Recruiting is the lifeblood of college football, and Kirby Smart seems to have his finger on its pulse.
The University of Georgia is a two-time College Football Playoff National Champion under Smart. Before the 2021 season, the Bulldogs’ most recent national title came in 1980. Smart, a Georgia alum, has delivered the program back-to-back titles — including one over his former boss, Nick Saban. Smart, like Saban, prides himself on getting the best recruits in the nation, developing them well, and putting them in a position to win. An interesting article from USA Today hit the internet on Feb. 9.
RELATED: Alabama football 2023 early enrollee spotlight: Justice Haynes
Georgia has upped the ante in its recruiting class. According to the article, the Bulldogs spent over $4.5 million in football recruiting in the 2022 fiscal year. The statistics came from an NCAA financial report as no other program at a Power 5 school has come close to Georgia’s output for 2022. Texas A&M ($2.98 million), Tennessee ($2.92 million), and Texas ($2.44 million) came at Nos. 2, 3, and 4 respectively. Alabama finished at No. 5, spending $2.32 million in recruiting. Georgia put $2.18 million more in its recruiting budget than the Crimson Tide. The Bulldogs did not capture the top-ranked signing class in 2021 and 2022, finishing at No. 3 for both years. However, it spent enough and attracted the right kind of players to win national titles.
Alabama looks to disrupt the Bulldogs’ momentum next fall.
Coach Saban signed the No. 1 class for 2023 and names from the class anticipate being impactful. The Tide is trying to bounce back as national champions. Georgia is sending a statement in recruiting, but it is on Alabama to match it.
Click here to follow the Bama Elite Podcast
*Get the BEST Alabama football insider information, message board access, and recruiting coverage today! SIGN UP HERE to unlock our subscriber-only content!*
Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
