ATHENS (AP) — Coach Kirby Smart says Georgia's march to the College Football Playoff provided recruiting momentum that helped his staff sign 17 players, including highly rated quarterback Justin Fields and running back Zamir White, on the first day of the early signing period.
Fields, White, offensive linemen Jamaree Salyer and Cade Mays and outside linebacker Adam Anderson earned five-star ratings from 247 Sports.
Georgia will play Oklahoma in the Jan. 1 Rose Bowl for a spot in the national championship game. Smart said Wednesday the season created a "tidal wave effect" in recruiting.
Salyer, from Atlanta's Pace Academy, and another Georgia signee, Trey Hill from Warner Robins, Georgia, are rated by Rivals.com as the nation's top two offensive guards. Georgia also saw Miami, Florida-based defensive back Nadab Joseph switch his commitment from Alabama to the Bulldogs on Wednesday evening.
White, from Laurinburg, North Carolina, will enroll early. He is recovering from a knee injury and won't participate in spring practice.
GEORGIA FOOTBALL 2017 EARLY SIGNING PERIOD CLASS
Adam Anderson OLB 6-5 225 Rome, Ga. Rome High School
Jake Camarda P/K 6-2 180 Norcross, Ga. Norcross High School
Owen Condon OL 6-7 315 Oklahoma City, OK Bishop McGuinness HS
James Cook RB 5-11 183 Miami, Fla. Miami Central HS
Brenton Cox OLB 6-4 250 Stockbridge, GA Stockbridge HS
Warren Ericson OL 6-4 315 Suwanee, Ga. North Gwinnett HS
Justin Fields QB 6-3 225 Kennesaw, Ga. Harrison HS
John FitzPatrick TE 6-6 230 Atlanta, Ga. The Marist School
Deontrey Hill OL 6-4 330 Warner Robins, Ga. Houston County HS
Kearis Jackson WR 6-0 200 Fort Valley, Ga. Peach County HS
Nadab Joseph CB 6-0 180 Miami, Fla. Miami Norland HS
Cade Mays OT 6-6 318 Knoxville, Tenn. Knoxville Catholic HS
Azeez Ojulari OLB 6-3 230 Marietta, Ga. Marietta High School
Jamaree Salyer OL 6-4 325 Atlanta, Ga. Pace Academy
Christopher Smith DB 5-11 175 Atlanta, Ga. Hapeville Charter HS
Zamir White RB 6-0 210 Laurinburg, N.C. Scotland High School
Divaad Wilson DB 6-0 180 Miami, Fla. Miami Northwestern
Devonte Wyatt DL 6-3 300 Decatur, GA Hutchinson CC, Kan.
