A few years ago, Georgia had one of its more successful football recruiting classes by selling the “Dream Team” concept.
The foundation of that idea was to convince the state’s top college prospects to stay home and play together for the Bulldogs.
UGA coach Mark Richt is using the same type of sales pitch with this year’s recruits. Norcross High defensive end Lorenzo Carter went to last week’s Dawg Night camp and had a long conversation with Richt. “He just let me know how big of a class we have in Georgia, and if I committed, we could have one of the top classes in the nation,” Carter said. “It would be just a great opportunity for the home state.”
Carter, 6-foot-5, 240-pounds, is rated as a five-star and the state’s No. 1 overall prospect by the 247Sports composite rankings. While Carter enjoyed his UGA visit, he said Florida still leads the Bulldogs and Alabama for his services. “I’ve always loved Florida,” Carter said. “Carlos Dunlap is my favorite player of all-time. Growing up, (watching) Florida, it was just a dream school for me.”
Brotherly love? Georgia Tech has inside advantage with two of the state's top uncommitted prospects because both have older brothers who play football for the Yellow Jackets.
Norcross High athlete Myles Autry is the sibling of Tech sophomore wide receiver Anthony Autry. Eagle’s Landing Christian defensive end Andrew Williams is the younger brother of Anthony Williams, a junior defensive end for the Jackets.
The 6-foot-4, 247-pound Williams visited Tech’s campus Wednesday with his high school team for a 7-on-7 tournament. He’s rated as a four-star and the state’s No. 18 overall prospect in the 247 composite.
Williams also has offers from UGA, Notre Dame, Clemson, LSU, Ole Miss and Auburn, among others. But that family connection has Tech fans feeling good about their chances of landing the prized prospect.
“It really doesn’t affect my decision with my brother being at Georgia Tech because he has been through the recruiting process,” Williams said. “He knows what it’s all about. He just wants the best for me. He’s not pushing it too hard. That’s always good.”
Does having his older brother help Tech’s chances? “Not really, but it helps me in the fact I’m going to get 100-percent truth about Georgia Tech, no matter what, from my brother, without any coaches,” Williams said. “So that kind of helps.”
Georgia also is making a run at Williams, who last visited with the Bulldogs during a 7-on-7 tournament in early June. Williams never really had a relationship with former UGA defensive line coach Rodney Garner, but quickly built a connection with his replacement, Chris Wilson.
“Georgia has made a leap with me over the past few months. … Coach Wilson just made me feel like I’m the kind of player they want,” Williams said.
Williams, who may tour LSU next week, will wait until after taking a few official visits this fall before reaching his college decision. Autry hasn’t narrowed his list of schools, but he said that Tech will be among his finalists. He also is considering Florida State and Auburn, among others.
Etc.: One of Auburn's top recruits, St. Pius cornerback Nick Ruffin, said he intends to "keep his promise" to UGA's coaches and take an official visit to Georgia later this year. Ruffin said he has the blessing of the Auburn coaches. "As long as I don't have too much fun, it's OK." What would it take for UGA to switch his commitment? "That's a good question," Ruffin said with a laugh. "Probably the whole world because I love Auburn to death. It would take a whole lot for them to flip my decision." … Wesleyan sophomore Jordan Mack said he recently got his first college offer and it was from Tech. Mack is a 6-3, 190-pound safety. "It feels great. It has always been a dream school if mine and to have a chance to go there is unbelievable," Mack said.
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