Georgia Tech

Murfreesboro, Tenn. safety becomes 23rd Tech commit

Photo of Kaleb Oliver courtesy of 247 Sports.
Photo of Kaleb Oliver courtesy of 247 Sports.
By Juliakate E Culpepper
Jan 30, 2017

Three-star safety Kaleb Oliver was uneasy about attending a college in a big city like Atlanta, Ga., but once he was on Georgia Tech’s campus for his official visit on Saturday, the next four years were clear.

“It really surprised me, the school did,” Oliver said. “I didn’t expect the campus life to be like it is. You can actually have the college experience outside of the whole thing about it being in the middle of Atlanta. So you can get the college experience with being in the middle of Atlanta.”
As Oliver, from Murfreesboro, Tenn., talked to Tech coaches and early enrolled defensive back Gentry Bonds over the weekend, Oliver decided he wanted to announce his commitment on Monday.

" I got to hang out with (Bonds) down there and talk with him and he just persuaded me and we got it done," Oliver said of his high school rival and friend.

Oliver, a 6-foot-3, 198 pound senior from Oakland High School, released a statement at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on Monday writing in part, "I plan to spend my next four years (furthering) my academics and athletics in Atlanta, Ga. at (the) Georgia Institute of Technology."

Oliver chose Tech over Mississippi and Louisville.

Oliver previously committed to Mississippi State in June, but withdrew his commitment on Jan. 16 because of defensive coaching changes. With new coaches, Oliver said he was listed as a linebacker, which conflicted with his desire to pursue playing nickelback or safety like he played at Oakland.

He got his wish with the Yellow Jackets.

“(Tech coaches) want me to play both side safeties and also nickelback,” Oliver said. “They want to see what I can do in those positions.”

Oliver is one of four recruits on Saturday’s official visit to commit to Tech after with commits defensive tackle Boe Tufele and safety Tariq Carpenter who committed on Sunday and wide receiver Adonicas Sanders on Monday.

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Juliakate E Culpepper

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