OL Nick Buchanan (AJC)
Dunwoody High School's Nick Buchanan, who is one of the state's hottest college football prospects, is doing a diary with the AJC leading up to Wednesday's signing day.
The 6-foot-4, 280-pound offensive lineman committed to Cal last month, but got last-minute offers from UGA, Florida, South Carolina and Penn State within the last few weeks. Buchanan took an official visit to UGA last week, and went to Florida this weekend.
On Monday night, Buchanan de-committed from Cal. He shared his thoughts with the AJC:
“Earlier this morning, I was talking to (UGA assistants) Coach Sale and Coach Schottenheimer from Georgia. They were just talking about how much they needed me. Then later in the day I talked to the Florida coaches. They were telling me how they were ready for me to join everything. Then I sat down with my parents, and I called my sister on FaceTime. We talked for about 3-4 hours, weighing all the options and everything.
“We didn’t come to a decision, but we decided that it wasn’t Cal for me in the long run. We didn’t want to keep them waiting or anything. That’s not the right thing to do. So I called Cal coaches. I told them what my decision was. They were nothing but supportive. They have been great guys the whole time. They said I still had a place at Cal if I wanted it. They told me that at the end of the day, I had to do what’s best for me. They hoped I ended up at that spot that makes me the most happy.
“So I’m going to sign with either Georgia or Florida. Right now, I can’t even tell you what I’m thinking about that. I’m really confused right now. Should I stay in Georgia? Should I leave Georgia? How do I feel about my relationships with the coaches and other recruits at each school?
“My relationship with the coaches at both schools is about even. At Florida, it wouldn’t be a new offensive line coach, but it would be a new head coach and offensive coordinator. At Georgia, it would be a new offensive coordinator and offensive line coach, but the same head coach. As far as distance, it’s two hours to Georgia, compared to 4.5 hours to Florida. That’s not really a big difference. Both are day trips. As far as education, Florida leads in academics. But on a scale of 1-10, if you say Florida is a 9.7, then Georgia is 9.69. There’s not too big of a difference. As far as playing time or the depth chart, I’m not really looking at that. I know if I go in there, work hard, and do what I need to play … then I’ll play.
“I don’t know when I’m going to decide. It will definitely be by Wednesday, though.”
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