Georgia football recruiting: Losing Chris Hinton a big blow for the ‘Dawgs

The Georgia Bulldogs suffered a big blow Saturday when five-star defensive end Chris Hinton chose to play for the Michigan Wolverines. Hinton, the 9th overall player in the country for the class of 2019, per 247Sports, is from Norcross, Georgia.

Hinton’s father, who also happens to be named Chris, was one of the better offensive tackles in the NFL throughout the 80s and early 90s and was a seven-time Pro-Bowl selection.

This is a tough one for the ‘Dawgs because most felt he was a lock for head coach Kirby Smart and Georgia. Hinton chose Michigan over Stanford and the Bulldogs as well as a few other schools who were in play.

Fortunately for Smart, the class of 2019 is still a long way off. If the ‘Dawgs have a big season in 2017, they could be right back in the mix. The class of 2019 is a big one for The Peach State. Georgia has four of the nation’s Top 20 players, two of whom have already committed to the home team in Dominick Blaylock and Jadon Haselwood.

The nation’s No. 3 player in 2019, defensive end Nolan Smith, plays for the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida and is from Savannah, Georgia. Smith is already committed to the ‘Dawgs. However, Ohio State, Florida State and Clemson are working hard to flip him.

Georgia missing out on Hinton could also cost the Bulldogs his younger brother, Myles, a 2020 recruit, who is one of the top offensive tackles in the nation for his class.