Georgia Tech, which will put the finishing touches on its recruiting class over the next month, has 14 commitments, and expects to secure 17-19 players by national signing day.
Tech’s top commitment might be Francis Kallon, a 6-foot-6, 250-pound defensive end from Central Gwinnett High School. He’s ranked as a 4-star recruit by both ESPN and Scout. Kallon, who finished his first season of organized football after moving from England, spurned offers from Auburn and Tennessee, among others, to stick with the Yellow Jackets.
Also, quarterback Justin Thomas, a 5-11, 175-pounder from Alabama’s Prattville High School, is ranked as a 4-star prospect and the No. 19 all-purpose athlete in the country by Rivals. He was committed to Alabama for a year but switched to Georgia Tech for the opportunity to play quarterback.
The top five remaining targets on Georgia Tech’s recruiting board:
Dalvin Tomlinson, DE, Henry County: The 6-3, 270-pounder is one of the state's top five seniors yet to make his college decision. Alabama and Georgia Tech have been the longtime frontrunners for Tomlinson, who has a 3.9 GPA and is being recruited by Harvard and other Ivy League schools. After a recruiting trip to Tech a few weeks ago, he rated it as "an 8 or 9." He might want to stay closer to home after the death of his mother last summer. Tomlinson made an official visit to Alabama and also had Florida, Tennessee, Indiana and Georgia on his short list.
Elijah Shumate, DB, Ramsey, N.J.: The 6-1, 205-pounder is ranked as the nation's No. 7 safety by Rivals.com. He is scheduled to visit Georgia Tech on Jan. 13, and is considering Notre Dame, South Carolina, Oklahoma, Rutgers and Michigan State. "He's a very physical kid that is a sure tackler in space," said Rusty Mansell, National Recruiting Analyst for 247Sports. "Elijah comes from one of the top programs in the country in Don Bosco Prep. Shumate is the type of prospect that will play early wherever he ends up. Has a great nose for the football and his film is impressive."
Miles Jones, RB, Allatoona: When the 5-11, 205-pounder made an official visit to Georgia Tech earlier this month, there was speculation Jones would both be offered and commit on the spot. Nothing happened, but he is still in the mix for an offer. Said Jones, "Georgia Tech said that I'm the No. 1 running back they are recruiting. They may have a few transfers coming in, so they have to see how it's going to go." In the meantime, Jones is talking to Maryland, Middle Tennessee State, Georgia Southern and Jacksonville State. "I still like Georgia Tech but I'm not sitting around waiting for them. Who knows? An offer may never come. I'm looking around." Jones rushed for 2,142 yards and 30 TDs as a senior.
Nicholas St. Germain, K, McEachern: Georgia Tech could sign a kicker this year, and St. Germain might be next in line for an offer. Illinois commit Ryan Frain made an official visit to Georgia Tech a few weeks ago, but decided to stick with Illinois. Georgia Tech and South Carolina could be close to offering St. Germain, who holds offers from Georgia Southern, Middle Tennessee State and South Alabama. This past season, St. Germain sent 59 of 74 kickoffs out of the end zone, converted all 52 extra points, and made 11 of 17 field goals, including a long of 49 yards. Georgia Tech is also looking at a couple of other kicking candidates.
Alex McCalister, DE, Clemmons, N.C.: The 6-6, 210-pounder is ranked as the No. 27 weakside defensive end in the country by Rivals but might be able to play several different positions in college, depending on how he grows and develops. He took an official visit to Georgia Tech a few weeks ago, but wants to see other schools before making a final decision. "Alex is a kid that is a legit 6-foot-6 with long arms," Mansell said. "Anytime you can get a prospect like him coming off the edge, it can make you better in a hurry. At his height he does not have to get a sack to cause problems, he just needs to get upfield pressure to force a quarterback out of the pocket and knock a ball down. He is around 225 pounds now and I can see him playing at 245 pounds before college is over with."
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