With national signing day less than three weeks away, here’s an update on how state schools stand:
GEORGIA TECH
Commitments: 22
Expected class size: 23-26
Star recruit: Trent Sellers, the defensive end from Sandy Creek who had a growth spurt (now stands 6-foot-4 and 230 pounds). His father played at Auburn. Sellers had 29 quarterback hurries and 6.5 sacks as a senior.
News of the week: Tech is one of the few major-college programs in the country that has yet to have a recruit in this year's class switch their commitment to another school. … The Yellow Jackets will bring in around a dozen recruits on official visits this weekend. Most are committed to Tech.
What to feel good about: Tech finished No. 8 in the final AP Poll, which is something to brag about on the recruiting trail. It has also helped the Jackets fend off other schools trying to poach recruits.
What to worry about: Defensive end Anree Saint-Amour of North Gwinnett will visit Stanford this weekend. Soon after he'll announce the winner of his finalists, which includes Tech. The Jackets have a good chance if Saint-Amour decides to stay close to home.
Quote of the week: "I would think Georgia Tech might look at some transfer people to fill in some other scholarships if they're available. That would be to try to fill in some attrition that happened last year. I don't see them going and offering a slew of high school guys late, unless something weird happens." — JacketsOnline's Kelly Quinlan
Coming up next: Could Tech pick up another commitment this weekend? Dorian Walker, a defensive back from Mount Paran Christian, and David Curry, a linebacker from Buford, are scheduled for official visits, per JacketsOnline. Curry is committed to Virginia, but plays on the same Buford team as the son of Tech defensive coordinator Ted Roof.
GEORGIA
Commitments: 26
Expected class size: 28-31
Star recruit: Chris Carson, the running back from Butler Community College in Kansas. He starred at Parkview. Carson is a tough runner inside the tackles, and he'll complement Nick Chubb in the backfield next season.
News of the week: New offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer and new offensive line coach Rob Sale introduced themselves to recruits. In an effort to bolster depth on the offensive line, they threw out a couple of offers at Creekside, Venzell Boulware (committed to Tennessee) and Marquel Harrell (Auburn). Boulware planned to visit UGA this weekend, but canceled after talking with his mother. Harrell might check out the Bulldogs on Jan. 23.
What to feel good about: UGA will get its best chance to win over Donte Jackson, a four-star cornerback from New Orleans who reportedly is favoring LSU. Jackson will visit UGA this weekend and announce his decision Jan. 21.
What to worry about: Which recruits on the offensive line will Sale be able to bring in and hold onto in only three weeks on the job? He has to make a big impression in a hurry.
Quote of the week: "I'm still 100 percent committed to UGA, and there's .01 percent chance of me de-committing." — UGA offensive lineman commit Sage Hardin of Marist. He got an offer from Ole Miss this week.
Coming up next: Several longtime UGA commits, including five-star wide receiver Terry Godwin of Callaway and cornerback Deandre Baker from Miami, are scheduled to visit rival schools.
GEORGIA STATE
Commitments: 20
Expected class size: 19-21
Star recruit: Richard Hallman, a 6-4 receiver from Hillgrove. The pressure is on Georgia State to make a big impression during this weekend's official visit. Hallman will go on a trip next week to Troy, which has made him a top recruiting priority. He committed to the Panthers in July.
News of the week: A major overhaul is underway as 17 new players started classes Monday. They will be ready for spring practice. This group includes eight junior-college players and six UAB transfers, along with three signees from last year who gray-shirted.
What to feel good about: Unless some bigger schools try to poach its recruits (and set off a chain of events), Georgia State is almost done with this year's class.
What to worry about: Kelvin Rainey, an inside linebacker from Iowa Western, has signed his letter of intent but hasn't reported to campus.
Quote of the week: "With 17 guys in, I think this class is probably more close to being done at this point than any other in Georgia State's five-year history. We're three weeks away from signing day, and the class is essentially done numbers-wise. It's a credit to having a huge number of early enrollees." — PantherTalk.com's Ben Moore
Coming up next: Konnor Houston, an outside linebacker from Buford, will take an official visit this week or next week, per PantherTalk.com. Houston is the brother of UGA offensive lineman Kolton Houston.
KENNESAW STATE
Commitments: 11
Expected class size: 22
Star recruit: Zach Taisler, a 6-3, 215-pound linebacker who led Houston County this season with 90 tackles, including six tackles for losses.
News of the week: Six new players started classes this week. This group included four junior-college players and two transfers.
What to worry about: Most colleges sign one quarterback per class, but Kennesaw State won't do that this year, according to coach Brian Bohannon. "We signed three quarterbacks a year ago, and we're really pleased with those guys and what they're doing. So we're going to skip this class, and then we'll take a quarterback in every class after that."
Quote of the week: "We're going to (bring in) approximately 22 kids this year. Now we want 14 of those to be transfers. So what we're trying to do is get some age on our football team with being a new program … then we're going to sign approximately eight high school kids." — Bohannon
Coming up next: The Owls will entertain around a dozen recruits Jan. 23.
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