The Bulldog nation just grew by 5,643 pounds.

With 23 signees to the football team, the average player is 245 pounds – tight end Bruce Figgins being closest to average at 238.

There also are 10 players weighing over 270 pounds.

The additional weight is something the coaches were looking for in this recruiting class.

Recruiting coach Rodney Garner said the team was able to address the needs for linemen on both sides of the ball with this class.

In the 2007 recruiting class, Georgia signed 12 lineman – eight on offense and four on defense. The class was ranked the ninth best in the nation by Rivals.com.

Due to the “dangerously low” number of scholarship offensive linemen, according to head coach Mark Richt, the coaches felt the need to make linemen a priority for this recruiting class.

When the seven signees already on campus were introduced yesterday, Richt commented, “People say ‘Where’s the Beef?’ Well here’s the beef.”

Richt said he was excited about the recruiting class, but also noted their relative worth.

“We have future starters, future All-SEC, more than likely have some All-Americans, and we might even have a national award winner in this bunch,” he said.

With fans anxiously awaiting to hear which commitments finally signed, signing day started with bad news for the Bulldogs – offensive lineman Antwane Greenlee had switched his loyalties back to Florida State.

However, later in the day that 302-pound hole was filled by in-state athlete and former Notre Dame commitment Chris Little, a 330-pound offensive lineman.

“This class was unique because the majority had been completed for almost three months,” Garner said.

The class also includes four junior college players who are already on campus. This is the first time in several years Georgia has recruited junior college players.

Along with the junior college transfers, Georgia finally received two signees from last year’s class, who needed a year at Hargrave Military to become academically eligible.

Justin “Bean” Anderson said the time he spent at Hargrave was beneficial and well spent.

In response to his time spent at Georgia Military College, Jarius Wynn said it made him understand the importance of academics and taught him discipline.

He added the time was not fun or easy, but in the long run it was beneficial to his academic and football career.

Those student-athletes already on campus will be able to display their athletic talents when the team begins Spring drills on March 5, which will conclude with the G-Day game on April 7.

Google Map Mash-up by Joe Mason. Data compiled by Marshall Duncan from University news releases and Rivals.com

Black pushpins represent established players.
Red pushpins represent new recruits.