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What became of Georgia’s heralded 2013 recruiting class?
By Keith Farner
Published:
The 2013 class appeared to be one for the ages for Mark Richt and Georgia.
The class that eventually counted 34 players snagged 19 in-state prospects, including a potential quarterback-for-the-future in pro-style Brice Ramsey.
Richt signed 15 four-star players according to the 247 Sports Composite, and overall it was ranked No. 12 in the country and No. 7 in the SEC. The number was the largest class in Richt’s tenure at Georgia.
But Richt thought it was better than that when the faxes arrived.
“As far as I’m concerned, we got the No. 1 class in America,” Richt said.
Perhaps it could’ve been ranked higher if it signed five-star recruits Georgia pursued like Montravius Adams, Reuben Foster, Alvin Kamara and Laremy Tunsil, who all went elsewhere in the SEC.
Still, it was the first time since the 2010 class that Georgia didn’t sign a five-star player. Though Leonard Floyd’s departure to be a first-round NFL Draft pick was one of the few bright spots. He had 17 sacks in three seasons. Another defensive front seven player, Toby Johnson, is on the Minnesota Vikings’ practice squad. Former receiver Jonathon Rumph is an NFL free agent.
Defensive coordinator Todd Grantham even made the point that getting 13 players on campus for the spring semester was at least as important as signing a five-star recruit.
“So those guys are here right now working, and what we get out of them in spring practice is more important than the initial shock of getting a guy on signing day,” Grantham said.
But as the class nears what will be its senior day festivities soon, only 15 of the original 34 players remain. The departures were because of a host of reasons, including discipline, playing time disputes, simple transfers and early NFL draftees.
When the senior class is celebrated next week, or when Kirby Smart refers to a lack of depth, it’s likely these players, especially the ones no longer in Athens, who are the subject.
Veteran Georgia fans received a reminder of one piece of the class on Saturday when safety Tray Matthews made an interception in the corner of the end zone on Saturday while wearing an Auburn uniform.
Matthews was Georgia’s highest-rated signee in that class, a four-star ranked No. 79 overall.
Of the remaining players, only a few are contributors this season.
Brandon Kublanow has started every game at center. Reggie Carter was eighth on the team with 35 tackles playing at linebacker alongside Davin Bellamy, who has 38 tackles. Wide receiver Reggie Davis has eight catches for 97 yards.
Ramsey, the one-time top-rated quarterback recruit, has made nine punts this season, and was pressed into action against Auburn following an injury to Marshall Long.
Defensive lineman John Atkins has 16 tackles. Quincy Mauger has been a consistent presence in the secondary with 18 tackles and two pass breakup. Capable backup and one-time fan favorite Brendan Douglas has five rushes for 32 yards. Glenn Welch has not started yet this season, but still played in every game.
Players no longer on roster (who aren’t on NFL rosters):
Tray Matthews, now a safety at Auburn, had started six games as a freshman before he was dismissed.
Tramel Terry recovering from a spring practice knee injury at Jacksonville State. He never made a significant impact at Georgia after a high school ACL injury in an all-star game.
Shaq Wiggins followed Todd Grantham to Louisville after he didn’t get along with then-defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt. Wiggins started eight games as a freshman at cornerback. He’s played in seven games for Louisville this season with six tackles.
Tim Kimbrough started seven games last season, but was suspended for the TaxSlayer Bowl. He reportedly moved back to Indianapolis and is preparing for the NFL.
Brendan Langley arrived on campus as a cornerback and started as a freshman, then moved to receiver before he transferred to Lamar where he has six interceptions this season.
A.J. Turman shined in a couple of spring games, but transferred to Florida Atlantic. He was caught in the middle of Kirby Smart’s initial transfer limitations, specifically to Miami, that were later relaxed.
Shaquille Fluker transferred late in 2013 to Jacksonville State, but he’s no longer on that roster.
Uriah LeMay was involved a double-check cashing incident and transferred to Charlotte.
Josh Cardiello transferred to Chattanooga in the summer of 2015 after the offensive lineman didn’t see much action.
A former newspaper veteran, Keith Farner is a news manager for Saturday Down South.
