3 Times Georgia Completely Robbed Alabama in Recruiting

They might play on opposite sides of the SEC, but watching the tug of war between Alabama and Georgia over the best recruits in the country every single year is one of the sport's great spectacles. After Kirby Smart left Tuscaloosa for Athens, Georgia started to challenge Alabama's title as kings of recruiting, even stealing several prized recruits away from them.

Players like Jake Fromm and Roquan Smith also chose Georgia over the Tide, but losing these three recruits to their SEC East enemies had to cut Alabama the deepest.

3. WR Mecole Hardman

Georgia WR Mecole Hardman / Scott Cunningham/Getty Images

In addition to the usual SEC powers, schools like Miami, Michigan, and Ohio State were after Hardman before he pledged his college career to Smart and the Bulldogs. Hardman ended up in Athens, where his speed helped him become a game-breaking vertical threat that took the top off of the best defenses in the SEC. Hardman, a former 5-star recruit, has continued his excellent play in the pros, as he was the No. 3 wide receiver and top returner on a Kansas City Chiefs team that just won Super Bowl LIV.

2. RB Nick Chubb

Georgia RB Nick Chubb / Daniel Shirey/Getty Images

Chubb's decision essentially amounted to a coin flip between the Bulldogs and Crimson Tide, as schools like Florida, Notre Dame, Penn State, and Texas eventually receded into the shadows. Chubb ended up at Georgia, where he started his career as a backup for Todd Gurley and ended it as one half of a smash-and-dash duo that featured him and Sony Michel. Chubb's strong running between the tackles took Georgia to a National Championship Game. Even though Alabama won that game, missing out on the Cleveland Browns star had to hurt.

1. DE Nolan Smith

Georgia DE Nolan Smith / Frederick Breedon/Getty Images

Smith was 247's No. 1 player in the country, beating out the likes of Kayvon Thibodeaux and Derek Stingley. Smith essentially had his pick of schools to attend, and it seemed like either Alabama or Clemson would get their hands on him. At the 11th hour, however, Smith chose Georgia, giving an evil genius like Smart the most exciting pass rush prospect in the country. He didn't start as a freshman, but he should be in for a dominant sophomore season.