The bottom line
Georgia Tech signed 17 players, eight from in-state. The class includes four defensive linemen, three defensive backs, two linebackers, offensive linemen, quarterbacks and wide receivers and one running back and one punter.
The Jackets went heavily for defensive linemen after not signing any in the 22-member 2011 class and losing two to graduation. With depth at the two running back spots, Tech signed only one back, Marcus Allen of Hilliard, Fla.
Two of the defensive linemen look like redshirt candidates, but are intriguing. End Francis Kallon of Central Gwinnett High played his first season of football after moving to Georgia from England. Lineman Adam Gotsis is a signee from Australia who has size (6-foot-5, 300 pounds) and speed, but will have to catch up to the speed of the game.
Tech could have signed a few more, but kept its numbers fairly low because coaches expect a strong group of prospects in the 2013 class in Georgia.
Among friends
Recruiting experts ranked the classes of Florida State, Clemson and Miami among the top 15 in the country. One of the Seminoles’ big accomplishments was getting defensive end Mario Edwards, considered the top player at his position in the country. He picked FSU over LSU, Oklahoma and Texas.
The Tigers’ 20-player class included six in ESPN’s top 150. The Hurricanes’ 24-player class included cornerback Tracy Howard, considered the top player in the state of Florida.
The hits
Kallon is a player who coaches clearly are excited about, having had to fend off the likes of Auburn, FSU and Stanford for his signature.
“He probably had as much traffic or as much recruiting as any kid in the state of Georgia,” coach Paul Johnson said. “Almost everybody who plays football came by and tried to work him, tried to get him to take a visit.”
Quarterback Justin Thomas was committed to Alabama before coach Nick Saban made it clear he wouldn’t play that position, leading to a defection to Tech. Similarly, most schools wanted Allen as a linebacker. That gave an opening to the Jackets, who wanted him as a running back, Allen’s preferred position. Wide receivers Micheal Summers from Statesboro High and Travin Henry from Cook High will give a boost to a group that lost both of its starters.
The misses
The most notable was Henry County High defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson, who announced his selection of Alabama over Tech and Georgia on Wednesday morning. Coaches had spent considerable time recruiting Tomlinson, who attended nearly every Tech home game this past season.
Two others were Sandy Creek offensive lineman Will Adams, who was a Tech commit but made a late jump to Auburn. Likewise, cornerback Antonio Crawford from Tampa, was committed to Tech before accepting a late scholarship offer from Miami.
All 16 players who were committed to Tech going into Wednesday signed with Tech.
Filling holes
With openings on the defensive line, defensive end Roderick Chungong from Silver Spring, Md., and defensive tackle Pat Gamble from Central-Carroll High will get opportunities for playing time. Defensive coordinator Al Groh has had success securing game-ready freshmen, namely linebacker Jeremiah Attaochu and cornerback Louis Young, the latter of whom went to school with Chungong at Our Lady of Good Counsel in Maryland.
“He’s a skilled pass rusher, good motor,” Groh said, “one of these kids that takes care of all his business.”
Punter Ryan Rodwell from DeLand, Fla., will challenge incumbent Sean Poole.
“I just really felt like we needed a punter to come in and give [Poole] some competition,” Johnson said.
Tech played two freshmen at wide receiver last season — Jeff Greene and Darren Waller — and Summers and Henry could also make a challenge.
In-state success
Gamble received an offer from Georgia, but held his word with the Jackets. Defensive back D.J. White hails from Union Grove High, which has sent defensive end Anthony Williams and former Tech linebackers Kyle Jackson and Steven Sylvester to Tech.
The Jackets tried to keep Henry a secret and hope that at 6-4 and 227 pounds, he will continue their successful run with big receivers. Tech got an assist on defensive back Anthony Autry, from Norcross High, from former Jackets star Jeremy Muyres, a Norcross assistant.
“He and I talked a lot,” secondary coach Charles Kelly said. “He was really impressed with [Autry] early.”
Summers was set on the Jackets from the beginning and passed on an offer from Florida to come to Tech. He’ll bring one of his best friends, Statesboro High offensive lineman Freddie Burden.
Greater Atlanta Christian offensive lineman Chase Roberts attracted light attention, in part because of his devotion to Tech.
Out-of-state success
Tech benefited again from Groh’s East Coast connections in landing Chungong, who had offers from Stanford and Virginia, among others. Thomas, the quarterback from Prattville, Ala., was considered one of the top 10 recruits in the state.
“We feel like he has a lot of ability, brings a lot of stuff,” Kelly said.
He’ll compete at quarterback with Dennis Andrews, an early enrollee from Tallahassee. Johnson expects one of them to ultimately change positions.
Allen drew national attention out of Florida, but picked Tech. His offers included Nebraska and Tennessee. Linebacker Beau Hankins from Birmingham had offers from Stanford and Penn State, but chose Tech after a late January visit.
Did you know?
Allen is related to former Georgia stars Champ and Boss Bailey. His mother is first cousins with them.
