Will Darius Slayton flip from UGA to Auburn? (AJC)
UGA has dispatched nearly its entire coaching staff to Greater Atlanta Christian high school today after Darius Slayton surprised the Bulldogs by visiting Auburn this past weekend.
On offensive side of the ball, the 4-star receiver might be UGA's most important recruit, especially after Van Jefferson de-committed from the Bulldogs last week (committing to Ole Miss on Sunday).
Slayton’s unexpected trip to Auburn this close to signing day was alarming news to UGA. And the Bulldogs were quick to react.
Assistants John Lilly and Bryan McClendon stopped by GAC in the morning, while offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer and defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt, along with wide receivers coach Tony Ball and McClendon were at the school in the afternoon.
“UGA’s message is something like, ‘You picked us a month ago; What has changed?’” GAC coach Tim Hardy told the AJC. “’Nothing has changed. If anything, we’ve improved. We brought in an NFL offensive coordinator.’
“I think UGA has done a great job of addressing what they needed to address with Darius. We’ll see what happens.”
Slayton’s coach politely declined to explain or speculate on what triggered Slayton’s surprise trip to Auburn this past weekend. Last month, Slayton committed to UGA over Auburn in a school ceremony.
“I don’t know,” Hardy said. “I really don’t have a much of a comment about the situation. I think it’s best for Darius and his family to discuss their situation. It is what it is. We’ll see what happens.”
Mark Richt is scheduled to make an in-home visit with Slayton sometime this week, but his coach did not know the specifics. Hardy did say that Slayton is tentatively scheduled to return to UGA this weekend on an unofficial visit.
And what about Auburn? When will they send coaches to GAC this week? “I don’t know,” Hardy said. “They haven’t communicated with me since December.”
Slayton was one of six UGA recruits to take official visits to other schools this weekend – less two weeks away from signing day. The others were DB DeAndre Baker (Texas), RB Chris Carson (Oklahoma State), WR Terry Godwinn (Alabama), WR/DB Shaq Wilson (West Virginia), and WR Jayson Stanley (UCF).
About the Author
