UGA sketch of nation’s No. 1 prospect, Trenton Thompson (Special/AJC)
In the ultra-competitive world of football recruiting, a college’s main goal in communicating with elite prospects is to do something that will make it stand out from the dozens of other schools pursuing the same kid.
UGA is doing something this year that is (1) definitely catching the attention of the recruits and (2) certainly separating itself from the rest of the pack.
What is it? UGA is sending some prospects portraits of themselves wearing the Bulldogs uniform, along with an autographed message from Mark Richt.
Hand-drawn portrait UGA sent to Chuma Edoga (Special/AJC)
Chuma Edoga is a 4-star (and soon-to-be 5-star) offensive lineman from McEachern High School who is considered by some recruiting analysts to be the state's No. 1 prospect at his position. He has Tennessee as his leader, followed by USC, UGA and Stanford (in that order). Edoga flew out of Atlanta on Wednesday to make unofficial visits to both USC and Stanford.
“I’d say this (UGA portrait) is the most creative thing I’ve gotten in the mail so far,” Edoga told the AJC on Wednesday. “I thought it was pretty cool that they took time to do that (the drawing). And it was a pretty good drawing. I feel like it looks like me a little bit.”
How does it compare to what the other colleges are sending to Edoga? In other words, what would be No. 2? “It’s also from Georgia. It’s a picture of me that is broken down into a puzzle I have to put together to make into a poster.” What would be No. 2 from another college? “The Ohio State one I got. I got a picture of my jersey hanging in a locker with my name on the back of it.”
Here’s some more UGA targets with portraits, via Twitter:
Rashad Roundtree is a 4-star safety from Lakeside-Evans High School who has the Bulldogs among his early leaders.
Best mail yet ! Really makes an impact! #Dawgs #UGA http://t.co/j3JwnyRBwa—
Tree (@Rashad_Tr33) March 31, 2014
D'Andre Walker is a 4-star defensive end from Langston Hughes High School who has more than 20 scholarship offers, including UGA.
Little Something Georgia Sent Today #godawgs http://t.co/8Q27drOKMh—
D'Andre Walker (@LuxuryLife1K) April 02, 2014
Roquan Smith is a 4-star linebacker from Macon County High School with more than 20 scholarship offers, including UGA.
Something from UGA and Mark Richt #DawgNation #UGADawgs http://t.co/q7t2B2P4ld—
Hunnit_Gang1 (@RoquanSmith1) February 28, 2014
Chauncey Rivers is a 4-star defensive end from Stephenson High School who switched his commitment from South Carolina to UGA in February. "It was a good picture," Rivers told the AJC. "I just thought that it was a great way prospect's attention. It got mine." Rivers has two copies of his picture; he keeps one on his bedroom wall, and another one in a frame in a family room.
DE Chauncey Rivers (Special/AJC)
mcarvell@ajc.com
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