How did UGA land one of the nation’s top offensive linemen who didn’t even have the Bulldogs listed in his top 10 only a couple of months ago?
On Thursday, EJ Price of Archer High School committed to UGA over Michigan and Florida State. Price is rated as the state's No. 9 overall prospect, along with the nation's No. 10 offensive tackle.
OL EJ Price (Photo by Curtis Hampton)
How did UGA get Price when it appeared so far out of it in February? What changed things? Much of the credit goes to new UGA offensive line coach Rob Sale, who developed a fast and furious relationship with Price.
“It was the new coaching staff that changed things,” Price told the AJC. “There’s Coach Schottenheimer. I clicked with Coach Sale. I know this is his first time really with big-time college football, but there is just something about him that clicked. I just put my trust in him.
“I was always good with Coach Richt. Some of those coaches that were there before (the new offensive coaches were hired) weren’t feeling me as much I thought they should have. There was kind of a disconnect, almost. But with this new coaching staff that Coach Richt brought in, he got some amazing guys. They are definitely getting the job done.”
Remember how good UGA’s recruiting was this past year on the defensive side of the ball? Well, it’s getting to be that way on offense for 2016.
Price and fellow UGA commit Ben Cleveland of Stephens County are two elite offensive linemen who are both rated among the state's top 10 prospects. And the headliner for the 2016 class is quarterback Jacob Eason, who is rated as the nation's No. 1 overall prospect.
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