GAINESVILLE — Kirby Smart's arrival at Riverside Military Academy was loud and early.
Supposed to arrive around noon at RMA on Thursday, the University of Georgia football coach's yellow helicopter landed at Maginnis Field an hour ahead of schedule.
It was one of two stops in Hall County. Smart also visited Gainesville coach Heath Webb on Thursday.
Smart was checking in on 3-star stand-out athlete, junior cadet Shad Dabney, with RMA coach Nick Garrett and staff. He also stopped by Gainesville to chat with Webb about junior offensive lineman, Ced Nicely. Nicely holds offers from South Carolina and Liberty University.
Dabney is a top-ten athlete who is in a UGA targeted position and has offers from Arizona State, Georgia State, Georgia Southern, Kent State and Coastal Carolina.
Kirby Copter landing at @gainesvillefb. Thanks for visiting @KirbySmartUGA. #GRIT pic.twitter.com/oZMxtqjgqt
— Heath Webb (@CoachHeathWebb) January 30, 2020
According to multiple recruiting services, Georgia moved from the No. 3 2020 class in the country to No. 1 when 4-star running back Daijun Edwards committed to the Bulldogs on Thursday. It was a two-team race between Clemson and Alabama until the Bulldogs jumped to the top spot. National Signing Day is on Wednesday. If nothing drastic happens, the Bulldogs should end NSD in the top spot for 2020.
But on this day, Smart's visit was to talk with Garrett about key targeted positions in the 2020-2021 recruiting cycle.
“We discussed experiences at the academy, his service in the community, and how it factors into his growth as a person and as a leader,” Garrett said.
Dabney has played multiple positions on offense, defense and special teams for the Eagles. He also excels at basketball and track and field.
“It’s a very exciting time for RMA," Garrett said. "Coach Smart was blown away by Riverside's facilities and our hospitality. He said no other school has done so much when he has helicoptered in since he has been at UGA."
