The ease with which prospects can share their game video online has made the notion of the hidden gem a bit outdated in the recruiting world. However, Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson believes he may have one in wide receiver Adonicas Sanders of North Charleston, S.C.
Sanders, who committed to Tech on Monday and was the last prospect added to the class, expected to accept a scholarship to Presbyterian, an FCS school, before Tech swooped in.
“From the first time we watched him on film, I thought he was a really good player,” Johnson said Wednesday, “and I think he might be the most underrecruited kid in the whole class.”
Sanders averaged more than 100 receiving yards per game this season and helped Fort Dorchester win a state championship in his junior season. Johnson said he was encouraged to hear positive reviews from coaches who have faced Sanders, as well as from Fort Dorchester High coach Steve Laprad.
“He’s sent ’em everywhere,” Johnson said. “He’s like, I think he’s better than any of the guys I’ve had.”
At least part of the reason that Sanders (6-foot-1, 185 pounds) wasn’t recruited more heavily might be that he reportedly wanted to play basketball in college. However, he wasn’t getting the same sort of recruiting attention for basketball that he did for football. Johnson made the observation that this isn’t the first time Tech has gone after a wide receiver with little fanfare. Starting wide receiver Brad Stewart would have gone to Yale if not for a last-minute offer from Tech in 2015.
Said Johnson, “Hopefully it’ll be the same thing with Adonicas.”
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