With college football’s inaugural early signing period starting Wednesday, Georgia Tech coaches are trying to finish strong with the signing class for 2018. Tech has 17 players committed as of Friday, and there’s room for a handful more.
Here are four players that Tech coaches are trying to add to the class.
James Graham, Fitzgerald High, QB
Graham, a dual-threat quarterback from the alma mater of former Tech defensive back Jemea Thomas, committed to Virginia Tech, but is coming to Georgia Tech this weekend for an official visit. Graham would be a huge get for the Yellow Jackets if he were to change his decision.
He is a four-star prospect (247 Sports composite) and rated the No. 17 athlete in the senior class and the No. 38 prospect overall in the state of Georgia.
Tech is in particular need for a quarterback to join the class. The transfer of freshman Jay Jones and Matthew Jordan’s decision to forego his final season of eligibility have left Tech with three scholarship quarterbacks – TaQuon Marshall, Lucas Johnson and Tobias Oliver.
Michael Barrett, Lowndes High, QB
Barrett is another quarterback that Tech is pursuing. He reported a scholarship offer from Tech last December. Lowndes coach Randy McPherson said that Tech offensive line coach Mike Sewak made multiple trips to watch Barrett play this fall.
“Wherever he ends up, he’s going to do very well, regardless of what position he plays, at quarterback, wherever, running back, defense,” McPherson said. “He’s one of the best football players I’ve ever coached.”
That’s a hefty endorsement. Lowndes is a state juggernaut that has won three state titles in his tenure.
Barrett took a visit to Michigan earlier this month and may be leaning in that direction. One advantage that Tech may have is that Michigan is recruiting him as an athlete and not specifically as a quarterback, while Tech wants him as a quarterback. That differentiation played a role in the recruiting of past Tech quarterbacks, namely Justin Thomas.
Lorenz Metz, Germany, DL
Metz was offered by Tech earlier this week while defensive line coach Mike Pelton was in Germany making a home visit with commit Julius Welschof, a defensive end. Metz is listed at 6-foot-9 and 280 pounds and can apparently run the 40-yard dash in 5.0 seconds, a rather staggering combination of height, size and speed. He has taken official visits to Connecticut, Cincinnati, Central Michigan and Massachusetts and will take his fifth and final visit to Tech this weekend. Mississippi State also is in the picture.
While Metz has played defensive line thus far, his size suggests he could switch to the offensive line. Either way, Tech has a need for linemen on offense and defense. Having Welschof already in the class could be a plus for Tech.
Troy Ingle, Fort Lauderdale, Fla., OT
While committed to Western Kentucky since July, Ingle is making an official visit to Tech this weekend. A three-star prospect (247 Sports composite), Ingle also has an official visit scheduled with Western Kentucky in February, but Tech coaches are likely hoping that he’ll rescind his commitment and sign with Tech in the early signing period. Ingle has good size at 6-foot-5 and 280 pounds and, judging by reported interest from Princeton, Cornell and Columbia, would seem a good fit academically.
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