2016 UGA football signee bios

UGA has announced 20 football signees for the 2016 recruiting class.

Listed below are bios for the 20 recruits who signed with the Georgia Bulldogs on National Signing Day, Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2016.

CHAD CLAY (DB, 6-0, 180)

High School: Peachtree Ridge, coached by Mark Fleetwood…PrepStar Magazine four-star prospect, #301 prospect nationally, Top All-American…Rivals.com three-star prospect…ESPN.com four-star prospect, #247 prospect nationally, #18 CB nationally, #26 prospect in Georgia, #118 player in the Southeast… 247sports.com three-star prospect, #413 player nationally, #41 DB overall, #36 prospect in Georgia … Scout four-star prospect, #28 DB nationally, #14 DB in the South…Dawg Post #30 overall prospect and #1 CB in Georgia … helped Peachtree Ridge to an 8-4 record, recorded 41 tackles and three interceptions his senior season…graduated early from high school and enrolled at UGA in January, 2016.
Personal: CHAD CLAY…Born: Dec. 1, 1996.

BEN CLEVELAND (OL, 6-6, 345)

High School: Stephens County, coached by Frank Barden … 2016 U.S. Army All-American … 2015 MaxPreps Second-Team All-American … Rivals.com four-star prospect, #119 overall prospect in the country, #6 OG nationally, #6 prospect in Georgia … ESPN.com four-star prospect, #222 overall prospect in the country, #13 OG nationally, #23 prospect in Georgia … Scout four-star prospect, #118 prospect in the country, #7 OG nationally … PrepStar Magazine five-star prospect, #37 prospect in the nation on Top 150 Dream Team … 247sports.com five-star prospect, #9 OT nationally, #11 prospect in Georgia … Dawg Post #10 overall prospect and No. 1 OG in Georgia… 2015 Atlanta Journal-Constitution Super 11 in Georgia and All-State first team … 2015 Georgia Sports Writers Association All-State first team … Helped lead his team to the playoffs in all four years of his high school career … A two-sport athlete, Cleveland shined on the baseball field at Stephens County… graduated early from high school and enrolled at UGA in January, 2016.
Personal: BENJAMIN CLEVELAND….Born: Aug. 25, 1998.

JACOB EASON (QB, 6-5, 211)

High School: Lake Stevens, coached by Tom Tri…Selected to represent the East in the 2016 U.S. Army All-America Bowl … 2015-16 Gatorade National Football Player of the Year … Maxwell Football Club National Back of the Year…2016 Bobby Dodd National Back of the Year…2015 USA Today All-USA Offensive Player of the Year…American Family Insurance 2015 USA Today All-USA First Team offense…MaxPreps 2016 All-America Second Team offense…PrepStar Magazine five-star prospect, #1 player nationally, Top 150 Dream Team…ESPN.com four-star prospect, #13 player nationally, #1 QB nationally, #1 player in the state of Washington … 247Sports.com five-star prospect, #5 player nationally, #2 QB nationally, #1 player in the state of Washington … Rivals.com five-star prospect, #7 player nationally, #1 QB nationally, #1 player in the state of Washington…Scout five-star prospect, #7 player nationally, #2 QB nationally, #1 player in the state of Washington…Seattle Times 2015 Offensive Player of the Year … Associated Press 2015 All-State 4A First Team offense…during his senior season, passed for 3,585 yards and 43 touchdowns, while only throwing six interceptions … threw for over 10,000 yards and 99 touchdowns in his career…led Lake Stevens to a 12-1 record and a trip to the 4A State semifinals his senior year… graduated early from high school and enrolled at UGA in January, 2016.

ISAAC NAUTA (TE, 6-4, 237)

High School: IMG Academy, coached by Kevin Wright … 2015 American Family Insurance USA Today All-USA First Team Offense … selected to represent the East in the 2016 U.S. Army All-America Bowl…PrepStar Magazine five-star prospect, #16 overall player in the PrepStar Top 350 … ESPN.com five-star prospect, #1 TE nationally, #2 overall prospect in Florida … Rivals.com five-star prospect, #1 TE nationally, #18 overall prospect nationally, #5 overall prospect in Florida … Scout five-star prospect, No. 30 overall and #1 TE nationally, #5 overall prospect in Florida…247Sports.com five-star prospect, #1 TE nationally, #2 overall prospect in Georgia… graduated early from high school and enrolled at UGA in January, 2016.
Personal: ISAAC NAUTA … Born May 21, 1997.

RILEY RIDLEY (WR, 6-2, 195)

High School: Deerfield Beach, coached by Jevon Glenn … 2016 Under Armour All-American Game selection… ESPN.com four-star prospect… #40 ranked WR nationally…Scout four-star prospect, #169 overall prospect and #28 WR in the country…#4 ranked WR in Florida… #6 WR and #21 overall prospect in Florida…247sports.com four-star prospect, #25 overall prospect in the state of Florida in the composite rankings, #56 WR and #41 overall prospect in the state of Florida 247sports.com specific rankings… Rivals.com four-star prospect, #141 ranked WR nationally… PrepStar Magazine four star prospect and Top All-American Team, ranked #187 prospect nationally…Listed as top performer on offense for Team Highlight at Under Armour Game…Had five catches for 123 yards and one touchdown in his first game for the Bucks after transferring from Monarch…Caught 25 passes for 586 yards and six touchdowns his junior year…Top Offensive Player in District 11-8A… graduated early from high school and enrolled at UGA in January, 2016.
Personal: CAVIN RILEY RIDLEY … Born: July, 21, 1996.

JULIAN ROCHESTER (DL, 6-5, 327)

High School: McEachern, coached by Kyle Hockman … 2015 American Family Insurance USA Today All-USA Second Team defense…2015 Army All-American…PrepStar Magazine five-star prospect, #38 ranked player nationally,Top 150 Dream Team…Rivals.com four-star prospect, #204 overall prospect, #17 DT nationally, #13 prospect in Georgia…ESPN.com four-star prospect, ranked #23 overall player nationally, #8 DT overall, #4 prospect in Georgia, #14 player in the Southeast…247sports.com four-star prospect, #68 overall prospect, #10 ranked DT, #8 prospect in Georgia…Scout four-star prospect, #47 overall prospect, #7 DT nationally, #4 ranked DT in the South…Dawg Post #2 DT and #6 overall prospect in Georgia…2015 Atlanta Journal-Constitution Super 11 in Georgia and Class AAAAAA All-State defense…2015 Georgia Sports Writers Assn. Class AAAAAA Defensive Player of the Year and First Team All-State defense…helped McEachern to a 10-2 record and advance to the second round of the state playoffs…recorded 73 tackles and 9.5 sacks during senior season… graduated early from high school and enrolled at UGA in January, 2016.
Personal: JULIAN ROCHESTER…Born: Feb. 28, 1997.

TYRIQUE MCGHEE (DB, 5-10, 177)

High School: Peach County, coached by Chad Campbell … ESPN.com three-star prospect, #43 CB nationally, #67 overall prospect in Georgia … Rivals.com three-star prospect, #62 CB nationally, #59 overall prospect in Georgia … 247Sports.com three-star prospect, #45 CB nationally, #43 overall prospect in Georgia … Scout three-star prospect, #36 CB nationally…Dawg Post No. 46 overall prospect and No. 2 CB in Georgia … 2015 Atlanta Journal-Constitution All-State Class AAA defense … named to the 2015 Georgia Sports Writers Association All-State Class AAA First Team defense … led team to a 9-3 record and the second round of the Class AAA playoffs during his senior season, playing both DB and QB…tallied 13 total tackles and five passes defended during his senior season in addition to passing for 812 yards and rushing for 438 yards …
Personal: TYRIQUE MCGHEE … Born: Aug. 11, 1998.

CHAUNCEY MANAC (OLB, 6-3, 255)

High School: Clinch County, coached by Jim Dickerson…PrepStar Magazine four-star prospect, #54 ranked player nationally on Top 150 Dream Team…Rivals.com four-star prospect, #125 ranked player nationally, #9 weakside DE overall, #10 prospect in Georgia…ESPN.com four-star prospect, ranked #115 player nationally, #17 DE overall, #59 player in the in the Southeast, #12 prospect in Georgia…247sports.com four-star prospect, #114 overall player in the country, #10 weak side DE, #13 prospect in Georgia … Scout four-star prospect, #151 overall prospect and #20 ranked DE nationally, #8 ranked DE in the South…Dawg Post #13 overall prospect and #2 DE in Georgia…2015 Georgia Sports Writers Assn. Class A First Team All-State defense … 2015 Atlanta Journal Constitution Class A All-State defense … helped Clinch County to a 13-1 record and 2015 Class A state championship… recorded 67 tackles, eight sacks and recovered three fumbles during senior season despite missing five games due to injury.
Personal: CHAUNCEY MANAC…Born: Nov. 23, 1997.

CHRIS BARNES (OL, 6-3, 294)

High School: Lee County, coached by Dean Fabrizio … PrepStar Magazine four-star prospect, Top All-American, and #348 overall player in the PrepStar Top 350…ESPN.com four-star prospect, #19 ranked OG nationally, #36 overall prospect in Georgia…Rivals.com three-star prospect, #27 ranked OG nationally, #44 overall prospect in Georgia…247Sports.com three-star prospect, #42 OT nationally, #41 overall prospect in Georgia…Scout three-star prospect, #34 OG nationally, #4 OG in Georgia…Dawg Post No. 44 overall prospect and No. 4 OG in Georgia … in 2015 Atlanta Journal-Constitution All-State Class AAAAAA offense…named to the 2015 Georgia Sports Writers Association All-State Class AAAAAA First Team offense…led team to a 6-5 record in 2015.
Personal: CHRIS BARNES…Born: Aug. 11, 1997.

MARSHALL LONG (P, 6-2, 223)

High School: China Grove, coached by Daniel Yow … Selected to represent the East in the 2016 U.S. Army All-America Bowl … ESPN.com three-star prospect, #10 P nationally, #41 player in the state of North Carolina … 247Sports.com two-star prospect, #12 P nationally, #85 player in the state of North Carolina … 2015 NCPreps.com All-State team … Averaged 46.5 yards per punt as a senior.
Personal: MARSHALL LONG….Born: May 7, 1998.

CHARLIE WOERNER (TE, 6-5, 249)

High School: Rabun County High School, coached by Lee Shaw … Rivals.com four-star prospect, #23 TE nationally, #8 prospect in Georgia … ESPN.com four-star prospect, #102 overall prospect in the country, #4 TE nationally, #11 prospect in Georgia … Scout four-star prospect, #42 overall prospect in the country, #5 ATH nationally…PrepStar Magazine four-star prospect, #182 overall prospect in the country, Top All-American selection … 247sports.com four-star prospect, #133 overall prospect in the country, #25 WR nationally, #15 prospect in Georgia…2015 Georgia Sports Writers Association Class AA All-State first team at TE…Dawg Post #3 ATH and #5 overall prospect in Georgia….2015 Atlanta Journal-Constitution Super 11 in Georgia, Class AA Defensive Player of the Year, and AA All-State at DB…Accumulated 2,696 receiving yards in four seasons of varsity football … Hauled in 57 receptions his senior season to finish with 150 in his Rabun career….Caught 15 touchdowns and ran for another as a senior…Nephew of former Georgia All-America DB and 2016 College Football Hall of Fame inductee Scott Woerner.
Personal: Charlie Woerner … Born: Oct. 16, 1997.

JAVON WIMS (WR, 6-4, 220)

Junior College: Hinds (Miss.) CC, coached by Gene Murphy … Rivals.com four-star prospect…#23 JUCO prospect nationally, #5 ranked WR JUCO prospect…ESPN.com four-star prospect, #12 ranked JUCO prospect nationally, #3 ranked JUCO WR overall … 247sports.com four-star prospect, #11 ranked JUCO prospect overall, #4 JUCO WR overall … Scout four-star prospect, #11 ranked JUCO prospect and #3 JUCO WR nationally…helped team to a 6-3 overall record…caught 47 passes for 779 yards and nine touchdowns.
Belhaven University: Played in six games, caught 7 passes for 55 yards.
High School: Ed White High School, coached by Terry Gilliam … letterman in basketball and football…led the county in assists, blocks and rebounds per game as a senior.
Personal: JAVON WIMS…Born: Sept. 11, 1994.

MECOLE HARDMAN (ATH, 5-11, 180)

High School: Elbert County, coached by Sid Fritts … Selected to represent the East in the 2016 U.S. Army All-America Bowl….scored a TD in the 2016 International Bowl vs. Canada…American Family Insurance 2015 USA Today All-USA Second Team defense … PrepStar Magazine five-star prospect, #26 player nationally on the Top 150 Dream Team … ESPN.com four-star prospect, #48 player nationally, #2 ATH nationally, #5 player in the state of Georgia … 247Sports.com five-star prospect, #13 player nationally, #1 ATH nationally, #2 player in the state of Georgia … Rivals.com five-star prospect, #11 player nationally, #2 ATH nationally, #2 player in the state of Georgia … Scout five-star prospect, #16 overall prospect and, #2 ATH nationally … Dawg Post #1 ATH and #2 overall player in the state of Georgia … 2015 Georgia Sports Writers Association Class AAA Offensive Player of the Year … 2015 Georgia Sports Writers Association Class AAA First Team offense … 2015 Atlanta Journal-Constitution Super 11 in Georgia and Class AAA All-State offense … Played both quarterback and defensive back in high school, leading Elbert County to an 11-3 record and a trip to the quarterfinals of the 2015 GHSA Class AAA playoffs…
Personal: MECOLE HARDMAN…Born: March 12, 1998.

ELIJAH HOLYFIELD (RB, 5-11, 209)

High School: Woodward Academy, coached by John Hunt… PrepStar Magazine four-star prospect, #148 overall prospect in the country on Top 150 Dream Team….Rivals.com four-star prospect, #108 overall prospect, and #2 RB in the country, #7 prospect in Georgia…ESPN.com four-star prospect, #183 overall prospect in the country, #11 RB nationally, #18 prospect in Georgia … Scout four-star prospect, #195 overall prospect and #12 RB in the country… …247sports.com four-star prospect, #166 overall prospect in the country, #6 RB nationally, #17 prospect in Georgia … Georgia Sports Writers Association Class AAAA All-State first team … Atlanta Journal-Constitution Super 11 in Georgia and Class 4A All-State honorable mention…Accounted for 1,399 All-Purpose yards as a senior … Ran for 1,069 yards on 151 carries (7.1 ypc) with 21 touchdowns in nine games during the 2015 season … Registered five 100-plus yard games as a senior … Had a breakout Junior campaign with 1,735 yards on 264 carries and 25 touchdowns in 14 games…Recorded nine receptions as a senior for 102 yards…Not charged with a single fumble during his high school varsity career… Son of former cruiserweight and heavyweight champion boxer Evander Holyfield.
Personal: ELIJAH HOLYFIELD…Born: Nov. 30, 1997.

SOLOMON KINDLEY (OL, 6-4, 370)

High School: Raines High School, coached by Deran Wiley … Rivals.com three-star prospect … ESPN.com three-star prospect, #40 OG nationally, #99 prospect in Florida … Scout three-star prospect, #105 OT nationally, #6 OT and #140 prospect in Florida … 247sports.com three-star prospect, #87 OT nationally, #143 prospect in Florida … Florida Times-Union Class AAAA All-State second team.
Personal: Solomon Kindley….Born: July 31, 1997.

TYLER SIMMONS (WR, 6-0, 194)

High School:McEachern, coached by Kyle Hockman…Rivals.com three-star prospect, #70 WR prospect nationally, #47 player in Georgia…ESPN.com three-star prospect, #87 overall WR, #243 prospect in the Southeast, #45 prospect in Georgia…247sports.com three-star prospect, #378 prospect nationally, #62 WR overall, #33 prospect in Georgia … Scout four-star prospect, #265 prospect in the nation, #40 WR overall, #18 WR in the South, #3 WR in Georgia … 2015 Atlanta Journal Constitution Class AAAAAA Region 4 all-district first team offense…helped McEachern to a 10-2 record and the second round of the Class AAAAAA state playoffs.
Personal: TYLER SIMMONS…Born: Dec. 30, 1997.

MICHAIL CARTER (DL, 6-3, 317)

High School: Jackson, coached by Dary Myricks … PrepStar Magazine four-star prospect, #127 overall player nationally and Top 150 Dream Team…ESPN.com four-star prospect, #9 DT nationally, #7 overall player in Georgia…Rivals.com four-star prospect, #8 DT nationally, #89 overall prospect nationally and #14 overall prospect in the Georgia…247Sports.com four-star prospect, #27 DT nationally, #23 overall prospect in Georgia…Scout four-star prospect, #170 overall player and #21 DT nationally….Dawg Post #5 DT and #16 overall prospect in Georgia … 2015 Atlanta Journal-Constitution All-State Class AAA defense…named to the 2015 Georgia Sports Writers Association All-State Class AAA First Team defense…helped lead team to an 11-1 record and the semifinals of the Class AAA playoffs.
Personal: MICHAIL CARTER…Born: May 19, 1998.

DAVID MARSHALL (DL, 6-3, 270)

High School: Upson-Lee, coached by Tommy Parks… Played in Rising Seniors Bowl game in 2015… ESPN.com four-star prospect, #259 ranked athlete nationally, #28 ranked overall prospect in the state of Georgia, #123 ranked prospect and #25 ranked DE in the South region…Scout three-star prospect, #46 ranked DE in the country, #19 DE in South region…Dawg Post #5 ranked DE, #57 ranked overall prospect in Georgia…247sports.com three-star prospect, #473 ranked national defensive end, #21 ranked strong-side defensive end, #41 ranked prospect in the state of Georgia…Rivals.com three-star prospect, #41 ranked DE nationally, #50 overall prospect in the state of Georgia… Atlanta-Journal Constitution Class AAAA All-State Defensive Lineman…Georgia Sports Writers Association Class AAAA All-State first team…awarded best interior defensive lineman after the Elite Junior Classic all-star game…Led his high school team to a 7-2 record in 2015…Helped lead his team to state play-offs for the first time since 2011…First lineman to win Iron Man competition at his high school…Played basketball and threw the shot put for track and field.
Personal: DAVID MARSHALL…Born: Dec. 13, 1997.

TYLER CLARK (DL, 6-4, 309)

High School: Americus-Sumter County High South, coached by Dexter Dawson … PrepStar Magazine four-star prospect, All-Southeast Region …… 247sports.com four-star prospect, #25 DT nationally, #22 prospect in Georgia … ESPN four-star prospect, #30 DT nationally, #33 overall prospect in Georgia … Rivals.com four-star prospect, #22 DT nationally, #30 prospect in Georgia … Scout four-star prospect, #159 overall prospect and #18 DT in the country…Dawg Post #14 overall prospect and #4 DT in Georgia… Participant in Offense-Defense Diamonds in the Rough game… Atlanta Journal-Constitution Class AAAA All-State Honorable Mention.
Personal: TYLER CLARK…Born: July 25, 1998.

JALEEL LAGUINS (LB, 6-2, 220)

High School: Oconee County, coached by Travis Noland … Selected to represent the East in the 2016 U.S. Army All-America Bowl … PrepStar Magazine four-star prospect, #289 player nationally and Top All-American … ESPN.com four-star prospect, #225 player nationally, #11 ILB nationally, #24 player in the state of Georgia … 247Sports.com four-star prospect, #235 player nationally, #10 ILB nationally, #20 player in the state of Georgia … Rivals.com four-star prospect, #19 ILB nationally, #27 player in the state of Georgia … Scout four-star prospect, #273 player nationally, #18 OLB nationally…Dawg Post #27 overall prospect and #1 OLB in the state of Georgia…2015 Atlanta Journal-Constitution Class AAA All-State defense … 2015 Georgia Sports Writers Association Class AAA All-State First Team defense … during his senior season, made 69 tackles, including 16 tackles for loss and four sacks, and forced two fumbles … Led Oconee County to a 9-3 record in his final season and a trip to the second round of the 2015 GHSA Class AAA playoffs.
Personal: JALEEL LAGUINS … Born: May 30, 1998.