About half of Georgia’s 2012 signees were rated as four- or five-star prospects.

James DeLoach wasn’t one of them.

Georgia defensive coordinator Todd Grantham thinks he knows why the freshman outside linebacker was overlooked.

He committed to Georgia in June 2011, when the Bulldogs were only about a quarter of the way done securing their signing class.

“Everybody forgets about him and they go focus on the guys that haven’t made a decision yet,” Grantham said. “Here’s a guy who committed to Georgia because he loved Georgia, he’s worked hard and is a big, physical man, and he’s going to have a bright future here and we’re going to get him ready to play.

The 6-foot-3, 270-pounder from Jenkins County High in Millen — the same school that high-profile defensive line signee Jonathan Taylor hails from — moves well in space for his size, Grantham said.

“He can set the edge on things,” Grantham said.

Along with Jordan Jenkins and Josh Dawson, DeLoach is one of three freshmen outside linebackers that appear on track to play along this season.

Jenkins is working as an edge rusher at the same outside linebacker spot as Jarvis Jones, but may be in the mix to start opposite Jones.

Grantham cautions “He can move around. He’ll play somewhere else, too.”