What to know about Daniel Harris and the rest of the 2023 UGA football recruiting class

McClain Baxley, Athens Banner-Herald
·8 min read
Georgia Bulldogs coach Kirby Smart at the Dawg Walk before kickoff of an NCAA college football game between UAB and Georgia in Athens, Ga., on Sept. 11, 2021.
Georgia Bulldogs coach Kirby Smart at the Dawg Walk before kickoff of an NCAA college football game between UAB and Georgia in Athens, Ga., on Sept. 11, 2021.

Kirby Smart and the UGA football staff are once again looking to sign the best recruiting class Here is a landing page for 2023 football players that have made their verbal commitment to Georgia.

This list will be updated as future commitments are made and is in order of most recent commits.

More future Bulldogs: What to know about the 2022 UGA football recruiting class

(Note: Rankings are from the 247Sports Composite unless otherwise noted)

CB Daniel Harris

Hometown: Miami, Florida

High School: Gulliver Prep

Ranking: Four-star; No. 151 overall; No. 19 CB

Date of commitment: July 1, 2022

Analysis: The grasp that Kirby Smart has on the defensive side of recruiting is incredible. Harris is another long (6-foot-2, 175-pound) defensive back that Smart can add to the already deep stable of long defensive backs. He committed to UGA over Michigan, Ohio State and Penn State after taking official visits to Penn State and Georgia in recent weeks. In 2021, Harris had 37 tackles, 2 pass breakups and an interception for the Raiders who went 11-2.

LB CJ Allen

Hometown: Barnesville, Georgia

High School: Lamar County Comprehensive

Ranking: Four-star; No. 167 overall; No. 10 LB

Date of commitment: June 20, 2022

Analysis: The first linebacker commit of the 2023 class, Allen is a guy that was high on Georgia's board. In a three-week span, Allen took official visits to Georgia, Tennessee and Auburn before confidently announcing his commitment. Playing in AA and on both sides of the ball, Allen rushed for more than 1,000 yards and 16 touchdowns on offense, while making 91 tackles and three interceptions.

Kicker Peyton Woodring as The Ascension Blue Gators take on the Delcambre Panthers. Friday, Oct. 23, 2020.
Kicker Peyton Woodring as The Ascension Blue Gators take on the Delcambre Panthers. Friday, Oct. 23, 2020.

K Peyton Woodring

Hometown: Lafayette, Louisiana

High School: Ascension Episcopal

Ranking: N/A

Date of commitment: June 18, 2022

Analysis: Georgia's first special teams commit in the 2023 comes in the form of this 5-foot-10, 165-pound kicker from Louisiana. Woodring had reported offers from Air Force, Alabama and Louisiana. In 2021, he was named MaxPreps High School Football Junior All American after he went 54 of 55 on point afters and 14-of-19 field goal attempts, including a school record kick from 56 yards.

CB AJ Harris

Hometown: Phenix City, Alabama

High School: Central

Ranking: Five-star; No. 25 overall; No. 5 CB

Date of commitment: June 16, 2022

Analysis: The biggest splash in the 2023 recruiting class for Georgia so far, Harris is a guy that's been towards the top of the Bulldogs' big board for some time now. He's 6-foot-1, 180 pounds and had been getting recruited hard by Alabama and Florida. Harris went on his UGA official visit June 3. In his 2021 season, he helped lead a super talented Central team to a 13-1 season with 31 tackles, three pass break-ups, two forced fumbles and on offense, he ran for five touchdowns. Harris also scored five touchdowns on special teams, showcasing his versatility.

More: Whit Weeks, elite receivers headline another big recruiting weekend for Georgia football

Joshua Miller, 2023 offensive guard from Colonial Heights, Virginia at Life Christian Academy, before the game with Clemson and Boston College in Clemson, S.C. Saturday, October 2, 2021.
Joshua Miller, 2023 offensive guard from Colonial Heights, Virginia at Life Christian Academy, before the game with Clemson and Boston College in Clemson, S.C. Saturday, October 2, 2021.

OT Joshua Miller

Hometown: Colonial Heights, Virginia

High School: Life Christian Academy

Ranking: Three-star; No. 534 overall; No. 39 IOL

Date of commitment: June 13, 2022

Analysis: Miller was offered in early May, five months after committing to Penn State. The 6-foot-5 offensive lineman reportedly took a visit to UGA on June 1 and tested well, per 247Sports. He becomes the third OL to commit in this class and the first under new OL coach Stacy Searels. Miller is also the third straight commit who has been a flip, joining Harris and Rhett. Almost immediately after announcing his commitment, Miller tweeted out that he wanted Arch Manning and Samson Okunlola to join him.

More: What Eli Holstein’s Alabama pledge means for UGA plus the top targets ahead of June visits

Las Vegas Bishop Gorman cornerback Justyn Rhett, near, works out with UNLV defensive back Rashod Tanner on Monday, Aug. 17, 2020. Rhett, a four-star recruit in the 2023 class, verbally committed to Notre Dame on Dec. 11, 2021.
Las Vegas Bishop Gorman cornerback Justyn Rhett, near, works out with UNLV defensive back Rashod Tanner on Monday, Aug. 17, 2020. Rhett, a four-star recruit in the 2023 class, verbally committed to Notre Dame on Dec. 11, 2021.

CB Justyn Rhett

Hometown: Las Vegas, Nevada

High School: Bishop Gorman

Ranking: Four-star; No. 107 overall; No. 12 CB

Date of commitment: April 25, 2022

Analysis: Rhett de-committed from Notre Dame while he was on an official visit at UGA on G-Day and just over a week later he committed to Georgia. He's a long corner at 6-foot-1 and is able to change direction well. Rhett is the first commitment under new defensive back coach Fran Brown. Rhett's Bishop Gorman team will once again play a national schedule this season, which includes hosting Georgia's Brookwood on Sept. 16.

Reclassification for legacy: How Georgia football's Marcus Washington Jr. graduated a year early and joined 2022 class

Walton High School offensive tackle Cason Henry battles with Florida State commit Gabriel Harris at the Under Armour Camp.
Walton High School offensive tackle Cason Henry battles with Florida State commit Gabriel Harris at the Under Armour Camp.

EDGE Gabriel Harris

Hometown: Valdosta, GA

High School: Valdosta

Ranking: Four-star; No. 90 nationally; No. 8 EDGE

Date of Commitment: April 17, 2022

Analysis: The first positive result for Georgia's coaching staff after G-Day, Harris committed after spending Saturday at Georgia's spring game. A quick, big force on the defensive line, Harris shucks off blockers and is great at getting to the quarterback. The 6-foot-4, 237-pound lineman was committed to Florida State for several months before de-committing last June. He'll take his official visit to Athens this summer and plans to early enroll, per 247Sports. Harris played at Thomas County Central, but will play for Valdosta in his final season of high school football.

Norcross tight end Lawson Luckie watches the Georgia Bulldogs in warmups before a game against Arkansas on Oct. 2, 2021 in Sanford Stadium.
Norcross tight end Lawson Luckie watches the Georgia Bulldogs in warmups before a game against Arkansas on Oct. 2, 2021 in Sanford Stadium.

TE Lawson Luckie

Hometown: Norcross, GA

High School: Norcross

Ranking: Four-star; No. 287 nationally; No. 14 TE

Date of commitment: Jan. 12, 2022

Analysis: After seeing Brock Bowers dominate at the tight end position this season, Luckie becomes another strong tight end to join TE coach Todd Hartley's deep room. The Bulldogs signed the No. 2 TE in 2022 with Oscar Delp and have another talented tight end in the 2023 class. Luckie, at 6-foot-3 and 225 pounds, had 258 yards and three touchdowns in the air in 2021. He also had six carries for 12 yards and four touchdowns for the Blue Devils. Luckie's father, Mike, played at UGA in the late 90s.

IOL RyQueze McElderry

Hometown: Anniston, AL

High School: Anniston

Ranking: Three-star; No. 395 nationally; No. 27 IOL

Date of Commitment: Nov. 30, 2021

Analysis: Matt Luke continues to get seemingly whatever offensive lineman he wants, even if they're in Nick Saban territory. McElderry is another huge lineman at 6-foot-4, 340 pounds. The junior phenom only recently picked up an offer from the Crimson Tide and chose UGA over Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, South Carolina and Tennessee. With more than a year until he can sign, there is still time for Saban or another school to come and change his mind, but for now — another huge win for the No. 1 recruiting class.

Bama-UGA recruiting: Will UGA out-recruit Alabama for the third time in five years? Our experts weigh in

Raymond Cottrell (4) pulls in a pass during the Navarre vs Milton football game at Milton High School on Friday, Sept. 10, 2021.
Raymond Cottrell (4) pulls in a pass during the Navarre vs Milton football game at Milton High School on Friday, Sept. 10, 2021.

WR Raymond Cottrell

Hometown: Milton, FL

High School: Milton

Ranking: Four-star; No. 85 nationally; No. 12 WR

Date of commitment: Nov. 11, 2021

Analysis: Kirby Smart was able to get another flip from a Florida commit. Cottrell was committed to the Gators for four months before announcing he'd flip to Georgia. He's versatile on the field, scoring multiple touchdowns on the ground, and through the air — both throwing and catching. He's quick and has good size that will only improve with another year of high school football.

OT Johnathan “Bo” Hughley

Hometown: Fairburn, GA

High School: Langston Hughes

Ranking: Four-star; No. 72 nationally; No. 6 OT

Date of commitment: Sept. 24, 2021

Analysis: Hughley was in Athens as the Bulldogs dominated South Carolina, behind a stellar offensive line. He’s 6-foot-7, 290 pounds and RB coach Dell McGee was the primary recruiter for the first OL commit in Georgia’s 2023 class. Hughley’s Top 8 was Auburn, Florida State, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Miami, Mississippi, Mississippi State, UCF and Tennessee, with UGA again beating out several SEC teams for a top offensive lineman. Hughley’s commitment gives the Bulldogs a stronger grip on the second-best recruiting class in 2023, behind Oklahoma. This is the sixth four or five-star OT to commit to UGA since Matt Luke has been on staff.

Seven Cloud prepares to hit a bag.
Seven Cloud prepares to hit a bag.

DL Seven Cloud

Hometown: Powder Springs, GA

High School: McEachern

Ranking: Four-star; No. 300 nationally; No. 50 DL

Date of commitment: Jan. 7, 2021

Analysis: The 6-foot-3, 325-pound lineman committed to UGA the same day he was offered by the Bulldogs and East Carolina. He has since picked up an offer from Kentucky, but said he feels UGA is the best option for him to go to the next level. His sophomore season, Cloud recorded 26 tackles, five sacks, three forced fumbles and two blocked field goals.

Seahawks WR Pearce Spurlin fights off a Braves defender during the South Walton Walton spring football scrimmage played at Walton High.
Seahawks WR Pearce Spurlin fights off a Braves defender during the South Walton Walton spring football scrimmage played at Walton High.

TE Pearce Spurlin

Hometown: Santa Rosa Beach, FL

High School: South Walton

Ranking: Four-star; No. 73 nationally; No. 4 TE

Date of commitment: Sept. 30, 2020

Analysis: Spurlin committed to UGA in the midst of his second season of high school football over 13 other college offers. After playing his freshman year at Walton (GA), the 6-foot-6 tight end transferred to Florida and made 46 catches for 606 with five touchdowns in just eight games in 2020. As a junior, he made 72 catches for 1,404 yards and 22 touchdowns. He’s a guy whose size and football IQ will continue to develop in the two years before he gets to Athens.

This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: UGA football recruiting: Kirby Smart, Bulldogs 2023 commits

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