Major UGA target Mecole Hardman, Jr. plans to make a silent commitment this fall. (Rob Saye / Special to the AJC)
UGA target Mecole Hardman, Jr. made waves earlier this year when he said he planned to make a silent commitment to his school of choice.
Hardman told the AJC this week just when he’s planning to make that commitment.
“It is probably like a little ways off,” Hardman said. “Not too far, though. It will probably be like September or October.”
The four-star athlete from Elbert County has UGA and Tennessee as his co-leaders, while he recently named Auburn as his No. 3. Now back to that silent commitment stuff: Hardman plans to pledge to a school and keep it under wraps until February’s signing day.
“I have thought about how I want to do it,” Hardman said. “But I don’t know for sure. I don’t know how I am going to go. I might say it, but somebody might ask me if I have made my silent commitment and I will be like ‘Yeah, I made my silent commitment last week already’ with it.
How will Hardman’s big news remain a secret?
“I believe the recruiters will keep my commitment silent and I also think the other recruits will, too.”
He also told the AJC he will “probably” be in Athens early on Friday for UGA’s “Dawg Night” on Saturday. He will be a Saturday guest regardless.
Hardman shined at The Opening last week. He said he made more plays on offense, but it was difficult to make an impact on defense because offenses rarely threw at him. He’s a candidate to earn his fifth star from recruiting services coming out of the event.
“I learned a lot about being patient on the defensive side of the ball,” he said. “Just let the game come to you and don’t try to do everything on every play.”
Jeff Sentell covers UGA recruiting for AJC.com and The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Follow him on Twitter for the latest on who’s on their way to play Between the Hedges.
About the Author
