019 campaign.
OL Trey Hill, No. 62
Hill has been the most production of the 2018 Class members with 18 starts and preseason All-SEC honors at center entering this season.
SS Otis Reese, No 87
Reese played in all 14 games last season after playing in 11 and starting one in 2018.
Reese transferred to Ole Miss after last season and is hoping to get a waiver to become eligible this season.
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