Georgia among the finalists for Qua Russaw, James Smith
Two of the nation’s best, EDGE Qua Russaw and defensive lineman James Smith, are wanted by top programs across the country, but the Carver High (Montgomery, Alabama) duo have only a select group they’ll continue to entertain moving forward.
Per On3’s Chad Simmons, the two five-star prospects have whittled their list down to a common top ten with Alabama, Alabama State, Auburn, Florida, Georgia, Miami, Ohio State, Texas, Texas A&M, and USC making the cut.
Each also has an additional school, with Russaw adding Oklahoma to his list and Smith adding Jackson State to his.
Currently, Russaw ranks as the nation’s No. 23 overall prospect in the On3 Consensus, as well as the No. 3 EDGE in the class of 2023.
Smith, meanwhile, ranks as the No. 7 prospect in the nation per the Consensus and is the No. 2 defensive lineman of the class.
Per the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine, Russaw is currently projected to land with Georgia, with the Dawgs given a 49.5-percent chance of signing him. Georgia is trailed by Alabama, as the Tide currently have a 34.5-percent chance.
It’s the opposite case for Smith, as Alabama leads with a 50-percent chance of gaining his services. Georgia trails, with a 39.6-percent chance of signing him.
The pair
Georgia’s ties to James Smith and Qua Russaw longstanding
Russaw hasn’t been shy about his feelings toward the Bulldogs.
“Georgia wants to put me all over the field in their defense. With Georgia, I really like their defense and the plan they have for me if I went there,” Russaw told Simmons last month. “They want to move me around, show my versatility, and get me prepared for the NFL.”
Simmons has projected Russaw to land with the Bulldogs.
Smith has also previously given Georgia high marks.
“They develop players and they have a good d-line coach in coach Scott,” Smith told BamaOn3’s Joseph Hastings. “Me and coach [Kirby] Smart, we have a good relationship. I have a good relationship with all the coaches. I like the school.”
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