Smart was announced as Georgia’s new coach on December 6, and less than two months later, he and his staff had signed the No. 7 class in the nation. That’s impressive work by he and his staff, especially considering that he spent about four weeks of his time right after being hired having to serve two masters, as he famously remained Alabama’s defensive coordinator as the Tide marched to another national title.
It was the most impressive first-year class since Urban Meyer’s at Ohio State in 2012, when that Buckeyes staff reeled in the No. 4 class in the nation despite being on NCAA probation and coming off a losing record.