Second-year coach Kirby Smart wanted to -- and had to -- bolster his offensive line with his 2017 recruiting class. And man, did he.
Smart not only signed six offensive linemen but he signed five linemen who weigh at least 330 pounds. All of this was needed in Athens, and Smart delivered an Alabama-like offensive line to the Bulldogs earlier this month.
And while all of these guy are important pieces to the Bulldogs' present and future, keep a particular eye on three-star guard Justin Shaffer. One of Smart's bigger signees (6-foot-4, 350 pounds), Shaffer was overlooked by just about all the recruiting services. In ESPN's RecruitingNation ratings, Shaffer wound up being the No. 29 offensive guard prospect in the country. Still, there are some around the program who think he was a better prospect than people labeled him.
Only two starters return along Georgia's offensive line, and although those two spots belong to guards, Shaffer is someone who has the ability to push both. He may not be a starter in Year 1, but he's someone people think can squeeze his massive frame into the rotation this fall. Now, with that frame, he'll have to be careful with how he adds weight. He can't let that weight take away from his quickness, but he also can't afford to lose the power that he plays with and makes him the kind of player his coaches are excited about.
Like any young offensive lineman, Shaffer certainly needs some help with his technique and placement. But has the size to smother defenders in the interior, eventually giving the Dawgs another weapon to help that running game.
