Q&A with Shattle Fenteng
Of all the players Georgia has signed and/or will sign in the 2014 recruiting class, few are more likely to see the football field than Shattle Fenteng.
The word is Fenteng, a 6-foot-2, 200-pound junior-to-be out of Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College, was ready to make the move to SEC ball when he left Grayson High two years ago. He was the best player on the field for the Rams not named Robert Nkemdiche. But now, after a couple of seasons to season at Hutchinson, he’s definitely ready to go.
And the Bulldogs need help. While they remain young in the secondary, Georgia showed some talent deficiencies this past season and it would appear Fenteng could come in unseat some players who got playing time this past year.
Fenteng talked to the AJC this week about his recruitment, his experience at Hutchinson and his expectations as he prepares to move to Athens this summer.
Q: What’s the story with your unusual first name?
A: "There's not really a story behind it. My father's best friend's name was Shattle and he died in a motorcycle accident and he wanted to name me after him. People say 'Shadow' all the time, just because it sounds close."
Q: Were you born and raised somewhere else or have you always been in the Atlanta area?
A: "I was actually born in Italy. My dad used to work there, near Rome. I was there probably my fist five years. I don't remember anything about it. I plan to go back in the future."
Q: Anything about you now that is inherently Italian?
A: "I love pizza, I love spaghetti, all that. I love Italian food."
Q: It would appear Georgia could use some help in the defensive backfield. What’s your take on the situation?
A: "I liked Georgia first of all because it's close to home. Number two, they're a winning program. And my goal is to make it in the NFL one day and Georgia does a great job developing their players. As far as playing, my goal is to fight my way onto the field and hopefully be able to start. I feel like I have a chance to play, to come in and get in the rotation hopefully. But I just want to help Georgia win."
Q: You were recruited to Georgia by former secondary coach Scott Lakatos. Did all the changes on the defensive staff give you any pause?
A: "Coach Lak was a good guy, but he had to go for non-football reasons. But I liked the changes. I like Coach Pruitt because he comes from a winning background and he takes guys to the NFL. I feel like he's going to develop me well. And he said he actually said he likes me. He told me right off the bat he still wanted me and I'm the kind of corner he recruits. He wanted me to come on a visit before I changed my mind."
Q: Did other schools increase their recruitment after Georgia made the defensive changes?
A: "Oh yeah. Ole Miss came back in the picture, Arizona State, Ohio State, some others. But I knew after my visit (on Jan. 17) I was going to stick with Georgia."
Q: Was there culture shock moving from the Atlanta area to Hutchinson, Kan.?
A: "It took some getting used to, mainly just being away from home. But I liked it. I feel like I grew as a person and as a football player. So I think it benefited me and I'm happy I took the JUCO route. It made me a better person."
Q: What was the biggest difference?
A: "The biggest change is being on your own. You don't have your parents there, you don't have someone helping you. You have to live on your own and you have to live smart. That's the biggest thing. You have to make new friends and you can't just run home any time you feel like it."
Q: What do you think of your new teammates and the 2014 UGA recruiting class?
A: "I like the running backs. We have two of the top running backs in the country in Sony Michel and Nick Chubb, so that's good. We already have (Todd) Gurley and (Keith) Marshall, so we ought to be ready. I'm excited. Can't wait to get there."
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