When the news broke about Georgia coach Mark Richt’s ouster, the fathers of the school’s two biggest recruits for the class of 2016 reached out to one another via text message.
Their exchange was brief, but that was all the time the fathers of Ben Cleveland and Jacob Eason needed to convey what they were thinking. Derek Cleveland, the father of the 4-star offensive lineman, shared a synopsis of his conversation with Tony Eason, Jacob’s father, with DawgNation.
“He is like us,” Derek Cleveland said of Eason. “Upset and concerned. But as of right now, we are both taking a wait-and-see approach before we do or say anything. Ultimately, it is still our sons’ decisions to make.”
In a snap, a commitment to a football program went from firm to tentative.
“Both of our boys are smart enough to know that they need to sit tight and see who steps into this role and what changes, if any, that person is going to make before reacting,” Cleveland said.
There is a tight timeline on the horizon. Cleveland and Eason have already signed their financial aid papers and were planning to enroll in January.
How some other top UGA uncommitted targets reacted:
5-star Derrick Brown, DT, Sr., Lanier: "I mean, it's hard to pick a school with no one in a secure head coaching job because if your position coach were to leave, which happens a lot, you want that security."
5-star Ben Davis, LB, Sr., Gordo: "I hate to hear that. I know Coach Richt real well. He's a great person on and off the field, but it doesn't really affect my looks on Georgia. It's a great university. That's why they are still one of my top schools."
5-star Nate McBride, LB, Jr., Vidalia: "I'll say I'm shocked. That's all I'm saying right now."
4-star William Poole, CB, Jr., Hapeville Charter: "This was something I braced myself for after all of the rumors the last several weeks and being up to UGA and talking with other members of the staff. I had a feeling this day would eventually come. Coach Richt has had a good career at UGA the past 15 years, but let's keep it real. With all the talent he's had, he never got that one big thing, which is a national championship. I hope for nothing but the best for him here on out. His departure does not affect my feelings about UGA in any kind of way."
4-star Trey Blount, WR, Jr., Pace Academy: "Honestly, I'm really shocked. I didn't see this coming. I understand he was under a lot of heat, but I didn't expect him to get fired."
4-star Tre' Nixon, WR, Jr., Viera (Fla.): "It's hard to take in right now. He was not only a great coach but an even better person. I'm going to call the staff tonight to see what's next. I do love Coach Richt and the staff a lot. There's a big part of why UGA is so high on my list. (They are) all great people."
4-star Shawn Smith, WR, Jr., Brunswick: "I still like Georgia. I just don't know how to feel at the moment."
4-star Tre Shaw, CB, Jr., Cedar Grove: "It is very shocking and disappointing. This was very unexpected."
DawgNation recruiting reporters Jeff Sentell and Chuck Kingsbury contributed to this report.
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