Running back T.J. Engleman has yet to complete his sophomore year at Princeton High in Cincinnati. But he had seen (and felt) enough from Georgia Tech to make a decision about his college future, announcing his commitment to Tech Monday.
He becomes the first prospect to accept a scholarship offer from coach Geoff Collins for the 2024 class. Tech does not have any commitments for the 2023 class.
“When you know, you know,” Engleman told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “It just felt like it was the right time to do it. This school’s showing me the most love right now, and it just felt like we just had to do it, so we just got it done.”
Engleman has a tight connection with Mike Daniels, the Yellow Jackets’ new running backs coach. Daniels coached at Princeton, his alma mater, 2017-20. He coached Engleman for his freshman season in 2020.
“He was exciting,” Engleman said. “I liked the way he did things. We just vibed with each other, so there’s always been a connection.”
Listed at 5-foot-9 and 170 pounds and categorized as an “athlete,” Engleman played quarterback for Princeton as a sophomore when the team’s starter was injured, showing off game-breaking speed and elusiveness as a ball carrier. Tech coaches see him as a running back, Engleman said. He has reported offers from Kentucky, Akron, Buffalo, Bowling Green State and Miami (Ohio). He does not have a 247Sports Composite rating, but he is rated as a three-star prospect by Rivals, which ranked him as the No. 12 prospect in the talent-rich state of Ohio in the 2024 class.
“I feel like I’m a playmaker,” Engleman said. “I know what the defense does before it even happens. I know what moves to do. I feel like I’m shifty, fast – just a football player.”
“I'm excited to build a pipeline from Ohio straight down to Atlanta."
Daniels has pursued Engleman since he left Princeton after the 2020 season. Daniels first accepted a position from Army coach Jeff Monken on his recruiting staff before jumping a month later to accept a running backs coach job at Akron before finally landing at Buffalo in the same offseason to be its running backs coach. Daniels made offers to Engleman at both Akron (his first scholarship offer) and Buffalo before making his third pitch to Engleman at Tech. Engleman announced the Tech offer Dec. 21, the day after Daniels’ hiring was announced.
Engleman made two unofficial visits to Tech this offseason, including one last week. He actually decided to commit Thursday, he said, but “we wanted to wait until ‘404 Day’ to announce it,” referencing Monday’s 4/4 date.
Shortly after his hire, Daniels expressed optimism that he could recruit the Cincinnati area well for Tech.
“It’s well-known in terms of the location and how really good the school is,” Daniels said. “We’ll be able to do well in that area. I feel very confident in that, and I’m excited to build a pipeline from Ohio straight down to Atlanta.”
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