UGA has parted ways with coach Mark Richt. DawgNation has been busy reaching out to the program’s current commitments this afternoon, but the UGA staff was expected to add an impressive number of uncommitted recruits as well.
What do they think about the news? Does it hurt UGA’s chances? One recruit told DawgNation that the Richt news might actually mean something positive in UGA’s favor when it comes to his commitment.
UGA’s top uncommitted targets on the Richt news
4-star Trey Blount, WR, Jr., Pace Academy — “Honestly, I’m really shocked. I didn’t see this coming. I understand he was under a lot of heat, but I didn’t expect him to get fired.”
5-star Derrick Brown, DT, Sr., Lanier — “I mean it’s hard to pick a school with no one in a secure head coaching job because if your position coach were to leave, which happens a lot, you want that security from the head ball coach to be there for your whole term of four years to always have somebody you are comfortable with leading you.”
5-star Ben Davis, LB, Sr., Gordo — “I hate to hear that. I know coach (Mark) Richt real well. He’s a great person on and off the field, but it doesn’t really affect my looks on Georgia. It’s a great university. That’s why they are still one of my top schools.”
4-star Malik Herring, DE, Jr., Mary Persons — “I’m absolutely shocked. Coach Richt is a good coach and a good guy. UGA will be missing a good guy and coach.”
4-star Jaden Hunter, DE/OLB, Jr., Westlake: “I was shocked kind of. I thought he would be there longer, but Richt is a great coach. He just had a young team every year with transfers going out and also him getting used to the other new coaches.”
5-star LB Nate McBride, Jr., Vidalia — “I’ll say I’m shocked. That’s all I’m saying right now.”
4-star WR Tre’ Nixon, Jr., Viera (Fla.) — “It’s hard to take in right now. He was not only a great coach but an even better person. I’m going to call the staff tonight to see what’s next. I do love Coach Richt and the staff a lot. There’s a big part of why UGA is so high on my list. (They are) all great people.”
4-star William Poole, CB, Jr., Hapeville Charter — “This was something I braced myself for after all of the rumors the last several weeks and being up to UGA and talking with other members of the staff. I had a feeling this day would eventually come. Coach Richt has had a good career at UGA the past 15 years, but let’s keep it real, with all the talent he’s had, he never got that one big thing, which is a national championship. I hope for nothing but the best for him here on out. His departure does not affect my feelings about UGA in any kind of way.”
5-star Demetris Robertson, ATH, Sr., Savannah Christian — “My mom was devastated. I communicated with him and told him that he will bounce back. He’s a great guy.”
4-star Shawn Smith, WR, Jr., Brunswick — “I still like Georgia I just don’t know how to feel at the moment.”
4-star LeAnthony Williams, CB, Jr., Roswell — “It’s just a lot to take in right now. I’m just surprised with everything right now.”
4-star Tre Shaw, CB, Jr., Cedar Grove — “It is very shocking and disappointing. This was very unexpected.”
Staff writers Charles Kingsbury and Jeff Sentell contributed to this report
Read More:
- What went wrong for Mark Richt at Georgia
- Mark Richt’s dismissal was long in the works
- UGA moves ‘all about Kirby Smart’
- What does Mark Richt news mean for Jacob Eason?
- Richt’s firing confirms what many believed: It was time for a change
- Leading candidates to replace Richt at Georgia
- What do recruits think about Kirby Smart to UGA?
- Current Georgia player offers a message for Eason
- With Richt out, UGA’s next step is to get Smart
- Most of UGA’s coaches pulled off the recruiting trail
- Saban on Richt: ‘I hate to see these kinds of things’
- Current UGA players react to end of the Mark Richt era
- Richt’s former players ‘surprised’ by the news
- Hiring Mark Richt remains Vince Dooley’s proudest achievement
- UGA should think twice before hiring Kirby Smart
- National media reacts to Mark Richt being ousted at UGA
- Jeremy Pruitt with recruit Mecole Hardman’s mother when news broke
- UGA commits react to the firing of Mark Richt
- Greg McGarity’s career will be defined by his first major hire
- A small vigil held outside of Butts-Mehre for Richt
